When I record a ride with watch it automatically syncs with strava at the end. BUT if i stop for a break say half an hour the watch auto pauses. The average mph on both Garmin and strava are different. It doesn’t seem to take into account that I stopped for a break on strava so the average is always lower than Garmin.
In settings I have auto pause turned on both Garmin and strava!! ??

Strava applies auto-pause to the record below 3mph, garmin at 1mph in real time Maybe?

I just turn auto-pause off on my garmin and let Strava process the ride however it likes TBH.

Ditch autopause and take control. Stop it when you stop for a proper break, and just suck up the loss in average mph when you’re stopped at traffic lights / junctions.