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Fitbit Troubleshooting For Six Common Problems

Fixes for drained battery, update issues, dirt, weak connections, and more

By Daniel Anglin Seitz Daniel Anglin Seitz Writer University of Vermont, Emerson College Dan Seitz is a tech writer with 10 years of experience writing about apps, gaming, and more. His work has appeared on Uproxx.com and other outlets. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 1, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Smart Watches & Wearables Eco Tech Electric Vehicles Working From Home Headphones & Ear Buds Smart Home Smart Watches & Wearables Travel Tech Connected Car Tech iPods & MP3 Players A Fitbit can take a beating, but when they break, they don't tell you since they generally don't display error codes on the watch face. If you're working out and it breaks down, here are some Fitbit troubleshooting tips you can try to get it working again.

Common Causes of Fitbit Problems

A Fitbit may fail for a number of reasons, including a drained battery, a software update, dust or dirt in the hardware, a weak connection to your phone, or incorrect file formats for music streaming. There's also the rare occasion when environmental conditions like extreme heat or cold can impact operation, as can heavy impact damage, or being submerged in water. In most cases, simple maintenance like cleaning the device and regularly updating the software will prevent most problems.

How to Fix Fitbit Problems

Here are some general troubleshooting tips for a broken Fitbit. Clean the connections. Clean and dry the connection on your charging cable and the connection point on your Fitbit, then try charging the device again. Try a different outlet or charger. Some problems stem from an old or afulty charing rig. Replace the cable. The cord may be malfunctioning or broken. If possible, borrow a working cable to test your Fitbit before buying a replacement. Move closer to your phone. Bluetooth only functions within 30 feet of a device and quality may drop off considerably at further distances. Check the Bluetooth connection. If you don't see it in your device's Bluetooth menu, scan for it to see if your Fitbit appears. If it does, tap the device and it should automatically pair. Disconnect other Bluetooth devices. Other Bluetooth connections may interfere with the Fitbit's ability to pair. Turn those devices off to improve the connection. Close the Fitbit app. Then turn off and reactivate Bluetooth. Check for Fitbit updates. There may be updates available for both your Fitbit and the Fitbit app. Check the settings. Go to the settings menu in the Fitbit app by tapping your device. Make sure you've enabled your Fitbit to always be connected to your phone. You can also set notifications privileges on this menu. Check your phone settings. Make sure your phone is not in quiet or Do Not Disturb mode. If you're missing text notifications, check that the text app is open to the correct conversation. Unpair your Fitbit. Turn the Bluetooth connection off on your phone, and then re-connect it. Clean the Fitbit. Gently clean the face of your Fitbit with a cloth or paper towel and a small amount of non-abrasive cleaner. Format the drive. Delete any audio files you've stored on your Fitbit and then re-upload them. Check subscriptions. If you're using a streaming service, check that you have the correct subscription. Pandora, for example, will let U.S. residents download stations, but it won't interface with other services directly. Check the files you've uploaded. A Fitbit will only play MP3, MP4, and WMA files. You can convert other files to these formats, but Podcasts may not be in MP3 format. Restart your Fitbit. This process varies depending on which Fitbit you have. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Fix It When Your Fitbit Won't Turn On How to Set Up Your Fitbit Charge 2 How to Connect the Fitbit App to Apple Watch How to Fix the Microphone on AirPods Can You Text on Fitbit Versa? How to Add Friends on Fitbit How to Fix It When Windows 10 Bluetooth Is Not Working How to Make Your Cellphone Battery Last Longer How to Reset Your Fitbit Activity Tracker Does Fitbit Require a Subscription? How to Fix Your Fitbit Not Syncing 11 Fixes When the Fitbit App on Your iPad Isn't Working How to Fix Black Screen on Android Phones How to Set Up Fitbit Notifications How to Fix It When Spotify Is Not Working How to Fix It When Your PS4 Won't Turn On Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies