Alta only working when on charger

[Laur6734]

My Fitbit Alta only seems to work while it is charging . I have tried to reset it several times using the button on the charger. It syncs with my phone while it charges and shows full charge. Once I remove it from the charger, it does not work at all. It won't light up when not charging and my phone can't find it at all.

Any suggestions, besides the reset?!  

[Shilpamahendra]

My Alta is working only when charging is on and my could find it charging is 100%. When unplugged its going blank and my phone unable to find the device. Any support plz. 

[Mason9710]

I contacted customer service via email last week. The only solution they could offer was a 25% off coupon w no assurance on how long the battery life can be expected. If your Fitbit is out of warranty, that’s what they’re offering😏
See below:


Although your tracker is outside the scope of Fitbit's warranty terms, we want to offer you the following: 25% discount on a new Fitbit

Use the link below at any time in the next 30 days and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

https://www.fitbit.com/campaign/store?promo=25OFFREPLACEMENT&userPromo=AfAbxD8I586H&utm_campaign=25O...

If you have any questions, please reply directly to this email.

Happy stepping,
Team Fitbit
Sent from my iPad

[Heikalz]

I have the same issue, it frustrating that a good brand has an issue like this! 

[YBalkema]

I’ve just got mine for my birthday a couple of months ago and today I used it for the first time. Only works on charger and can’t use it at all. Battery Malfunction. I  feel disappointed because it’s such a lovely birthday present. 

[Eliza28]

I am also having this issue with my Fitbit. It's very disappointing. Is there a way of fixing this?

[AmuPriya]

My fitbit also started giving same problem - stop working as soon as it is taken off from charger. I googled to find cause and resolution of this issue and this is when I came here. After reading all the comments here i concluded that Alta Fitbit is a total waste of money. Its life is just 2 years after which it will be of no use. I wish I would have opted for other companies product that are way too cheaper and more durable (yes I do have one fastrack fitbit in family, it is much cheaper and working fine since more than 3 years now). 

I am writing this so that if anyone read this before buying this product should not fall trap of this worthless product. I recommend no one should buy Alta Fitbit...it is total waste of money.

[Martiface]

Mine started doing this about 9 months ago. An offer of 25% for a product that only lasts a year and half is an insult! This is my 2nd fit bit i have purchased. I was not offered a discount when i had to purchase this one because my flex quit. Fool me once shame on u, fool me twice shame on  me. Won't happen again! I just pulled it out after about 5 months to c if maybe there was an update to fix this. But no!  You'd have to upgrade me and send me a new device in order to take this terrible bad taste outta this girls mouth.

So.. i don't think it has anything to do with the battery... After my last reply I played around with my Alta. If u unplug it from the charger while the display is on u can tap it forever and watch the info change on the face/display. I did this continuously for a minute or 2. It didn't stop working till i stopped tapping it, waited a few seconds then tried tapping it and nothing happened. So it seems that fit bit has not done it's due diligence in troubleshooting the issue. It's more of an Alta turns off and won't come back on till placed on charger. Why don't u guys try and replicate this issue and find a fix.

Moderator edit: merged reply

[Andlab]

I agree to what @Martiface stated. I was able to reproduce the issue with my wife's Alta exactly as described. My Surge had as well an issue. We will switch to a competitor. 

[montoyma6]

This is happening to me right now with my versa lite. I’ve tried everything and nothing is working. It turns off when I take it out of the charger. 

[SunsetRunner]

Same issue, and i didnt use it much because the wrist band broke. Now it doesn't work. Not worth paying for a product that barely last a year. The only solution is to buy anew one. Too many people with the same issue and no resolution offered by fitbit. Buy a new one? I don’t think so. This product sucks 

[SunsetRunner]

Exactly!

[SunsetRunner]

My Alta is working only when charging is on and my could find it charging is 100%. When unplugged its going blank and my phone unable to find the device. Any support plz.

Exactly the same problem for me 🙄

[siddiquisara]

my  husband gifted this fitbit to me in Nov 2018, today  it broke on me,  its working on charger  only and is not working when i take it off charger, it was for 197$ and when i  contacted the  support  center  they  were giving me 25% discount on the  new purchase,  why  would i  buy a  new one if the  life span of these fitbits is not  even a year and a half,  that is  too  frustrating , you  must  have the  battery  replacement  repair  center, rather  than pushing us to  buy a  new one with  no technical  support

[Patham]

I'm having the same issues.  I have restarted it but it still doesn't work once it is off the charger.

[jlhquilts]

I thought it was me and spent the money for a new charger that arrived today and my Fitbit is doing exactly the same as everyone else's.  I had been having major issues with syncing it to my phone, thought it was my phone.  I wish I had read all these posts before I bought the new charger.  My Alta looks like it's working on the charger, but take it off and nothing.  Very disappointing and it is about 15 months old.  

[siddiquisara]

Thery have no technical support, its pathetic they are offering 25% discount towards another Astray purchase . I am not gonna spend another $ for something with no repairs or support. Mine was only 16 months old and i spent $198 .


Sent from my iPhone,
Sara Siddiqui

[jlhquilts]

Thank you!  I just ordered a smart watch/fitness tracker for $32.99 with great reviews.  Not a Fitbit, because I think they charge way too much for an inferior product that doesn't last.  They need new software engineers to fix these issues.

[Choccielablover]

Mine is two years old and to begin with the display kept disappearing so I would reset it and now it only works by charger.

I always wonder whether there is something in the software to make our products fail so their sales continue?

Very disappointed with this product. 

[Patham]

Hi,

What is the name of watch you purchased?

[Choccielablover]

Fitbit have offered to send me a new one under warranty.