Fit bit Alta not counting enough steps

[AudreyB1]

My fit bit Alta doesn't count my steps accurately.  I could walk for 2 hours straight and it would still say 2000 steps meanwhile my Husband and Son's would show 9000+ for the same walk.  I have tried everything so how do I fix this ?

help 

[WendyB]

Are your arms holding on to anything? As it needs to see your arms  swinging.

Let us know if that is the case!

[AudreyB1]

No I'm just walking outside at a good pace not holding on to anything.  It's a mystery.  

I could walk with 3 other people with fit bits n they are all within a few step counts of each other.  Yet mine is thousands less.

Could my Alta be defective?

how do I reset to see if this works ?

[WendyB · Accepted solution]

Have you set your stride? Sounds like you have not

https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/How-do-I-measure-and-adjust-my-stride-length/

But this is how to  Restart
http://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1186/?q=restart&l=en_US&fs=Search&pn=1

[Mickywoo]

My fitbit counts the steps on my wrist but does not show up when I go to the app, any help as it's first day with it.

Many thanks, Micky

[WendyB]

@MickywooIt needs to Sync before it shows up.

Open the App and tap on the device then choose sync now

[JessicaKaye]

I have the same issue with my Alta. A reset did nothing for me.

If I want it to count accurately I have to hold my arm with the Alta on it at a 90 degree angle while I walk (like I'm holding a drink or something).

It is super annoying and has been a problem since I got the Alta.

Calculating and setting your stride length will help with accuracy of the distance calculated but it will not change the number of steps that your Alta detects. Distance is calculated based on the number of steps detected times your stride length. So if your steps are way off, your distance will be as well, even if you set the stride length.

[WendyB]

@Mickywoowhen you open the app there should be a picture of your device on the top right screen.

Tap on it.

Once there tap on the device name and it will start syncing

[AudreyB1]

Thanks Wendy your suggestion worked !

[Sue2995]

I walk with someone with a flex someone with a surge and I wear a Alta. We are the same height walking the same distance at the same time but they end up with almost double my steps. 

[JulF]

I have the same problem.  My stride length,  hight, weight all correct but my steps are very low compared to my sister's Alt. She's the same height & stride length as me)  

[AmberRP]

Is there a way to have it properly count steps when holding something? I walk with a cane and putting it on my other wrist is not an option.