Fitbit Alta keeps shutting down

[Myoung71]

My 65 days old Fitbit Alta with a full charge shuts down after 4 or 5 hours.  When I plug it in, it resets without me pushing the button.  The charge battery symbol displays before the clock, and continues to display after I unplug the cable even.  Again after several hours, my Fitbit shuts down. 

Hope someone can help as I have tried "Chat" only to be put on hold for three hours the first time and one hour the second.

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @Myoung71, it's nice to see a new face around, and I'm sorry for the delay in my response.

Thanks for sharing detailed information about your Alta behavior. Also, I appreciate you for sharing your feedback about your experience when contacting our Support Team via chat. Rest assured that I'm here to help you. If you've not done so, I'd suggest to manually restart your device with the following steps:

1. Plug the charging cable into a USB port from a computer or UL-certified adapter.

2. Clip the other end on your Alta, making sure the pins are aligned.

3. Find the button that is on the end of the charging cable. The button looks like the one showed in this picture shared by our friend @wtksk8r.

4. Press the button three times within a few seconds. You'll see the Fitbit logo displayed.

Let me know how it goes. 

[Myoung71]

As with the other times I reset, the Fitbit shut off in about 2 hours.

[HDeForest]

I have the exact same problem. In addition, sometimes the time and date are completely wrong when I connect it to the charger and it restarts. Other times it is right. It is useless to me this way. I've tried a hard restart and it hasn't helped at all. I'm on her now to see if anyone has a solution or to see if I can get a replacement or a refund. 

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @Myoung71, it's nice to hear from you. Welcome on board @HDeForest.

Thanks to both of you for your efforts in trying to restart your devices and sharing their behavior after that process. To help you with this, I've gone ahead and contacted our Support Team so they can create a case for each of you. You'll receive an email from them shortly.

Keep me posted. 

[BHaugen]

I've been having the same issue with my Fitbit Alta.  I've done the restart as suggested and it works for just a while before stopping again.  Battery is not dead.  Also, I can't just simply tap on the face of the fitbit to retrieve the information... I have to tap it over and over to get the date/steps, etc., to show.  

I would really like to get a response or some direction that would actually fix this issue.  Thank you.

[Pwpshen]

I had my Alta since this January and the same behavior began since last week. Tried the “tricks” mentioned in this thread but it is not working. Any way to open a case to get this fixed?

Thanks.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @BHaugen and @Pwpshen, it's nice to see new faces around.

Thanks for sharing detailed information about your Alta devices, as well for trying the suggestions posted in this thread. Because your devices are still not working correctly, I've contacted our Support Team so they can create a case for each of you and give you a hand. You'll receive an email from them shortly.

I'll be around, so keep me posted.

[Awassen]

I am having this same problem. Even when it shows the battery is fully charged it still shuts off after less than 2 hours. I have tried resetting it multiple times and it still does the same thing. Would really like to know what else I can try. Thanks!

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @Awassen, it's nice to see a new face around.

Thanks for letting me know that your Alta is also having this issue, as well for having tried the restart process. I've gone ahead and requested a case for you so our Support Team can help you. Keep an eye on your inbox as you'll receive an email from them shortly.

See you around. 

[sandralee78]

I'm having the exact same issue.  it shows about 80% charge, then shuts down after about 20 mins.  It also continues to show the "charging" symbol when it is not connected to the charger.  

[Lborlace]

My Alta has a mind of it's own as well. I've owned it for two years or so. Last year I had the same problems listed above. Around the same time of year I try using it, but to no avail. It "charges" then shows three quarter battery and lasts for about an hour or so. 

This time I decided to search up the issue. Seems like it's common? 

I'd really like to keep using it, but I'm frustrated that it's being funky : /

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @sandralee78 and @Lborlace. It's nice to see new members around.

Thanks for sharing detailed information about your Alta behavior. I appreciate your feedback and rest assured that I'm here to help you. Just to confirm and in case you've not done so, I'd suggest to try performing a restart on your device.

I'll be around, so keep me posted.  

[Wyoung77]

My Fitbit is doing the same thing. Says it is fully charged but a few hours later it shuts down. This is my 3rd tracker now. I love Fitbit but the product does not have a great shelf life. I don’t want to have to buy a new one every 2 years!! 

[Lborlace]

Same issues are still persisting. I thought after the reset it was working fine, but it had shut off after maybe 5 hours of use. The battery was "charging" through the night and next morning still was only showing 80% charge. Crazy thing!Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

[sandralee78]

It's been restarted numerous times.  Most time when I plug it it's not even vibrating, but still shows the charging symbol.

---

@LizzyFitbit wrote:

Hi @sandralee78 and @Lborlace. It's nice to see new members around.

Thanks for sharing detailed information about your Alta behavior. I appreciate your feedback and rest assured that I'm here to help you. Just to confirm and in case you've not done so, I'd suggest to try performing a restart on your device.

I'll be around, so keep me posted.  

---

[Lborlace]

I definitely tried restarting it with the small button on the charging cable. Like I said, it was great for about 5 hours then shut off. It also never fully charged. Only 80% showed charged. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

[AKGramma]

I am having similar issues with my Fitbit Alta.  Shows fully charged, but will not turn on once unplugged from charging cable.  It previously turned off a few times as if charge was depleted, but battery was showing it was still more than 50% charged. I have tried restart several times, but problem persists. Is there another suggestion?

Please note that I have had this Fitbit Alta for barely 2 months.

Thank you for your assistance.  A replacement Fitbit is on its way to me. Thank you to Fitbit for their excellent customer service. 

[CurlyGirly23]

I'm having the same problem! I've only had this Alta since November (the last one died but after 2 years). Worked fine up to yesterday, would last 3-4 days on charge.

Now it's draining completely in 2 hours! I haven't changed anything so why has it suddenly done this? It's reset 3 times and still the same problem.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @Wyoung77, @AKGramma and @CurlyGirly23, welcome to our Community Forums. It's great to hear from you @Lborlace and @sandralee78.

@Lborlace and @sandralee78, thanks for restarting your devices. Because they don't seem to work correctly, I've contacted our Support Team so they can create a case for each you. They'll contact you via email shortly with more details.

@AKGramma, thanks for letting me know about your Alta behavior when it's unplugged from the charging cable. Good job in trying the restart, and because your device is still not working correctly, I've requested a case for you. Please keep an eye on your inbox.

Regarding your post, usually we suggest to edit your post if you wish to add something, as you did. But if you have a post that you'd like to delete it, please flag it explaining the reason to remove it so we can do that for you.

@Wyoung77 and @CurlyGirly23, I appreciate you for sharing your experience with your Alta and the steps that you've tried. I totally see where are you coming from, and rest assured that I'm here to help you. Because the battery isn't holding charge longer than a few hours, if you've not done so, I'd suggest to check our help article with tips to maximize the battery life.

I'll be around, so keep me posted.