I bought this scale about the year 2014; new from Fitbit. It's worked flawlessly to upload my scale readings this whole time.
Then, I had to change the batteries yesterday. I've dune this process a number of times through the years. I know what to expect. You change the batteries and have to update the Wi-Fi or do a reset to get it going again.
Yesterday went differently. I did do a reset by holding the reset button hidden in the little hole in the back while installing the batteries. It went into setup mode as usual. I set it up in the app by selecting "add another device". I had no change to my Wi-Fi network on this time either. It was set up a normal, until I stepped in it the first time. I know that it needs to calibrate the scale. Here is how that is supposed to go. You step on the scale , it says "sensing" for a while, it asks you to "step off", it says "thinking" for a few seconds and then it's puts up a check mark, as I recall and and you to step on for normal weighing.
Yesterday it got the the "thinking" stage and have the reply "ERR" ; indicating an error. It just does this forever, now; turning my perfectly functioning scale into a paperweight.
I did reset it and set it up about 5 more times. Each time I changed the nickname of the scale. It showed the scale having been added on the app with the new nickname. Each time I heard to see if it would calibrate, I got the "ERR" message.
So i verified that my Wi-Fi router was set up with WPA , the 802.11 B protocol, 2.4, and a simple password with no special characters. NONE of three things had changed since it was working minutes ago. Everything checked out as correct.
So, it is connecting and sending data to Fitbit, as evidenced by the scales nickname changing in the app each time I rest the scale and set it up again.
I have read many LOCKED threads on this board about this issue. Users are saying that Fitbit Support denies three is this common issue with the original Aria Wi-Fi Scale. They have to escalate to another support person; with no resolution. The best Support can do, sometimes, is send out a newer fitbit scale model. This is not happening universally.
I paid $129.00 for this long ago, shooting Fitbit, since I had their tracker smart watch already. I was thinning I of upgrading that device this year. But, I will not be doing that, now.
Here is my conclusion, after many hours of researching; looking through the posts here and elsewhere; like Reddit. Fitbit has intentionally caused this error to not have to support an older device. But, they didn't tell anyone. Instead of fixing the issue they have left FRUSTRATED costumers to be gaslit by support and throwing out a perfectly good device.
If Support is reading this, doubtful, I'll give a final clue that may lead to the solution. During one of my reset attempts, I got a pop-up message letting me know that some previous functions of the device may not work as before, because of the age of the app or device.
In my research , I find users saying that their BMI was not being calculated or showing up on the app. I thought this might be the function that wouldn't work. Well, it hasn't worked in quite some time for me anyway, and I didn't care. I just wanted my weight readings.
That message may be and indication of the error's solution.
But, Fitbit dose not care, even if it is unintentional. The are not enough of the devices and angry customers, yet. It isn't worth the MONEY to them to support thesee older devices.
I'll be sharing my experience a often as I can, too keep people from choosing Fitbit. There are very companies and devices elsewhere.
I just bought this Wi-Fi scale from Amazon. Fitbit doesn't have a Wi-Fi scale any longer. They use Bluetooth; requiring you to synch it with a phone running the fitbit app to record your data in the app. I prefer wifi sending the data directly, not needing a phone at all, except for setup.
https://a.co/d/3GjKzEu
Wyze Scale Ultra Black - FSA/HSA Eligible $50
They have even less expensive ones that use Wi-Fi, too.
This one uses Wi-Fi and optionally Bluetooth. Bluetooth is only needed to set up the device. During setup you can choose to truth on Wi-Fi. It's working great!
Fitbit can stick it! I'm giving away my Fitbit smart watch tracker, too.
I'm done with you.
