Aria useless if you want to connect to your network!

[justme1947]

There is no way to connect the original Aria to a network any longer since the Aria is no longer supported. I am seriously disappointed that a working product can't be used because Fitbit has decided to "punish' me for not buying a new product. At least it feels that way. I have tried every work around I found in the community forum but to no avail. I thought one method had worked but when I set the security mode back to where it belongs, Aria lost connection to it again and gave me the Network Err message. I can't leave my network at risk to facilitate Fitbit's lack of support for a product that works other than no network connection, so no real tracking.

[JohnnyRow · Accepted solution]

I realize this is no consolation to you, but the issue is that the wi-fi router hardware has changed and the original Aria hardware cannot connect to the newer routers.  It's not really that Aria is not supported but that the other components it connects to have changed.  I expect if you were to still use the original wi-fi router you had when got the Aria, it would still work, but that's probably not practical.  Unfortunately, that's just technology.  Some parts of a system get upgraded, and that makes other parts obsolete.  One possible consolation, you can now buy newer smart scales for much less that do more and will connect to Fitbit.

[Horlics]

I posted my workaround yesterday but it does involve a bit of kit that I happened to have. The best solution for most people would be to connect an old router to their new networks. It is possible to have more than one router on a network but you have to know how to set it up correctly. For those with an older router unused in a box somewhere this is the best solution. I can provide pointers if you need them.

[SunsetRunner]

Hi JohnnyRow…I had an older Aria scale whose hardware obviously became obsolete so I put the word out and was given a new Aria Air. Unfortunately I cannot pair/connect it to my Bluetooth. I’ve contacted Fitbit and they suggested lots of things I could try but still unable to connect. So disappointed. I don’t have a receipt for the scales otherwise I’d love to take them back to the supplier. (Family didn’t keep the receipt either 🥴). Not sure what to do. Seems a recurring issue (although not with my previous Aria) but with other Aria owners? Any more suggestions? I think Fitbit Support have run out…..

[justme1947]

I knew that when I posted, I vented out of frustration more than anything. I actually connected it by setting my router to a less secure mode but the connection was lost when I changed the router back to a more secure mode once Aria connected. In all honesty, the Aria was a gift originally and I'm not really out anything. I'm just starting back into a healthy routine again and thought maybe I could get it going. Not that big of a deal today! Thanks for the response.

[JohnnyRow]

Sorry, @SunsetRunner . I don't have an Aria Air so don't have any advice other than knowing phone has to be nearby and fitbit app has to be open, not necessarily in forefront but just open.

[SunsetRunner]

I’m sorry you feel that way and that I should just count my losses because
the Fitbit Aria Air Smart Scale I was given as a gift. That it doesn’t work
and I should toss it into our growing mountain of electronic waste
distresses me. I previously bought my Fitbit Aria so I could be
accountable for my weight. I asked for a replacement for a gift when that
Aria became obsolete because of a software issue. There is no reason why I
shouldn’t expect this Aria Air to do what it is advertised to do.
I’m disappointed that Fitbit Support haven’t got back to me with any
further assistance. I’m hoping their silence is some clever mind working on
a solution and not given up on me.
I shall keep the Community posted.
Thank you.

[JohnnyRow]

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@SunsetRunner wrote:
I’m sorry you feel that way and that I should just count my losses because
the Fitbit Aria Air Smart Scale I was given as a gift. That it doesn’t work
and I should toss it into our growing mountain of electronic waste
distresses me. . . .

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@SunsetRunner  All I said was that I didn't have any advice beyond the 2 suggestions I offered.  I said nothing about 'counting your losses'.  I don't see any reason for you to attack 'the way I feel' because of that.  Perhaps you would have preferred that I did not respond at all.  I'm just a Fitbit user trying to help other Fitbit users, but criticisms like yours make me question why I bother.

[Dissatisfiedwfi]

Please don't comment if you have no idea what you're talking about.... the original aria(that i also own and just realized fitbit f'd us) is not at all obsolete or incompatible with current gen routers to even begin to suggest that, is one of the stupidest things I've read on the internet ever... the aria supports 2.4ghz and wpa/wpa2 networks which any common and especially the newest routers support... what has actually happened is Fitbit ended software support and i guess that means they decided to make the product unusable for customers...i can confirm your wrong about the scale being incompatible because i still use the same router that i used when i first got the scale except ive changed passwords which kicked it out...upon setting it up again which I've done plenty of times in the past with this router if i reset my network i went into the fitbit app as ive done in the past to connect to the aria so that i can reconnect it to wifi which is where i find the message that software update support has ended for the aria which is understandable at this point in time.... the problem is this message stops you from even attempting to set up the scale again and because you have to use your phone as the input device to get it connected so they have basically software locked this device which is indefensible... I will definitely never buy another fitbit device and do what i can to spread the word on this horrible business practice its one thing to end software updates for an older device but it should be illegal to software lock basic functionality of said device to the point where its unusable...

[justme1947]

What's the point of connecting without proper security! New routers use higher level security that are not compatible with Aria. I connected to a new router by changing the security. When I change the security level back to today's standard the Aria connection gets lost again. I'm not risking my entire network for a Fitbit Aria scale! Perhaps you could try to be a little less rude in your responses. (responding to Jogger)

[CDD248]

Same here. My Aria scale still works perfectly, but won’t connect anymore via Bluetooth to the app. I’m not purchasing another scale when I have a working one now. And how long will they support the next Fitbit scale? Probably will make it obsolete in a few years too. Bad way to sell products. 

[JohnnyRow]

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@CDD248 wrote:

Same here. My Aria scale still works perfectly, but won’t connect anymore via Bluetooth to the app. I’m not purchasing another scale when I have a working one now. And how long will they support the next Fitbit scale? Probably will make it obsolete in a few years too. Bad way to sell products. 

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I understand what you probably meant, but Aria scale never connected via Bluetooth.  Aria connected via wi-fi.  Aria Air connects to phone app via Bluetooth.

I expect confusion like that is partly why Fitbit seems to have left the scales business.