Back button not working

[chelleis]

Help! I can't press the left button. Once I get into any tab, I can't exit except to change my clock face and sync. I tried to press both left and bottom right button to restart. However, the left button doesn't work, so it can't be restarted. I even tried to shutdown and use the left button to switch it on. Again, nothing happens!

[TASc]

Hi Chellis,

I came to this forum because I discovered this morning that I have the exact same symptoms as you. Back button (the left one) doesn't function any longer. It "clicks" but the Blaze doesn't respond. Like you, the only way to get back to the clock (main screen) is to change the clock face and sync through the app on my phone. I've also tried restarting by holding the bottom right and left buttons, but obviously since it doesn't recognise that the left button is being pressed, it won't restart.

I also have the problem that the touch screen on mine is very temperamental in the sense that sometimes it acknowledges swipes, and sometime it doesn't. Other times, the content on the screen just moves erratically and randomly by itself.

I bought mine in April last year, so it's still under warranty so will be contacting FitBit support for a replacement.

[chelleis]

Likewise mine has very selective response to swipes as well. It gets stuck at a particular tab and there's no way I can get to the main screen unless I change my clock face and sync.

I thought it could be because my Fitbit is constantly exposed to water/rain but my last Fitbit Charge HR was working fine even when I showered with it. I tried to use a hairdryer in an attempt to dry the area inside but to no avail.

The worst part is, this Fitbit Blaze is only a month old. You mention there is warranty? I'm not too sure about that. If there is, then I'm covered.

[TASc]

All FitBit products are covered by warranty. I would expect at least one year minimum.

[AlejandraFitbit]

Welcome to the Community @chelleis and @TASc it's great to see you around.

Regarding tho the inconvenience with your Blaze buttons, you may be able to remove dust or dirt by gently using a toothpick around the button. If this does not improve the button performance, you can try to clear debris using canned air. Hold the tracker at arm's length and spray once to loosen any dirt or dust that may have accumulated around the button.

Now, if your tracker is behaving a way that it's not normal or if the tip I provided doesn't work, I recommend contacting directly our support team, I know they will be glad to help. For a faster response you can contact them via phone or chat.

Let me know the outcome. 

[Tytchysible]

This happened to my blaze. I spent all while day cleaning it. When that didnt work I tried a last attempt and changed the clock style. I guess that rebootes the whole thing and it staryed working again. 

[chelleis]

For the record, the people in Fitbit were very helpful. When I raised this issue up, they managed to replace mine with a refurbished unit and it's still working perfectly fine. Just make sure that yours is still within warranty and you can get yours within 3-5 working days!

[AlejandraFitbit]

A warm welcome to the Community @Tytchysible and @chelleis it's great to see you around.

@Tytchysible I am glad to hear that your Blaze starts working after the restart and @chelleis to hear that you received a replacement tracker. If you guys need anything else, do not hesitate in posting it.

See you later. 

[EraL]

 pleasesuggest a dhundh

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@chelleis wrote:

Help! I can't press the left button. Once I get into any tab, I can't exit except to change my clock face and sync. I tried to press both left and bottom right button to restart. However, the left button doesn't work, so it can't be restarted. I even tried to shutdown and use the left button to switch it on. Again, nothing happens!

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I am 

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@chelleis wrote:

Help! I can't press the left button. Once I get into any tab, I can't exit except to change my clock face and sync. I tried to press both left and bottom right button to restart. However, the left button doesn't work, so it can't be restarted. I even tried to shutdown and use the left button to switch it on. Again, nothing happens!

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@chelleis wrote:

Help! I can't press the left button. Once I get into any tab, I can't exit except to change my clock face and sync. I tried to press both left and bottom right button to restart. However, the left button doesn't work, so it can't be restarted. I even tried to shutdown and use the left button to switch it on. Again, nothing happens!

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I am facing similar issue,

[SilviaFitbit]

It's great to have you here @EraL! I would like you to confirm you've done this procedure posted by @AlejandraFitbit in this previous post. 

Keep me posted. 

[chelleis]

Hey! If you try to sync it and it doesn't work still then most likely it might be malfunctioning. Check if yours is still under warranty. You could write in to Fitbit and get them to replace one for you, which they kindly and promptly did for me.

[Deano1584]

Hi what options are there if your Blaze is out of warranty (purchased in 2016) if the toothpick and air can remedy doesn’t resolve?  Thanks.

[AlejandraFitbit]

Hey @Deano1584, it's great to welcome you.

I am sorry to hear about the button issue you are experiencing and appreciate the efforts in trying to fix it. Regarding your inquiry, if you want to know more about our warranty policy, click here.

Let me know if you need anything else. 

[frank916]

I have been having the same issue with the back button and the bottom button on the other side.  I have tried everything and called fitbit for a solution.  The solution was get 25% off my next purchase.  My watch is out of warranty by less than a month and there was nothing they would do to fix the problem.  For anyone out there that want's to buy a fitbit I say don't waste your money.  Even there rep told me they only last a few years at best.  Time to change my brand as they would not budge on doing anything but wanting me to buy another one of there faulty products.

[RegalCanuck]

Hey All

Mine is the same. Back button does not work. Tried reset. Tried cleaning the area. I drained the battery to reset as well. 

Called the "help" desk and nothing. I am just over my year warranty and they offered 25% off another watch. 

Why would I buy another piece of crap? 

I take really good care of my purchases. There is no logical reason it should break. 

Fitbit has lost my business. If you cannot stand behind the quality of your product, then I won't buy from you. 

You charge hundreds of dollars and its a brick in just over a year. 

Do not buy this or any other Fitbit product. I am a fitness instructor and I get asked a lot about fitness trackers. Fitbit will no longer be anything I endorse. 

[PhilKB]

Mine's been like this for 2 or so years... coincided w/ reaching the end of the warranty period ironically. End of the line pretty much for me now.  As soon as it fails completely I'll be switching to a Garmin or similar, i.e., something that's actually fit for purpose.

Issues are:

Buttons are not robust enough/watertight.  Unless you exercise in a complete vacuum - and don't sweat! - water, etc., gets in and the back button malfunctions. Judging by this thread and talking to friends. etc., it's a common problem.

Post iOS 13, syncing with the app is a complete lottery.  It used to work automatically. Now it's a challenge to do this manually.  This means that the back-button-fail-workaround (syncing to change the clock face etc.) referred above is just too much pain so I've given up.

As if this weren't enough, it's only through pretty judicious use of superglue that I've kept my strap intact; I've probably re-attached the rubber to the hinge c.5-6 times now.  OK it's not that expensive to replace but the strap's not been damaged and it's not even worn out. It's just where it's fixed to the hinge that's too flimsy.

OK, you may say that I've had my £££s worth out of this thing so I shouldn't complain! Part of me agrees; maybe my expectations are too high. However, 2 points I'll add here: I have watches way older than this which still function A1 with straps that have never broken, and; if you're marketing a fitness device with all the wraparound ecosystem, wouldn't you ensure that the basic hardware was sufficiently robust enough for people engaging in, say, fitness activities?!

[Robby81]

For those experiencing this issue. Please take a moment to confirm, but I believe this may be related to firmware rather than hardware.  I've found that if you scroll right to "Settings", then down to "Shut Down" and shut the tracker down completely, my left button suddenly work just fine to turn the watch back on. Can anyone confirm this?  Also... holding down the left button allows me to swipe up or down and scroll out of a sub menu.  Not holding down the left button, I scroll to the bottom of a menu and it just stops.  But while holding it down (which appears to do nothing), I scroll to the bottom and fall off the bottom of the menu back to the main menu above it.  Can anyone confirm?

[rdugas33]

I called in today because I am having the same back button issue. They said my Fitbit was outside the warranty period of 1 year, and said they can not help me with my issue. They tried to sell me a new device with a 25% discount. 

This is ridiculous, I haven't even had my Fitbit for 2 years and it's broken. They offered no solution to fix it and tried to sell me a new device. Sounds like there have been a lot of issues with the back bottom, resulting in an unreliable product. Definitely switching to Garmin, or another brand. Quite disappointed in the product and customer service. 

[phatbitzr]

My back button stopped working, but when I power it off, I can press it to turn on the tracker, and as soon as it is on, it doesn't do anything again.  Trying your press and swipe technique doesn't do anything.

[SunsetRunner]

Thank you for your Fitbit blaze post.

Mine is working? Exactly like yours. I did not know about the holding the left button and scrolling to the bottom of a menu to get out of it.  I had to plug it into the charging cable to reset it.

I agree it is a software issue.

If I shut it down and press the left button it starts up immediately every time.