Battery draining Blaze

[ASTHoneyBadger]

I have a Fitbit blaze that is completely dead. I cannot charge the battery and when I plug it in, the screen turns on like normal, but even after I allow it time for a full charge, the battery says it is completely dead.  I think it needs a reset or something along those lines, but I can't utilize any of the buttons or anything like that because the battery is dead.  Any suggestions?

Moderator edit: Subject for clarity

[AlejandraFitbit]

Hello all,

I appreciate your participation in the Community Forums and I am sorry to hear about the battery issues you have been experiencing.

If you haven't tried the instructions provide in this post, I recommend taking a look at it and follow them. After these steps you can test your units and if the issue persists, feel free to get in touch with our support team. For a faster response you can contact them via chat.

You can also check our warranty policy before contacting them.

Happy stepping! 

[zapnap]

Same issue here. Went from consistent 4+ days worth of usage on a charge to 24-36 hours *very* suddenly a few weeks ago. Finally inquired with Fitbit support a few days ago and they confirmed it was a battery issue. After the chat my battery got immediately worse - now I'm getting 6 hours max on a charge. Disabling sync gets me an extra hour or two. So it's pretty much a brick.

I've had numerous Fitbit products and every one of them has had some sort of hardware quality issue. I will say the Blaze has faired better than most (got about 2 years out of it). Also it is nice that Fitbit does offer 25% off on new purchases as a sort of apology / incentive to products that die out of warranty, but the 25% code now seems to exclude the Versa... which would be the logical upgrade path for most Blaze users. Oh well. I guess I'm going to look at other manufacturer options; I hate to leave all my history behind here but not really sure what else to do. Stinks to drop another $200 on new hardware every year.

[ilvtoride]

My battery has been lasting 8 hours max lately. I need to carry my charge cable and be prepared to charge when I actually want it to be on my wrists. Can Fitbit run a diagnostic test on batteries? Or give a battery life like iPhones now do ?

[JorgeArr]

I have pretty much written off Fitbit. They have suspicious hardware
failures and when you call them they offer a discount on a new
purchase...no help. Screw Fitbit. This is the very reason I also wrote
Apple off. They are unscrupulous and don't give a single crap about their
customers.

[Rich_Laue]

Yes @ilvtoride Fitbit can see the back end of your tracker. you will need tocontact fitbit and get instructions. 

The contact info link may also be found in the top right and under help on the web or the Fitbit app .

Sorry about your experience @JorgeArr, but Fitbit like most companies do not offer an unlimited unconditional warranty. If your outside of the warranty period then Fitbit usually does offer a discount towards a new purchase. This is a lot better than most companies that would simply say that your out of luck. 

[JorgeArr]

Explain how so many people are experiencing the exact same problem at such
similar times? No thanks...I'll pass!

[Rich_Laue]

Not sure ehatwyour asking. But with a billion + (1,000,000,000) of just the Fitbit Blaze and Charge 2 units out in the wild, I'm not aware of this being a common problem. The Versa, fitbits latest, is already over a million in sales .

I am aware that the batteries in Fitbit tracker are rather small and easily damaged by misuse .

NoNo's include

Contiinualy charging to 100%, ideally 80% max

Letting the battery fall below 30% is also bad .

Leaving the battery in a discharge state. 

Leaving the tracker in a hot car .

A cell phone battery usually needs replacing every 2-2.5 years. 

I've got 4-5 year old edit it tracker a that still get 4+ days this includes 2 Surge units and a Charge HR 

Yes I'm aware that a battery may be not up to specs at time of purchase. 

[dewjr61]

And of course it does get better.

I give in and decide to investigate the discount.  As I'm looking at the choices, I decide to open a chat with support.  I ask, "as a Blaze owner, which of the current watches is most like the Blaze?".  I'm told the Versa.  And voila, the Versa is not eligible for the discount!  Are you kidding me?

Someone in the promos department does not know how to deal with disgruntled customers.

[dewjr61]

"Keeping you posted" with my dissatisfaction with Fitbit.

Only solution is a 25% discount on a new device.

And, oh by the way, the discount does not apply to the Versa, which your support team tells me is most equivalent to the Blaze.

How we doin' so far?

[Rich_Laue]

If it was our competitor or if you were talking about your car. the manufacturer would not have offered a discount of any type. 

Personaly I'm amazed they go beyond what they are legally required. 

[sleder73]

If it was a car, the quality control would be much tighter. Nobody accepts a 10% fail rate. That's exactly what a support supervisor told me. Your company offers the discount because you know you are treating people like a $ instead of like a valued customer.  I haven't been posting because when I called support out on the update that started all these battery problems, amazing, my OS was changed back my battery life went back to 4 days. So don't treat us like crap. Amazing that the update was timed with the roll out of a new product.  Shame on you!!!

[JorgeArr]

Been saying it all along. This is a ploy by Fitbit just like apple did
their phones. This is why I will NEVER buy a Fitbit product again.

[Rich_Laue]

@sleder73 my company? I wish. 

So lets compare with a refrige, they have a one maybe two year warranty. If it breaks 2 months later, do you think the company will replace it. I and that reforge is only built to last 10 years. 

[TAS38]

I am frustrated with my Fitbit blaze.  I have had many of the same issues but found a charger on Amazon that will properly charge my Fitbit an it will hold the charge for three to four days.  I have it connected to a USB 3 port

Kartice for Fitbit Blaze Charger Charging Stand Accessories,Fitbit Blaze Charging Dock Station Cradle.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H3WHNEI/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B01H3WHNEI&pd_rd_wg=6kpdj&pd...

I am annoyed that with each model they produce there is another charger and different bands which all seem to break easily.  It would benefit them and the consumer if they use standard accessories for charging.

[KB9WNS]

---

@ilvtoride wrote:

My battery has been lasting 8 hours max lately. I need to carry my charge cable and be prepared to charge when I actually want it to be on my wrists. Can Fitbit run a diagnostic test on batteries? Or give a battery life like iPhones now do ?

---

It is a software issue.  I had the same problem and determined it with WireShark.

There is a problem with the syncing issue that has been corrected in the software. Update the FitBit app, the firmware on your device and your phone's software. Also, check ALL the apps installed on your phone for any apps gaining access to the Bluetooth.  Be especially wary of any flashlight apps and any "bling" apps such as screen savers, color screens etc.  Lots of rogue apps out there.  

p.s.  I am a hardware development engineer working in aerospace with 40 years of experience.

[bridget_k_]

Same issue regarding battery charging.  Battery would last 4 or 5 days and then around a week ago - charge suddenly lasts around 6 or 7 hours maximum.  Reading this thread, it would seem that this is what Blazes do - just conk out.  Shame as I had enjoyed using this watch.  After reading the forum posts it seems to be a extremely common fault that happens once the watches are out of warranty.  Not the best recommendation for buying a new model if they become unusable because of battery issues when there is plenty of life left in the strap and watch itself. 

[F1Jon]

Hello, like many others in this post, suddenly my Blaze is draining the battery in about 4 hours or so. When it is charged (as reported in other threads) the screen is not responding when I try to swipe sideways and the tracker is continually restarting itself, which I think is part of the battery drain problem. I have read quite a few different threads on the forum and have followed all recommendations, like; let it completely drain then re-charge, reset with left & right buttons, change the clock face via APP, etc... but none of these actions have fixed my tracker.

Despite all this, as can be seen from my APP, the tracker is still recording; steps, heart rate, sleep, etc..., but as a wearable on wrist, it is pretty much useless now. This is a great shame as until last week it has performed incredibly well. Purchased in UK (within EEA), so it is covered by 2 year warranty, it is only 18 months old, how can i get it fixed or replaced please, as I am missing not wearing it already? Thanks, in the hope someone can help, Jon.

[KB9WNS]

---

@SunsetRunner wrote:

---

@KB9WNS wrote:

---

@ilvtoride wrote:

My battery has been lasting 8 hours max lately. I need to carry my charge cable and be prepared to charge when I actually want it to be on my wrists. Can Fitbit run a diagnostic test on batteries? Or give a battery life like iPhones now do ?

---

It is a software issue.  I had the same problem and determined it with WireShark.

There is a problem with the syncing issue that has been corrected in the software. Update the FitBit app, the firmware on your device and your phone's software. Also, check ALL the apps installed on your phone for any apps gaining access to the Bluetooth.  Be especially wary of any flashlight apps and any "bling" apps such as screen savers, color screens etc.  Lots of rogue apps out there.  

p.s.  I am a hardware development engineer working in aerospace with 40 years of experience.

hahaha ... Too funny the hardware guy saying it is the software's fault.  That makes me laugh.

But for arguments sake, lets say KB9WNS is correct.  What version of the fitbit firmware are you running?

To check the Fitbit Blaze's firmware version, from the Fitbit App (iPhone version)

1. Touch the image of the Fitbit Blaze on the upper left corner
2. At the top of the screen that appears, says: Fitbit Blaze, last time synced, then version.

My version is: 8.402.1

Next check out the article "What's changed in the latest Fitbit device update?"  When you are that page, click "BLAZE"  and you will see:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VERSION 17.8.402.1

FEATURE UPDATE

You can now turn off real-time data tracking. For more information, see Can I see real-time data in the Fitbit app?

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS

This release includes bug fixes, stability improvements, and an important security update. For more information about security updates see How do I interpret the severity of a Fitbit security update? 

Thank you to the teams from the University of Padua, Technische Universität Darmstadt, and the University of Edinburgh for their assistance

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next check out the article  "Blaze Firmware Release - 17.8.402.1" 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

09-18-2017 09:33 - edited ‎11-02-2017 15:29

Fitbit Update: 11/2/2017

Hey, Blaze users! 

I wanted to let you all know this firmware release to version: 17.8.402.1 is now out to 100% of users. Please update your trackers! Take a look at our update instructions and make sure to charge the tracker to a full battery before you begin using it again. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note the edit date.  11-02-2017 ... a long, long, long time ago when my fit bit was working fine. It was not until around the beginning of July 2018 that the battery life on my Blaze significantly dropped off. 

Low and behold NO firmware updates since. Hmmmm not the firmware. But maybe, just maybe, KB9WNS is referring to the fitbit phone app itself. 

To check iPhone Fitbit app version, from iPhone, 

1. Touch the "App Store" app
2. Touch "Updates" lower right
3. Scroll down to "Fitbit"
4. Touch the blue text "more" under it.

My Fitbit app version is 2.76 released on Aug, 8 2018.

So if the phone app is the problem, simply turning off the phone should, in theory restore the battery life?  Nope, turning off the phone does not impact the blaze's battery life noticeablely.

But for arguments sake maybe, just maybe the the iPhone app sends communication settings to the blaze and it is causing the blaze to burn through its battery.  One thing that software doesn't effect is charging the battery. Why since the battery life diminished has also the time to fully charge the blaze become a fraction of what it used to be???

Unfortunately it doesn't sound like a software problem to me mr hardware guy.

---

It's a software problem.  Do you know the current version of the software in FitBit's servers?  NO.

Did anyone from FitBit come out to your home and swap out boards or components on your Blaze?  NO.

It all depended upon which server handles your data at any given time.  Mine went from 5 days to less then one day and now back to 5 days.  Same motherboard, same processor, same resistors, same battery, same charge control PMIC.

Also, in the app are reference data tables that refer certain locations which can and do change without any version changes.

p.s.  Doing embedded hardware development I do write code. Thank you.

Moderator edit: Format

[KB9WNS]

Fitbit Update: 11/2/2017

Hey, Blaze users! 

I wanted to let you all know this firmware release to version: 17.8.402.1 is now out to 100% of users. Please update your trackers! Take a look at our update instructions and make sure to charge the tracker to a full battery before you begin using it again. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[KB9WNS]

---

@SunsetRunner wrote:

---

@KB9WNS wrote:

---

@ilvtoride wrote:

My battery has been lasting 8 hours max lately. I need to carry my charge cable and be prepared to charge when I actually want it to be on my wrists. Can Fitbit run a diagnostic test on batteries? Or give a battery life like iPhones now do ?

---

It is a software issue.  I had the same problem and determined it with WireShark.

There is a problem with the syncing issue that has been corrected in the software. Update the FitBit app, the firmware on your device and your phone's software. Also, check ALL the apps installed on your phone for any apps gaining access to the Bluetooth.  Be especially wary of any flashlight apps and any "bling" apps such as screen savers, color screens etc.  Lots of rogue apps out there.  

p.s.  I am a hardware development engineer working in aerospace with 40 years of experience.

hahaha ... Too funny the hardware guy saying it is the software's fault.  That makes me laugh.

But for arguments sake, lets say KB9WNS is correct.  What version of the fitbit firmware are you running?

To check the Fitbit Blaze's firmware version, from the Fitbit App (iPhone version)

1. Touch the image of the Fitbit Blaze on the upper left corner
2. At the top of the screen that appears, says: Fitbit Blaze, last time synced, then version.

My version is: 8.402.1

Next check out the article "What's changed in the latest Fitbit device update?"  When you are that page, click "BLAZE"  and you will see:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VERSION 17.8.402.1

FEATURE UPDATE

You can now turn off real-time data tracking. For more information, see Can I see real-time data in the Fitbit app?

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS

This release includes bug fixes, stability improvements, and an important security update. For more information about security updates see How do I interpret the severity of a Fitbit security update? 

Thank you to the teams from the University of Padua, Technische Universität Darmstadt, and the University of Edinburgh for their assistance

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next check out the article  "Blaze Firmware Release - 17.8.402.1" 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

09-18-2017 09:33 - edited ‎11-02-2017 15:29

Fitbit Update: 11/2/2017

Hey, Blaze users! 

I wanted to let you all know this firmware release to version: 17.8.402.1 is now out to 100% of users. Please update your trackers! Take a look at our update instructions and make sure to charge the tracker to a full battery before you begin using it again. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note the edit date.  11-02-2017 ... a long, long, long time ago when my fit bit was working fine. It was not until around the beginning of July 2018 that the battery life on my Blaze significantly dropped off. 

Low and behold NO firmware updates since. Hmmmm not the firmware. But maybe, just maybe, KB9WNS is referring to the fitbit phone app itself. 

To check iPhone Fitbit app version, from iPhone, 

1. Touch the "App Store" app
2. Touch "Updates" lower right
3. Scroll down to "Fitbit"
4. Touch the blue text "more" under it.

My Fitbit app version is 2.76 released on Aug, 8 2018.

So if the phone app is the problem, simply turning off the phone should, in theory restore the battery life?  Nope, turning off the phone does not impact the blaze's battery life noticeablely.

But for arguments sake maybe, just maybe the the iPhone app sends communication settings to the blaze and it is causing the blaze to burn through its battery.  One thing that software doesn't effect is charging the battery. Why since the battery life diminished has also the time to fully charge the blaze become a fraction of what it used to be???

Unfortunately it doesn't sound like a software problem to me mr hardware guy.

---

The Blaze runs a 32-Bit ARM Cortex-M3  Yes, I have coded with this architecture.

Moderator edit: Format

[KB9WNS]

Fitbit Update: 11/2/2017

Hey, Blaze users! 

I wanted to let you all know this firmware release to version: 17.8.402.1 is now out to 100% of users. Please update your trackers! Take a look at our update instructions and make sure to charge the tracker to a full battery before you begin using it again. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[SunsetRunner]

It is the battery