Blaze Step Count Inaccurate

[phjordan]

I switched from the Charge (the original one) to the Blaze and it has never accurately counted my steps. It always counts less. I have tried updating every setting. Fitbit even sent me a new Blaze a few months ago. The only way it accurately records my steps is if I hold my arm (the one with the watch on it) at a 90 degree angle, which is ridiculous to walk or run like that all the time. If I let my arm dangle and swing normally, it counts less steps.

I'm seriously considering switching brands unless Fitbit finally fixes this. I keep hoping the updates fix this, but they haven't yet. please add this to your list Fitbit! Looking through the forums and online reviews looks like I'm not the only one. 

Moderator edit: Format

[AlejandraFitbit]

A warm welcome to the Community @phjordan and thanks for troubleshooting this inconvenience by yourself. If your Blaze is not being accurate, I recommend restarting it, walk 100 steps and tell me how many your tracker records. 

Hope to hear from you soon. 

[phjordan]

Hi Alejandra,

I followed your instructions and walking normally, it counted 75 out of the 100 steps 

[gi_gina]

I walked 300 steps and it only counted 220.  I am so bummed.

It has never been accurate.

[AlejandraFitbit]

Welcome to the Community @gi_gina and @phjordan thanks for the information.

At this point, I recommend both to keep an eye on your inbox for further instructions.

Catch you later. 

[DeniseSchaeffer]

I just got my Fitbit Blaze yesterday.  I got it all set up and charged and put it on before going to bed.  This morning, at my desk at work, it's counting steps while I haven't taken any.  I know I've read it accommodates some extra steps while cooking, etc. I use my arms a lot filing, separating papers, keying, stacking packs of papers...After checking it, I saw it's had added more than 50 steps in just a few minutes.  Is there any way to calibrate it or some way to keep it from doing so many extras?  There's no way I'll get an accurate step count or anything close to it at this rate.

[sumy]

I've had my Blaze for a while, it was an upgrade from a One, which was an upgrade for a Zip.  I've been with Fitbit for years now.  I love my Blaze, but recently it has stopped being accurate in steps.  Not only that, but I have started to challenge myself to doing stairs and it often does not count them.  I will run up stairs and it will count it once, then not count it for three times and then count another.  It is so sporadic and disheartening because I am trying to CHALLENGE myself but without it counting properly, it makes it hard to motivate myself.  I also have found it odd that I no longer get notifications of badges earned.  I haven't gotten these in years, it seems.  Anyway, all these issues have been happening for a while now and while I do see that there are newer models, I am starting to wonder if Fitbit will work for me anymore.  I have always been a proud user and I tell everyone about it, but lately it has been underperforming and I would expect better for something I paid a lot of money for.

[MarkMM]

It's been known for a long time that the Blaze likes arm motion. For best results, swing your fitbit arm while walking. Swing your fitbit arm while doing flights of stairs, and raise your fitbit arm over your head at the top step for extra measure on floors. I remember when I signed up here two years ago, there was a guy who posted he liked seeing how many steps the Blaze gave him while strumming his guitar. I've been upset with tracking myself, but compared to before the Blaze, i'm moving a lot more. It serves it's purpose as a motivation tool. Who needs EXACT counts anyway? I don't. If you're bothered by unearned numbers, raise your minimum daily goals. At the end of the day, even if I swing my arm while driving or sitting, for a few cheater steps, I'm still doing WAY more than I did before the Blaze. Like walking to the store rather than driving. 

[sumy]

MarkMM  Thanks for your comments.  I have to say that the holding my hands in the air did help to make the stair count more accurate.  I feel like an idiot, but the kids say I look like I'm running a victory lap 🙂

As for the step count, the watch sometimes freezes and just doesn't count the steps.  It happens sporadically.  I learned early on that you had to move your hands.  I would go hiking carrying my camera and get no steps at all, but fortunately most of my family members also had their fitbits on at the time.  I move and have moved my arms while walking quite a bit just to get as much ooomph into my workout and it still would not count the steps.  Not exactly sure why that is.  I've just been trying really hard to challenge myself lately and it has been hard when accuracy is off more than a little bit.

[sreekumarpr]

Hi,

What i am doing is,i am using Google fit,And another step counter app on android phone,i am comparing it with FitBit Softwares Step count,So i am assuming an average from theses three results,I am not entirely depending on Fit Bit For Step count.Because even people wearing $15 Mi Band says they  are getting correct step count even when traveling

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@phjordanwrote:

I switched from the Charge (the original one) to the Blaze and it has never accurately counted my steps. It always counts less. I have tried updating every setting. Fitbit even sent me a new Blaze a few months ago. The only way it accurately records my steps is if I hold my arm (the one with the watch on it) at a 90 degree angle, which is ridiculous to walk or run like that all the time. If I let my arm dangle and swing normally, it counts less steps.

I'm seriously considering switching brands unless Fitbit finally fixes this. I keep hoping the updates fix this, but they haven't yet. please add this to your list Fitbit! Looking through the forums and online reviews looks like I'm not the only one. 

Moderator edit: Format

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in vehicle.

[sumy]

I know that Fitbit is coming out with new products.  The problem is, if the products I have now are not working properly and there are no answers, what assurance do I have that the new ones will?  I am seriously reluctant to buy a new one.  I really believed in the company and have purchased products for myself, my husband, and three of my four children for years.  I have told family and friends about them.  We all want to make healthy living something we truly live and breathe.  I feel let down.

[AlejandraFitbit]

A warm welcome to the Community @DeniseSchaeffer, @sumy, @sreekumarpr it's great to see you around and @MarkMM thanks for stopping by.

If your step counts isn't being accurate, I recommend restarting the Blaze, walk 100 steps and let me know how many steps it registered. Also, you can try to adjust your stride length information to have a more accurate reading.

I hope this helps, let me know the outcome. 

[x_emmamarie_x]

Help. 

I'm new to fitbit blaze. My hubby brought it for me for mothers day. It was working great up until Thursday (14/03/18) then it started missing or not counting my steps. Grrr I have read and tried all the suggestions to no avail. One unhappy mum.

[Radmat]

Same experience here! Dropping about 30% of steps. I’m on my second Blaze. I’ve sent in my 100 step results, wait & see how they respond. 

[sumy]

I don't think they really care.  I hate to say it, but I don't.  I've been told to go and recount your steps.  No difference.  I've been told to wave my arms more while walking... I already power walk what more do you need.  If I want stairs counted, I have to raise my arms to make sure they count and most of the time they don't.  I ended up going back and using my old Fitbit One and it was working perfectly.  Nothing like something actually working like it should.  Problem is, it died on me after a few months.  I went to go buy a new one and surprise!  The same product is available at a much increased price.  It's not better... the same.  I paid around $100 and now it is $267 on Amazon.  I am seriously considering finding something else as I don't trust they really want to make a better product.