Blaze charging and initial firmware update taking forever

[Arkansmith]

Just got my Blaze.  Couldn't figure out how to get it connected to the charger because of the lack of documentation.  I'm not sure I'm digging the requirement to remove the face from the band every time I need to charge it.

I did manage to add it to the fitbit app on my phone and immediately I'm waiting over 30 minutes for a "10 minute" firmware update.  It's 25% done now, so I have that going for me.

Anyone else verify that their update took so long?  Just wanting to ensure whether or not the problem might be with my phone.

Thanks!

[MrBobio]

Same here.  Sent it back for a full refund, worst product launch ever (wonder if someone from the microsoft launch team is handling the blaze launch...)


Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S7 edge.

[dunkie26]

LcMarie,

Exactly the same issue. Starting googling and found this site. Im completely astonished at how difficult the process has been and how much time Ive spent so far in simply trying to turn this on!!

Im on update attempt number 4, 2 failed outright after about 45 minutes, no reason given, next one failed due to battery dying, then no clue if recharging or not, just that horrible fitbit.com/setup on the screen, nothing else.

Sat it into its cradle and no clue if recharging as no indicator of any kind. Some lady from fitbit on here keeps referring to a manual that wasnt sent with the device? Gee, thanks, and she says reset the Blaze?? how do we do that? How do we know we need to do that?

Number 4 is on about 50% after 1 hour.... but I suspect the battery may lose me again...well maybe, but who knows.... my roomate is laughing aty me because I'm not getting Fitbit step credits to all the up and down and stomping across the room Ive been doing to the device and my phone...

Really is a joke that some thing so expensive and after 2 days, I cant actually turn it on or use....if this doesnt work, I will return for a refund and switch to a different brand.

[llllw]

That's what I did.  Twice.  It's a hopeless setup situation which is a shame because the product is probably ok if you could start it.  Don't be buying another one. 


Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 on the Telstra Mobile network

[Rich_Laue]

@LcMarie and @dunkie26 that is true, there is no way to tell if the tracker is charging or what amount of Charge it has. Many have just left the Blaze in the charger during the update procedure.

One more point, when restarting the update, the tracker will continue from where it failed, it won't be starting from scratch. As long as the progress bar increases I just continue to try.

As for the manual, all Fitbit devices will only work if can be connected to the internet. Therefore Fitbit has placed all the manuals online, this also allows them to actually be readable.

To find the manual scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the Help link, or through the phone app -menu-help-help articles.

Now click on the picture of the tracker, on the next page you'll see the interactive help menu, along with the Blaze 101 and the users manual.

[LcMarie]

Update: so for all who are wondering if it charges when saying fitbit.com/setup, the answer is yes. There is no indicator, but it does. I recommend doing this right out of the box, as the firmware update will kill the fitbit battery charge it came with. ALSO! The 10 minute update is a lie. So reserve doing the update overnight or when your watching TV or something. It will take between 30 minutes to an hour and a half * if your unit is charged fully*. FINALLY!!! - to all you wonderful community goers, thank you for all your help and support though this horrible setup experience lol. 🙂

[dunkie26]

Update:

Finally charged on number 4. Multiple issues as mentioned, and a very poor experience overall for me. Its my first fibit watch.

[Breakpoint25]

This is taking me about one hour and half on my Samsung S7 Edge. Can't believe Fitbit has not fixed it.

[MrBobio]

You do understand that as long as people continue to give fitbit their money, the stockholders dont care how much complaining is done.  From the moment fitbit went public, it also went out the window with respect to principle and core ethics.  The stock price now is now the company barometer and policy is beholding only to the stockholders.  I have moved on and I suggest you do the same.  There are better products out there.  The "fitbit family" of old has been bastardized I'm afraid. 


Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S7 edge.

[SunsetRunner]

My firmware update took about 6 or 7 minutes. This was AFTER I had to return my other one because the battery was empty and it would never charge. Stayed at the setup scvreen. Told me to do update and then said battery was too low. Luckily, Wal-mart took it back since it was only 90 minutes from the time of purchase. After that, it was smooth sailing. Love the Blaze!

[Butrfly13181]

Of ANY instructions. Like which button is which... Anything! Bueller.... Bueller....

[nlmux]

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@Butrfly13181 wrote:
Of ANY instructions. Like which button is which... Anything! Bueller.... Bueller....

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If I understand your question, all can be found in the beginning of the manual:

https://staticcs.fitbit.com/content/assets/help/manuals/manual_blaze_en_US.pdf

[Rich_Laue]

From the Fitbit intractive help site,  click on the word Help thats found at the bottom of the page

[Jeanbop]

I am approaching 40 mins on my update using a Motorola Droid Turbo 2.  This is AWFUL

[Rich_Laue]

@Jeanbop do you see the progress bar increasing? 

Some have reported problems connected to WiFi and found the cell network worked fine. 

In any case if it has gone 10 minutes than cancel and start again.. It should only take 8-10 minutes tops. 

[Butrfly13181]

Make sure your old Fitbit is disconnected before you set up your new one! Once we disconnected the old one setting up the blaze was a breeze!

[Chopfyt]

Fitbit is worse than apple when it comes to placating customers with lies.

I have an extremely fast internet connection. After 40 minutes, I'm not even 40% of the way through updating.

[MrBobio]

As for myself, I reverted to the charge HR.  The Blaze just didn't live up to the expectations.  wish I had listened to forum posters prior to actually ordering one.  After I received my Blaze refund, the HR died hard during one of those pushed updates.  even though the HR was no longer under warranty, Fitbit sent me a replacement HR free of charge. I will learn to do with it for now.... 


Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S7 edge.

[Rich_Laue]

@Chopfyt if it was me i would kill the app, then restart the update, maybe even restart the tracker. 

After doing 8-10 updates on various trackers, I haven't seen an update take more than 8-10 minutes. Even with only a few bars. 

I'm not sure which phone you have, but for some android phones running marshmellow it was determined that the update doesn't work over WiFi and needs to be done through cellular network. 

[Kotli]

Blaze is far as I am concerned is overpriced gimmick, which has been
abandoned by FitBit themselves. Going to run it into the ground and then
move to others.

[AngelaMa]

Hello everyone! Thanks for taking the time to visit this thread and share your experience with the set up process. If you are experiencing issues with the initial firmware please troubleshoot as instructed by @SilviaFitbit on this post.  Also if you are using a mobile device please review the compatibility on this list. If you already did this and you are still unable to continue with the set up process please reach out to our support team for assistance.

I'll be around if you have any questions! 🙂