Blaze left button not working

[Bigwillie]

Support was unable to help me with the left button and offered me a 25% discount on another fitbit. Been a loyal customer for years, think it’s time to try a different company.

[LiliyaFitbit]

Hi @Jcavagna, thank you for your reply. 

I appreciate the additional details. I've sent your information to the Customer Support team so they can get in touch with you and provide further assistance. You should be getting a reply soon. 

I'll be around if you need further assistance. 

[Jcavagna]

Thank you very much!

Moderator edit: personal info removed

[LiliyaFitbit]

Thank you for your response, @Jcavagna. 

I am sure our Support team will do their best to help you so you could continue enjoying the Fitbit experience. 

In case you have some spare time, I would like to invite you to visit our Discussions board where you will find great tips and encouragement from other members.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[rmadisonwi]

Getting back to a post from a while back, I tried cleaning the button with rubbing alcohol & cotton and blowing it dry with compressed air.  That did not resolve the issue because I'm pretty sure the problem isn't dirt, but rather that something broke with the button itself.

For example, when I press the buttons on the right, the make a small clicking sound and feel like they spring right back, but the button on the left just feels dull when I press it, and doesn't have the same click to it.

I don't know if the development team is still working on firmware updates for the Blaze or not, but it would be nice if there could be an on-screen alternative to the left button if it doesn't work.  Like, maybe double-tapping the screen could work the same as pressing the home button.  Because right now, it's very difficult to get out of the "Today" screen or the Alarm/Timer screens (I have to press the left button a bunch of times repeatedly until eventually it clicks).  I do not expect any kind of hardware repair, because I realize that for these kinds of devices it's rarely ever worth it.  Yet, at the same time, for a watch that's under 2 years old, I don't want to throw it away and buy a new one, regardless of brand or discounts or whatever.  I just want this one to work.

[SunsetRunner]

I agree RMadison, don't expect fitbit to do any fix. I would bet there is nothing wrong with the button. Quick test, shut the watch down. To start it up again you will need to press the left button, I bet the watch reboots with the first push of the button. That would indicate the button does not have a mechanical problem.

Fitbit will likely offer a discount on a selected replacement devices.

I have been on this merry-go-round for 5 years and have yet to see a device last longer than two years.  My question is poor design or working as designed?

[G-Squared]

Pretty much same experience.  Although my Blaze made it 3 years.  But my old Casio watch is probably 15 years old and still works (and cost considerably less and doesn't do much).  You're right about giving us a "swipe - back" option that doesn't use the physical buttons.  I'm in a holding pattern now. May have given up on FitBits but we'll see.  I bought a Chinese AmazFit Bip which pretends to do everything but not as well.  Battery lasts many days and screen is always visible. Step count not accurate, sleep monitor not as informative but only $80.  This will hold me over until I buy either the Apple watch or a new FitBit.

I'm betting this a simply a hardware problem that no amount of alcohol or air spray is going to fix. They should strive to have no buttons.

In the meantime, I found if I simply put it in the charger it would reset back to the main screen when I took it out. This got a little old so I gave up.

[LiliyaFitbit]

Thank you for your replies, @rmadisonwi @G-Squared @SunsetRunner. I am sorry for the delayed response.  

@rmadisonwi I appreciate your efforts to resolve the issue. Thank you for providing the additional details, I understand your concern. Since the issue persists, I've sent your information to the Customer Support team so they can get in touch with you and provide further assistance. You should be getting a reply soon.

@SunsetRunner different users report different life span and we do not expect manufacturing issues to affect our devices since all our products go through stringent testing to ensure durability. Thank you for your feedback since this helps us to keep improving.

@G-Squared thank you for sharing your experience and feedback. I would like to confirm if you received an email from our Support team as your case was escalated previously? 

Please keep me posted, I'll be around. 

[G-Squared]

No I do not have an email from support. I don't think there is anything that can be fixed.  Although the button clicks well - it just doesn't do anything anymore 

[LiliyaFitbit]

Hi @G-Squared, thank you for your response. 

I am sorry to hear you didn't receive an email from our Support team. Thank you for providing the additional details. I've sent this information to our Support team and you should be getting a reply soon. Please keep an eye on your inbox, make sure to check your spam and junk folders. 

Let me know if you have any questions.