Out of the box, initial setup help

[RoosterA7X]

Just got my Blaze and my first fitbit. Out of the box I went to the website shown on front of the fitbit and downloaded the fitbit app to my HTC One M8. Trying to setup my tracker to my phone is not working. On the screen of the blaze it shows the icon and "fitbit.com/setup". following the steps, accepting the policy, and understanding that my blaze came with a charging dock, the next step is pairing with my tracker. This is where I have hit a road block. It searches, and does not seem to find the fitbit. If I go into my Bluetooth setting and search, the blaze Does show up, so I know my phone and the fitbit are seeing each other. The recommendations the app tells me is to restart my bluetooth on my phone, done a few times now. The other is pressing the left button and the bottom right button (which I learned I have to hold, not press). it restarts and goes back to the above mentioned screen. What am I doing wrong?

Moderator edit: format

[TarinFitbit · Accepted solution]

Very welcome to the Community, the Fitbit Family and also to the Blaze Team @RoosterA7X!  Let me tell you, the issue is very weird, because your cellphone is a compatible device. So, could you please let me know if you fully charge the tracker before the set up process? and also make sure you have the Bluetooth On. However, let me share this tips to make it work:

1. Open the Fitbit App and log out
2. Turn off the Bluetooth and also your cellphone
3. Restart your tracker one more time 
4. Turn On your cellphone and also the Bluetooth
5. Update your Fitbit app to the latest version.
6. Finally, log back into your Fitbit app and set up your tracker.

Let me know how it goes, I'll be around! 

[RoosterA7X]

I ended up speaking with a customer service rep with Fitbit, the guy was helpful and we got it resolved. Pretty much the same things you stated in your reply, and thanks for the reply by the way. To fix I logged off of the fitbit app, and restarted it. i turned off my bluetooth feature and tossed in a restart for good measure. Did the hard restart on the tracker by holding left and bottom right button. Then went through the app's pairing feature again. This time is actually recognized my device and was able to enter the 4 digit code. I also learned that not being directly beside my tracker with the pairing phone helped some, added 6-15 feet of distance seemed to help sometimes. 

Now I am currently exploring the features of my phone, and my current hiccup is getting text messages to display the body of the text instead of just saying the name of the sender and "1 message". I am however not asking for help on this one yet, as I am confident I can figure it out by combing through the multitude of other posts about the same issue. 

Thanks again for the help

[TarinFitbit]

I'm so happy to hear that @RoosterA7X!  And also thanks for sharing the troubleshoot. Let me share with you this article about the Fitbit Blaze where you'll find a lot of tips to improve your workouts with your tracker and hit your goals.

Keep me posted and I wish you a great weekend! 

[cmunn]

How do you update the app? I am getting the please update your application error when trying to pair my blaze and the app seems to crash. I havr tried uninstalling and reinstalling and it does the same thing. If I try to set up other devices it will go through the normal pairing process but not with the blaze. The tracker also will not get off the setup screen. Feels like a BIG waste of money and very frustrating!

[TarinFitbit]

Hey, is great to have you her on the Community @cmunn! I used to have the same issue, and I fix it doing the following:

1. Set up your new Blaze on your computer

2. Update your Fitbit app to the latest version (iOS - Android)

3. Restart your tracker

4. Sync your tracker with your phone.

I hope this helps, let me know how it goes! 

[cmunn]

Thank you for that. I just downloaded the app off of Google Playstore. It says that it is up to date. I will try setting up on my computer and let you know if that works. Thanks!

[cmunn]

It is so frustrating to by a $200 product and can't even get it to work. I have had the blaze for 3 days now and can't get it off of the setup screen. I tried to set up the blaze on my computer however I can never get past a screen that never loads. It says fitbit connect at the top but it never actually loads. I guess I will be returning this...

[TarinFitbit]

No @cmunn, do not give up! Let me share the Costumer Service phone number, they will be more than happy to help you with the set up process. You can reach them at 1 (877)-623-4997. They available hours are 4:00AM Pacific Time through 8:00PM Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. They are also available on weekends from 6:00AM to 5:30PM PST.

I want you can enjoy your Blaze . Let me know how it goes! 

[Afy2]

Hi. I have tried your advise on the setup problem. All good. I'm on the syncing and received notification for a low battery . I'm charging my blaze now but doesnt show the charging icon. I'm stuck again on updating to the latest version. HELP! I don't even know if battery is charging.

[Afy2]

I'm stucK on the updating you the latest version for 5 hours now. How long does this set-up takes?

[Odyssey13]

Welcome to the forums @Afy2

How are you trying to set up? It honestly shouldn't take that long to do any software updates either.

Computer or mobile device? Android, iOS or Windows.

The more we know, the better to assist you.

[SunsetRunner]

I just bot and rec'd my 1st Blaze today and charged it and then tried to view my HR, calories and a few other things before i planned on using it on my long bike ride tomorrow. Not a thing works. Installed the watch inside the framework and where i think it belongs next to the buttons. When i try to view a simple thing like the HR all i get is "https://www.fitbit.com/au/setup" on the screen. Nothing happens if i tap the screen or try to swipe across the screen. Very very very very very disapointed in a product costing this much that doesn't even work out of the box. If i don't get it working tomorrow i'm returning it to Amazon and will buy a product from another company. I don't have time with a product that won't work out of the box. Also, when i try to install it on my desktop i find out it doesn't work with Windows 7 which is 1/2 of all the windows users out there. Products that work so terribly don't deserve customers. I w/c once tomorrow and see if your c/s can get this stupid product working and if they can't i'm out of here to anther company that sells quality instead of junk! I was going to ride my bike @ 34 miles and looking forward to using it but its junk! John

[Odyssey13]

@SunsetRunner sorry you're having problems. 

If you don’t have a compatible mobile device, you can set up your tracker with a computer running Windows 8.1 or below. To use this setup method you’ll first install a free software application called Fitbit Connect that lets your tracker sync its data with your fitbit.com dashboard.

To install Fitbit Connect and set up your tracker:

1. Insert the wireless sync dongle into a USB port on your computer. If you have a Fitbit Blaze, which doesn't come with a dongle, we recommend upgrading to Windows 10 before continuing. You can also buy a wireless sync dongle from the Fitbit Store.
2. Go to http://www.fitbit.com/setup.
3. Scroll down and click the option to download. If the button does not correctly show your type of computer (for example, if it says “Download for Mac”), choose the correct type, then click the button.
4. When prompted, save the file that appears.
5. Find and double click the file (FitbitConnect_Win.exe). The Fitbit Connect installer opens.
6. Click Continue to move through the installer.
7. When prompted, choose Set up a New Fitbit Device.
8. Follow the onscreen instructions to create a Fitbit account and connect your tracker.
    

   Note that the personal information you’re asked for during account setup is used to calculate your basal metabolic rate (BMR), which helps determine your estimated calorie expenditure. This information is private unless you go into your Privacy settings and opt to share age, height, or weight with Fitbit friends.

9. If you're having difficulty, see Why can't I set up my tracker?

You can get with support, as they offer live chat and they can help you if you can't get it going.

[Afy2]

Hi Odyssey13! Thank you. All good now. Probably problem with the battery. I tried again just now and can't wait to hit the track!

[SunsetRunner]

I appreciate your reply but i really only wanted to use the device for measurements while riding my bike. I have no plans or need to sycn it with either my desktop or smartphone as i won't be bringing them with me. I just want to be able to "read" my device while riding and not even carrying my cellphone with me. I can't believe i can't see the watch, HR or other functions while riding my bike w/o somehow using a smartphone application. I want to use it just like a watch on my arm and able to read the functions while riding. I am also surprised the apps don't use Windows 7 which is still a large percentage of users out there. Nobody uses 8.1. Anyhows, i am so disgusted with an overly complex and non-working device so i'm returning it and buying another product.

[Rich_Laue]

You can see your heart rate and calories during your bike ride without a ohone. You can even set the bike time apart from yours days dats. 

To do this swipe exercise, tap then swipe to bike, two the setting gear and turn off GPS, go back one screen, then tap the arrow start. With tomorrow's ride the gps still be off so you'll just a normal start. 

In this mode you will not see miles which needs gps. 

[Odyssey13]

@Afy2 glad you're all set up and stepping!