Stuck on setup for new fitbit blaze

[WillowTheWhisp]

I just received my fitbit Blaze this morning and very keen to start using it.

I already have a Flex and a One, so went to my laptop to set up the new blaze. 

Part way through the set up, when my laptop  said it was updating the Blaze the connection was lost.

I now have a situation I don't understand.

The screen on the Blaze just has the fitbit logo and "fitbit.com/setup" displayed - but when I go to the dashboard it shows the Blaze on there as well as my Flex and One. It says I have a Blaze connected but the Blaze itself doesn't seem to think so.

I have no idea how to resolve this problem.

Can anyone help?

[Rich_Laue]

True but since your device needs internet. Scroll to the bottom of the page - tap or click help - tap the picture of the Blaze. On the next pushed you will find the interactive manual, Blaze 101, and a downloadable manual.

[Kieta]

Thanks Rich.

Had not seen the manual there. Must be going blind.

[Unfit1]

Yes. Fitbit should have included a dongle in the box with the Blaze. I tried a few times to link to laptop. Rang support who told me the website would "soon" have a link for Blaze setup. After 2-3 weeks of futile ownership I put the Blaze aside and got a Flex. Using that instead with no probs. Later may have patience to use the Flex dongle and at last set up the Blaze. Can't face it again just yet!

Main correct message I got from Community was/is that any dongle is OK & Blaze has none. 

[raindog]

Mine was stuck on setup today too- new Blaze (replaced my many Charges with faulty bands when the warrenty finally ran out) -- I was using the iPhone app and after I put the code in it just sat there for a couple of hours saying it was connecting, and the Blaze was just showing the screen with the link to setup, even though on the computer dashboard the Blaze was showing up as added. I finally gave up, removed the Blaze from my dashboard list, and rebooted my phone (it was stuck on the screen where you enter the code number). Then I started anew, and it did the setup very quickly. I had a similar problem with my most recent Charge. So far so good - not sure what caused it, although I don't have the strongest internet connection. 

[erringtong]

Extremely Dissappointed

I purchased a blaze yesterday having earlier wrist fitbits.

I went through the setup process and it does not work

I setup a surge for my sister in law a few months ago and it took me 3 hours and lots of heartache. I dont know why I was sucked into getting this one. I left it on charge overnight, downloaded the app (the windows 10 wont download, I get continual messages forom the microsoft store saying the problem is there end). Finally conencted my phone and tablet with the app. When I connected ot the blaze it says a firmware update is required, and was starting, 4 hours later same screen.

I think the main exercise this will be monitoring will be returning it to the vendor.

The support numbers are US or India.

[Jim_]

I have had this problem and it was very frustrating.

When first had my Blaze I followed the setup instructions and connected my Blaze to my phone via the app, it then said it needed an update (via the app), and this is where the problems started.  The Blaze looked like it was updating but the BT connection would time out and the update would fail.  I re-installed the app and this didn't work.  I removed the Blaze from 'devices' in the app and re-attached it but this didn't work. With the Blaze connected via the USB and using the windows app on my laptop I still couldn't connect (why the Blaze won't update via the USB cable is a mystery which Fitbit only know).

After some digging around in the forums I found a thread which said I should use a Fitbit dongle and use the windows download.  The Blaze doesn't come with a dongle but I found a friend who had one and I could borrow it.  Ensuring my phone wasn't connected to the Blaze (BT off) I used my laptop via the Fitbit dongle to connect to the Blaze and update the firmware.  This time the update worked and I can now get the Blaze to work.

To be honest, why the Blaze won't update via the USB cable is a joke and because the Blaze doesn't come with a dongle I don't know.  Fitbit will sell you one, but this should be against the point.  The unit should work out of the box.  I nearly sent mine back for a full refund.  Let's hope this works from now on.  I don't think I'll be buying another Fitbit in the future, and I won't recommend it.

For information my phone is a Huawei P8 lite running Android 5.0.1, my laptop is a samsung running windows 7.

I'm expecting to have problems with notifications and music control from my phone....  Only time will tell

Good luck and I hope this helps...

[HappyPig]

Ok, same thing, screen stuck with just the Fitbit logo... called the US support line from the UK. Guy took me through everything I had already done like powering down and up the iPhone, trying with my iMac bla bla.

He told me to hold down the 2 side buttns for 10 seconds - failed.

I gave up ready to send it back for a full refund and buy an Apple Watch... but hang on, I wonder!?!?

I held down all three buttons until the screen CHANGED and hey presto the fitbit setup address showed. Went back to the app to reatempt pairing... everything is working as it should be now. Firmware update taking place.

*** Hold down the 3 buttons for 10+ seconds***

[rickdina]

did you ever get it set up   ?????  I have the same prob. got first one worked great then the screen cracked for no rreason got a new one and can't get beyond....fitbi.com/setup

[Rich_Laue]

By going to contact.fitbit.com  you will be given the closest number to your current location.

This contact page may also be accessed by clicking on the sertings gear on the top right of this page. 

[Exodus27]

Friend purchased a Blaze today. I still have a Surge. Had this issue. Holding down all three buttons until the Blaze seemingly reset worked. Reopening the Android app forced a re-pair and the update went fine.

[jennifermegan]

I'm having the same issue and I've read through this thread. And have done everything everyone suggested.

[Shelly1717]

Hi, I am on my second one and it is doing the same thing.  How did you get past this?  So frustrating!  Thanks!

[SunsetRunner]

Got the blaze yesterday. Set up really frustrating.
Added in the app ok. Update tracker constantly asked for. Wouldn't do it at all. Ended up having to remove this surge altogether from the app. That worked.

[capintsize]

I've held down all three buttons until the screen changed (2x), restarted my phone and it's still just loading and loading and loading... what am I missing??? I love my Flex but hate that it doesn't do stairs and HR. Got the Blaze today in the mail as a gift but I'm highly disappointed. Should know that you shouldn't buy a product right when it launches!

---

@HappyPig wrote:

Ok, same thing, screen stuck with just the Fitbit logo... called the US support line from the UK. Guy took me through everything I had already done like powering down and up the iPhone, trying with my iMac bla bla.

He told me to hold down the 2 side buttns for 10 seconds - failed.

I gave up ready to send it back for a full refund and buy an Apple Watch... but hang on, I wonder!?!?

I held down all three buttons until the screen CHANGED and hey presto the fitbit setup address showed. Went back to the app to reatempt pairing... everything is working as it should be now. Firmware update taking place.

*** Hold down the 3 buttons for 10+ seconds***

---

[chc1]

I just received my fitbit Blaze yesterday and I am trying to set it up with my Mac. I have downloaded the App, and when I run it I get stuck on the "Turn bluetooth on" bit. Bluetooth is turned on on the Mac - it's how I am able to type this _ I have bluetooth keyboard and mouse, but the Blaze doesn't seem to be able to"see" it. 

I have now plugged hte blaze into the Mac with the USB cable and that doesn't make any difference. WHat have I done wrong? If I turn Bluetooth off on th eMac, I cannot operate it any more!

Help, please, CHC1

[Rich_Laue]

@chc1 I would contact Fitbit I don't think the connect software can use your built in. Lie tooth.. It might need the Fitbit dongle. 

I've read that with the latest Mac download the charge cable plugged into the Mac, with the blaze inserted, may work, plug in wait for the OS to detect, then try.. With windows it is needed. I wait for windows to download the driver, I'm not sure of mac. 

[capintsize]

It had nothing to do with my software and I tried the dongle because I got
one with my Flex. I figured it out by reading another thread. I had to
delete my app then reinstall and it picked up my Blaze immediately. This is
an option they really need to add to their website troubleshooting section.
Reading the replies it looks like this fixes the issue for a lot of people!

Also, fitbit support couldn't help another community member with my exact
problem so I don't have a lot of faith in them 😞

[chc1]

Monday morning, called Fitbit support in UK, veyr helpful. We had toswitch off bluetooth on all devices in the house, including the iMac, then download the app to a compatible phone (note older iPhones and iPads are not supported) then run through setup. so it looks as though the Fitbit Bluetooth firmware gets confused by other Bluetooth devices around it! Never come across that one before.

Anyway Blaze now synced with iPhone 4S and plugged into Mac, so making good progress. I htink that the "switch off all other bluetooth" should be in the installation guides.

Thanks Fitbit support, CHC1

[Shelly1717]

Try to remove your old Fitbit if you have one then reinstall the new one. That worked for me.


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[Estie]

Just purchaced the Blaze and already regretting it. Wish I had seen the posts on this forum first. Can update it via BT on Xperia phone as it times out (and doesn't take 10 mins as it says on screen) I think the Blaze times out itself. Done all the remove and add device and pressing all 3 buttons for over 10 seconds and repeated each process but same every time.

Won't update via Windows 10 app using USB cable either as that doens't even start the update process even though it pairs with the device.

Not going to waste my time contacting support as other posts show they're not all that helpful.

Going to take this back to the store for Full refund and get a Non-Fitbit device that might actually work such as a Garmin. Surely they know they have faulty devices out there so why aren't they issuing a recall or just stop selling them until they have fixed these issues.

Very dissapointing.