Battery life has taken a dive since latest firmware update

[Dcwt2010]

As the title summarises, even since my Charge 2 was updated to the latest firmware, I've found my fitbit will only last up to 4 days max from 100% to 11% (it's been steadily declining since the update, I haven't kept detailed logs so can't be sure). Bear in mind I only sync every day or two for a few minutes and other times I don't really engage the display. Using it this way I was able to get consistent 6 to 7 day battery life for over two years...until a few weeks.

I'm guessing there's no way to revert the firmware but is there any chance of replacing the battery? Such a shame to get rid of a fully functional bit of kit but at this rate the battery will probably not last a day in a few weeks.

[TETjr]

Good to know

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

[summersun54]

You were lucky. I did all the steps they said and yes they admitted it was defective but 2 months past warranty so the best they could do is give me 25% off a new one.  

[AndreaFitbit]

I apologize for the delayed response and thank you for getting back to us. I'll be glad to continue assisting you with your Charge 2 battery inquiry.

Please follow the advise tips that @AlvaroFitbit shared with us. 

@Dcwt2010, thank you for your feedback regarding cleaning the contacts and for your comments. Please make sure that every time you charge your battery it reaches the 100% charge. 

@LauraWell, could you please try charging your device with one of your parents charging cable and let us know about the outcome. 

@summersun54, thank you for sharing your experience and comments with us. Charge 2 battery can not be replaced.

@Choppykid. our support team informed me that they are already helping you. Please let us know how it goes. 

Welcome to the forums, @LBarry. You can check the warranty here.

It's nice to see new faces around @GJD1981. Please check help article: Why isn't my Fitbit device's battery charging? to charge your device's battery again. 

Keep on visiting the forums. 

[summersun54]

Not sure what all this means no one is helping me anymore I have followed all the tips and whoever was helping me said the best they can do is give me 25% off. It was left at that so I took it to the forum

Sent from my iPhone

[LBarry]

Thank you for responding. However, I have tried cleaning the contacts on the watch, factory resetting the device and generally leaving it charge for the whole evening. I don't get anywhere with it, I am left with charging the device every night now so that it doesn't run out during in day 2 after charging. 

I unfortunately (fortunately probably for FitBit) cannot find my receipt so cannot prove when I bought it. But from highlighting accessory products on another website which I never purchased I can pinpoint the day I bought it which is 21 months ago (30/12/17). I was not having any issues with my watch until 3 weeks ago after the software update, and a device like this should last a lot longer that 21 months! 

Its sad for me as I love the fitbit products but I cannot justify forking out 3 figure sums every 2 years just for a new device when the one I purchased is not lasting past it's 2nd year of use. 

[Longs1]

WORKED! - The steps in the video appear to have worked for me. 

https://youtu.be/8ODCsp2EAeA

I do not know how my Fitbit Charge 2 was updated to the latest firmware but it was showing that release.  I don't know when it updated but all of a sudden my Fitbit was dying in less than 30 minutes.  I'd fully charge it and then remove it, 30 minutes later the battery symbol would be flashing like it was critical.  I did notice that the green LEDs never seemed to turn off and were very bright.

I tried the "clean the contacts, plug it in and hold the button for 4 seconds until it restarts multiple times, didn't work, exact same symptoms.

I followed the steps in the video this morning.  Made sure the Fitbit was charged and synched, used my laptop to log in and remove it from my account, then tried to synch it to the phone app and it showed the "go to setup" display.  I reconnected it with the app and all day it's been holding at 65%.  I am not sure why it's at 65%, other than it was trying to nosedive like it did before in the time that I took it off the charger, removed it from my account, then reset it using the procedure. 

I did not do the "remove from Bluetooth" step 5 in brightblurr777's post.

We'll see what happens now.

[Dcwt2010]

I'm not so sure it'll stay that way. About ten days ago the battery drain miraculously stabilised and I got my usual 6-7 day battery life again but just now I've seen my battery drop from 100% (charged last night at 10pm) and it's reading 8% at 3:48pm today.

Where can I complain about this officially?

[Pcar773]

I pulled my Fitbit off the charger less than an hour ago and I’m down to 90%. I’ll probably be at half by lunch and empty when I get home from work. Boy is that a metaphor for life. Prior to the update I could get three, maybe four days out of a charge. What happened?

[ScreamMeMeMe]

Why is this an issue only after the 'update'???

[Dcwt2010]

They didn't test their firmware before releasing it to the customer.

I was 100% at 10pm, today it is 30% at 6pm. 

If I was cynical I'd say they're deliberately causing battery life of older devices to dive so that unsuspecting customers will upgrade to newer ones. But I'm sure they would never do that.

[Mrsbmullin]

The thought had crossed my mind, however, I don't want to upgrade and don't want to have to buy new bands.  Charge 2 bands don't fit Charge 3 or Versa.  I just want Fit bit to FIX THE PROBLEM THEY CAUSED with their firmware "upgrade."Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device

[Longs1]

See message 26 above for a solution.

As an update, I charged to 100%, have been wearing the Charge2 all day but not at night as I usually do,synching as I normally do, and after 4-1/2 days my battery level is at 55%.

[Longs1]

My Charge 2 reached 10% last night, charged it back to 100%, so with my normal pattern of usage, synching, etc. I am back to 7 days on a full charge.