Charge 5 Firmware Update 194.91

[LizzyFitbit]

We’re excited to announce that a firmware update version 194.91 for Charge 5 is now available! If you installed it, let us know what you think!

WHAT’S NEW AND FIXED

• All exercise modes are now available in the Exercise app, and your most recently used modes appear at the top. For more information, see How do I track my workouts with my Fitbit device?
• Find new clock faces in the Fitbit Gallery in the Fitbit app. For more information, see How do I change the clock face on my Fitbit device?
• View your daily readiness score on your tracker (Premium feature only). For more information, see What’s my daily readiness score in the Fitbit app?
• Support for global characters and right-to-left text notifications:
  Arabic
  Hebrew
  Thai
  Hindi
  Vietnamese
• This release includes bug fixes and improvements.

Full release notes can be found here.

HOW DO I UPDATE?
See How do I update my Fitbit device? for step by step instructions for updating your Charge 5. If you run into difficulty updating, review these Why can't I update my Fitbit device?

We’re interested in hearing your feedback on this update! Let us know what you like! If you encounter unexpected behavior during or after your update, please post the details below.

[AlanBFit]

Or unhandled condition.

[ChargingSusy]

I got a reply, that they cannot solve it for me cause I am out of the warranty time. Thanks for nothing 

[Markfm]

A full C5 reset may help (depending on what issue someone runs into, if they can get that to work).

I haven't run into the freezes or severe battery issues others have, knock on wood, but have recently run into an HR sensor/logging error that I cleared by doing a clear user data, remove device from the fitbit app, then device reset (the 3 button pushes on the power cable button) and re-add device to the app.

This week I noticed the HR monitor logging was not registering the correct pulse when I did my daily evening workout (rower, then exercycle), and I didn't show any AZM for some daily outdoor chores I take care of (consistently 20 - 25 AZM/day for those activities).  Monday was lower than normal, and on Tuesday it really tanked relative to accurate HR - on both of those days I did the same outdoor activities, the same class of workout as normal, the AZM should have been in the same ballpark; I tried several C5 restart rounds, then ended up doing a reset cycle yesterday evening.  

The reset seems to have fixed that error.

Here is my recent March AZM.  My outdoor chores and workouts on 18 - 19 Mar were the same mix/duration/stress level as prior days and last night. During workouts I could tell my pulse was running in the same zone as normal (the exercycle has a built-in HR monitor that I checked a couple times, got expected BPM), just that the C5 didn't pick it up properly.

C5 placement on wrist, strap tightness, etc. were the same for all days

On 3/20, after the reset cycle, the C5 was back to properly logging HR (consistent  with my workout round and verified against the exercycle HRM).  I'll keep an eye on it, but it does appear to be logging correctly today, too (my daily short outdoor items for today show 22 AZM, typical).

[Dfatbat]

Since you asked, I am very disappointed that you did not fix the crashing exercise problem on the app.  It records the exercise and when I go to look at the details of my bike ride, for example, the app crashes. I have to login and go through the dual factor authentication to look at my dashboard.  Very inconvenient.  I reported this at least two weeks ago and it has not yet been fixed. The customer service rep I spoke with today told me it is a known issue.  Lizzy, are you aware of this problem?  Any information when it will be fixed?  Thanks.  

[Akaushi2024]

Additional update, after approximately  48 hours it dropped out again... sent me a warning about low battery. Got home connected to n.v the charger, it indicated 61 % charged, I suspected that was possibly  incorrect, so unplugged and reconnected, 41 % this time... it stzrtedd charging and is presently 72%.

So basically... it decided there was only 4% battery left a d shut down... however, it's likely  that the real charge was 41%...

Argh...

-------------------------------------

Another uncommanded  shut down...this time and while I was out for a jog, and during the notification  for 2X daily steps, it vibrated and died... all data was lost for the previous 30 minutes.

Time 7:00 PM CDT.

Possible culprits, memory or memory power interphase, inferior hardware, as in the latest firmware update is partially incompatible  with the C-5, I say partially because some of the time the C-5 works. It does pretty good while I'm asleep!

Alas however, whoever manages the software development department must be bulletproof otherwise he'd do something  to rectify this terribly inconsistent firmware update.

Adios until the next time!

[W106esh]

I was out of the country when my Fitbit started not working. Battery would completely drain in an hour. Thought it was something with the wifi but my husband's was fine (iPhone user). Now I see it's not just my Fitbit. This is ridiculous. It's out of warranty and I'm going to have to pay for a new one because of their software issue?! 

[JanP333]

I've had to set my step goal unrealistically high to prevent it vibrating & shutting down whenever I reach it. It was doing it nearly every time. That started a few months ago.

Lately it's even worse - it's started shutting down at totally random times. Four times this week alone. I carry my charger with me to reboot it but I have to find a power source first 😞 Not great when you're on a nature walk/hike. And losing all my data during that time (& just before it) is really frustrating. 

I tried contacting Customer Service today and they said to charge it to 100% and then drain it to 0%. I don't hold out much hope for that though. The battery readings are all over the place, not accurate at all. I've been having problems since the app update last year. Worked a dream before that. 

[EmHeart82]

Yes, thousands of users are inept and experiencing the same issue because we’re all idiots in the exact same way. What was the point of your response besides feeling better about your obviously superior Fitbit-ing skills? 

-----------------------------------------------

The chat operator asked me to charge to 100%, sync constantly throughout the day until it hit 0%, repeat for three days, then contact them again so they can see the pattern, apparently. It all just seemed like a way to put me off for a week and make me someone else’s problem. 

[Akaushi2024]

Suspected I'd be back! Another uncommanded shut down, data loss,  fictitious goal notification and an incorrect charge data status report...not bad for one programming snafu! 

The shut down occurred  just as I reached my daily step goal...bummer,  my exercise data was lost , previously I'd checked C5  before the uncommanded shut in, so positive the data had been there ,  unfortunately Prime didn't  have it either, so all gone data , and with respect to the fictitious alert, prior to going outside to exercise, fitbit had notified me I only needed a few hundred steps to meet my daily goal, incorrect & wrong,  but I guess it was useful, as I did go outside to finish it up, that turned out to be unfulfilling because the data wasn't recorded  was lost or whatever, and lastly my charge data, after the uncommanded  shut down, I came inside, plugged in the  charger, and bingo, the C5 booted up and indicated I had 91% battery, I knew that was wrong so unplugged it  and plugged in again, it was down to 78%, lost power in the charger, ( interesting) I guess, obviously and since I questioned the data, I did it again and guess what, it was down again, this time  to 61%, so I left it in the charger for awhile because 61% felt about right.

Really bizarre charger performance!

So, I'm thinking about using the acronym UC5 insted of C5, noting "U" for unreliable, it seems fair, as it is partially unreliable, however, I haven't  found a problem  with the sleep data yet, hence,  its partially reliable also, such a conundrum!

The shut down occured while it was notifying me of my daily goal accomplishment, it must have been excited because it simply flatulenced, fizzled and fell...I guess it was so excited about me making my daily goal, it commited a version of of cyber suicide... alas poor fitbit I new it well!

Anyway until fitbit put out a patch that fixes this nonsense or until my next uncommanded  shut down...

Bye...

Moderator Edit: Formatting.

[Markfm]

Have you tried doing a full reset, like I did for my heart rate sensor error (it's running fine for the handful of days since I did a reset, which is more than just a restart).

[chauliodus]

Impossible to do a reset when it won’t hold any charge whatsoever 

[DanFBVT]

My last attempt at the update gave my Charge 5 the unrecoverable black screen. Resets don't do anything, nor does letting the battery go to zero and then recharging. You can't forget the watch and relink it, as you can't see the four numbers on a black screen. I ditched it and went with an Amazfit Band 7: much less expensive, and seems to be a much better option than an unsupported FitBit.

[HT5]

I had a similar thing happen yesterday. I'm not able to fix the problem. 

[SunsetRunner]

Great idea !! Good move.. I think I’ll move to a different brand.. Amazfit Band 7 might do it. Thanks

[Akaushi2024]

Its been a very difficult week for my PRC-5. (Partially Reliable Charge 5) The poor thing has had at least 1 uncommanded shut down every day this Week, and its particularly  good at dropping out just after I start a jog, it relishes in shutting itself down right around 8:17 AM CDT... which I guess is ok, because I lose my exercise  data and I'm forced to do a second exercise after work to keep my streak in tack. Talk about  the ability to motivate, that's really something.

But last night was special, up to now it had never pulled its uncommanded shutdown trick while I was sleeping. However at 3:51 AM CDT, you guessed it, bingo, shut down, and as it goes I got a 78 sleep score for the evening...and with respect to exercising this morning, I'm on coffee #3 and not making good progress...

Beginning  to consider Fitbit's  hypothetical  that the issue with my PRC-5 (Partially Reliable Charge-5) is not or possibly  no longer a firmware problem.

However, its hard to tell which is more onerous. Is it worse to sell unreliable equipment or overly sophisticated firmware updates that potentially crash hardware... hard one to figure...

My quandary this morning being,  should I continue  to be agrivated and chronicle the trials and tribulations of my PRC-5 ( Partially Reliable Charge -5), or, sell one share of Google stock an raise enough capital  to buy a Charge 6, ( that would keep my for fee data storage and analytical program intact) or simply simply work with a different supplier... my phone manufacturer sells a competing device, that might be nice, vertical integration, the watch and phone could Sync and I could drop my membership in any for fee for service afiliated data storage and enhancement program that supports my aforementioned Fitbit PRC-5...

So many decisions & so little time...

Adios, Until my PRC-5 has another bout of Hiccups!

[JanP333]

Hi Akaushi2024,

I think it's worth persisting with contacting Customer Service. I've been having the same problems as you and they've just sent me a replacement C-5.  Fingers crossed that the new one will be problem-free!! 

[Akaushi2024]

Thanks, tried that...so far, no joy..

[mommy409]

My Charge 5 has stopped holding a charge—from 100% to 0 in less than 15 minutes. Tuesday it worked perfectly but during the night it died. Did both chat and phone. Had bought it directly from Fitbit end of August 2022. Seems as soon as a new model comes out the software updates kill the previous “Best Fitbit Ever”.   Very very frustrated. Seems that the company does not realize I am alone with this problem.  Maybe this community is not read by the company as it appears no one cares. 

[dan3458585]

Received another Google email to move my account to Google from Fitbit.   Gun shy to do this because my Charge 5 may go haywire?

[Akaushi2024]

Well that didn't  take too long....however  I was lucky  enough to sleep all night and walk around the lake and feed the squirrels and ducks without my good old PRC-5 ( partially reliable charge 5 timing out) but alas good times  came to an end just as I met my daily step goals.

The notification process caused an uncommanded shut down and my PRC-5 swallowed its  posterior orfice once again...Time approximately 11:15 AM CDF

Additionally  I've observed  what some might call an inconsistent charge data readout...It can go from fully charged to dead and back again in a very short period of time... very interesting, but suspect the Wizards of Fitbit have pre ordained it.

With respect to reseting...becoming concerned  that if I continue  to use the restart reset buttons and or utilities...the button might break or the software will throw another shoe... other than turning it back on, not much else happens..

All for now, booted back up and charging...Over and out A2024.