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.

[dec031955]

About five restarts in still only a black screen

Dec031955

[Akaushi2024]

Just an update, 2 further PRC-5 uncommanded shut downs, 1 yesterday around 8:30 and another  at 2:43 PM CDT i.e. a few minutes ago. Both upsets were easily  resolved by connecting to the charger.

As for symptoms before upset, I notice a vibration immediately before the  cessation of functionality.

I Guess it was warning  me of impending doom. 

With respect to lost data, yesterday, 1 entire exercise routine, for  today, minimal, it failed shortly before I arrived home.

Until the next shut down, Adios, Frustated A2024

[emmaz93]

Mine shuts down and then once I put it on charge it shows that I have a battery of 90% + even if it wasn't at that value when it shut down.

[Akaushi2024]

Reporting another  uncommanded shut down.

Time 5:48 PMCDT....

Drove to the park, walked 2/3's of the way to the track...I felt the C-5 vibrate, I touched the screen and saw the arrows all going up, and then.... a black screen...( I could write something  funny about my C-5 getting hot and bothered about the upcoming exercise session)...but...the thought of it having a happy ending on my wrist...nope, won't  go there...

Anyway...came home after the session, gave C-5 a connection to the charger, it fired right up and all was normal...except for the lost data...which to some extent upset me!!!

I'm beginning  to think I've chronicled enough of this to get the message to the moderator... and

All I can say was Fitbit was once a very reliable piece of equipment.

Until the next upset or, I quit procrastinating and speak with my wireless carrier  about upgrades..

Over and out A2024

[exsharaen]

My Charge 5 has been unreliable rapidly since my last post. The battery only lasted about 3-4 days, and these days I think I even got only 2 days. Today after finishing my chores suddenly my Charge 5 went dark. Charging did nothing, except for weird and inconsistent vibrations (it even vibrated rapidly, about 3 times a second). Doing restarts (3x 1 second button presses within 8 seconds) and force restart (20 second press) did nothing.

Until... suddenly it showed the battery percentage. 2%.

And it jumped to 40% within just 6 minutes. It stayed 40% for 8 minutes. Yes I have timestamps on my WhatsApp, complaining to my friend 😂

I think this might be my last Fitbit device, I'm moving to Samsung some time later if this firmware is not fixed and the battery still drains quickly. Funnily enough, Samsung emailed me about the new Galaxy Fit3 just two weeks after my first post 😁

EDIT:

I took off my Charge 5 at 80%-ish this afternoon (around 1pm) because I need to go outside... then at 3pm it went black again *sigh. Currently charging it, at first it said 90% but just checked right now (about 30 min charging) and it's 86%. Not a good sign... Will post another update after I fully charge and let's see what happens.

[Olie-N]

Hi! I have updated the Version 20001.194.91 just 3 days ago and my relatively new FitBit Charge 5 loosing the battery charge so quickly. First time it got dead last night and I even didn't notice. Then I charged my battery in full 100% yesterday just before to go to sleep and for my disappointment I discovered this morning that the batter y was only 11%. I keep the night mode and display is off, even switched off Bluetooth on my phone. Basically the devise keeps the charge for only about 6-7 hours from 100% till 0. I bought my Charge 5 just on 21 September 2023, exactly 6 months ago. I have to add I am a super loyal customer since 2018! I started with FitBit Flex 2, then Charge 3, then upgraded to Charge 5, and I am using the scales Aria 2. I am very upset with the issue of my Charge 5 and can't find the way to fix it. I tried to restart it in many ways on the device's display and through the button on the charger. I tried to unpair it and then paired it again with my phone multiple times. Returned to the manufacturer settings, but it loosing the charge so quickly. Any other advice? 

[FitHB10]

I am on the same situation and extremely frustrated with Fitbit, my Charge5 is my 3 unit and this one went dark in less than 6 months!!! This  is the 3 time it happened to me. I can’t believe Fitbit can’t provide solutions to the problem. 

[DC2570]

Hi,

Contact Fitbit customer service right away because you're still under warranty.  You get nothing from posting on the Community site except support from fellow disappointed Charge 5 owners.  Good Luck!!!

[Akaushi2024]

Made it to 8:13 this morning....it threw a shoe just as I reached the  track..., can report I fed walnuts to the squirrels and corn to the Egyptian Geese, but got zero credit from Old Man Fitbit for 4 laps, high heart rate, zone minutes and credit towards badges... bummer!!!

There is a certain consistency with respect  to the notifications and uncommanded shut downs...thinking its a complex matter involving power, communications, and software...the problem is likely too sophisticated for the "CREW" ( man does that deserve  a definition) that's doing a terrific job of damaging FB's reputation.. ( that largely  assumes someone cares about a bunch of disgruntled Charge 5 owners)

I do think its beginning to get my goat, and in the end Fitbit will win and I'll throw in the towel and buy the anti-fitbit...who knows but I sense were getting  very close.

Until next time, over and out from A2024.

 

[Timmysama]

My fitbit blackout after the update. Disappointed.

[Akaushi2024]

Sorry to report that my C-5 crashed again this evening, a pretty impressive day, everytime I  went for an exercise ... C -5 timed out...a big 2 crash day

Realistically, I think I'm going to get upset...and...

I think it's time for a new wearable... the company that uses a muilti colored Fruit as its logo makes a fair one, as do some nice folks from South Korea...

Alas poor fitbit I used it well... and I also subscribed to the not to mentioned fee for service membership,  I paid for it for several years... suspect I'll now lose my data...upsetting...

So bummed out...

As for my C-5, I think it deserves  the wood chipper treatment! Will advise...

A2024 signing out for the evening.

[exsharaen]

I am happy to report that my Charge 5 is failing. After a full charge last night, it only lasted for a minute before blackout again. I tried to change the clock face (as I remember someone suggested). Alas, it was a false hope; it did last longer, but only for a couple of minutes before died again. I tried erasing user data and pair it again to the phone app, to no avail. I'm giving it one last chance today, but my hope seems to fade away as its battery is draining rapidly from 85% to 78% in just 5 minutes.

Really upset because my last Charge 2 lasted for more than 3 years, but Charge 5 (which is more expensive) only lasted about 16 months. I think I will cancel my membership to fund my next smart band, which won't be another Fitbit 🫤 I am ready to lose all my 6-year data and start over in the other competitor's platform.

[Khuffines]

I am having this same issue! I bought another Fitbit charger thinking it was the issues but my screen is still black. It connect to my app and says it’s fully charged, up to date, and I can see it trying to use the BT scanner on the back. Did you find out what to do? It just made a year in December. I hate to buy another. 

[Olie-N]

Thank you for your advice very much!! I contacted FitBit customer support yesterday and it seems they are ready to resolve the issue. They confirmed the replacement of my existing tracker, as it is still under warranty. Well, let's see how it goes. I just hope that the new Charge 5 will work for at least 12 or 18 months. Initially, I don't have high expectations, as I have gone through many reviews about Charge 5 troubles. Probably, this model is not so reliable comparing to the previous FitBit devices. 

---

It's better to report the issue to Fitbit customer support. They will guide how to resolve it, alternatively they will provide you the device replacement if it is still under warranty (1 year from the purchase date). The customer support offered me a replacement, as it seems that the item is not repairable.

[Akaushi2024]

I'm excited to report that my C-5, got super excited again around 7:50 AM CDT,

It vibrated, flashed and passed out... almost as if it pre maturely expired... not sure what to make of it... it seemed healthy, had over 80% of battery remaining... it simply passed out....probably from excitment.

Anyway, once I got home I attached  it to the defibrillator (the AC charging device) and shazam, it booted up and I was back in business.

In the meantime, I've started watching short social media videos about wearables... I get the feeling that my attachment to my C-5 is not what it once was and I'm considering  a romance  with a different  wearable.

Until next time A2024 out.

[DC2570]

I'll miss your posts if you move on from Fitbit.  You're handling this whole mess with a sense of humour that makes my day!  I've moved on but still have that little hope that Google/Fitbit will come up with a fix.  Until you decide, keep posting.  You're awesome!!

[exsharaen]

You described your situation similar to mine but much better and hilarious! 😂 yesterday I bought a new wearable from "nice folks from South Korea" and while I had connectivity issue with the app, it sorted out this morning and I am now happy again. Still thinking of what should I do with my comatose C5 🤔

[Akaushi2024]

I'm beginning to think I'm being tormented  by some Fitbit demon, yikes!!!

However, I'm excited to announce that my Fitbit  charger did a Lazarus maneuver on my Charge 5 and brought it back to life 3 times in three hours... talk about a resurrection, that charger is pure magic..

I'm also very pleased to announce that my Charge 5 was not under any duress at any time when it flatulenced, fizzled and fell.

This 1st time was just before daylight, I was waiting to hear the crack of dawn...no go...instead I got that old familiar wrist vibration followed by the dark screen of death... Bummer!!! Second time, just after daylight, and I didn't  get to hear the crack of dawn because I  was in the house giving  my Charge 5 the breath of life, anyway goold old C-5 did it again, it  swallowed its bum half way through my 1st cup of coffee, you know, in hindsight I think that UMO ( I think everyone  can figure that out, it's the PC version for uninary discharge)... anyway I gave it some shock therapy  and it was back to life... but at some point it should probably ride the lightning!!! ( The electric chair)

Third time... got half way to the track, you guessed it, ka-pow... all dead Charge 5,  accordingly, went to the track, said a bunch of Hail Mary's  and Our Fathers  while exercising  as penance for my ill feelings towards my Charge 5, drove home and gave it artificial resuscitation... Happy report its alive and doing very well considering it pleasured itself 3 times this morning...

I think that about covers it...so considering  the Son of Sam Singing in past tense, a Fruit high in pectin and a pixelated verson produced by by C-5's parent company.

Anyway, The current status of my C-5, Its out of intensive care and back on my wrist... can only guess how much longer it will  hang in there... maybe I should call the undertaker and pre arrange its cremation...

Time will tell...

Over and out,  one out of sorts A2024 

[Momof2littles]

Akaushi2024, you are a great writer!

[Akaushi2024]

The Fitbit demons are back...a record day,  i.e. a 4 black out day...maybe the Overlords of Google have figured me out and have conspired to shut down my fitbit everytime I think about switching wearables..

And to think that  I considered, well at for at least a second, about  upgrading  to a Charge 6,.... dumb, but at least I could have  hung on to my data ... but then... shucky darn...

Having dug through the realms of  on line videos...I saw one about the further integration of $#--bit and its parent companies wearable, and the video is only 2 weeks old mind you... hence a conspiracy  is born, yah mannn... because in that video it kind of suggests a more centralized or per se unified company... my opinion... probably wrong... however what is right, is that its darn hard to find a video thats critical of the latest firmware update on Fitbits  parent companies video distribution  service..

Very hard, probably  my lack of competency,  others might find it easy..

Hope this is it for today, its been  beautiful, absolutely beautiful, a fitbit shut down 4 bagger. Doesn't  get much better! But  then theres 8 hours left, hmm... taking odds! who'll make a bet on 5 or maybe 6?

A2024 out.