Charge 5 Not tracking exercise

[Ronnie25]

Got this for my bday in Dec. Went for a 4 hour hike yesterday in a foot of snow. Elevations and high stepping through snow.  Charge 5 did not auto track. Recorded a 17 minute walk then nothing. Also disappointed no elevation tracking.  Can’t change the clock face and having sync problems.  This is my third Fitbit went from Charge 2 to 5 very disappointing 

[DavideFitbit]

Hi, welcome to the Fitbit Community forums, @Ronnie25. 

Thank you for sharing all these details about the problems you experienced with your Charge 5. 

Most Fitbit devices automatically recognize and record high-movement activities through the SmartTrack feature. To start, your device recognizes activities at least 15 minutes long. The activities that are recognized automatically are: Walk, Run, Outdoor Bike, Elliptical, Sports, Aerobic Workout, Swimming.  Keep in mind you can also use the exercise app in your device to track your activity and indicate the start and end times whenever you want. 

If you're consistently having trouble with your activities not being tracked automatically, make sure to complete a three pulse restart, as this has been useful for other users with similar problems: 

1. Connect your device to the charging cable. For instructions, see How do I charge my Fitbit device?
2. Press the button located on the flat end of the charger 3 times, pausing for 1 second between presses. Then wait 10 seconds or until the Fitbit logo appears.

Regarding the elevation, unfortunately this device does not provide elevation information, but I do recommend that you vote for this feature suggestion posted in the forums, as this is always useful for the team of developers. 

I noticed you mentioned you're not able to change clock face, could you please provide a few more details? In the meantime, if you're also having trouble to sync your data, let me know if you already tried all the steps listed here to resolve syncing problems, and make sure to check the compatibility requirements listed here and to keep the Fitbit app updated to the latest version available. 

Hope this helps, I'll be around.

[Ewitch]

My Charge 5 has stopped tracking exercise completely. I've restarted, logged out of app and force stopped. Restarted by screen and charger. Nothing is working. This is my 3rd fitbit and the only one i've had issues with. It's sort of useless!!

[DavideFitbit]

@Ewitch Thanks for confirming that you're been having the same problem with your Charge 5. 

Before considering other options, could you please provide a few more details about this issue? Let me know if you mean the device is not tracking your activities automatically or if you're starting the exercise from the Exercise Shortcut list on the device itself. 

[Ewitch]

It's started working again but is unreliable. An example: it didn't track 40 mins on the treadmill as exercise but did track zone minutes. In fact, in one week despite several resets, it missed 3 exercise sessions of over 30 mins - running and cross trainer. This is not the first time this has happened. I have also had one instance where my screen wouldn't work without a reboot. I have had fitbits since 2017 and only had issues with the Charge 5. I only upgraded for the swimming option.
Is this issue hardware or software? Others are having this issue too with the C5 so it's not unique to my tracker.


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[Beeble-bomber89]

I am having this same problem too. Just started today. Any updates? I used the shortcut on my C5 to start my workout (treadmill run), finished it via the shortcut on the C5, and went to sync to the app, and the exercise activity itself and calories didn’t track, but the steps, mileage, and active minutes tracked towards my days total. I’ve logged out and back into the app on my iPhone, restarted my phone, hard three pulse reset the C5 while on the charger, and nothing is working. 

[SunsetRunner]

I'm growing more frustrated with my new Charge 5 the longer I own it.

First I was having issues syncing with Echelon app and no longer auto-adding my Echelon workouts. The only suggested fix is to remove and re-add the Application. (It will only work 1-2x and then you need to do it again).

So I kind of gave up on Fitbit working with Echelon. But now its not even auto-tracking any of the excercizes I started. Of course, the only suggested "fix" to this is "have you tried turning it off and on again?".

Not really enthused about the quality of this application and am more inclined to return this device for another product.

[mdevans003]

I’m on my 3rd one too, and I give up.  My 2nd one was purchased in June, and quit holding a charge after 7 months. Supposed to be a 1 year warranty, but I can’t get their support to respond.  Just purchased another a few weeks ago, and it just quit tracking my exercise!  Tried all the troubleshooting, but nothing worked. Have to find an alternative, but don’t want the bulkiness of an Apple Watch. When they worked, I loved them, but I’m not buying another. So frustrating!

[HuntingtonIrish]

I am having the same trouble with my charge 5 not recognizing my exercise. It logs steps, zone minutes, etc. but no exercise. It worked fine with my inspire 2 and I upgrade and go backwards???  Should I just return it?  

[Fj63]

I'm having the same issue. This is the worst fit bit by far.   It was taking fine then all of a sudden nothing.   Also it thinks I was swimming yesterday when I was blowdrying my hair. 

[Varshaluthra]

I was so happy with my old fit bit that I bought this Fitbit 5 and it is literally useless! Does not track excercise

[RiekoC]

Hello @Varshaluthra 

Please let us know what kind of issues you're seeing so we can do our best to help you. 

[DavideFitbit]

Hi everyone, I appreciate all the information that you've shared about the device not recording your activities automatically. 

If you already tried all the basic steps shared here earlier and you continue to have the same problem with your activities, then I do recommend that you get in touch with the Customer Support team so they can let you know how to proceed. You can chat with them or call them directly here.