Charge 5 alarm only works if I enable Smart Wake

[VisaM]

I have tried this numerous times with the same result. The battery is well charged, other alarms work fine, I'm careful to be sure I have the am/pm set correctly.  I get a green check, indicating the alarm is set, but it does not go off. If I turn on smart wake, it does go off, but not necessarily at the precise time that I would like. Does setting a day have anything to do with this? My alarms are usually one time-only deals. 

Thanks for any help. 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Kirkor]

My alarm works similarly unreliable. There are tests form bigger websites out there that criticise this. It's beyond me how you can mess up a feature like the alarm. I had a calculator watch 30 years ago that could do it ^^

[SilviaFitbit]

@VisaM and @Kirkor Hi there. Thanks for the details mentioned. 

Let's try removing your alarms, restart your Charge 5 and add them back. 

Keep in mind that When you choose to turn on Smart Wake, it attempts to find the best time to wake you starting 30 minutes before the alarm time you set. It avoids waking you during deep sleep so you're more likely to wake up feeling refreshed. If Smart Wake can’t find the best time to wake you, your alarm alerts you at the set time.

Hope this helps. 

[DebbieKnits]

I tried your advice and it still does not hold an alarm unless I turn on smart wake. 

[VisaM]

Since there were only a handful of replies to this post, I guess most folks are using the alarm successfully. Can anyone who uses it regularly give a step by step guide?  I have done the restart, checked that no alarms are set; I have only gotten it to go off successfully twice out of a good 20 tries.  

Thanks 

[DebbieKnits]

I was able to use it successfully this morning. I tried something and it worked. Here’s what I did:

1) I set the time and got the green check mark. 
2) then I scrolled downward and untoggled “Alarm” and then toggled it back on. 
3) then I didn’t touch anything else. Later, I swiped sideways from clock to alarm and could see that it was still set. 

It vibrated  successfully this morning. 

this method is not described in the directions, but a workaround is better than frustration. 

[VisaM]

Hi Debbie! Glad this worked for you, I still can't get it to go off with
any reliability. Guess I have to wait for a fix. Geez...a simple alarm...

[SilviaFitbit]

@DebbieKnits Thank you for getting back. I appreciate that you shared the troubleshooting that worked for you. 

@VisaM Thanks for performing the advice recommended. Since you're still experiencing difficulties, the best way to get help for this problem is to chat with us online or give us a call. Click here to get connected. 

Hope this helps. 

[Greg14567]

I've owned many fitbits, but this is probably the last.  I have ALSO only been able to get alarm to work off set on smart.  How stupid.  Why would i want to get woken up 30 min earlier than i want because the device on my wrist thinks that's a GOOD IDEA???  and who making this thought it was a good idea?  I've only found that alarm works when "repeat" is used,  but if you try to turn off for 1 night it still goes off.  Again stupid.  I have only owned fitbit charge in the past.  But think I'm done.

Let me know if you are aware of remedying this. 

[VisaM]

I think now that the smart alarm had nothing to do with it. I must have
inadvertently done that "last step" (swiping right to display the alarm)
while enabling it.
I agree, the smart alarm idea seems silly.

[LoriFrances]

No, I just got a Charge 5, upgrading from my twice cracked Charge 2.  I've yet to get the alarm to work and the fact that you can't set the alarm from the app as in versions past is maddening.  I've only had the Charge 5 a week, but I'm really not impressed.  

[VisaM]

What worked for me was realizing that you are not done when you get the
green Alarm Set checkmark. Gotta swipe right and look at the darn thing,
then it's set. That green checkmark has gotta go. 🙂

Good luck

[LoriFrances]

Thank you SO much.  It did work.  Ridiculous that there are no instructions about setting the alarm properly and then the green check would seem that it's working when it's not.  This is at least my 4th fitbit and so far, I'm not impressed.

[bjwhite414]

I purchased a Charge 5 and returned for a replacement as the alarm was not working.  I was also getting an error message the Fitbit wasn’t syncing. The replacement charge 5 is HS I g the same issue as the first. I have delete the app, reinstalled, removed device, re-added device, restarted device as well as rebooted while plugged into charger…. Nothing works.  I get the green check mark,  but no option to select days of the week, as the initial one did. All other alarms/notifications work. Very Frustrating 

[SunsetRunner]

Thanks VisaM, this seems to have worked for me after days of frustration. Here's to a smart wake-up tomorrow morning!

[FarmGirl99]

Same here. Finally upgraded but the alarm has stopped working. Been late to work for the last 3 days 😡

[DFreire]

My alarm doesn’t work either!

[LizTuohey]

My alarm does not work, ether 

[juls1973]

I just got the Charge 5 and have had it for a few months.  I use the alarm feature constantly.  It worked great up until I charged it this last time.  Now, the alarm doesn’t work at all.  This is one of the best features of the FitBit and it’s very frustrating that you cannot rely on the alarm anymore.  Very disappointed! 😒

[juls1973]

I tried this too and it did not work for me.