Charge 5 band falling off

[anja.2000]

I had my Charge 2 for ages and have just upgraded to a Charge 5. Really disappointed that after only a few weeks the upper clasp keeps coming undone and the Fitbit falls off my wrist or gets stuck in my sleeve. I almost lost it already. Can’t believe that this issue has still not been addressed in the product design and fixed, very disappointed…… 

[LeeD]

I feel the same. Every new FitBit requires a new expensive band and no improvement in the connection. Reaching out to customer service is futile. I’ve received a message back about enjoying the conversation with NO resolution to my problem. I’m going to stick with the Apple iWatch which uses the same band with each upgrade and you don’t have to pay for “premium” to get oxygen saturation. My series Charge 5 has rapidly drained to 1% overnight twice now. It could be a great product with some attention to detail.

Sent from my iPhone

[Canucktfi]

Yup, that worked great, didnt do it too precisely to test it but ripped a bit of paper off, insert it to the flat end on the bottom clasp, insert strap, same click but now there is less play and you cant pull or twist it to pop it off.  Manufacturing defect for sure then on the bottom clasp clearance tolerances.

Paper will get wet so find some thin mylar or thin cutout of a plastic bottle for the perm fix. OR even a dap of hot glue and push in, that would give the extra "shim" and lock it in place.  

But this works to fix it till manufacture admits it is a defect/recall issue.

[KristinBA]

I have been using Fitbit since the trackers came on the scene - may years. Now I have lost 2 Charge 5 devices due to the wristband suddenly falling off. Poor design and no regard for the customer.

Sorry to leave Fitbit - I am now an ex Fibit user.

[isabeller]

What do you mean @Lymmeln ?

@outlw 

Any chance you can provide a photo (or even a drawing) of this fix to keep the band in place?

[AMNibbs]

I agree with this. However, I did buy a leather strap to replace the supplied latex(?) one and I’ve had no trouble. It has a metal clasp and clearly fits well.  I think it was about £12 (not from Fitbit). I recommend ditching the supplied strap.

[Canucktfi]

The band has a flat side and a side with the small divot that the Fitbit locks onto. The issue of the band popping off is the Fitbit cavity the strap inserts into is too high by about a price of paper thickness on some of them.  I didn't cut an exact size as he did but I just ripped a small price of paper to just the size of the flat section of the band that inserts into the Fitbit. Then carefully push the band in with paper in place and click. It well now be incredibly hard to yank off unless you release the clip a you would changing the bands. I can take a photo of where to put it but my Fitbit went back for RMA. Maybe they will have a Charge 5 with the proper manufacturing specs and not pull loose easily.  If not. Use paper or thin plastic water bottle or maybe pop can sliver to keep it waterproof

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Yeah but the issue is in the manufacturing tolerances on the fitbit. I can swap the "tight top band" in the bottom and it will click but pull out easily. Put either top/bottom band in the top slot and they never come off and I an pulling on them hard.  The faulty slot just unlatches easily with a tug or a slight twist. 

Wait for device to come back from RMA and have a magnetic band ready for it. But I'll keep doing the RMA game to they acknowledge they have a recall defect issue and to stand by it

[isabeller]

Thank you @Canucktfi 

[Canucktfi]

 Dont have my band to show it or the device back yet but just put a small sliver of paper on the flat section, then carefully insert the band and click in place. You can then tug on it, twist it and it will be secure if that was the original issue.

[Canucktfi]

The replacement Charge5 I got doesn't have this issue using the same band so I know the first one had a defective build. IT was not the latch that was faulty since that latches on 100% with the sliver of paper or vinyl I used in the example above. Just the build tolerance for the gap was slightly too big.  But the new one holds 100% and you can pull hard and twist and it wont pop out. Adding the sliver of paper fixed the old defective one as well and held up to the same abuse. So if you can pull on it and it comes off, fix it like above before you lose it or try to get an RMA.

Moderator edit: format

[Thankyou123]

Agreed. However the " new" replacement I got went dead and won't charge
after 3 weeks...feels similar to getting a refurbished phone from
Verizon.That being said they are sending me another " new " one.Will keep
everyone posted

[Ejdebo]

I have the same issue.  I lost mine 3 times, but Luckly have found it every time.  Once while helping a friend move, another time at the gym, and once in my couch.  I'm definitely securing it as instructed and its only a matter of time before its lost for good.  Its really unfortunate as I like the charge 5 but will not get another fitbit since I need to constantly worry about losing it.  Is there any permanent fix for this?  a new band perhaps? 

[AMNibbs]

I bought a leather strap with metal ends from another supplier, about £11 I
think. When I put it on both ends clicked, unlike before. Never had any
problems at all since and I’m sure it will last as long as I want it.

The problem is not the Charge 5 itself, rather the latex band Fitbit supply
and their refusal to change it, no doubt down to cost. Good product, poor
customer service I’m afraid.

[DesignKat]

The problem I'm finding is on my brand new (received an hour ago) Charge 5, nothing but a rubber strap will click in the bottom slot.  The woven band, which has a plastic connector WON'T click into the bottom slot.  Either side will click into the top.  Have tried this with both official and aftermarket bands I bought which arrived in advance of the tracker. 

TL:DR - the bottom of the watch will only accept rubberized bands or will not click closed 

[DavideFitbit]

Hi everyone, thank you for all the details that you've shared about this inconvenience with your Charge 5. 

Please make sure to check if you've followed all the recommendations mentioned here previously to securely attach the band. If the issue persists, I do recommend that you contact the Customer Support team for further assistance with this. You can click here to get connected. 

Thanks again for all the feedback that you've provided about this. Please know that the team continues to work to improve the Fitbit experience and your feedback is an important part of that process. 

[Laurie2657]

Hi, have you considered looking into a one-piece band? See below and check it out.  The watch face goes into the space in the watch so that will solve any faulty connection issues with the 2 piece bands.  Hope this helps.

 

[RAD001]

Thanks for that information.  I have not seen these style bands before. 

[Laurie2657]

I just ordered the watch so I will see how it goes but I am getting one of these bands as a backup because I don't have much faith in the connections based on what I'm reading but at least people that are having issues with the bands can still use their watch faces with this band.

[user109]

Thanks very much for this suggestion. I bought my Charge 5 in October 2022 and it fell off dozens of times until I lost it (supposedly) for good this past January. After that, I bought a Skagen hybrid smartwatch, which I like very much. Well, while cleaning my car trunk today what do you suppose turned up? My lost Charge 5 must have landed in there the last time the defective band let go. It's no wonder that I lost it--the band disengages at the very SLIGHTEST twist. I'm going to buy one of these one-piece bands, now that I have the watch face back again. 

[BrookeTrace]

My Charge 4 clip broke off so I bought a Charge 5 but the clips failed to hold the band on after 4 1/2 months! My warranty will not be honored on a lost product because the clips failed.