Charge 5 battery draining in under an hour

[Enoki95]

I've had my Charge 5 for 16 months.  In that time, It's worked flawlessly, and I only had to charge it once a week.  Suddenly this week, it goes from 100% to 0% and shutting off in less than an hour.  When I put it on the charger, it shows 2% battery.  I've tried resetting it (using the charger) at least 5 different times; it doesn't help.  I don't have any extra stuff turned on (like the GPS), so I don't know what else can be shut off.  It didn't get submerged, only splashed on a little bit while washing my hands.   I see on this community forum that a LOT of people are having the same problem with draining the battery.  What caused it, and how can I fix it without buying a new Fitbit?

[was27]

Bought my Charge 5 last April.   Been working fine until this past Sunday morning. 4/16, battery died in the middle of the night while I was asleep.  Sunday morning wouldn't charge, wouldn't reset, etc.  just displayed Fitbit logo.  Finally had it working again Sunday afternoon, charged to 100% and reset but battery out of power in less than an hour.  Now Tuesday will run for a little more than an hour. Guess all I can do is call CS and request a replacement.

[ab-gr]

This is the same day mine stopped working. This makes me think they made a software update or something went wrong?? 

you should call ASAP. Mine is no longer under warranty so the best they could do is offer me a discount 

[DavideFitbit]

Hi everyone, I appreciate the information provided about this issue with your Charge 5. 

It seems that most of you have already tried all the steps available in the forums that are usually helpful with battery draining problems. If you're new to this thread, please make sure to follow the recommendations listed here to improve battery life and exhausted all troubleshooting options available, and complete a three pulse restart procedure using the charging cable.

If the issue persists, I do recommend that you contact the Customer Support team and continue the communication with them so they can provide you with the next steps. They'll let you know the options available for you. 

[Timitius]

Same here.  Bought mine in October 2021, and it's worked great.  Then 2 days ago, it was dead.  I charged it, and 12 hrs later, dead again.  Now it randomly restarts over and over until I start charging it again, and it lasts only 6 hrs now.

So, that's a 1.5 yr life.  Bought it on Amazon, so I'm hearing that I'm out of luck with Fitbit offering any help with Amazon purchases.

I am wondering if these troubles are JUST with the Charge 5, and if I buy the Inspire 3, would that be more reliable?  From all the posts here, I don't feel confident in the Charge 5 at all.

[DavideFitbit]

Welcome to the Fitbit Community forums, @Timitius. 

I'm sorry to see that you're having the same issue with your  Charge 5. 

Could you please also confirm if you already tried all the troubleshooting options mentioned here earlier? There are usually helpful with battery draining problems. 

[DavideFitbit]

@Surfista Thank you for the information and for the feedback provided. Our team is always working to improve the Fitbit experience and your feedback is a big part of that process. This is definitely helpful to continue working on improvements to products and services.

[ShainC]

Same issue. Rapid battery drain all of the sudden after 12 months of use. I have tried all the troubleshooting, resetting from the charge cord, and called Fitbit. I purchased 3/18/22 and starting draining battery issues 4/20/23, one month out of warranty. Fitbit has only offered a 30% discount on a new one. Thats pretty disappointing customer service on a product that clearly seems to have an issue. $130 to $150 for something that is only good for a year is nonsense. What is Fitbit doing about it?? $30 off on a new one that will do the same is not acceptable. 

[Timitius]

Yes, I tried all the options.  No matter what I tried, still only got less than a day before the battery drained.

I have accepted that Fitbit has chosen to make their products disposable, to be replaced every 1.5 yrs. I'm not happy about it, but I see little choice, I bought another Charge 5 at Costco, and put the 2 yr warranty on it.  We will see if Fitbit honors that, when the time comes.

[ShainC]

I think its absurd that it is a disposable device after a year. I think its deceptive to market it without telling people up front that it will only last 1-1.5 years and be totally worthless then.

[Timitius]

Oh I agree.  I tried to switch to Garmin, but it was a terrible device in comparison. Returned the Vivosmart the next day,  Interestingly, my old Fitbit Flex still works after 7 years.  Wish they made the Charge as dependable, but this newer stuff since Google took over does not seem as dependable. Seems like they followed Apple's example and put software code in there to reduce battery life to just over a year. 

[Enoki95]

2nd update.  It's dying again in under an hour.  Everything is the same, I haven't changed any of the setting.  Before April 13, it would last a full week between charges.  All of a sudden, the battery drains in an hour.  It suddenly held a charge for about a week, and I thought it was fixed.  Then this week, fully draining again, and today, it was charged to 95% (from 0%), and draining again in less than an hour.  This is pathetic, and doing the reset does nothing.  It still drains so fast, it's useless.

[Mhmcv]

In a bit less than a year my charge 5 completely died after wearing it while  paddling. I was sent a new one abut 6 months ago and this one just died too after paddling. This time it started up the next day but now my battery dies very quickly…I’m talking less than 2 hours . I chatted with a customer service rep and she told me to charge it up and let it drain to 0 5-6 times . We’ll see how that goes. 
I can’t get over how horrible the quality is now . I also starred with a charge hr back around 2015 or 2016. I don’t know if I will buy another one cuz now I’m really turned off . 

Were you able to get a replacement ? 

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

As per someone’s suggestion, I called them. I did some troubleshooting with the tech-support person, and we both decided that mine is just dead now . however, when it was on the charger, mine started to get quite warm. He transferred me over to some other department… I think safety or something like that and so now I have to take various pictures and send my device to them .  They said that they will send me a replacement. 

[Jusona]

I am having the same problem and Fitbit only 7 months old.  It was perfect until this happened!  Am sure it is as a result of the latest software update because I had the same issued with a Charge 4 last year. Fitbit replaced that with a Charge 5!  

[Mhmcv]

I would call them. You have nothing to lose.

[Jusona]

Thanks, I called them and was told to go to quick settings and turn on DND, sync with Fitbit app then fully charge again and observe.  I did this and it still drained but lasted 4 hours instead of 2!  I reset it a few times, recharged and so far has lasted a few hours and is still 96%.  Fingers crossed it has worked.  I have been given a case number and told to get back to support if it doesn’t work.  I will update on here once I know if it is sorted.  

[Bdad777]

Funny I've had many different issues with my charge 5 including the battery on, the red circle one, the black screen one. I've dealt with Customer (lack of) Support extensively. I also had mine for 16 months. I was told the red circle means it's trying to do an update. I'm convinced this is a software update issue whick they will not acknowledge. I had zero issues up to the first in Feb'23. I can charge it, it syncs normally and I can wear it. Within a short time, couple hrs, I get the black screen. Charging says it was at zero essentially.  I will never purchase a Fitbit again. This was my third and last one. A charge 3 last about 4 yrs and was still working when I got the 5. 

Lucky you! 

[joanafranco]

I am having the same problem. I’ll never buy Fitbit again in my life.

[Gydic]

I have the same problem with my fitbit charge 5 which I have owned since January 2023. 

It no longer holds a charge. 

The battery apparently recharges, but once worn, within a few minutes it runs out and turns off. 

[DavideFitbit]

Hi everyone, thanks for all the updates and comments that you've shared so far.  Please know that all your feedback us greatly appreciated. 

I'm sorry to see that you're experiencing the same problem with your Charge 5 and the battery that is draining too fast. 

If you haven't done so already, please make sure to follow the recommendations listed here to improve battery life and exhausted all troubleshooting options available, and complete a three pulse restart procedure using the charging cable.

If you continue to have the same problem with the battery, please contact the Customer Support team and so they can let you know the options available for you. 

[malibuman67]

I've done everything they asked and nothing has fixed the issue.  I did contact customer care via chat and the phone and, despite only being 1 month past the warrenty date, the only thing they offered me was 35% off yet another one.  Why should I pay at all for a device that lasts less than 1.5 years?  This is clearly an issue (be it hardware and/or firmware) that should be resolved.