Charge 5 lost its mind after software update

[ClassicRedhead]

My issues started on Sunday evening and have persisted. Screen went black. Wouldn't display anything unless on charger. Changed the clock. Did the reset from the cord many times. Did a restart on the tracker many times. Now it'll come on, sometimes, on my wrist, but it still isn't tracking sleep or any other health metrics. It randomly goes black and then shows the Fitbit symbol.  And my battery drains lightning fast as of last night.   It was at 88% when I went to bed at 1230a and down to 3% at 428a. I charged it to 100%, put it on at 9a, and at 345p it was at 6%. I've tried all the usual things - resetting from the cord, restarting on the watch, changing the clock. It's totally screwed up. 

But I don't expect a reply that's actually useful from Fitbit. Every official reply just says you need to charge your battery and do the press-3x nonsense and everything should be fine again. It's not. This is a widespread issue that screams software issue and lack of testing before release.

I'm looking for alternatives to Fitbit. I'm so over it. Google's purchase of Fitbit sent a great tracker into the toilet. 

[KuraiNozomi]

Mine just did this today too. 😩 

I think I'm officially done with FitBit. Over the years their quality has gotten worse and worse. I have had an issue with every fit bit I have owned (besides the original charge) and I wanted to remain loyal, but I can't continue to stand by this terrible quality anymore since google acquired them.

This is my 2nd charge 5 in 2 yrs. My first died from their software update that made the device completely unresponsive, they sent me a replacement, since it luckily was still under warranty, and less than a year later it's back to being useless. Won't charge, vibrates,  and shows fitbit logo when plugged into the charger but doesn't charge or start up. I am out of warranty now and don't want to buy another that will become useless in less than a year. 😤

Let me know if you find something better, I'll also be looking for other options. 

(Don't mind me hijacking your comment to boost this issue for visibility.)

[missusmo]

My Charge 5 has gone crazy as well. It's been getting worse over several weeks. I can no longer rely on any of the data being accurate as it spends more time on the charger than on my wrist. Also, each time after one of its many frequent blackouts every day, it won't reset the clock to the correct time, no matter how often I try to sync it. In desperation I have just bought a Charge 6 - this time with 2 year warranty from the shop, but if this proves to be as bad as my Charge 5 I will be requesting a refund, cancelling my Fitbit account and looking for an alternative tracker. What a shame.

[JeaneLabLady]

Since the July 23 update, my numbers have been crazy.  I walked a path that I knew was 1 mile.  It tracked 10 miles and 19,000 steps.  My watch was tracking proper steps but when I stopped the walk on my phone, the numbers on my watch switched to 19,000 too.  I just reinstalled Strava to keep track of my hikes from now on.

[ClassicRedhead]

On Wednesday, it started working again. Randomly. And the battery life has improved. But gps isn't working.  So maybe give it a few more days? There's definitely an issue, but maybe there's something getting hung up in the tracker that works itself out after a few days of being yelled at. 

I'm trying to hold out until the Charge 7 is released while still researching other options. 

[Fowlerwalker]

I am having a similar issue.  Originally,  my screen was going blank, but the tracker was working, Icouldsee my progress on the ap.  I thought the software update might help.  Now it isn't functioning.  It doesn't stay charged, screen is blank, and tracker is inaccurate even after I manually sync it.  Any suggestions on a different brand anyone?  I have had a fit bit forever,  but I  think I will need to be loyal to another brand.