Charge 5 step count is some times absurdly high

[PhilCom]

Every few weeks, my Charge 5 records a step count that is impossibly high. Almost always, the high count occurs while I'm sleeping, typically before 4:00 am. Today, while I was sleeping, my step count was over 80,000. The step count in the Fitbit dashboard shows a single vertical line, extending past 75,000 on the chart, indicating all these phantom steps are being recorded in a very short time. (I'd send a screen shot but this form doesn't seem to allow uploading or pasting images.) As I mentioned, this has happened several times. Most days, the step count is reasonable. I use an android phone (Samsung Galaxy A52) as a syncing device. I wear the Charge 5 while I'm sleeping.

[DavideFitbit]

Welcome to the Community forums, @PhilCom. 

Thank you for all the details about the inconvenience you experienced with your Charge 5. 

There are a few reasons why this could happen. If you're sleeping close to something that could emit a certain vibration, like a window, a fan or other type of machine. The only way to negate these extra steps would be to manually log a driving activity, as this would override the data tracked during that time. 

If you haven't done so already, please complete a three pulse restart and let me know if you continue to experience the same behavior afterwards: 

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.

In addition, you can find more useful information about the accuracy of Fitbit devices and how to adjust your stride length and dominant hand settings here, as this has been useful for other users experiencing similar problems. 

Hope this helps, I'll be around. 

[PhilCom]

Since the problem happens sporadically, it will take a while to know whether resetting the Charge 5 worked. I don't sleep near a fan, and I sincerely hope that you aren't saying that Fitbits are accurate only if you don't sleep near a window. Really, I was reporting the problem more as a suggestion that the algorithm used to detect steps be modified to reject a signal that appears to be a step if it occurs within a time that is physically impossible from the previous step, as would have to be the case for 80,000 steps made within half an hour. 

[SenFitIn]

I too had the same issue last night.  Tried the 3 step reset. See if it happens again

[Jaxken]

Check your sleep stages in the Fitbit app when the problem occurs.  Check the Estimated Oxygen Variation graphic to see if your variations go into the high range when the phantom steps occur.  I'm not a doctor, but high variations could be caused by breathing problems such as sleep apnea.  

[PhilCom]

Nothing abnormal in my sleep stages, breathing, heart rate, etc. during the time the Fitbit is recording thousands of steps per minute.

It happened again a couple of days ago (30,000 steps, shortly before 4:00 am while I was fast asleep) after resetting the Charge 5. I continue to believe this is an algorithm bug that needs fixing.

[DavideFitbit]

@Jaxken @SenFitIn Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with this. 

@PhilCom I'm sorry to see that you continue to experience the same problem with your device recording many steps during the night. In addition to all the steps mentioned earlier, please let me know if you have MobileTrack installed on the Fitbit app. This feature allows you to record basic stats such as steps using your phone's sensors. Assuming this is correct, I'd recommend removing it by doing the following:

1. Open the Fitbit app and tap your profile picture.
2. Tap MobileTrack:
   For iOS devices, scroll down and tap the option to remove the device.
   For Android devices, tap the trash icon at the upper right corner.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to remove it from your account.
4. Continue using your Charge 5 and let me know how it goes.

Thanks again for sharing all your feedback and comments so far. 

[PhilCom]

Hi Davide,

I run the Fitbit app on Android. When I tap MobileTrack, nothing happens, and there is no trash icon visible. However, there are 3 dots next to "MobilTrack" on the screen. When I touch the 3 dots, the menu item "Unpair" appears. Do you want me to unpair?

[DavideFitbit]

@PhilCom Yes, MobileTrack lets you use the Fitbit app without a Fitbit device by using your phone's sensors to track basic activity data including steps, distance, and calories burned, but you can remove it and set it up again at any time. 

Let me know if you notice any difference after you've removed it. 

I'll be around.