Charge 5 won't track my sleep times accurately

[Hammerjimmyduct]

The sleep function is not accurate. It states I started sleeping at 1:30 but i never laid my head down till 3:34. Strap is on firmly , back of watch and wrist are clean an dry.

For the couple weeks i have had this charge 5 I am not at all impressed 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Mindfulgrandma]

You are not alone. Mine worked fine for about two months and until late last month. I am not willing to have Fitbit restart to delete 7 or so years of data.

Sent from my iPhone

[Wibby]

Hello @Hammerjimmyduct 

I'm sorry to hear that you’re having problems with it.  Have you tried changing the sleep setting to Sensitive?  

It detects sleep based on heart rate and movement, maybe your heart rate slows down a lot before you go to bed.  With the sensitive setting small movements are usually picked up as being awake.

 I hope that helps a bit and sorry if it doesn’t.

[Wibby]

Hello @Mindfulgrandma 

You won’t lose 7 years of data if they reset your device.  The old data is tied to the App and your email account, not the device itself.  That’s how you still have data from the past even when you change to a new tracker.

The data that will be lost is any that hasn’t been synced yet.  If you sync right before the reset, you shouldn’t lose any data.

 I hope that helps a bit.

[Mindfulgrandma]

I hope so and appreciate your encouragement! But resetting has made me lose data I updated/saved prior to. I am just not happy with my Charge 5 and feel like a technologically illiterate but physically fit little old lady who apparently is dependent on her Fitbit to motivate her to move it move it!

Sent from my iPhone

[Hammerjimmyduct]

I can't even find the manual on the app. Not user friendly. So far I really think it was a waste of $$$

[Wibby]

Hello again @Mindfulgrandma 

Make your anxieties clear to Support as they walk you through it and hopefully you’ll get someone kind and patient.  Just make sure you keep syncing regularly and you should be alright.

Have you done the restart from your Charge 5 already?  That one has no effect on your data at all.  You just scroll down from the Clock Face screen on your Charge 5 until you get to Settings, tap, then scroll up until you get to Restart Device.  Follow the instructions.  It takes a second or two and can help to fix small problems.

[Hammerjimmyduct]

Thx, i found that section. Still can't find where to adjust sensitivity . Hopefully restart
will correct distance travelled. Im stuck in chair all day and fitbit states I have done 3 kms distance

[Wibby]

Hello again @Hammerjimmyduct 

You can access a basic manual in the App on your phone by tapping your profile picture, then Charge 5, then How to Use.

Also on the computer version of this community the Charge 5 manual can be found under Charge 5 help.

Here’s a link to the PDF of the manual:

Charge 5 Manual 

Here’s a link to sleep information:

Sleep Score and Advice 

I hope that helps you a bit.

[Wibby]

Hello again @Hammerjimmyduct 

You can adjust the sleep sensitivity by going from the Today Screen in the App on your phone.

Tap your profile picture, then Activity and Wellness, then Sleep.  Sleep sensitivity is at the bottom.  Sync your device.

 I hope that helps you!

[Mindfulgrandma]

Thank you! Yep tried the reset repeatedly. Did take someone’s suggestion about switching the device to my dominant hand. Guess whist! It worked! Haven’t checked my sleep settings as yet. Will do so today. This forum has been helpful! Thank you. I have been practicing mindfulness for a year, finding and sharing joy and gratitude in each day. I am grateful for you and hope you all find a bit of joy and gratitude in your little corner of the world! Pass it on! 

[Wibby]

Thank you @Mindfulgrandma 

I think we might be kindred spirits.  That’s why I’m here trying to help people if I can so I can pass it on. 

I’m glad you’re feeling happier with your Fitbit now!

[Mindfulgrandma]

Glad our paths have crossed! Although as the perfectly imperfect person I am, that “whist” in my message should have been “what.” Will need to add that to my typos collection…

[Mindfulgrandma]

Two nights in a row for sleep and oxygen levels!  Hopefully the trend continues! Thanks again for your sage advice! 

[Mindfulgrandma]

Three nights of proper sleep and oxygen recordings, thanks to you! I am a happy camper and so glad I checked this community forum before listening to tech staff. All is well!  At my age with Covid, I am concerned about continuing to be active. My husband and I monitor our temps and oxygen levels frequently to keep ourselves and our young family granddaughters safe. My Fitbit is one means of monitoring oxygen levels. Not reaching 10,000 steps and 5 miles a day anymore but close enough these days. Move it or lose it! And let Fitbit give you the encouragement you need to be active so you can keep up with your grandchildren or great grandchildren! 

[Hammerjimmyduct]

Thank you, the info you gave me was very good and easy to follow. I couldn't find that info in the manual. Only problem is it has already been on sensitive. Fitbit also congratulates me for moving and running 2 kms per day when I barely  shuffle more than 50 meters /200ft per day . I will try and call their helpline later today.

Thank you again for your assistance.

[Ukase]

You should work for Fitbit and tell them to actually include the manual with the Charge 5 purchase. It's a disgusting thing that we have to come to the forums and dig and dig to find these things. I would have never bought another one after the sub-par products I've gotten from Fitbit - but I got it for Christmas with a 3 year warranty - so I expect to be re-visiting with various issues like - why does the fitbit stop tracking the workout in the middle of a workout? 
If Fitbit uses HR to track calories burned, then why does it consider all these different activities to burn calories at a different rate? If it's not using the HR to track calories, how is it estimating calories are being burned? 
How is it tracking resting heart rate? I'm sitting here, and my hr is 52, but it says my resting hr is 60! How is that possible, when clearly it's 52, at the highest? 
Fitbit is basically a great device - for people who just want to move more. But if you're trying to optimize fitness, the technology isn't there, despite all these features that use algorithms that are based on a generic population, rather than just for you. 

[Bizzy44]

Sleep sensitivity is not an option on the screen you referenced.

[Bizzy44]

I'm having the same experience!  What was the response from customer service?