Introducing Charge 5 Firmware Release - Version 1.171.50

[FitbitCommunity]

We’re excited to announce that a firmware update for Charge 5. Some of you might already have this update available. If you installed it, let us know what you think!

We release updates to customers in phases. If you don’t see it, check the Fitbit app in a few days, and you’ll see a message when you can install the update. We appreciate your patience while we get this update to all of our customers. 

WHAT’S NEW AND FIXED

See What's changed in the latest Fitbit device update? for release notes.

HOW DO I UPDATE?

See How do I update my Fitbit device? for step-by-step instructions for updating your Charge 5. If you run into difficulty updating, see Why can't I update my Fitbit device?. 

We’re interested in hearing your feedback on this update! Let us know what you like! If you encounter unexpected behavior during or after your update, please post the details below.

[jabob]

I have reinstalled an old charge 3 which works but hard to read. I am gathering information at this point and keeping all my emails from FB support. Customer service has been poor. 

[delawareBirder]

@Catwoman777  Tried that already, made no difference,

[SunsetRunner]

@PdL5

Apparently Charge 5s stopped syncing for everyone yesterday morning. Fitbit put a notice out that they were investigating. Problem must have been in one of their servers because they had it fixed and it worked again yesterday by 5 pm. Seems to be working fine this morning as well, at least for me.

Bill

[PdL5]

Ditto for me too, Bill.

[MuTTso]

Hi Davide,

Thanks for the info, this has worked a treat with one of my charge 5’s, however the other is completely unresponsive and will not charge, display any info or connect to my iPhone.

I have gone through all of the steps to rectify this but to avail. 

I had this on my previous charge 4 and it had to be replaced with a refurbed/new one.

Can you help or advise who is best to contact please.

Thanks

[rebeccc1]

My husband and I have the very same issues since the Update was downloaded. Now were constantly running out of battery.

I started a Chat session with support and it was horrible. They gave me a list of random notes to try , and after i had tried all of the solutions to call them back. The problem was, everything was already OFF when I contacted them. I advised her that I had already made sure everything was off. She mostly said to charge it and call them. I had just taken it off the charger.

All in all, the WORST Support ever!

My husband called in and he faced the same issue.

Why is there no ROLL-back option?

[csanford0714]

Since the update, I am unable to receive ANY notifications on my Charge 5 -- no texts, no phone calls, nothing.  I've unpaired/repaired, turned Bluetooth off and on, deleted/reinstalled....  Nothing works.

[VballKitty]

Now that you mention it, I don't either. My Charge 5 tried to get thenupdate but must have failed in the middle.  I had the black screen, too. Inwas sent a new one which wanted me to immediately update it to the new firmware.  I did so with trepidation. I do get some charge lasting more that a couple days. I have not gotten notifications either. I used it for phone notifications but have not gotten any.

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[ChrissyNemetz]

Is there any update on the update? Is it safe yet? 🤔 

[delawareBirder]

@1stBlackBelt  I suggest not updating the firmware and see if you have a battery draining problem.  That is what this update was supposed to fix, but created a battery draining problem for Fitbits that didn't have the problem.  If you don't have the battery draining problem, I wouldn't update the firmware until a new version is released.

[1stBlackBelt]

Thanks Delaware, I've decided to avoid the risk, I'm on the phone with Fitbit now and given they offer a 45 day money back guarantee, I'm cancelling my order for the charge 5.  Now i need to decide if I go Garmin or look at the fitbit Luxe.

[delawareBirder]

@1stBlackBelt  I've been using Fitbit products for eight years, and the way this firmware issue is being handled has really soured my opinion of Fitbit.  Google has tremendous tools for software development and testing - I used them before retiring.  When Google purchased Fitbit I thought it was a good sign of things to come.  Needless to say, I'm disappointed and have been looking at Garmin.

[VballKitty]

1stBlqckBelt.  Check first, but I think this firmware update included the Luxe. I could be wrong though. I am sure it includes another fitbit besides the charge 5

[1stBlackBelt]

I've had a Charge 2 for the last 8 years with minimal issues - on Sunday it stopped working - battery drained within a couple of hours, due to the  Heart rate tracker failing. Went through the support desk  - had me go through a dozen different hoops - but no luck.  They finally told me likely hardware issue.   Figured the Charge 5 would be a good step up - but based on everything I've been reading  - definitely would be a mistake.  Going to miss my Charge 2.    I received a notice from Fitbit a few minutes ago, telling me they are deleting my original post.  🙂   

Hi VballKitty!   Yes, it included the Luxe.  My son has the Luxe and updated - no issues so far...  knock on wood. 🙂

[klklklkl]

updated my firmware last Fri, seems to be working fine after the update. went to bed with my watch as usual but when i woke up noticed my watch was dead. charged the battery and found that it's not syncing with the app on my phone. screen is not responsive to swipes,taps etc till now. it's literally just a watch now and does not seems to be tracking anything, also unable to sync and battery drains faster than before the firmware update. how do i fix this? i'm extremely vexed about this as my watch was working fine before the update.

[Tbartel1]

Definitely call support and file a claim for a replacement. The almost exact same thing happened to mine. Updated it with it plugged in and full battery, then wore it to bed. Woke up with it completely not working - no power , no nothing. Luckily, I purchased it directly online from Fitbit and it is covered under warranty. I am receiving a replacement in 5-7 business days.

[hoebe]

I had to fully remove my Charge 5 from my profile and add again.

Reset (soft or hard with cable) dit not work

---------

Hi, I had to remove my Charge 5 from my Fitbit account and add it again; after that the bluetooth connection worked again, but I had to redo all the settings.

[radesix]

I was also told 5-7 days; however, it’s been 14 days and I just got the email saying they are ready to ship. That should put me sometime into next week, nearly 3 weeks .

Get Outlook for iOS<>

[DavideFitbit]

Hi everyone, it seems that many users were experiencing issues to sync their device in the past few days. The team is investigating a syncing issue impacting Charge 5 users, but your device should be syncing as usual now. If you had trouble syncing your device, please try again now and make sure you've exhausted all the troubleshooting options listed here in case that you're still having this problem. 

Many users here have also shared they're still having issues with the display or with the battery life after the update. Since these issues should be addressed with the new firmware update, and if you already tried all the steps mentioned here earlier, please make sure to continue the communication with the Customer Support team so they can let you know what are the options available for you. 

Please know that your patience and feedback are greatly appreciated. 

[hoebe]

Syncing is as usual now but built-in GPS and dynamic GPS still not functioning