Charge 6 bands constantly popping off!

[Ace08093]

So I bought a Charge 6 upgrade from the 5 a few weeks ago and within a day I had lost the watch somewhere because the band just popped off.  After a desperate search I decided to just buy another one and instant regret sunk in when within 20 minutes of wearing it the band just popped off when I brushed against my bed frame.  Thankfully I noticed it and put it back on, but I've noticed over the past few weeks the band constantly just pops off with the slightest but of awkward pressure.  I'm a mechanic, so I'm using my hands all day, and I've NEVER had this problem with any other fitbit over almost a decade.  I'm constantly checking my wrist making sure it hasn't just decided to leap off...  and it's becoming irritating.  It makes me just not want to wear a fitbit anymore.

I'm gonna ask here if anyone (or if FITBIT themselves, god forbid) have a solution for this?  Honestly if it pops off one more time I'm just gonna buy a different brand watch I hate having to be paranoid about it all day.  I wasted $180 once because of this obvious design flaw and I feel like I should just consider the other $180 wasted because it's inevitably going to fall off somewhere I'll lose it again.

I've tried several different bands from different brands because the ones they send with it are trash. All of them pop off just as easy.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject.

[howard-55]

Appreciate the shave I down the release tabs). I was afraid they’d void my warranty if I did that. Now that I have a cracked face (not due to anything I did to abuse it) warranty is probably voided anyway.
Sent from my iPhone :clapper_board:

[howard-55]

EXACTLY!
Sent from my iPhone :clapper_board:

[btwguy]

I'll be right behind you. I did get that ugly but functional band that holds the charge 6 inside a pocket and it works great but I hate the look. Yesterday I got my Apple Ultra so I'll see if it is a good replacement but I'm likely done with these guys. Google has ruined a formerly great product.

[howard-55]

I’m glad you’re all speaking up. We can’t undo our bad experiences, but we can let others know what not to buy. I guess when their sales start dropping off, they’ll either figure it out or close their business. Nowadays, "buyer beware” has more available to them to do research. I had such good experience with the 2 and 5, I didn’t think to research the 6….my bad. Lesson learned.

[Mcav75]

I've only used the band that came with the watch, but it shows no hint of coming detached from the watch regardless of what I do. The only way it comes off is with some reasonable effort, and pressing the release tabs. They also re-attach very easily.

[jobegal]

You're right, it is ugly, but it does work. I did keep my pretty bands for
dressier occasions. Guess I'll have to tie a string to those because
they're heavy! Next time I buy a fitness tracker, it will not be a Fitbit.

[Gnat-nat]

I'm on my 3rd replacement so device number 4 and it's no better. Fitbit refusing to send a different model instead even though none of the devices I've received have been for for purpose. Dreadful policies though not the service agents fault

[wimp35]

I'm so sorry. I can't stand that the company takes no responsibility for this. We deserve better.

[wimp35]

No disrespect but I don't know how these questions are relevant. It's just a band. The burden of complication to get these things to work should be on Fitbit not the consumer. We shouldn't have to jump through these hoops to get a wristwatch like device to do what wristwatches have done exceedingly well since they were invented: Stay on your wrist. 

[jobegal]

Exactly!

[wimp35]

Use superglue. It's ugly and inelegant, you can't change the band, but
it's better than losing your fitbit.

Also don't use a cheap superglue. Go for a gel type from a brand name
like Gorilla glue.

[gary1943]

Yes I cut the release clips down even with the watch and has never come off since. I used a Razor Knife. Mine came off about five times the first two days I wore it.
Sent from my iPad

[gary1943]

I used a Metal glue on my Charge 5 and lasted quite awhile. But finally fell off and lost.


Sent from my iPad

[Mcav75]

I've taken a close look at my Fitbit charge 6 band and I'm genuinely at a loss as to how so many people are having trouble with this. Upon attaching it, it just takes the slightest of firm pushes to get it to click in place. You can actually hear the *click* when it is securely fastened.

After that, it's absolutely secure until you push the release clip towards the strap.

[gary1943]

The release buttons are the problem. They stick out so far that buy twisting your wrist or any kind of pressure will release your watch. My Charge 5 came off numerous times while playing Pickleball and I wouldn’t even know it but would see it laying on the court. I cut the release buttons down even with the back of the watch on my Charge 6.
Sent from my iPad

[XFoosMe]

Agreed. When I read the solutions posted (buy one of these hideous bands, or take a razor knife to cut the band release buttons down), all I can envision is a Fitbit commercial with that helpful information. lol (No shade to those with the suggestions! The shade belongs squarely on Fitbit.)

---

I've heard the clip. Made no difference. I have a feeling they may have fixed some of their inventory, but I also have a feeling they've resold returned Fitbits with the issue.

[wimp35]

It might be because it's the original band. I can't use the original
one because it causes a rash in the exact shape of the band. The third
party bands def have a problem staying on. That's why i recommend
glueing. So far that has been working for me.

[btwguy]

Sadler the issue with the bands has been an ongoing issue. I’ve been a Fitbit user for 10 years and, like everyone here, we are aware of how to connect the bands, change the bands, and I’ve even tried shaving the release buttons down which helped a little but was not a solution. Perhaps it’s a batch issue that is a problem or devices manufactured at a certain location that are the problem. After going through 3, Charge 6 devices, none have stayed on my wrist and luckily I haven’t lost any yet. Although the glass has gotten scratched. I’ve invested in a new Apple Ultra 2 and it’s absolutely awesome. It’s a much bigger investment but it’s worked perfectly and the sleep tracking is fabulous. I’m still using my Charge 6 but when it finally keels over, I’m out!

[Argent_]

This is exactly what was going on for me. Got a Charge 6, replaced the short band with a long one, and it just would not stay on. My Support rep, unfortunately, did not know to tell me I need to apply extra pressure, so I returned my device and got a new one. Predictably, same story. Your write-up fixed the issue for me perfectly! (So, thanks)

[laurajbd]

I’ve been having the same problem and careful attempts to make sure it was connecting weren’t working (I could still just tug and pull one band off). I’m traveling and it flew off three times today in the course of a one hour museum tour (providing unwelcome distraction and cracking the screen of my new Charge 6).  But your trick finally worked.  I can pull on both bands of the watch now and neither pulls off unless I push the release switch.  I may need to replace the charge 6 if it dies because of the cracked screen, but at least if I do l will now be able to keep the new one on.  Thanks!