Charge 6 with two hours ahead

[ELS26]

I belive this started for me in January 2026.  Charge 6 skips ahead 2 hours.  I re-synch it with the app and then the time is correct.  A week or so later, it happens again.

I have tried to restart the charge 6, but that didn't fix it.

I also went into setting and changed from Time Zone auto to manual, but that didn't fix it, so I went back to auto again..

Not a HUGE problem, but a bit shocking to wake up and look at fitbit say 9AM.... when it's really 7 AM.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject.

[MaCrisGBFitbit]

Hi @ELS26!  It’s nice to see you here!

I'm sorry to hear that your Charge 6 has an incorrect hour.  I appreciate all the steps you already tried. 

In this case please follow the steps below: 

1. In your phone's settings, look for "Applications".
2. Find "Fitbit".
3. Once there, tap "Clear cache".
4. Go to your Fitbit app
5. Sync

If the issue persist please restart your phone and the Charge 6.  

[ELS26]

Thanks for quick reply!

Cache cleared, and fitbit synched.

I've restarted both fitbit and phone many times since this started acting up, but I'll try again.

[RiekoC]

Hello @ELS26 

By any chance, did you recently travel and use a VPN network? I've read posts from users who reported that the time on their Fitbits will be incorrect after they traveled and used a VPN. Their devices seem to get stuck using the time on their VPN. 

[ELS26]

Yes I did!  I am based in CA like you, and went to NYC (3 hour difference).  While in NYC I used VPN, but in same EST time zone.

When I return to CA, I synch the fitbit back to PST, but now it seem to jump forward 2 hours intermittently.

---

On second thought, I don't think I used a VPN on my phone, only on my desktop PC.

---

Android Settings indicates no VPN installed.  That said, I was using Wifi in an apartment building where the building provides the internet service for all the units.  I cannot 100% rule out they use VPN or something similar.

[RiekoC]

Hello @ELS26 

Thanks for confirming that you traveled recently. It seems that your Charge 6 is stuck in a different time zone. 

Have you tried uninstalling, then re-installing the Fitbit app? That might help clear out the bug that's giving your Charge 6 the wrong time. 

Another thing you might consider trying is adding your Charge 6 to the Fitbit app as if it was a new device. This process could re-establish the correct time sync between your app and the Charge 6. 

• Tap the device icon in the upper left of the Today page to open the Connection page
• Tap Add more devices
• Scroll to find the Charge 6 and tap it
• Tap yes when you get the prompt if you want to replace your Charge 6
• Complete the setup process as if your Charge 6 was a new device

[ELS26]

Thanks for reply, but I don't think that's my case.  I was NY, which is 3 hours ahead of CA, not 2.  I synch the charge 6 using the app and it displays the correct time.  So I'm on CA time, but every few days it changes 2 hours.  Synch with app back to CA time.

As suggested, I cleared the cache on the fitbit app.  Waiting to see if that fixes the issue, but it wasn't a daily occurance, more like 5-9 days (best guess).

I'll post an update in a few days.

Thank you both!

[fit2]

I did that (add more devices), and after searching for a while, it stopped and said "something went wrong".  Then it said "an error occurred. Please try again. I am trying again - phone and watch are beside each other, and plugged in. 

[RiekoC]

Hi @ELS26 

It sounds like you don't sync your Charge 6 on a daily basis. Syncing at least once a day will help your device keep the right time. 

That said, it's still a bit of a mystery why your Charge 6 will be 2 hours off after a few days. 

[ELS26]

No, I don't synch every day.

I've been using Fitbit 5 since September 2022, and Charge 6 since May 2024, and I haven't had to force a sync daily.  I thought it did sync periodically so long as Fitbit and my phone were close proximity.

This issue seems have begun Jan 2026, so I think more likely a software update.  Since I clear memory cache it hasn't happened, but that was only 3 days ago.

Typically I notice this in the morning when I wake up, and my phone is on nightstand, perhaps 2-3 feet away

[RiekoC]

Hello @ELS26 

As far as I know, Fitbit devices sync with the app when the app is opened. They don't seem to sync when they are just near each other. At least, that's been my experience. I usually sync in the morning when I wake up to see my sleep tracking. 

Glad to know that clearing the cache has helped. If you start seeing your Charge 6 showing a time discrepancy, clear the cache and sync. 

[ELS26]

It happened about 9AM PST this morning.  Charge 6 changed to just after 12 Noon.  I opened the Fitbit app, and clicked charge 6... not sure if that forces a sync, but it went to correct time, just after 9AM.

My hunch is this bug is in the latest version of firmware.

[ELS26]

Happened again today around 1:15 PM, this time jumped ahead 2 hours.

I opened the Fitbit app on my phone, but did not force a sync... but it happened in just a few seconds and the time was correct again.

Does anyone from Fitbit support monitor these threads, or do I need to open a case with support?

[MaCrisGBFitbit]

Hi @ELS26 !  Thanks a lot for your reply. 

We have tried all possible steps through this channel to try to resolve this issue. My best suggestion is that you contact technical support directly, as they have more tools to provide you with the appropriate follow-up.  

[ELS26]

Called support and they had me go into setting on the Charge 6, then to clear user data.  Then using the app, I reconnected to the charge 6 as if it was a new device.

Fingers crossed this solves the issue.  I'll post an update in a few days.