Fitbit Bingo "Starts in less than 1 hr" -- but never starts

[GregLSTL]

A friend has invited me and a group of friends to 2 separate Bingo Challenges over the past few days.

The challenge will get to "Starts in less then 1 hr" status... but never starts.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[doktormo]

Same here. First Premium content I tried, too. Thank god it's a free trial. 

[janec]

Very disappointed in premium. The only reason i joined was for the bingo. And it is messed up! Gets to starts in less than one hour and never starts!! This has happened 3 times!!!!!

[SilviaFitbit]

@GregLSTL @janec @doktormo A warm welcome to the Fitbit Community. Thanks for getting in touch about this. 

It's pretty weird that the Get Fit Bingo Challenge isn't starting. I would like you to confirm you have installed the latest Fitbit app which is 3.29 for iOS and Android, if you do then log out from the app, force quit it and see if the Challenge starts. 

If you're still experiencing this after the troubleshooting mentioned above, please let me know the phone, OS installed and attach a screenshot of the message you're getting. 

Looking forward to hearing back from you! 

[EireSusie]

This has happens about every third attempt to start a new Bingo Challenge. We have tried to replicate a pattern, but to avail. It appears random with all devices updated to the last Operating models  on both iPhones and Androids, and all have the latest FitBit updates. No repeating pattern based on Fitbit device either. The Bingo is so fun, PLEASE fix this, it is maddening. I paid for this! 

[EireSusie]

Confirmed, it is still not working after logging out completely. Here is screen shot of a 30 day challenge that should have started this morning.

 

 

[trttr]

Same thing happening here. At least one-third of Bingo games are not starting with a message that they will start in "less than one hour". If you click on game in menu, the counter is counting down til the game should be over, but no one can play as other's screenshots in this thread show. According to Facebook friends, this is a widespread (and frustrating) issue. I also have Custom challenges that should be over but say they will end in "less than one hour", and they should have finished days ago but are still counting steps. 

Phone is Samsung S9+, Android Version 10, Fitbit Version 3.30.

[SilviaFitbit]

@EireSusie @trttr Hi there. Thank you for the details mentioned and the troubleshooting tried. 

I appreciate that you shared the phone model and OS version installed on it, your reports have been shared with our team and they will further investigate this.

Your understanding is truly appreciated while this is resolved. I'll be around if you have any additional questions! 

[CCCCapricorn]

Same problem here and for my friends. Across various phones and various Fitbit devices. It's been going for over a week (that my group knows of). Game "starts in less than 1 hr"... but it starts, counts down, and finishes all on its own because no one can contribute!
I phoned Support three times. The first two times the static was so bad we couldn't hear each other well enough and hung up. The third time, I was told that I was "calling a help line for Fitbit, not for Bingo".   Finally, the live chat person admitted it was a problem on their end and they are trying to fix it.

I love my Fitbit and the benefits I get from it but, really, this is a mega company and the number of problems they seem to have is shameful.

[emaryannhazel]

I'm a new subscriber of the Premium membership and am having the same issue with the Get Fit Bingo challenge. I followed the instructions outlined above by deleting my app, etc. I started a five-day Get Fit Bingo challenge on Monday and invited two other friends, but have a message "Starts in less than 1 hr" that has been there since I started the challenge on Monday (today is Tuesday). When I go to the Get Fit Bingo page, my activity is not registering, and I'm not able to flip any tiles. In addition, the Time Left shows 03d:21h:25m. So it looks like the challenge has started, yet nothing is registering. The two friends I invited are having the same issue.

[SilviaFitbit]

@CCCCapricorn @emaryannhazel Hi there! Thank you so much for sharing your reports about what you've been experiencing with Get Fit Bingo, this has been shared with our team, your patience and understanding while this is resolved is appreciated. 

I'll be around if you have any additional questions! 

[darthsprkl]

Same here. 

[ldconley]

Same thing here. Been doing Bingo and other custom challenges for months. Been a few individuals with issues before but this time it is everyone in the challenge. Sent a Bingo and a custom distance challenge outl ast night. It was supposed to start at 6:00 this morning. It currently says "Starts in less than 1 Hour." People were able to join and the counters for both bingo and custom challenge are counting down like it has started. But it is not updating any data. We also have a Work Week Hustle going and that seems to be updating. It is just the custom challenges that are having issues. We have a variety of different types of phones and Fitbit devices involved.

[Reeseymay22]

Exact same issue and same screen shots. It has worked in the past. I have never had issues and now this. 

[Reeseymay22]

I’ve never had issues until now. Same thing has happened to me. I had two new people buy Fitbits just to join and this is their first introduction. Ugh.   Hopefully it gets fixed soon. 

[Sammibigbutt]

This is happening to me too.  So maddening.  I love the Bingo and is all I really pay the premium for.  

Hoping it wil be fixed very soon (and downoads all the  relevant data into it so we don't miss out)

[Jozolarozo]

I’m also having this issue today as is my friend that I play bingo with. I also subscribe to Premium mainly for bingo. 

[Jozolarozo]

Unfortunately, Fitbit’s primary business model is selling our data. I’ve had multiple experiences that have demonstrated that they care about the data stream much more than the user experience. That’s why support cares about whether your device is working, but not about whether you are having a good experience, and their customer survey seems designed to determine if you are going to take your Fitbit off in protest. 

[Su-z-q]

Hi there I’ve set up two challenges and they are both saying they are “starting in less than an hour” although both show as underway on the countdown. No one seems to have scored anything. Shame I can message the players in each challenge and check. I also updated my app and iOS yesterday - however the first challenge (custom challenge was already underway then and not synching).

cheers

[SilviaFitbit]

Hi everyone. Thank you for the details mentioned. 

Your feedback and comments are appreciated, we're always striving to improve our services offered. I know how important is the Challenges for you, be sure that your comments won't be unnoticed. 

If you haven't done so, please force quit the app, re-open it and double check that you have the latest Fitbit app version installed, this could be easily checked in your app store. 

Looking forward to hearing back from you.