Battery not charging

[Annettepc520]

Has anyone had an issue with the battery not charging on the Flex?

[WendyB]

Movint to the Flex forum where you will get a better answer

[Annettepc520]

thank you...i thought that is what i did  lol

[statz]

Only when I hold it it charges. The little sleeve to put the piece from the band seems very loose. 

[GraceFitbit]

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@Annettepc520 wrote:

Has anyone had an issue with the battery not charging on the Flex?

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Hi @Annettepc520 and @statz - I would give these troubleshoots a try, particularly the one about cleaning your tracker's contacts. Even if your tracker is new, dust and things can get stuck in the tracker's contacts. If your tracker is still not charging after you've tried the recommended troubleshoots, you should reach out to Support here for further assistance. 

[SunsetRunner]

I purchased mine 9/13. I have had the same problem and have had it replaced after owning it 2 months.  I am now calling to get it replaced again for the same reason (almost 1 year).   I call Square Trade.  Square Trade tried to call them but of course it's after hrs for FB.

Here's what I know for sure:

1. If you let the battery in the Fitbit discharge too low, it can't recover from a discharged or critical low battery state..

2. I did manage to keep it "alive" after 1st replacement from 11/13 to now.  It still doesn't fit mechanically in the new charger adapter to make contact again without my using a plastic clip to hold it.

3. When I remember to not let it fully discharge (up until this point I managed to watch it and not let it get too low, it can recharge.  as long as I use the plastic clip, affix it against my counter with paper towel holder and it is sticking straight up so it won't slip out of the contacts.

Fustrated.  Either a firmware problem or battery issue w/FW.  Whatever it needs to be fixed.

I don't have time to call them from 8-5 in the daytime.  I work 18 hrs/day, so when is this going to get resolved?  I recommended this to my friends and have advised all of them to not let the charge get too low otherwise they too will have this issue.  1 friend already has had her's replaced for the same reason.

I love new technology but am less patient with such a fundamental flaw.  If they don't know what's wrong, say that and ask us to trial/error some things, maybe they'll get to the repro like I did and can fix it.

Off to run w/o my Fitbit 😞

[emckenny]

Both my wife and I have experienced the same problem of the fitbit flex not charging due to the battery not staying "seated" in the charger.  If you hold the battery against the contacts it charges, so I have resorted to wedging a tooth pick to get the battery to remain "seated".  I notice that VERY MANY people have reported this problem yet fitbit continues to say the problem is solved which it is not.  I have tried every suggested solution on both my fitbit flex and my wife's......problem persists.

I think we need an honest answer and solution from fitbit.  By the way, our fitbits are less than 2 months old.

UPDATE:  FitBit contacted me and offered to replace my charger.  The problem is they need proof of purchase which I don't have.  I am corresponding via email with them and am optimistic this will get

resolved.  I'll post a final resolution when achieved.

UPDATE NO.2:  FitBit advised that a replacement Flex is on the way to me.  I appreciate the support from FitBit.  they made me go thru the standard troubleshooting steps, but when they didn't work, they sent me a new one.

[Lanirunning]

Does anyone have a phone number for customer service?  I too have this problem & can't get anything to work.

[emckenny]

This problem is not solved.  Why does fitbit say there is a solution.

[SunsetRunner]

Here u go

To contact FitBit by phone, call 877-623-4997.

To contact FitBit online, visit https://help.fitbit.com/customer/portal/emails/new.

[suzyque32]

Interesting.  Mine died yesterday and I opened a case - however haven't heard a thing yet.  It was only 3 months old. I cleaned contacts on fitbit and the charger. I reset the device, I changed USB ports. It will no longer charge and now won't light up at all. It's completely dead. How long do they take to respond - it's been almost 24 hours.

[backsam]

The fitbit flex has stopped passing data to the computer.  Any help.

I also have the problem of of wedging something in front of the battery to hold it in place to charge.

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@emckenny wrote:

Both my wife and I have experienced the same problem of the fitbit flex not charging due to the battery not staying "seated" in the charger.  If you hold the battery against the contacts it charges, so I have resorted to wedging a tooth pick to get the battery to remain "seated".  I notice that VERY MANY people have reported this problem yet fitbit continues to say the problem is solved which it is not.  I have tried every suggested solution on both my fitbit flex and my wife's......problem persists.

I think we need an honest answer and solution from fitbit.  By the way, our fitbits are less than 2 months old.

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[SunsetRunner]

I think it was within 48 hrs that I heard back and a new one is on its way now. They say they have a ticket queue.

[suzyque32]

Backsam - try resetting it.  Place it in the charger and plug it into the USB port. Then get a paperclip and press into the little hole on the back of the charger for 3-4 seconds.

[suzyque32]

Thanks Geeksta.  I called the number you posted and told them I had a case - he used my case number existing case number and we are off to the races. It was much faster to call

[emckenny]

They responded to me after a few days and have now offered to replace my charger but I have to provide proof of purchase......difficult to do unfortunately....didn't keep receipt.

Ed

[modern1]

Hello, I'm frustrated with my Flex, just started using it 2 weeks ago, the first time  I received a notice for low battery I charged it overnight and it didn't achieve more than 2 lights.  I put it on to use it anyway, assuming there would be another message and I may just have to charge it more often.  Yesterday it just died, and when I try to charge it two lights display on each side with the center one dark. I tried resetting with a paper clip, how does one know if this does aything?  Any advice is appreciated!

[michelleb99]

LIke others, I love the idea of the Fitbit, but am frustrated with the charging aspect. Currently am sitting here with a rubberband around the charger and watchng the light blink instead of out jogging with the Fitbit 😞

[GraceFitbit]

Hi everyone!

If you're having issues with your Flex charging, please see what I posted above. 

There are some troubleshoots that you should try, and if those do not work, please contact Support. 

Thanks!

[backsam]

I have been jamming a paperclip between the front end of the charger and the battery to charge the battery for my flex. I called and since the unit was not that old they offered to send me a new charging cord. They did say they were backordered,; however, I am somewhat doubtful since they did not send me the e-jai confirmation. I did notice new charging cords on the website for 20 bucks.