One light flashing but not charging

[JerryBro]

I just got a flex 2 and have been trying to charge it.  When it's plugged in to the charger there is one white light constantly pulsing but the phone app says 0% charge and the number of lights flashing doesn't go up.  I've tried resetting and when I take my finger off the button all the lights flash including the fifth red one.  Anyone know what's going on?

[Odyssey13]

Hi @JerryBro the Flex 2 was retired more than three years ago, so it may need firmware updates. Try restarting it a few more times. Here is a picture of the light patterns.

[JerryBro]

I tried restarting it several times but no change and still seemingly not charging.

[Odyssey13]

Troubleshooting trouble with charging - click to read. Any chance you can exchange it where you bought it?

[JerryBro]

Yes, I read the troubleshooting but no luck.  Will try to change it but it was a a freebie so not so simple. Thanks.

[AnotherKay]

This has also been happening to me.  I have benefited from the reset procedures described by other participants. To do it, you need to be using the original fitbit charging cable which has the little button on the back. But, as you suggest, the process does not always "take." Sometimes I go 2 or 3 days without a functioning fitbit. 

Here's my flex2 love song and rant.

It appears that fitbit had no idea of the value of the product they developed when they created the flex2 for swimmers. I have loved mine.  The only improvements I could imagine would have been the ability to preload more than one default pool length for people who swim frequently at more than one location, and possibly the ability to add some new home exercise equipment types, such as the compact core exerciser, that have become more popular, and even essential, during the pandemic.

I was very upset when fitbit stopped supporting the flex2 because they have not issued a viable replacement for the specifications and functionality it deliverss.  Fitbit has left a whole class of customers stranded without desirable options. It is the best product out there for those who need a very lightweight and slender waterproof swimming lap tracker to track the distance and time that they swim and also track steps and basic exercise types, food and sleep -- but not collect all-inclusive (and intrusive) health data. 

I really don't want to replace my flex2 device and will use it for as long as I possibly can. I don't care that it has no watch. I want an unobtrusive tracker that I can wear constantly that doesn't define my personal style by masquerading as jewelry or cool tech, won't get caught on my long sleeves or set off metal detectors. I don't want it to distract me with alerts that I have a call or text. I can't imagine why anyone who understands what companies do with your data would want their fitness tracker to record their menstrual periods, potentially sharing sensitive data about their physical and emotional health with marketers. Fitbit, wake up!

[Yani.vm]

Did you fix it?

[LZeeW]

Hello @Yani.vm and welcome to the Community.  You added on to an older thread.  It would help if you gave us more information about your issue.

I looked at your profile and can see that you are new to Fitbit.  This is the Flex and Flex 2 forum.  Both of these trackers were discontinued several years ago.  The type of battery in a Fitbit will degrade over time.  The Flex 2 was released in 2017, so its battery is old, even if it is "new" to you.  It might not charge.

[jfaw31]

Same thing just happened to me.  My old fitbit flex 2 died so I ordered a “new” one from a third party.  The box was unopened but the flex 2 will not charge.  I’ve enjoyed the use of this product for years.  I don’t want one with a watch, I want this one.  Why did they have to “discontinue” it?  I’ve had a Fitbit for 10 years but I guess I will have to turn elsewhere.  My entire family has one, really disappointing to not be able to use this product any more…..

[cowpoet]

Exactly! 

[cowpoet]

I’m in the same boat. I tried a FitBit Versa 2 & disliked it so much, I returned it & bought an iWatch. I ended up buying the Apple Watch for the “smart” features that worked seamlessly with my other Apple products but kept wearing my FitBit Flex 2 bc I thought it was a superior device for tracking steps, swimming & sleep. I guess this is the end of the line of my 10 year relationship with FitBit… their “smart” watch was dumb & they went off & killed the Flex 2 which was a perfect streamline, lightweight tracker & then didn’t offer a comparable replacement. Sad day. But it’s been a week now & I can’t get my FitBit to sync, hold a charge or stay connected to my phone. Guess it’s time to call it a day. It’s been a good ride, FitBit, but you’re not keeping up.

[CMU2]

Do you know when the last firmware upgrade was? I bought one and misplaced only to find it years later. When unboxed and charged overnight, my Flex 2 was showing only one blue light blinking. When it is connected to the laptop or power source it indicates 3 white lights blinking which after a while change to 5.
I was able to download, install the software, setup an account but unable to add a device. The app says "Found Your Tracker" but fails to connect

[Odyssey13]

Hi @CMU2  the latest firmware for the Flex 2 is Version 24.30.2 per the article here - click. When a device is retired, it continues to get updates for about two years after, per this article, which doesn't yet reflect your device.