Fitbit Inspire 3 stopped working after firmware update

[MikeFrohling]

A couple of days ago, the firmware update button appeared on the Fitbit app screen.  I followed the directions and began the update.  Now, my Inspire 3 is stuck and will not complete the update.  I tried the reset, deleted the app and reinstalled, tried the update again, all to no avail.  Then I contacted Fitbit (Google) support via the chat mechanism.

The agent, John Rafeal, guided me through checking the connections, cleaning the connectors, resetting, rebooting, all of the usual things.  I did everyhing he recommended.  I reminded John Rafeal that my Inspire 3 is correctly charging and the connection is good.  The problem is with the Firmware release.  John Rafeal ultimately said that there is nothing more that can be done.  I then asked John Rafeal about the firmware back off plan and how to revert to the previous version.  He said there is not plan.  I asked to be escalated to a higher level of support.  He said there is no escalation process and no higher level of support.  This is just ridiculous.

Now, I am furious!  I bought this Inspire 3 only 13 months ago after my very original Fitbit One stopped working after over 11 years of daily use.  I see that many other Inspire 3 buyers are having the same problem with a suspended device caused by the faulty firmware release.  Is it Fitbit's (Google's) intention to just kill off these devices and customers?  I have even subscribed to Fitbit Premium and now my Fitbit device will not complete their firmware update.

So is this it?  Are we just dead?

[Gr4ndp4]

Hi, @MikeFrohling, welcome. I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. As you've only had your Inspire 3 for 13 months, you should check File a warranty claim for your Fitbit device - Fitbit Help Center . Some areas have a two-year warranty. Much will depend on where you are, from whom you bought it (it must be an authorised seller). Absent information on the steps you took to recover your Inspire 3, do you have details of the Software version you were downloading or have on your device at the moment? You can find this in the Fitbit app on your phone. Touch the icon in the top left corner of the "Today" screen on the Fitbit app>Inspire 3>system> I have 63.20001.214.24. Did you try a "Factory Reset"?  Inspire 3 - How to restore to factory setting with... - Fitbit Community describes the process.

The Support agent is correct in that once you start an update there's no going back.

I'm sorry I can't be more helpful.

Cheers

[Vishnunn]

I too have got an update notification in my Fitbit app. I am always sceptical about firmware updates when it comes to updates released for old devices. Many a times it's to force users to switch to a newer device by slowing down or making the device unusable somehow. Especially with edge devices and phones from big companies. 

Why expand your business so much that you can't take care of your own customers? They just stop caring about customers as they know people will keep falling for them even if their service/product is crappy. What if the above happened to my device? It's almost 3 years old. You would have just given up on me and I would have had to buy new one.

Better to go for services and products from smaller or mid-size companies where they still care about their customers.

I hope @MikeFrohling gets his device fixed.