Firmware Update is repeatedly failing

[SilviaFitbit]

Fitbit Update: 1/25/2020

Hi everyone,

We're aware of an issue with firmware updates failing for Versa Smartwatches and Ionic. For example, the firmware update process gets to 98% complete, then restarts, only to reach 98% and start again. 

We assure you our teams are currently investigating the root cause and are working on a resolution.

Your patience is greatly appreciated and we'll update this thread when a fix is implemented. 

[TM272]

yesterday I experienced same behavior, it just didn't vibrate. after about 20th attempt it did. so try until you get the vibration. but today, after 12 hours sync with app the display just turned off and won't turn on no matter what I do. so no logo, nothing.

[MaryTM84]

I gave up and rang Fitbit. They’re are sending me a replacement. Fingers crossed the new one will work!

Sent from my iPhone

[AdamBrosnan]

I did the same and waiting for new one to be delivered. It has been so deflating! I wanted to go to the gym today and have a big session but my Fitbit not working completely demotivated me.

[sjs271269]

good luck as my issues are with my replacement which i received on Wednesday.

[SimBear]

There was a similar issue about 2 months ago - it is not device - it is probably fitbit's update server again like it was last time

It would be nice of Fitbit acknowledged the issue or did basic customer support - but it seems they keep their support staff in the dark as well

[SunsetRunner]

The issue might be that the firmware image on the server is not complete, or at least the size is somehow wrong. This would explain the behavior that the download works for 98% and then aborts...

[EdinaHandy]

Wouldn't count on it sorry, I received my replacement yesterday for a GPS issue and having EXACTLY the same trouble...

[TM272]

but the problem is that my watch, previously working fine, in mint condition, most probably out of warranty, are now dead. and there seems to be no other reason why it would died on the desk. I can't turn them on. so I'll watch this and if they admit it was their fault, I don't want replacement watch, I want my money back... 10 years old g-shock 50 euro casio watch work just fine and this bull**ahem** just dies? and most probably due to their fault? ridiculous...

[WrenTronic]

I'm having exactly the same problem. I've left it to update several times for 10+ hours and no results. I can't connect to WiFi since I live at school and the WiFi isn't supported so I'm stuck with Bluetooth. I'm just getting more and more frustrated. 

[TM272]

so from what I read on the other threads here. once you got into the boot loop and you're forced to do factory reset by 3-button combination procedure or if you need to do factory reset for any other reason, you've got good chance your watch got bricked at next pairing with the app. if your watch is in warranty, you're good, if your watch is out of warranty as mine, you're **ahem**ed and you will be told by fitbit to buy another one even they worked just fine before... good job. I'm done with fitbit...

[PattiH322]

I Finally Call Fitbit Last night after Trying to update with 3 different  Calls to them am getting a Replacement Hopefully this One coming will work

[kreatiff]

I've had the same problem and have been in touch with customer service chat and they were pretty useless. Having been through this 8x and with it getting to about 100% and then getting the red cross, I initlally thought that this was to do with my wifi connection to my phone, so made it sure it didn't go off through the process by browsing the internet. It failed again whjen it got to around 100%... I'm going to try and get a refund if I cannot get technical support to do the update for me. I've had enough, and reading through some of the other experiences here it seems have tried all sorts too and are stuck in a rut. My replacement Ionic arrived yesterday with the original less than 6 mths old so I probably still have that option. Feel sorry for those who don't have this or any other option. Maybe some videos of people smashing their defunct ionics with a hammer will get Fitbit to deal with this properly? Too big to care?

** Noticed that the last try just now... no connectivity issues, and phone stayed on during the process. It got to 100% completion, and had done previously now that I've seen the actual % completion rate. So I'm pretty sure now that this is technical issue to do with the firmware, and not what I'm doing.

[carinaoreilly]

They're sending me a replacement too but if the firmware is still useless I'm going to gradually accumulate a giant pile of the bloody things, like Smaug sitting on his hoard. 

[TM272]

did they give any statement? because if they are so willingly replacing bricked watches, it means they did something wrong what caused this. and therefore they should replace also watches out of warranty, not any discount.

[MrMarv]

As I have stated in another thread, I did the Bluetooth recycle, the WiFi recycle and the reboot of the phone, which, in essence, automatically performs the first two, among other things.

Going back to my Charge 3, even with it having a white screen.

[danzigpl]

 Same issue. I've been trying to finish set up my Ionic on IOS 5 times. Every time at the end of the process there is a bug and it starts again,

[kreatiff]

Update: Spoke to Amazon who I got it from to see what my refund options were, and in the end they put me through to fitbit support. After persuading them that the issue was not to do with bluetooth or wifi or restart and that I'd managed to complete the download to 100% and then got the RED CROSS they agreed to replace the watch. I can keep the defunct one... watch this space. Official line is not all ionics suffer from this issue. Wish they hadn't made me go through this to find this out... my expectations of the new fitbit lasting very long a very low. I feel like going back to the updated charge hr v3.

[fimion]

I'm on my second ionic since i bought it a week ago, and it refuses to set up.  I believe FitBit has basically bricked their new ionic devices and refuse to admit that there is a problem. They have seriously messed something up and I am lamenting wasting money on their products.

[TM272]

"Official line is not all ionics suffer from this issue." This great punchline to a bad joke...

[Runner5akaTim]

Pretty much that. Bought an Ionic today, thought I could run both Charge 3 and Ionic at the same time, and now the charge 3 is deleted because they are not compatible and the ionic not updating its firmware. 

I have reset both it and my phone several times as countless instructions suggest. I have tried over several wifi networks and Bluetooth.   Help