Fitbit Ionic Dead - Won't Power On

[Waj-A]

After having used a surge for less than a year, I switched to the more versatile (and expensive) Ionic. Less than two months later, it won't switch on: the screen is dead. After having gone through multiple forums, this seems to be a common occurrence. I'd have filed for a refund if this was less than 45 days old. Fitbit is losing a faithful customer today.

[SunsetRunner]

Incidentally, I have tried every option listed here, I have a $300 ($400 if you count the expensive bands) lovely, useless black screen dead Ionic, exactly one month out of warranty. These are not isolated incidents, this is a distinct pattern. I hold with my earlier comments, Fitbit and their handling of these issues is completely disappointing and I will not be buying another.

Sent from my iPhone

[calebleung15]

My issue is actually even more complicated and even of a bigger headache. My first post is only the most simplified version of it but in reality there's more to it. 

I got my Ionic about a month ago along with a pair of JBL endurance waterproof earphones because I want to bring my music to the pool. The store manager recommended me to get this combination for about $450 AUD with the fitbit costing $300 and the JBL costing $150 but initially little did I know Ionic already has an internal software issue regarding Bluetooth. After pairing, only one side of my JBL has sound. Thinking it was actually the JBL's issue I refunded it and replaced it with a Jaybird X4. Little did I know even the Jaybird X4 couldn't connect to so I called Fitbit support to ask what is going on. The then support agent told me this is a known issue that the Ionic has some issues regarding 3rd party Bluetooth headphones and that Fitbit Technical support is going to resolve this problem via an update patch as soon as they can but ofcourse I was not promised the date. 


Soon afterwards I brought my Ionic to the pool at the 15th June but after I got out of the pool, it became completely dead. Refused to turn on no matter the button combinations I tried. I spoke to fitbit support again to ask what is going on and the then agent promised to ship me a replacement within 5-7 days. I asked them will it arrive before the 29th of June because I was in Hong Kong back then for a holiday and will be returning back to Australia and the agent said yes. After 10 business days, my shipment was nowhere to be seen and I then contacted support for a third time asking where is my shipment and the then agent made a lousy excuse saying there is an 'issue' with the shipment because multiple ionic users are also sharing similar issues. Hence the shipment will be 'delayed' and the package must first be rejected by my parents who are currently living in my Hong Kong address so that the package can return back to your warehouse and then re-sent to my Australian address which still today as of the 3rd of July has yet to be seen. 

Fitbit. I hope you really REALLY self-evaluate how much headache you have caused me in just one single month via this Ionic so that no other consumer of yours need to go through what I have been through. First refunding my JBL earphones which isn't even defective on the first place is already a massive embarrassment for both me and to the seller of those JBL earphones since both me and him truly thought it was the JBL earphones that was the defective device and not the Ionic initially.  Secondly is don't make promises you can't keep and justify them by coming up with excuses including 'there's a problem with the shipment'. 

As of now you left me with a dilemma of two options. Either refund the Ionic but would have wasted $150 on the Jaybird X4 because it didn't serve it's purpose for swimming. I cannot in good ethical conscious refund the Jaybird X4 because it's not the Jaybird X4's fault that it couldn't pair with the Ionic. Or hope my replacement which is still 'on it's way' according to your agents can truly guarantee me the same issues mentioned above will not happen again. I used to own an Alta HR and I felt it was pretty good so I decided to upgrade to Ionic. So either the new Ionic truly solves all the problems mentioned above or you will truly lose another loyal user like me. 

Don't disappoint. I'm giving you this chance to make everything right this time. 

[EGerstin]

I’m having the same issue that everyone else on this forum seems to be having: my Ionic is just dead. Was working earlier this morning, but now it’s a doorstop. I’ve tried the various reboot strategies, cleaned the contacts on the back of the device, cleaned the end of the charging cable ... Nothing has helped. I bought this in February last year (2/2018) so it’s out of warranty. My wife feels that since this is a known problem with this model, the company should replace the device even though it’s out of warranty. Is that possible? This is my 2nd Fitbit product, and I’ve bought them for my wife and son, too — so I’ve been a good customer for a while, and I’ll be pretty disappointed if I can’t get some help from the company.

[gregj1763]

Interesting, I just posted about my Bose earbuds only working in mono. I see it is a common issue

[monionic]

That's when I bought mine! And it died two weeks ago. 

[TonyBM]

Hello, I just made a post about my dead ionic. It seems to be a big issue that Fitbit is not recognising publicly at the moment. Is there anything you can do for me? My ionic is still under warranty and I would like to stay with Fitbit, but if the new one is going to do the same thing, what’s the point?

[RJPBooth]

Looks to me, Fitbit has two choices either,

1. They admit there is a design fault with the Ionic that we are all reporting in this and other blogs.

or

2. They admit there are hundreds of bugs (looking at the number of dead Ionics) in their Ionic causing a dead, unresponsive Ionic.

Not sure which is worse, A very buggy peice of hardware/software or a design fault.

Maybe @Fitbit could answer which it is...but I doubt they will.

By the way I'm on my third (5th if you consider the mistakes they made) Ionic due to it dying, nearing the end of warranty, so concerned my latest one will die soon and be out of warranty.

Just seen reports Ionic 2 to be released..were we just the Guinea Pigs? 

[daw15]

Samething happened with mine after 18 months. I was told I would get 40% discount on a new one but it really comes out to about 25%. I could get a new one for 149 but they are advertised at 199 on their site. I cannot afford to buy one every year or hassle with a warranty to send it back every year. They should at least be repairable in the future. I will go with something else now. I like the product when it works but it was not only dissappointing to me but for my daughter who got it for me.

[jmezzo]

Agreed I am same thing happened to my and I am moving to Garmin!!!!

[wdlp65]

My Ionic had died as well. I've tried all the troubleshooting techniques and nothing. Fitbit will not replace and wants me to purchase a new one with the discount coupon. $300 dollars is quite expensive for a disposable smartwatch. 

[tgb213]

Mine died this week as well. And this was a replacement, which of course is out of warranty. After experiencing so many problems with my Ionic and reading about issues that others are having (consistently), I am shocked that Fitbit hasn't yanked these from production. 

[RJPBooth]

I'm not surprised, they won't admit there's an underlying problem....and now they appear to have gone silent in this chat as well.

[Sokpop]

i have the problem with the Ionic Adidas edition.. after 15 months use my 300 euro watch just died.. there was no problem at all, i connected the charger and it was done.. now i read how many people have the same problem i feel like there is no fitbit watch for me again. Such a shame, i loved my ionic..

Moderator edit: Format 

[sportionary]

My wife's died same issue 2 months after warranty expired, mine died 4 days ago 6 months after warranty expired.  I replaced my wife's but there is no way I'm comfortable spending another $300 when after searching the forum, this is clearly an issue, but fitbit is saying it is not, and the only solution offered is to throw another $300 for a new one.  

[SunsetRunner]

The same thing happened to me on 24/07. I usually get 5 days between charges, it went from 100% to 0% on 24/07. I successfully recharged it that night back to 100%. Then by mid afternoon on the 25/07 it was dead. I put it on charge again that night but nothing happened. Now it won't charge and is completely dead. The watch is 18months old.

Garmin have just got themselves a new customer.

[DanMaestro]

I was sure this was a common issue with ionic and after reading this thread I' am convinced of the quality of this fitbit product. My $30 Mi Band 2 still works (hardware is good, not the app).

After reading the responses i'm thinking about Samsung Active 2 or Garmin. Any suggestions?

[docm83]

I switched from a Surge to an Ionic (Surge wristband kept breaking) about a year ago. Now my Ionic died completely, and it was charged at the time. One minute it was working, then when I glanced down to check the time...totally blank. Won’t charge or reset. A lot of money for a device that is only functional for a year!!

[Andinels]

Looking at all the comments I am not alone.... I was adding a revolut card to the app and watch and it advised to the switch the watch on and off which I did. It still didn’t upload the card even though it says it is compatible. About an hour later it was a blank screen... the battery was not low. I’ve tried all the reboots etc as advised on the forums but completely dead! 

This is obviously a design techno flaw and they should be withdrawn from sale until they can fix it.

What a disappointment! Thankfully it is still under warranty and I shall be returning it. Everyone seems happy with the Apple watches I have to say..... 

[Rocco_ATL]

Same situation Fully charged and now dead.........

[DanMaestro]

Definitely seems like done on purpose as my watch was perfectly fine night before the charge. Nothing unusual and in the morning it was dead. Seems like they wanted us to buy newer ones. They gave me 50% off to be used on any new fitbit. This needs to be addressed.