How to repair an ionic stuck in a boot-loop

[ionicuser30]

My Fitbit Ionic is stuck in a boot loop. The only thing that I can try is a factory reset (three button minus right bottom release after 15s and vibration) and it doesn't seem to work at all. Tried it over and over many times. It never shows up to pair and is constantly stuck at the splash screen. This happened after a firmware update. 

Fitbit support will not send a replacement because I did not purchase the item for an "authorized retailer", which is really unacceptable. It's a software issue and I have no way to reflash the mcu firmware to solve the problem and this really violates the principle of the "right to repair". Is there any way I can get the watch fixed, free or otherwise? Or should I make a decorative necklace out of it?  Happy to listen to creative ideas on how to make use of a malfunctioning ionic watch as well. 

Moderator edit: subject updated for clarity 

[SunsetRunner]

I would try a Restart and do it several times if necessary.

[ionicuser30]

I not only tried a soft restart, but a factory restart where it's supposed to reset the device, it does vibrate but continues to in boot loop. I did that many, many times over a week or so now. Spoke to Fitbit service and also confirmed with the rep the steps. 

[djohno82]

did you get it sort mines doing the same

[ionicuser30]

Nope. I did not unfortunately. I find it bewildering that these smartwatches don't come with a fail safe firmware re-flash method. Like they're designed to be disposable if they ever get a boot bug. 

[Bj�rn]

Hey there,

i am experiencing the exact same boot-loop error since i tried to reset it back to factory default. I've tried the 3-Button hard reset many times and i have no clue how to get it back to work again.

Only thing i got was one time it suddenly showed me the red X-display, and after that i was able to connect to it via BT for pairing. But it didn't do anything and since then the boot loop is there and won't go away.

Any clues?

[pointy101]

You can't fix it ,it's bricked .Mine did the same ,tried everything,Fitbit replaced it with a new ( silver one) that certainly inst in the colour options to buy,new one seems to have none of the issues my old one had .

[DavideFitbit · Accepted solution]

Hello @ionicuser30. thanks for taking the time to share your experience with the Ionic, I'm sorry to see the smartwatch is stuck in reboot loop. I know that you already contacted Support about this, but I've sent your information to the Customer Support team for further assistance so they can take another look at your case. 

Welcome to the Community forums @djohno82 and @Bj�rn, I was also going to send your information in case you hadn't tried the standard restart procedure and the factory reset process, but I've been informed that you already have a case created with Support, you should be getting a reply soon, please keep an eye on your inbox. 

@pointy101, thanks for sharing your experience as well, it's good to know the replacement device hasn't shown the same inconvenience. 

I hope this helps. 

[ionicuser30]

This is the message I received from Fitbit for others reference, basically confirming that I should just throw away my watch in the can, because of a firmware bug. 

: 

Thank you for your reply and getting back to us. We're happy to continue assisting you. 

We appreciate the time that you took to write us about this situation and we reviewed your and we have found that we have provided the steps that you have tried in troubleshooting this issue with us. We appreciate your feedback regarding this situation. Unfortunately we don't have any specific place to fix it and we have tried the steps possible to resolve this issue. We are unable to offer a replacement, since this was purchased through an unauthorized reseller. We advise contacting the seller from whom you purchased the product for further assistance. 

For a list of our authorized retailers please visit http://www.fitbit.com/where-to-buy

----

[TonyLorimer]

My Ionic, which I love! Started to play up and lose time so I followed the instructions to do a factory restart. 

It went to the fitbit white flash screen.......and thats it!

tried daily the three/two button hold and release. Flash screen would go....and return.

looking at the other comments not holding out much hope because mine was bought for me as a birthday present so no warranty. 

[SunsetRunner]

I wouldn't assume that about the warranty, Tony.  Please contact Customer Support and see what your options are.

[Kael]

That's exactly what happened to mine. Noticed Fitbit had an app update recently.

Watch started to lose time and stopped syncing. Factory reset and it began to install the update until the app said "update failed" even though it proceeded on the watch and completed. App refused to move along and sync.

Next factory reset (had to, so the app would acknowledge the watch again) and the watch went into a permenant bootloop. Any forced factory reset fails.

They really need some form of recovery menu and fix, so these watches don't have to keep going back to them to fix issues like this. Looks like I'll be getting my fourth Ionic since October of '17. 2 of which have failed from faulty firmware installs.

[AbandonedT]

Yep I'm on my second Ionic (First one got hit with bootloop) and now gone to charge it up today and guess what? Another boot loop.  Have been using my WIthings tracker recently as preferred the classic look, went to charge up and sell the Ionic and it's busted.  Will be contacting Fitbit today to see what can be done. 

[UncleDavo]

I was just trying to update my Fitbit Ionic and it went into the boot loop. I used the 3 button hard reset and was able to re pair it to my Android phone. It tried to update during setup and went right back to boot loop. I hard reset it again and tried it on my iPhone and same thing. Is there any way to resolve this yet?

[Noahsmom02]

My Ionic is in a constant boot loop for the last 3 days. I have tried the hard reset and it never vibrates just stays in a loop. Help please received as a mother's day gift last year and have loved it until this.😕

[Whistler888]

---

@Noahsmom02 wrote:

My Ionic is in a constant boot loop for the last 3 days. I have tried the hard reset and it never vibrates just stays in a loop. Help please received as a mother's day gift last year and have loved it until this.😕

---

Once the device goes into a constant boot loop after a factory reset -> not many recover based on reports here.  Contact Tech Support and see if they can get it going.  If not they normally will replace it under warranty.  Factory resets can cause major issues.

Fitbit tracks your sync data so they know when it was first used. So tell them where it was purchased from if you can find that out.  Try that.  

[DavideFitbit]

Welcome to the forums @UncleDavo and @Noahsmom02, I'm sorry to see you've been experiencing trouble with your Ionic being stuck in reboot loop. 

Thank you for confirming that you already tried the restart and factory reset procedures. I've sent your information to the Customer Support team as well, so you should be getting a reply soon. 

I hope this helps, keep me posted. 

[Noahsmom02]

Thank you so much! I'm hoping to get this resolved somehow, it was a Mothers Day gift from my son. 😔

Get Outlook for Android

[DavideFitbit]

No problem @Noahsmom02, I hope everything goes well with Customer Support. 

Keep us posted on the outcome. 

[Noahsmom02]

They are sending me a replacement, I cant wait...miss it! Thank you everyone for all your assistance.

Get Outlook for Android