Ionic: Not Enough Power Detected from this Source

[Obiwannabe]

I'm being prompted with the message "Not Charging. Not Enough Power Detected from this Source." I've tried different (USB) power outlets and chargers, but still continues to receive the same message. I started experiencing this issue after upgrading to the latest firmware. I did hard and soft reset (left button + lower right button) several times, but to no avail. In reality, it appears to be charging. Is this a bug in the new OS? I'd like to get rid of this annoying message. Please help. I'm pulling my hair...

[pcdanno]

I ended up buying a cheap 3rd party cable and that fixed my problem.  When I charge it I occasionally get the warning message.  I just dismiss/ignore the warning message and my fitbit gets charged.  FYI I own a Versa.

[whosails]

Hi,

While I am annoyed, I wouldn’t give up my Versa just because I have to plug it into my computer.

[Nickonaldo]

I also have an ionic which exhibits the same message.

The ionic I have is a week old.

It was a replacement for my previous ionic which also continually displayed the not enough power message.

I think this maybe a design fault.

sweat dirt and dead skin build up on the charging port

dirty magnets on the cord,

and you end up with no charge.

i have had some success with a dry cotton bud.

clean charging port on back of watch.

clean magnet area on cable with dry cotton bud.

try that.

has worked for me 

Moderator edit: merged reply

[warren52nz]

I get the same message on my Ionic even when using a 2 amp Samsung "Fast Charger".  I did some experimenting and discovered it's the charging cable I bought to have as a spare.  Probably not the genuine item, maybe the copper's too thin but if I use the cable that came with the watch I don't get the message on any of my chargers.

[Strydler]

fitbit cannot fix this. Problem is the contacts ge8t worn down breaking contact.

Redesign cable so pins have enough spring to keep contact. Most likely problem is dirty watch. Clean the tiny channels around the contacts. Dirt buildup does not allow pins to put enough pressure on contracts. Cleaning did it for me.

[gunnmike]

The pins are not spring loaded. It is a magnetic connection.

Toodles!

Moderator edit: personal info removed

[warren52nz]

I have 2 charging cables, the original and another I bought  later which might not be a Fitbit brand.  The 2nd one causes the problem, the original is OK so I'm guessing the copper on the 2nd one is too thin or something like that.

[MattFitbit]

Hi folks! Just thought I would jump in here for a quick spot check. 

For the best charging results, Fitbit recommends using a UL certified wall adaptor or USB port along with a charging cable manufactured by Fitbit. 

If you are still seeing the "Not Charging. Not Enough Power Detected from this Source" prompt, you may also want to make sure the contacts on both the charging cable and Ionic are clean and dry as debris can sometimes accumulate there.  

You may also want to check out some of the best practices detailed in this article. If you continue to have any issues charging your Ionic, feel free to let me know!

[warren52nz]

It doesn't seem like a significant issue, not for me anyway.  I totally understand that a cheap "knock off" copy cable might not be up to the same charge rate as the OEM cable but I'd suggest that the annoying message implying that it's not charging at all be removed or revised because (in my case at least) it's still charging.  Maybe a bit slower but who cares?

[Sander_Koop]

Same issue here. Using a QC3 3A charger and the original cable. Cleaned connectors. Still the same...

[knegi]

Most annoying feature of fitbit is to charge it and put songs in it... it has become a rocket science or divine skills to make the fitit ionic charge... it is no less than a miracle when it gets charged..

very poor design.. magnet doesn't have enough strength where you feel the connection is snug.

outlet charges phone, ipad fine but not the mysterious ionic...

I am still clueless how to fix this issue...

[Rajid]

The pins are spring loaded on Versa chargers. Perhaps Ionic chargers are not spring loaded. It seems pretty clear that cleaning the contacts on the charger and watch should be the first step to try. I’ll have my wife try that. She’s gets the problem every day. She also has a bumper on the watch and uses a third party charger. 🙂

[warren52nz]

I think I've nailed down my problem to the charge cable. When I use the one that came with the phone I don't get the message. When I use the one made by others I get the message.
Warren

[Sander_Koop]

Nope. I use the original cable only. Still happens. All the time.

Sent with Outlook for Android

[Niko84]

Did you get it fixed? If so how did you get it to work? 

[abbas73]

Changed the lead and charged with an Apple plug

Sent from my iPhone

[Rajid]

Some people also seem to have had success by cleaning the contacts on both sides, watch and charger, then plugging into a know high power level source, such as a computer.

[warren52nz]

Turned out to be the cable. It's a copy, not the original cable which works without the notification.



Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

[Sander_Koop]

My original cable has the same issue though. Connected to a QC charger.

Get Outlook for Android

[ki1004]

No I did not find a solution .However the great people at fit bit sent me
a new watch and it was just over a year old , so good on them for such
great customer service !