Ionic battery draining

[martyhk]

Been a fitbit user for years, various models, and have been loving the Ionic for over a year until recently when step tracker started going crazy, racking up 40,000 steps without moving, before failing to register any at all. Still syncs, and receives alerts, but no tracking or heart rate monitoring.  Battery goes from 100% to zero in a few hours too.  Tried a factory reboot but no joy.  Support basically says "sorry, out of warranty, here's a list of places you can buy another one", which isn't terribly helpful, but I'm curious what might have caused it all.  Not sure i want to risk buying another one every 14mths or so unless i know the reason for any underlying problems..  Anyone else experienced the same?

Moderator edit: Updated subject for clarity 

[SilviaFitbit]

A warm welcome to the Community @martyhk. Thanks for sharing your experience with our Support team. Sorry to hear about the inconvenience that you had with your watch. 

Each case is reviewed individually and the option that you're given is based in the Fitbit Warranty. Your feedback is appreciated and we're always working to provide you with features and watches that can help you reach your exercise goals. 

I'll be around if you need further assistance. 

[martyhk]

Not going for the most personable service award this time then. Sorry fitbit, not encouraging. Was I unlucky or would a new Ionic likely suffer the same problems?  No trade in or explanation of what might have happened. Just a reminder that I’m out of warranty by two months. 

[SilviaFitbit]

Thanks for getting back @martyhk. Sorry you feel this way. 

Our Fitbit team is always working to improve its watches so, we can provide you with options that help you reaching your exercise goals. Remember that you can always contact us and we'll be glad to assist you with any issue that you might experience. 

I'll be around if you need further assistance. 

[JustNando_773]

I JUST started having this same problem last week. I received my Ionic as a Christmas gift so I'm "assuming" it's still under warranty. Only had it for 6 months so far. I had a Blaze for a couple of years and it is still working fine. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed with this Ionic.

[SilviaFitbit]

A warm welcome to the Community @JustNando_773. Thanks for sharing those details, I appreciate that you being a Fitbit customer for a while. 

I would like you to try restarting the Ionic and charging it again. (This time try changing USB ports)

Let me know how it goes. 

[BigAl_19]

I'm curios, what difference would it make if it's charging on a USB cord versus the wall charger that came with the unit?

PS, same issues as everyone else..dead or dying battery. I have another question: what's the actual life expectancy for the battery on the Ionic? I've had mine for about 2 1/2 years and the battery is really starting to wear out fast these days..

[SilviaFitbit]

@BigAl_19 A warm welcome to the Community. Sorry for the delayed reply. 

Thanks for getting in touch about your Ionic's battery not charging. 

When charging your Ionic, it's better to follow the tips mentioned on this article to avoid any damage to it. 

Regarding your question about battery life span, a lithium rechargeable battery have an average life span of 2-3 years from when it was manufactured. In addition, during that time it can be recharged hundreds of times. But with each discharge/recharge cycle it losses a small (very small) fraction of its charging capacity.

I would like you to follow these tips to extend your watch's battery life and continue monitoring it.

Let me know the outcome.

[BigAl_19]

Thanks! I was really most interested in the overall lifespan of the unit.. 2-3 years. Got it. 
I think on the particular event that happened and got me writing in the first place was on a particular hike I was going through a canyon- hence no GPS. That pretty much drains the battery instantly if it’s constantly looking to connect. 

so my next question is: why the awful color scheme on the latest update?? My workout stats are in a burnt orange on a black screen. Can see didly!! Especially if I’m in the sun. 
suggestions?? And it’s not the particular clock face I’ve chosen either - I’ve changed that several times, but the workout stats are always the same. 

[SilviaFitbit]

@BigAl_19 Thanks for getting back. Sorry for the delayed reply. 

Thanks for your feedback regarding the change of color in the clock face. If you would like to see some changes in the future, please post your idea in our Feature Suggestion board, those ideas are reviewed by our team and the status will change based in Fitbit's plans. 

I'll be around if you have any additional questions.