Ionic not charging - Shows 0%

[Jonno_ZA]

I loved my Ionic when I got it as a gift. But, over time the most frustrating thing about it is has become the fact that if it does lose all battery charge (ie. down to 0% and dies) then it is almost impossible to charge it (ie. "bring it back to life") again. I started to wonder if that's the reason I get a fitbit reminder when it's only down to about 25% battery left. Whenever it dips REALLY low (for example under 5%) it is always touch and go to try to get it charged again... sometimes taking up to a day!

It shows 0% on screen when I press the main button (the one on the left). This means it must have charge - right? (because it has reacted like this for the last 3 days now - so the battery can't be flat). I have had the magnetic charge cable attached, and the other end plugged into a USB charging port (a generic wall plug one - that has always previously worked and still does charge other devices). 

I have tried the Left Button + Bottom Button + Connect Charger combination mentioned in https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Ionic/Not-charging-or-turning-on/td-p/2217277 , as well as multiple other button combinations - but with no success. It still just shows 0%.

I have completely detached the 3rd party Stainless Steel Milanese watch strap too...

I'm not a great fan of the magnetic charge cable... it appears to not always make a good connection with the watch, it isn't clear whether it is a "reversible" connection (ie. which way is up? there's 3 "pins" on the connector, so maybe it doesn't matter), it often "picks up" coins or connects to other metallic objects or my lampshade base on my nightstand.

Please help. Apart from not having a watch to wear, I'm also no longer able to track any (even though it is currently limited) activity.

Moderator edit: Subject for clarity 

[RicardoFitbit]

Hi @Jonno_ZA, welcome to the Community Forums! Sorry for the delay in responding your post.

Thanks for taking the time to share your personal experience with your Fitbit Ionic and the issue you're experiencing with it, I understand how frustrating this matter can be for you but your effort trying some troubleshooting steps before posting over here is really appreciated. To better assist you with this, can you please let me know if the heart rate sensors of your device are still flashing? Or is your device completely unresponsive and only showing 0%? 

If you haven't already done so, I recommend you to check our help article: Why isn't my battery charging on my Fitbit device? and let me know how it goes. Such article includes a restart process which can be really helpful for this situation. Thanks for the feedback about the charging cable, we are always striving to improve the Fitbit experience so the input that's shared here in the Community Forums is always helpful for us to evaluate our procedures.

Let me know if you have any additional questions, I'll be here.

[Jonno_ZA]

Hi RicardoFitbit,

Thank you for your response.

I have had my IONIC on charge (mostly) since posting my original issue. The
screen still shows 0% when I press any of the buttons on the device.
Thinking that it may just have enough charge while connected to power to
display the steady *pink* "0%" (inside a white battery shaped outline) I
disconnected it for an hour, and tried again.... and it could still display
the "0%".

When I connect the charger it has some effect on the device, because
sometimes it reacts by showing the steady "0%" on screen.

It appears that when I disconnect the Ionic from the charging cable, and
press one of the buttons to see the "0%" and leave it to fade away, that
when I next connect the charging cable it will display (after two, it
seems, flashes) the steady "0%". If I leave that to fade away and
disconnect and reconnect the charger cable (without pressing any buttons)
the screen stays blank (ie. does not register a connection with the
charging cable).

I have also tried connecting the charging cable to my laptop in order for
it to charge. The results are the same when it is connected to the the usb
outlet.

In response to your questions:
* The heart rate sensors don't appear to be flashing. The device appears
otherwise unresponsive.
* I have cleaned the contacts both on the watch and the charging cable.
* I have tried the restart option too - but with the same result as before.
It appears to restart - a blank screen followed by a steady 0% until it
fades.

Some additional information is that there were no out-of-the-ordinary
circumstances before the issue started. I got notified via email that the
battery was low. I didn't connect it immediately. A few hours (or day)
later I realised that the device was off, and went to plug it in to charge.
It showed the 0%, and I played around with the connection between device
and charging cable for a while (as in the past) and eventually just left it
on charge with the 0% to fade.

Sadly it appears that none of my attempts so far have been able
to resuscitate my watch.

I hope you might have some more advice.

Regards,
Jonathan

PS: I could mail you a (10mb) video of me connecting the device to the
charging cable and restarting it.

[Sclair]

I have had the same issue for 2 years, how I haven't smashed it to pieces only god knows, Fitbit sort it out, it's got to be a software issue. Worst product ever!

[chlosnj]

---

@Jonno_ZA wrote:
Hi RicardoFitbit,

Thank you for your response.

I have had my IONIC on charge (mostly) since posting my original issue. The
screen still shows 0% when I press any of the buttons on the device.
Thinking that it may just have enough charge while connected to power to
display the steady *pink* "0%" (inside a white battery shaped outline) I
disconnected it for an hour, and tried again.... and it could still display
the "0%".

When I connect the charger it has some effect on the device, because
sometimes it reacts by showing the steady "0%" on screen.

It appears that when I disconnect the Ionic from the charging cable, and
press one of the buttons to see the "0%" and leave it to fade away, that
when I next connect the charging cable it will display (after two, it
seems, flashes) the steady "0%". If I leave that to fade away and
disconnect and reconnect the charger cable (without pressing any buttons)
the screen stays blank (ie. does not register a connection with the
charging cable). dqfansurvey.com

I have also tried connecting the charging cable to my laptop in order for
it to charge. The results are the same when it is connected to the the usb
outlet.

In response to your questions:
* The heart rate sensors don't appear to be flashing. The device appears
otherwise unresponsive.
* I have cleaned the contacts both on the watch and the charging cable.
* I have tried the restart option too - but with the same result as before.
It appears to restart - a blank screen followed by a steady 0% until it
fades.

Some additional information is that there were no out-of-the-ordinary
circumstances before the issue started. I got notified via email that the
battery was low. I didn't connect it immediately. A few hours (or day)
later I realised that the device was off, and went to plug it in to charge.
It showed the 0%, and I played around with the connection between device
and charging cable for a while (as in the past) and eventually just left it
on charge with the 0% to fade.

Sadly it appears that none of my attempts so far have been able
to resuscitate my watch.

I hope you might have some more advice.

Regards,
Jonathan

PS: I could mail you a (10mb) video of me connecting the device to the
charging cable and restarting it.

---

Amazing Content on this website.I Like it.Thanks for sharing.

[Jonno_ZA]

I'm sad to see I'm not the only one with the issue.

Is it only IONIC related, or does this happen on other FITBIT devices too?

I'm beginning to regret going with FitBit - sadly Discovery Health's Vitality programme (https://www.discovery.co.za/vitality/fitness-device-videos) kind of forces you into using a FitBit (as one of their authorised tracker brands). When they see reports on failures like this, maybe they will start looking into support for other brands too.

I might not have such a gripe with this if it wasn't for the fact that this is an expensive, high-end sports & fitness device, and so, I expect a premium device like this to last a bit longer than it has.

[Jonno_ZA]

It's nearly a month later and no further support. The watch continues to display "0%" when it has charge.

FitBit, is there no way to do a hard reset on the device? Some way to get it past the 0%?

[Shanshi]

it is same on my device . Fitbit confirmed that i cant be replaced because just 2 month out side the warranty and no repair or service any of the country

[SilviaFitbit]

@Jonno_ZA @Shanshi Thanks for getting back. I apologize for the delayed in the reply. 

I truly appreciated the detailed information shared and the troubleshooting performed. 

@Jonno_ZA I've shared your post with our Support team and they will continue assisting you through email. They will let you know if a factory reset could would be convenient for what you're experiencing. Due to recent events affecting our operations, we may need more than 7 business days to respond. 

@Shanshi Our Support team reviews each case individually and the option provided is based in the Fitbit Warranty. 

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

[Surya_teja_99]

Same thing happened to my ionic, spoke with customer care, tried all their instructions still it won’t work , and they cannot replace because I was just one month out of my warranty period, but the thing is it happened to me long back,before my Warranty period, but I complained after my warranty period is over. 
It’s really frustrating, that I bought this expensive watch and within 8 months It’s gone. Still somewhere I have this hope that it’ll work again, why the hell in this world there are no Physical support Centres?? 
please do something and sort it out. 
thank you !! 

[Jonno_ZA]

Hi Community, this was the RESPONSE FROM FITBIT:

"... We would like to inform you that our Fitbit limited warranty provides replacements for devices/accessories deemed to have a manufacturer's defect from the original Fitbit purchased date and you may also check this link: Return Policy and Warranty for more information. 

Your product does not meet the requirements of our eligibility for replacement. ..."

Poor show on you Fitbit, if your device cannot even last 2 years (not even up to 20 months before giving issues). You have clearly fooled everyone into thinking that the FitBit IONIC (and the enhanced ADIDAS version) are premium quality devices that will last a reasonable time before giving issues and finally failing. I have Televisions, Memory Sticks, Vacuum Cleaners, Routers, Running Shoes and even the clutch in my car that last longer than that.

Value for Money? I think not.

NOT IMPRESSED.

[Shanshi]

Yes it is poor show from my side because I buy device on only if I know these device are faulty I would not buy
We paid hard earned money to buy these things
These devices are failed due manufacturing defects just after the warranty
Fitbit should responsible for the issue need extended warranty give the replacement.
I hardly used only 14 months.
It is Fitbit cheating customers and loosing trust produce reliable product

It very bad that Fitbit doing such worst business.
Same on Fitbit.
Do not reply
I fed up with Fitbit.


Sent from my iPhone

[highpeakshiker]

My fitbit ionic won't charge.  I purchased a new cable but that is not the problem.  I think the charging dots on the back of the watch may have lost some plating so it is not making a good connection.  Can anything be done about that?

[SilviaFitbit]

@Surya_teja_99 @Jonno_ZA @Shanshi Your feedback is truly appreciated, be sure that your comments haven't been unnoticed. 

Fitbit doesn't have any Repaired Centers, that's why our Support team will provide some troubleshooting before moving on to further options. The options they provide are based in the Fitbit Warranty. 

@highpeakshiker Welcome back to the Community. Thanks for letting me know what you're experiencing with your watch. I appreciate that you bought a new charging cable. Please try the tips mentioned on this article Why isn't my Fitbit device's battery charging? 

Let me know the outcome. I'll be around if you have any additional questions. 

[Skyl99]

I'm now having the same issue.  Updated the firmware yesterday to the latest release with the watch plugged in (like it says), had a notification on the phone that it was done and lo and behold my device won't charge, displays 0% (been on a charger all night), and is generally unresponsive.  I'm out of warranty so it's either, "Here's a coupon for 25% off" or nothing.  Has anyone in this thread had any luck?

I've tried all the usual - reset, factory default reset (all three buttons), etc... this is the second Fitbit that I've had this issue with (first was the Blaze, and now this Ionic).

[Ynotniknot]

Agree my 2nd ionic and band broke a week ago ordered a new one. 

[Ynotniknot]

Yes very disappointing 😕 

[Ynotniknot]

What other smart watches are better? Any Consumer Reports articles?

[Shanshi]

Garmin

Sent from my iPhone

[Jaspo250]

I don't see how Fitbit can play the warranty card as these issues all started after the last firmware update. This is fitbit's doing and fitbit's responsibility to take ownership of the issue and resolve it ,instead of fobbing everyone off. I will not be buying any further Fitbit devices after this. Devise was functioning without issue before the last update now nothing but problems.

1, Battery life is less than half what it was previously and i have not changed any settings so why now does it drain so quickly?

2. problems charging, fails to charge sits at 0% and wont charge? why?

3. when it does connect it gives error not enough power from this device regardless of the fact its the same lead and power source that worked fine before the Firmware update. Also get the same message regardless of lead or power source, And yes i have followed all the re-set and cleaning guides.

Moderator Edit: Content