Ionic stopped working

[SteveT54]

After 18 months my Ionic has completely stopped working. Will not charge, screen blank, absolutely no sign of life. Can’t do any resets or factory restore. Any ideas how to fix or is it now an expensive ornament. 

[NeroTheWeirdo]

I think mine did that this morning as well! The screen went blank, but it still tracked my bike commute to school. I'm thinking the screen broke but unsure. Did you figure anything out?

[jones1901]

On Sunday I put my Ionic on charge and later saw that it had the 0% battery symbol (when I started to charge it, the Ionic was around 15%).

Normally when this happens, I have to press all three buttons and eventually it resets, after about 6 or 7 goes. 

What happened this time was that the 0% symbol appeared (as usual), and then it went off.  Again, as usual, but instead of the startup symbol, it flashed the 0% symbol, and then the 0% symbol reappeared.

Yesterday when I tried to do it (again) I did not even get the 0% symbol:  it was completely dead.

So I left it charging all night.  This morning it's the same.

What do I do now, Fitbit?

[leglalien]

Mine died after about 18 months too. Brick, just like yours. Got it right after launch, I wonder if they were planning tuo release a new version by that time 😂

Anyway, I changed to Polar.

[jones1901]

To date, I have bought two Flexes, a Charge and an Ionic.

I think, though, that this will be my last Fibit product if their customer service do not get back with something positive.  I don't remember how long I've had it, but it can't be much more than a year, if that.

Very disappointing, but we'll see if, in the next few days, whether I'm a satisfied Fitbit customer, or just seen by the company as a sucker.  You never know.

[JGomers]

Exactly the same this morning - had mine for just over a year or so, used it on a run and now it has died, blank screen and trying to charge it doesn't do anything.

Is there a way to reset / reboot it at all?

[NeroTheWeirdo]

I've read that pressing all buttons at one and holding for 15-20 seconds is supposed to help but it did nothing for me. Does yours still track and buzz? I noticed that mine still tracks but screen is gone (not sure if it burnt out or what)

[JGomers]

Mine has just gone completely dead, no buzzes or sounds and a blank screen as though it's switched off.

I have tried pressing and holding all combinations of buttons but nothing. I have checked and it's a year old next month so I should be able to get it replaced hopefully.

[NeroTheWeirdo]

If it's less than 2 years old it will be under warranty! I just contacted them today about mine. You have to pay for shipping and give them the tracking info. They said it'll be about a 10 day processing time. That's so odd that it just stopped working all together, although I've gathered from the forums that it is a very common issue that the ionics are having. Especially around 18 months old 😞

[JGomers]

Thanks for your feedback, did you buy directly from Fitbit or through a retailer?

I bought mine from a retailer and when I looked online, I think it said to contact them rather than Fitbit directly. 

[SteveT54]

Mine was from a retailer who have told me they only give 12 warranty. I know have a case raised with Fitbit support so will be interested to see what they say

[SteveT54]

After speaking with Fitbit support online i now have a case raised and waiting to see what their response is.

[JGomers]

I spoke directly to Fitbit (0800 0698505) and they talked me through some potential solutions. One was cleaning the charging contacts with an alcohol wipe, another was pressing the left and bottom right buttons to try and re-set it. Neither worked so once I advised the date of purchase and retailer name and location they sent me an e-mail link to request a replacement watch (minus the strap, charger etc).

I've had confirmation that it should be with me within 5 days. They have asked me to dispose of the faulty watch at a recycling centre......so decent customer service in my instance

[Burnard]

Just read your comments after reading the trouble shooter to depress the tracker button for 10-12 seconds, which didn't work after multiple attempts.  Depressed all three button for 10-12 seconds and the symbol displayed.  The time was wrong, however plugged it in, battery was at 99% and sync it to my phone and the time was corrected.   Much appreciated.

[Ravensmere]

Same thing here - My Ionic died 2 days ago. Battery was totally flat and I charged it overnight as I’ve often done.  Black screen, no response to a 2 button reset or a  3 button reset.  Cleaned contacts and also tried a different charger.  No lights flashing on the back.  Nothing, nada....my Ionic is 19 months old.

[TomDuke]

This is unbelievable.  I have an Ionic I got in December 2018, worked well until July then it became stuck on the boot up screen that evolved to the red 'X' in a red circle.  Assuming it was dead I bought another from Amazon on sale 16 July 2019.  Turned it on and set it up with my phone and it worked.  Fitbit tech support was somehow able to help me resuscitate the 2018 Ionic so I took the new Ionic, powered it down and stored it in the box.  About 2 weeks ago the old Ionic stopped receiving Gmail notifications from my Pixel 3.  Today I decided to break out the replacement Ionic from storage to see if it would receive Gmail notifications.  It's totally dead!  Plugging it into the charger does nothing nor does doing any of the button reset procedures.  I can't return it to Amazon but it's well within the warranty period with Fitbit so will be trying for a replacement.  I like this tracker but it's a very high maintenance device compared to the Garmin Vivoactive 3 I also have which works without any drama.

[Ravensmere]

Have just had a response to my case raised with Fitbit. They offered a new replacement Ionic or a discount of 50% of the original price I paid for the Ionic 19 months ago.  Have opted for the discount to get a new Versa 2, which will end up costing my just over $100- AUD. Hopefully the Versa will be more reliable than the Ionic.  In any event, am quite happy with Fitbit's response to the issue. 

[LadyinMT]

I had the same issue with my Ionic.  I was in France earlier in the month and had forgotten my charger here in the U.S.  After a couple days, when the battery was at about 3%, I shut the ionic off and packed it away for 3 weeks.  Got back to the states last week, went to charge it and nothing on the screen. 

I tried different chargers, tried charging directly to my PC, tried cleaning the contacts, tried the 2 button and 3 button reset (and my own method of button resets, pushing them all madly in random order) - all to no avail.     

Two days ago, I broke down and ordered a new Charge 3.  It hasn't arrived yet, so I started messing with the Ionic again, because I'm persistent. 🙂  Yesterday, I cleaned the contacts again and performed the random button resets.  Nothing.  Today, I plugged the charging cable into my old ipod USB charging "box" and OMG! It's charging!  

I guess the moral of my story is keep trying and never give up?  🙂  I'm so excited and gonna go on a hike, even though it's freezing and snowing here in Montana. 🙂 

Best,

~Heather

UPDATE 2019-10-02 My fitbit Ionic continues to work, and it's charging in any charger I plug it into.  Go figure!   

[BBRun]

Thanks for the Fitbit number JGomers…  mine is 20 months old and worked hard.  Yesterday it logged 80K steps and 75 flights of stairs while I was floating on a boat.  Charged it last night and use three button reset.  Today it looked fine but would not log steps or heartbeat only calories.  It began to get so hot on my wrist I had to take it off.  It's sitting on stone counter now, I waited for it to cool down or blow up.  It's cool now and reads zero % on battery charge.  Calling Fitbit warranty to determine if it'll be replaced or trash binned.

[SteveT54]

Just finished dealing with Fitbit support and they have agreed same offer. New Ionic on its way. Very impressed.