Ionic won't charge

[AG2019]

Won't charge. Won't turn on. I've cleaned the connectors and have tried to charge it on the computer and wall charger. Any help?? So frustrating 😫

Moderator edit: subject for clarity 

[Markymo]

That's what I was getting also. I held all three buttons down for about 30 seconds, released, then I pressed all three at once and it restarted.

[Williger]

I've recovered several Ionics previously believed to be dead. How did I "fix" them? I cleaned the battery contacts with 99% isopropyl alcohol and in some instances used an alternate charging cable. 

Yet Another Resurrected Ionic

This picture is of one of the "dead" Ionics, charging perfectly, I'll fix the date when I hook it up to the app.

Holding buttons to reset the tracker is a wise move, but if the charging cable is no longer functional or the contacts aren't clean, then this won't work. Try these 3 steps and get back to stepping! 🙂

[LiliyaFitbit]

Welcome to the Fitbit Community, @Markymo @PerryPust. Thank you for your reply, @John1001. It's nice to see you around, @Williger. 

@John1001 I understand how you are feeling and appreciate your efforts. 

@PerryPust I appreciate your participation in the Forums and your interest. 

@Markymo @Williger Thank you for joining the thread and sharing your experience and solution. I appreciate your time and efforts to help other users. @Williger Thank you for providing a picture.

See you around.

[Roundylb]

Nope, nope and nope. Since the “update”, it will charge (flash of the battery) and the occasional vibration, but nothing else-no screen beyond that quick pic of the battery and no response to any button pushing. Pretty sure Fitbit’s failed update pretty much bricked it.

Sent from my iPad

[Williger]

@Roundylb in addition to your conspiracy theories that Fitbit's engineers are putting their time into magically targeting your tracker, I've heard lizard people rule the world, aliens are contacting us, the moon landing was faked, and the FDA has been withholding cancer cures 🙄 if you're going to be perpetuating silliness, at least compose theories; were disgruntled employees making your particular tracker sync so much that it's no longer working or what's your theory? I guess they love me more, my update recently went fine, I think it added some new features, and I'm looking forward to them.

[Roundylb]

Oh, my, you do have problems, don’t you? If mine was the only Ionic that was bricked by the update, I might see your point. But it wasn’t. If Fitbit had not discontinued the thread where any number of users were commenting on their disabled Ionics post update, I would ask you to check it. But, alas, one can no longer view the thread. I have no idea who did what or why with the update, but it clearly did a number on many of our expensive devices. And Fitbit was totally unhelpful in providing a fix. This BTW, is not paranoia but fact.
So, in line with your totally unhelpful comment, what do you think happened after the update?


Sent from my iPad

[Williger]

@Roundylb No, you may recall, you have problems, as I shared, my Ionic works perfectly 😎

My car broke, therefore all Acuras are garbage, they're intentionally doing this to make me buy a new vehicle. Sounds silly, doesn't it? Why aren't others having the same issues you're experiencing? 🤔

I'm just suggesting to set aside your preconceived notions of some conspiracy to brick our devices, that's incredibly unlikely. I've worked with some of the largest technology companies on the planet and although things happen behind the scenes customers will never know, intentional sabotage isn't something that I've seen happen. 

Amazon bricked one of my favorite Echo devices, the wand. Not just mine, everybodys. That's different than one person with issues. Fitbit hasn't bricked any devices AFAIK 🙄

Where's the link you're referencing? Are you saying Fitbit censored it from this forum? I'm not doubting you, that has happened before, unfortunately. Might you have a backup to share?

I've updated several Ionics without issue and I'm a bit of a "Fitbit Whisperer" in that I've successfully brought back several Fitbits to life and have them working wonderfully, previously believed to be defunct. Very recently, I'd actually acquired 15 Fitbit Ionic trackers, all in boxes, all assumed dead and so far, have more than half functioning perfectly. A few I'm figuring out strange issues with and some, with dead batteries, aren't easy quick fixes. 

I'd agree with you that it's very frustrating when our technology isn't working optimally and I love to turn these situations around. It's why I'm here and happy to lend guidance if you choose to share more. Perhaps together we can figure out what's happening or other members may chime in with their suggestions to help you as well. We're all here to support one another and, hopefully, you can get your tracker working.

If you share more specifics, I'll do what I can to assist, as will others here.

Have a nice evening.

PEBKAC = Problem Existing Between Keyboard and Chair 😅