My Ionic is not charging

[Sharoneoo]

My ionic is not able to charge n it only 2 weeks old

Moderator Edit: Format

[JP101]

Fitbit are you listening........

[JP101]

Hope CC will give me a lasting solution for this problem.

[JP101]

Fitbit are you listening......

[GD11009]

I don't think FitBit is taking this seriously. If they did they would
have re-engineered the charging cable and sent out replacements right
away. Would be much cheaper than replacing the Ionic. The magnetic
connection is cool but hits too hard. Adding springs inside the cable
contact would allow a softer connection so as not to beat the charging
contacts on the watch to death. I like how it just snaps in place for the
charging connection but more important the watch must work. Now I hold the
magnetic cable end and only put on side on and carefully let it make
contact with the rest.

[Coffycaffy]

You just answered my question for me. I have had my Fitbit ionic for over a year, and have had no problems at all. About 6 weeks ago, I started going to a swim class twice a week, and after last night’s class the screen froze. After about 20 unsuccessful attempts to reset it and restore to factory settings it stopped charging. You have convinced me that it is the chlorine in the pool. There is no other explanation. Off to Apple. But, I will not swim in their watch knowing what I know now.

[Papashaw]

Well, this is my second Fitbit Ionic Adidas edition.  Pure junk.  Oh, it has worked well when it worked, but.....   The first one couldn't even be repaired and I got a replacement and now, after a couple of months, it won't charge.  Only has 0% on the screen.  I see others have had similar problems and some have resolved them but I have tried it all to no avail.

The biggest problem I had with the first one is that I bought it through Amazon and Fitbit told me they would not warranty it due to that fact.  I am glad I bought insurance and that is what saved me that time.  Now I have an expensive wrist bracelet that is worthless.  I could use the insurance again but will I simply keep using it every few months to get a replacement because the product is defective?

When will Fitbit admit they have failed to design the Ionic to last.  They will give all kinds of excuses but nothing of value to those of us stuck with this expensive paperweight.

I am sure Fitbit doesn't care enough to do anything about this issue so I will probably go with an Apple Watch, which I should have purchased in the beginning.  If my company had failed its clients as often as Fitbit has, it would not have been able to sustain for very long.

It is sad that Fitbit cannot back their products better than they do.

Peace!

[MarkPet]

What do I do... this "accepted Solution" doesn't work for me.

My Ionic is completely dead... no logo, just black screen.

I have cleaned the contacts with a tooth brush and rubbing alcohol

I have plugged both cables into every USB port in the house  (I waste money on a second cable thinking it was the problem) 

Is there any other tricks I can try?

[Coffycaffy]

I think it is a lost cause. After many failed attempts at cleaning, restarting, blah, blah, blah mine did actually start to charge. It got to 7%. The screen turned black and that was it. Nothing.  I did have mine for almost 2 years, and I am certain it was the chlorine from the pool that damaged the connections. I have purchased another because I have liked it overall, but will not wear it to swim. Good luck!

[Dazzler1971]

I think your on the right track, instead of the chlorine though I think it’s the line scale in the water through showering etc

Sent from my iPhone

[MarkPet]

I never swam nor showered in mine and it died.... it did of course get exposed to sweat

[Bigbiker]

Amen!!

Carl 

Moderator edit: Removed personal information 

[jknguyen66]

Try plugging the usb charging cable to a 2.4 Amp or higher usb plug. Thats
how i fixes mine. its definitely a design problem.

Joseph

[Papashaw]

Thanks Joseph. I have tried every USB port I have, including my laptop, a
wall port, and a Dell battery charger but still nothing. I appreciate your
response.

James 

Moderator edit: Removed personal information 

[Kevin533]

My Ionic stopped working overnight.  When I go into the app it shows over a 70% charge and it says that it synced just after midnight.  Called tech support,  we tried several things including a factory reset.  They said that it cannot be repaired and that it is 5 months past it's one year warranty, so all they can do is give me a coupon to buy a new watch.  No thanks, I don't want to spend $200+ on a watch that doesn't last over 18 months. Shame...

[Bigbiker]

Fortunately I am no longer hassled by fitbit!

Carl 

Moderator edit: Removed personal information 

[Papashaw]

I am now looking at the Apple Watch Series 5. I believe it will be better and certainly more reliable than FitBit. No more FitBit hassle here either. Good luck.

Sent from my iPhone

[502Shooter]

Just to update my posts a few months ago, I luckily got my money back after the second NEW Iconic was stuck on 0% was returned!! I’m on my 2nd month with the Apple series 4 watch, and I’m never looking back. Yes it’s more $$, but it’s also far more sophisticated with a lot more features, and much better quality IMO. Yes .....I liked the Fitbit ap layout a bit better, and the price was better, but what good is that if you can’t charge it, and Fitbit refuses to address the problem!? I wouldn’t buy another Fitbit product again. 

[Papashaw]

Good for you. My brother and I are talking about the AW5. He and his wife are getting them. His wife has a-fib and the EKG rhythm strip is a plus for her. I like the sleep and BP part of the FitBit and I don’t know if the AW5 tracks those at night.

Anyway, enjoy your AW!!!

Sent from my iPhone

[Bigbiker]

Apple rules to Fitbit!
 

Carl 

Moderator edit: Removed personal information 

Moderator edit: Word choice 

[GD11009]

All I know is that heart rate data from Apple and Garmin devices are accepted into Vitality (a wellness program vendor) but heart rate data from Fitbit devices are not.  I got my Ionic working again after doing some teany tiny soldering to fill in where the contacts wore out. (see if you see a tiny black hole right in the middle of the gold contact, if so you can fix it with a $19 soldering kit).  Still can only get my steps to count in my Vitality wellness program, it won't count workouts because it won't take heart rate data to show I was at an average x% of max heart for 30 minutes or more.  It has been 2 years and Fitbit has not addressed this problem.  I may try a Garmin next upgrade.