Fitbit filmware 6.64 ruined my fitbit one

[Beezpopp]

Everyone if you have not installed filmware 6.64 DON’T IT WILL DESTROY your fitbit so i updated to 6.64 And when i unpluged the fitbit i hit the button did not work fitbit needs to make another filmware to fix everyones fitbit one fitbit is crappy for this.

[Williger]

@Beezpopp I understand you're frustrated that your One battery is dead but it's not caused by the firmware update. I've updated the firmware on several Ones without issue. On working trackers, it actually improves the battery life. You're not going to be able to install another firmware, and there hasn't been an update in years. You'll need to replace your battery or consider another Fitbit tracker. If you contact them, they may offer you a discount on purchasing a replacement unit.

[Beezpopp]

Its not because of the battery i just got it newly replaced it was working fine until i updated it to 6.64 

[Williger]

@Beezpopp if it's not turning on when removed from the charger, the battery is dead. What kind of battery did you install and did you test the tracker before sealing it back up to make sure everything worked?

It's not the Firmware. I have a dozen Ones right now with 6.64, each runs perfectly.

I update the firmware immediately upon installing a new battery, provided it wasn't already updated beforehand. 

[Beezpopp]

I used an ifixit battery did not solve the problem i also have a fitbit lonic but i still want to use my one

[Williger]

Did you follow the iFixit's recommendations to deplete and fully charge? 

It's quite possible you've got a cold joint that's not completely reliable ...

Yes! You can use the Fitbit One and the Ionic on the same account 🙂 

[Rich_Laue]

Hasn't it been a few years since this firmware version was released? 

[Williger]

@Rich_Laue 2017 LOL, it's been a minute since someone accused a firmware update of ruining their device 🙄 OP acknowledged later down the thread to doing their own battery replacement, and hasn't detailed their installation, so I'm leaning with this more likely causing the problem, correlated with but not caused by the update.

So, yes, after forcing open an out of warranty device that was never meant to be opened, and installing a battery using heat and soldering on the circuit board, their update failed.

[Rich_Laue]

The latest firmware for the Fitbit One was released about 16 months after the One was retired. 

[Williger]

@Rich_Laue ? I don't believe this is being disputed, nor do I believe it's what's causing OP's issues.

Many people speculate in this forum that 6.46 caused issues. Correlation isn't necessarily causation.

[Williger]

For those who think the latest firmware damages their Ones, here are 20 perfectly running Fitbit Ones with the latest version. All were brand new but out-of-date firmware (though the batteries, surprisingly are working perfectly, each getting around a week out of a charge, which I assume will improve with the new firmware). Live on Fitbit One!! 😎

[shrenlee297]

I have two working fitbit ones. When the first updated to latest last week it stopped working. So I pulled out my back up. I charged it and it updated. Now it won’t start either. 

[Williger]

@shrenlee297 without background information, this experience falls into 'correlation isn't causation' territory; just because the tracker is having issues around the same time as your software update doesn't mean it's caused the problem. Perhaps consider further sharing specifics about your individual experiences? For instance, how long did each tracker perform when not connected to the charger prior to updating your firmware? What do you mean by "won't start", does this imply it's working perfectly but the synchronization to your computer or phone isn't starting up properly? With more data, I or someone else here is better positioned to lend insight. 🤓

[shrenlee297]

i have had fitbit #1 for several years. I use it every day. I charge once a week. When the firmware updated on the last charge on Sunday, I put it on Monday morning and when I got off work it was off. I didn’t notice if it was on when I put it on. I put it back on charge when I got home and it showed it was fully charged. I performed a restart and put it on again. I hooked it to my work clothes and next morning it was off again. So, I pulled out Fitbit one #2, that I got from my daughter when she upgraded. I put that on charge since it was dead. As soon as it had a bit of a charge I connected to my phone and started up, It wanted to update firmware. I let it update and charge over night. This morning, it showed fully charged and v 6.64. When I took it off the charger the screen goes black and it will not come on. It will not connect and when I tried performing a restart, it would not restart

[Williger]

OK, so you've got the 1st One with a battery lasting less than half a day
and the 2nd Fitbit one that hasn't been tested operable separated from the
charger in what's possibly been several years since your daughter upgraded.
Because of this, it's impossible to determine any association from the
firmware update. The software upgrade isn't rendering hardware inoperable.
What I believe is going on from what you shared, is the first one was on
its last leg and the second one probably had a dead battery from storing
it, which wasn't tested prior to the update.

*LiPo batteries in Fitbits or Bluetooth headsets and so many devices need
to be regularly charged, or they'll slowly die and the ability to recharge
them fades. This is why, unfortunately, many people finding "new old stock"
Fitbit Ones are sad to learn the battery is dead despite it being "brand
new" in the package.*


Is the first one still operating at all outside the charger? If so, how
long is the battery lasting for you now that it's disconnected from your
account?

[shrenlee297]

no. sorry if I wasn't clear. The first one I charged once a week. and it worked every week till it just upgraded. I don't know why it suddenly decided to upgrade, but that's when it started having issues. It is holding a charge, and is still on, but it was acting up (as I mentioned) so I tried the second one. 

The second one came on fine and connected. As soon as it updated then it never came back on again.

Is there a way to reverse the firmware update?

[Williger]

Hi, @shrenlee297, yes, I understand your One had a battery charge holding the entire week up until recently. What I'm baffled with is your statement that the upgrade began by itself. I've worked on countless Ones and they require the user to accept the prompt in your app before downloading an update. Usually, this is so you have time to be at home and near a charger. Specifically, it's designed to not suddenly decide to upgrade. It had to be triggered by your, or someone else with access to the app approving this. You keep saying the second one came on and connected but haven't yet clarified how long it ran outside of the charger, after charging it, before installing the update. No, unfortunately, there's no way to reverse a firmware update. The update isn't the problem.