Fixed my washed Fitbit with 99% rubbing alcohol

[COHgirl]

I ran my Fitbit One through the laundry clipped to my pants. After I found it, clipped to my clean pants, it wouldn't come on. I pressed the button but nothing showed on the screen. I put the One in a bag of rice overnight thinking there might still be water inside it. The next day I plugged it into the charger. Now it would flash the version number and the empty battery outline for a moment after being plugged in. If I took it off the charger it wouldn't show anything. Thinking it just needed to be charged I left it plugged in overnight. It would show fully charged in the morning while on the charger but then nothing after unplugging it. Dead Fitbit... I removed the Fitbit from my account and started thinking about buying another one.

Being that I had nothing to lose I dropped my One into a cup of 99% rubbing alcohol. I let it soak for a few minutes and then left it to dry. I tried it after 12 hours...nothing. After 24 hours I pushed the button again on my One and it briefly flashed the version number. Whoa! That was different! Previously I had only seen something on the screen when it was on the charger. I put my Fitbit on the charger for a few minutes and soon the battery outline showed up with a little charge in it. I reactivated the One to my account and walked around and went up & down the stairs. Bingo! It seems to be working!

I let my One fully charge and it's been three days. I think the first day's steps were recorded correctly but I'm not positive about yesterday's. I'll give it a week and see if everything goes back to normal. I'm going to do a reset today. It probably didn't help that I tried taking it apart when I thought it was a goner. (I never did get it opened)

I just wanted to throw this out there just in case someone else who has washed their Fitbit wants to try it. If it's dead and thrown in a drawer, what do you have to lose? I used 99% rubbing alcohol. Maybe the alcohol helped, maybe just time made the difference, who knows for sure?

For the record, this was the third time I've washed my Fitbit. The other times I didn't have any problems with it, it started right up. I've had this device for a little more than three years.

Good luck!

[Mcore]

Oh wow @COHgirl! I'm so happy your One tracker survived this trip to the washing machine.  Thank you for sharing your story and what helped you out. I was wondering though, why did you use rubbing alcohol? I mean this is very interesting. 

Welcome to the community!

[COHgirl]

Hi Melissa!
We have always used 99% for cleaning electronics. It drys quickly and helps remove residue. It's good for a lot of cleaning jobs. I order it online.

Elizabeth

[Mcore]

Thank you for your reply @COHgirl. That is good to know and apparently it did work for you so that is awesome! 

Keep up the good work then. 

[tbphokie]

Just wanted to say that this worked for me as well.  I had given up on my fitbit which had been through the washer and dryer before I realized it.  I had put it in rice for 36 hours and could charge it but every time I pressed the button, the battery indicator would show empty and then the display went blank.  I decided I just needed to replace it but couldn't decide which fitbit I wanted next.  I've been using my husband's old zip for about a month until I saw this.  I put it in alcohol Friday followed by rice and waited until Sunday to try it and it has been working fine ever since.  Thank You, thank you, thank you.  You saved me some money.

[Mcore]

That is great to hear as well @tbphokie! Thank you for sharing your experience. 

Any other questions or comments you might have, feel free to post back. Welcome aboard! 

[Keepsmoving]

My Fitbit One went through the wash and was unresponsive and I just let it sit for about 6 months and it worked just fine then.  Unfortunately, it went through the wash again recently.  It seems to record just fine but it won't share when I press the button (made me realize how fun the feedback is).  Is it worth trying the alcohol??  Thanks!

[Mcore]

Hi there @Keepsmoving. It's great to have you here! You can also try putting it in a bowl of dry rice overnight and do a restart afterwards. I tried it with my Zip when the same thing happened to me. Also, it seems like the alcohol recommendation has helped others so you can consider it.

Let me know how this goes.