Charge 3 Charging issue/Cable not working?

[HolliM]

I've had my Charge 3 just over a week.  When I got it, it charged right up just fine.  Now the battery is about to die and it doesn't want to charge.  It seems like the cable isn't connecting or recognizing it. No notification of a charge comes on screen.  It doesn't vibrate when the clip connects.  I've quadrupled checked the alignment of the pins and it doesn't seem to be dirty.  I've also tried different ports on my computer, my boyfriend's computer,  and a pocket charger, but nothing.  I keep trying to restart it, but it seems like it it won't even restart unless its plugged into power, which I can't get it to do.  Any idea? Is it a dud?

Moderator Edit: Updated Subject for Clarity

[lpacheco]

The trouble was that the device wasn’t detecting a charging cable, so there was no sign of it charging and the reset means didn’t work.

Somehow it worked again when I tried later and then I could even reset.

Is there a way to test the cable? Should there be a charge in the connectors that I could measure with a voltímetro?

Sent from my iPhone

[Meaganleiann]

Same issue. I had a replacement sent to me 2 months ago due to another issue. My heart rate monitor has been randomly not working and it finally started working again. I charged mine last night and it was 100% this morning. I literally did nothing all day and it’s on 5% now and it won’t charge. I’ve tried multiple ports, I’ve cleaned the Fitbit and charging cable, and attempted to restart. I can’t complete the restart and I’m about fed up with Fitbit and all the issues I’ve had with my Charge 3.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @H3ath3r3ady, @Moiyadog, @lpacheco, @EileenaLennox and @KarSchulz. Welcome to the Community! @Namgyal and @Meaganleiann, it's nice to see you around. I'm sorry for the delay in my response.

@H3ath3r3ady and @Moiyadog, thanks for bringing this to my attention and I'm happy to hear that you'll get a replacement. me know about your charging cables and I'm glad that you received a replacement. I'm sure you'll crush your steps once your devices are fully charged.

@Namgyal, thanks for taking the time to get in touch with our Support Team and it's pretty amazing that it started working right after troubleshooting it. Great job!

@lpacheco, thanks for your efforts in getting your charging cable working again. Currently there isn't a way to test your charging cable. But if the same keeps happening, let me know so I can contact our Support Team on your behalf.

@EileenaLennox, thanks for trying with a new charging cable. If anything happens, don't hesitate to let me know.

@KarSchulz, thanks for stopping by and sharing the steps for the restart. I'm sure others will find it very helpful!

@Meaganleiann, I'm sorry for the inconvenience experienced with your replacement, and appreciate you for the troubleshooting steps that you've tried. I've checked with our Support Team and apparently they already took your case under their wings. I'm glad they're taking care of your case.

I'll be around if you need anything else. 

[psgofro]

Same issue with my brand new charge 3 (my 3rd fitbit over the several years). I looked here because  I have tried 3 different power source and non work. I figured ther emust be some thing I am doing wrong with the new unit since both my earlier ones were Charge 2s. Now, from these post seems like Fitbit has gone cheap and is sending their units with poor cables. Not really acceptable. Maybe time to change brands, as I should not have to now contact fitbit and ask pretty please can you send me a cable that works while I cant use my fitbit.

[psgofro]

I don't know - thinking after my second charge 2 died in 3 years, perhaps its a fitbit quality issue. Other providers?

[psgofro]

So at my expense ordered an OEM charger. I am very unhappy about this, Especially as it does not seem a new problem. I think Fitbit is starting to cut quality. It should not be the customers responsibility to get this resolved. Considering I bought mine on June 6th 2019, and these posts go so far back, it seems fitbit does not care.

Got it - my last fitbit.  

[Namgyal]

So my charging issue got resolved after the quick reboot. Now the touch is the issue sometimes. I have to charge it to wake it up. There’s 30% charge. It’s not empty. 

[lpacheco]

Yes, it seems they are using poor components, but their support is quite good. Try contacting them on Twitter, you might find you won’t need the “please”. They are sending a new Charge 3 without any argument (could also be a bad sign that the Charge 3 are failing frequently 😕 ).

What I really really regret is the complete lack of integration with HealthKit on the iPhone, or anything else than FitBit’s own environment.

Sent from my iPhone

[Namgyal]

So I am not on any social media and it seems like this is a disadvantage in this scenario where nobody can see what I write on their wall. I contacted customer service ok phone. Lady helped me reboot it. And told me it should be taken care of. That’s that. I was told if any problem persists they can take care of it. 😒

[KrystalBoyd91]

I'm also having this same problem with my fitbit charge 3. I bought it in october 2018 and haven't ever had an issue and now all of a sudden it wont connect to the charger. I will be contacting customer support.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @psgofro and @KrystalBoyd91, welcome to the Community Forums. @Namgyal and @lpacheco, it's great to see you around.

@psgofro, thanks for bringing this to my attention, as well for sharing your experience with your previous devices. I see where are you coming from, and I'm really sorry that this happened to your Charge 3 device. Our team constantly works on our products to improve them based on the Community posts, and be sure that your comments will not be taken for granted. Just to confirm, is your device now working? If not, let me know so I can contact our Support Team on your behalf.

@Namgyal, I'm glad to hear that your Charge 3 is now charging correctly, and thanks for letting me know about the screen not being responsive to touch. I've been informed that you already have a case created with the Support team and they provide you with assistance. Let me know if you continue having this issue.

@lpacheco, I'm sorry for the experience that you've had with our products, and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. About the integration with HeathKit, our team will continue working to implement integrations with other apps in the future, and be sure that we'll post it in the Community.

@KrystalBoyd91, thanks for letting me know about your Charge 3 not connecting correctly. I've checked with our Support Team and apparently they already took your case under their wings. Please keep an eye on your email inbox, you'll get some information about your case.

I'll be around, so keep me posted.

[Nikyi2000]

Hi, I’ve just bought new charge3 and it seems to be same problem as said above. I have tried all suggestions but not working. 

[lpacheco]

The problem with my Charger 3 seems to be with the device itself and not the charger. The replacement unit locks better in the charger, both the new that came with it and the old one, even if the previous one didn't seem to be moving too much.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @Nikyi2000, welcome on board. @lpacheco, it's nice to see you around. I'm sorry for the delay in my response.

@Nikyi2000, thanks for letting me know about your new Charge 3, as well for your efforts in troubleshooting it. I've checked with our Support Team and apparently they already took your case under their wings. They're working with you via email, so make sure to check your inbox, spam and junk folders.

@lpacheco, thanks for getting back. I'm glad to hear that your replacement device fits better in the charging cable, and thanks for the update. I'd recommend to recycle your defective tracker at an e-waste recycling facility. If you ever have difficulties with your device or charging cable, let me know to help you out.

See you around.

[CRReid]

I'm afraid that I too have the problem of getting my new Charge 3 to charge.

Seems like it isn't making proper contact. I followed the clean instructions etc and it didn't help.

When I put the Charge 3 into the charging cable I do get a bit of a buzz but then goes to clock face. If I wiggle the Charge around a bit I get the charging display but when I leave go it goes away. When I tap I get the clock face. If I continue to hold the Charge 3 in position waiting till the display goes blank then tap the screen I get the battery display. As soon as I release the Charge 3 it goes back to clock.

I figure contact simply isn't being made as it should.

I have sent a request to support but haven't heard from them yet .... no doubt they are busy people with the recent firmware update etc.

Not sure what course to take now ....

[Lk71]

I am having this same issue.  Nothing I have tried works.  Please help!  First charge was fine.  

Thank you

[Namgyal]

I got in touch with customer care twice already since it’s purchase and it’s not even been a year.

Is it normal to take 5mins And over to sync? 

[CRReid]

Been contacted by Fitbit Support.

They are sending me a new cable. 🙂

[CRReid]

Depending on how long it has been since you last synced ... it can take a while.

Today for example it took me a min or so ... normally only a few seconds.

[CRReid]

I would say contact Fitbit Support directly.

Takes them a while to respond but they do respond. Once they get the details they are pretty quick really.