Charge 3 over counting steps

[Overcounting]

Can a moderator please assist? Will there be a fix for the over counting any time soon? I just bought my mum a Charge 3 and I decided to try it out, and it counts steps even when I am in bed watching TV. I would hate to return this as I think this would be great with the fix of this bug, as with this huge over counting doesn't serve its main purpose. I know there were some suggestions to set it to the dominant hand and wear it on the non dominant ... but that would still not mean accuracy just cheating the bug a bit so it counts less, but still not accurate. Please advise. Thank you

Moderator edit: subject for clarity

[Eprogers]

I’m having a similar problem. Every time I pet my dog my Charge 3 counts it as a step! Isn’t there some way to co-ordinate a step with lateral movement using GPS?

[AlejandraFitbit · Accepted solution]

A warm welcome to the Community @Overcounting and @Eprogers it's great to see you around.

I appreciate all the efforts in trying to fix this issue. For tips about improving accuracy, I recommend taking a look at the help article How accurate are Fitbit devices?. Factors such as device placement, dominant or non-dominant hand, and stride length affect the number of steps recorded. If you're pushing a stroller or shopping cart, try putting your wrist-based device in your pocket or use GPS if possible.

If it still seems like your device is under counting or over counting steps, do the following:

1. Put your device on your wrist.

2. Walk 100 steps, making sure to count a step each time one of your feet hits the ground.

3. Pause, then check your device to see your step count.

If your device counted more or less than 100 steps, restart the device and try the steps provided one more time.

Let me know the outcome. 

[Jordad]

Yes, this need to be fixed. Why even release something and calling it a step counter when it's this inaccurate. That's just stupid. I will return my Charge 3.

[AlejandraFitbit]

Welcome to the Forums @Jordad.

I am sorry to hear about your Charge 3 registering extra steps and would like to know if you have tried the instructions I provided in my previous post? If you haven't, I recommend trying those steps.

Let me know how it goes. 

[Jordad]

Yes, I've reset the device 3 times and have tried to set it to dominate hand but wearing it on non dominate hand. Judging by other reviews this seem to be a problem with all fitbits. Since you have an app running on a synced phone why can't you just use the phone to analyze step data properly and then correct the associated fitbit when synching. That would make it more reliable.

[AlejandraFitbit]

Thanks for the information and feedback @Jordad. Can you please tell me how many steps of the 100 your tracker registered?

Hope to hear from you soon. 

[Jordad]

If I walk at a steady pace with my arms swinging then the Charge 3 sometimes works as it should counting about 100 out of 100 steps. Problem is that the Charge 3 counts steps unreliability and also when it shouldn't count steps. I got 285 steps when just frying an egg. Judging by what others say online most Fitbits overcount steps massively. It would be ok if it consistently overcounted by a couple percent. But during the week I wore it it overcounted by 30-60%.

I will check back with Fitbits in a couple of years to see if they have improved.

[Kpriebe13]

I just got mine in the mail yesterday. Today my boyfriend and I went to the store together and he has a charge 2. After a day of running errands together his fit bit is saying 5k steps and mine is over 8k steps and we have been together the hole time. It should be pretty close in steps not that far off. Then I read this post and took note of the steps logged and reached out to get my water and it went up 30 steps, just by reaching. Please tell me there will be a firmware update.

[AlejandraFitbit]

Thanks for getting back @Jordad and @Kpriebe13 welcome to the Community.

Regarding your tracker over counting steps, I've gone ahead and escalated your case to our support team, for them to take a deeper look at this. Please keep an eye on your inbox for further instructions.

Keep me posted. 

[PittsburghDonna]

I am having the same problem with my new Charge 3. It over counts my steps constantly. 

I am in bed after midnight and it shows I've gone 18 steps. 

The reason I wanted thus was to track my steps!!! Very frustrating. 

[Bijal]

Having same issue.

[PittsburghDonna]

Charge 3 counted 81 steps while I was in bed and never once got up!!!!
I tried rebooting it.

[AlejandraFitbit]

Hey @PittsburghDonna and @Bijal, welcome to the Community.

I appreciate all the efforts in trying to fix this issue and would like to know if you have followed the instructions I provided in my previous post? If you haven't, I recommend taking a look at it.

See you later. 

[PittsburghDonna]

I did reboot after it incoorectly counted 100 steps.

I wake up after being in bed without taking a single step, and it shows 89
steps during the night!!!

Help!! Its brand new. I have a watch. I wanted this to count steps and it
is so INACCURATE.

Donna

[Bijal]

I tried all options.
I restart it - Doesn't work.
I also tried drivebit application - Doesn't work.
I also tried to add activity as Driving - Doesn't work.

[Sterkat]

Same issue here. This morning I logged in more than 500 steps just by sleeping, making my bed and brushing my teeth. None of those activities included actual walking. I have to admit that when i do walk, it counts accurately. However, this is ridiculous. I bought this device to have an accurate step count so I can see how i can improve my fitness. I will try it for one more week and see if there are any changes. If not, unfortunately, I will be returning this product. I don't need another "watch" - I have plenty of those. 

P.S. I am really disappointed. I had high hopes for this fitness tracker. I really like the design and other non-step related features. 

[AlejandraFitbit]

Thanks for the information @Bijal, @PittsburghDonna and @Sterkat great to welcome you.

I appreciate all the efforts in trying to fix this issue and since the steps provided didn't work, I've gone ahead and escalated your cases to our support team, for them to take a deeper look at this. Please keep an eye on your inbox for further instructions.

Keep me posted. 

[Benoitgphoto]

Same issue here.  Have the Charge 3 for a month now and it is indeed not accurate at all.  It counts steps while driving, sleeping, sitting.  For any slight vibration, it counts steps.  Just put the band on the step screen and just very slightly touch it and the count will go up.  A 2$ podometer is more accurate.  I can't imagine you guys still did not reproduce this issue and already fixed it.  I am really disappointed with this purchase.  My fault, I should have made more research before purchasing it.   

[Bijal]

Very true.