Charge 3 won’t sync and won’t pair after removing it

[jlpayne]

I know there are only like 3 people that have this device right now, but if anyone else that has it can check...is yours syncing ok? Mine last synced 4 hours ago and when trying to force a manual sync it wouldn’t get past “looking.” I tried the usual fixes - turning bluetooth off and on, removing the C3 from the app and my phone and attempting to re-add it, power cycling my phone...nothing works. The user manual says to press the side button for 8 seconds to reset, but all that does is bring up the screen wake/notifications toggle screen. Just issues due to it being new/unreleased, or is it possible it crapped out on me already?!

[Wangofree]

****Just received my C3 last night.  Took forever for it to pair with my Samsung Galaxy S6.  It's paired, but it won't sync, won't send text notifications.  I've tried wiping cache, restarting, rebooting, on everything.  I was excited about the C3, but not having notifications come through is a deal killer.

[DeadSkunk]

That’s exactly the boat I’m in. Unpaired my C3 because it wouldn’t sync and now I can’t re-pair it and I don’t want to lose the data...suggestions?

[Wangofree]

After 6 hours of trying to get it to sync, etc.  I gave up.  I had a Fitbit Alta, Charge, Charge 2 and was so looking forward to the Charge 3.  I just shipped it back to Amazon and ordered a Gear Fit 2 Pro.  I hate losing friends on Fitbit, but the Samsung Gear Fit should be able to connect to my Galaxy S6 phone.

Fitbit is losing a customer because of the inability of the C3 to pair, or Sync.  I never had trouble with the Charge 2... Shame.

[Genoana]

Had the same problem!

put on charge, pressed for 8sec the button; and hopefully now everything ok!

[SBNYC]

Second time in two days the Charge 3 won't sync with my iPhone 6.

Very frustrating.

I don't carry a cable around with me.

Is there a bug fix for this?

If not, switching back to my old fitbit.

[SBNYC]

Nope.... had the same problem today, after re-booting yesterday.

[SBNYC]

I called Fitbit support at 877-623-4997.  they were helpful and told me to update the App on my iPhone 6 by going to the App Store and clicking Update.  Then, I had to make sure the Charge 3 was paired with my Bluetooth, which worked. 

All seems to be working for the moment.

[Cjknyc]

Same issues as everyone else- so disappointing.  Useless if I have to reset every few days, will have to return.

[Wangofree]

I received my Gear Fit 2 Pro yesterday and WOW what difference!  It synced with my Galaxy S6 immediately, almost seamlessly.  The features on this tracker blow me away.  I don't want to sound like a commercial, but this thing is awesome.  I never would have thought of getting this if the C3 had worked like it should.  I can't believe all the information you have on your wrist.  But, I hope for all who really want their C3 to work, hope it gets resolved.

[Kaisercat]

I have an iPhone 8+ And find when I go to  Bluetooth settings often the Charge 3 device is not active even though it is paired so I have to manually activate it.  Am using latest iOS 12.01 and Fitbit app 20001-31-93

[DGS2]

Me too, exact configuration as yours - iphone 6 v 12.01 iOS and charge 3.  I spent some time with a nice guy from Fitbit but after an hour of trying everything still not working.  Strange thing is it worked for a couple weeks and then stopped.  Recently it was slow to sync and then just stopped.  Disappointing, had much better experience with my previous Garmin device.   

[Chickpea65]

Mines all working fine again now. It’s a glitch! Once it does work it’s great! I’ve used it for swimming this week it counts the lengths great.

Sent from my iPhone

[SarahWithAlta]

C3 paired initially with Samsung Note 8, had to be re-paired to sync 4 hrs later, + now won't pair again.  My Alta HR continues to be paired + syncing just fine (as does my earbud), but doesn't have today's activities on it.  Will try factory reset -- at loss of an hr of running w/GPS synced (I thought). 

[Alyssa249]

Ive restarted mine twice and when attempted to sync to my phone it still won't. Watch only tracks time. Could have easily bought the charge 2 and at this point I wish I had. I will probably be buying an apple watch next time. I have had a fitbit for 13 years and never had this many issues.

[SunsetRunner]

I'm having the same issue too and want to avoid a factory reset. The syncing problem seems to be temporarily solved by these steps, but not sure how it syncs with my phone if it isn't paired. However, I've already had to do this twice which is an annoying temporary fix. Need a real fix!

1) Reset C3 on cradle and remove.

2) Uninstall Fitbit app on phone and restart phone

3) Install Fitbit app. Keep bluetooth on.

4) The info syncs automatically

I did this the 2nd time after I noticed my C3 is starting to lag 8 min. behind phone.

[GuidoGo]

Hey all,

had the same problem, i.e. failure to sync.

1. Unpaired bluetooth. Could not re-pair.

2  Reset the Charge3 as described without joy.

3. Used the Fitbit app on my Android phone to set-up new device. App asked whether to replace existing Charge3 which I accepted. Fitbit went through its motion, asked for pairing digits to be confirmed. Shortly after it was setup and started sync without a problem. Did not notice any data loss either.

Hope that helps y'all

[HeydyF]

Hello everyone! I hope you are having a great day! 

I appreciate the time you have taken to try to fix these pairing issues. If you still have these inconveniences with your Charge 3 at the time of pairing it, I'd like you to first of all, double check that the phone or tablet that you are using, is a compatible device. If so, beside of what you already tried, I'd like you to take a look at the troubleshooting in this help article: Why can't I set up my Fitbit device? 

Let me know how it goes! 

[Alyssa249]

Took me at least 10 times of restarting it while on the cradle and removed the app. I downloaded it again but still didn’t work. After leaving it for a few days took two times restarting it before it finally worked.

Sent from my iPhone

[HeydyF]

Hey @Alyssa249, thanks for the update! Sounds great that your Charge 3 is finally syncing with your phone.  I appreciate you have tried and shared some of the tips to make it work, I'm pretty sure that they will help other users who are experiencing the same inconvenience, to solve it. 

If you have further questions or comments, let me know! 

[Tandyman]

Hi Heydy, my new charge 3 paired for 5 days, re-charged C3 and now it wont pair.

I have tried the 8s trick (I see the smiley face) and it makes no difference.

Any suggestions on what I can do? 

otherwise I will return to Amazon as I can only get the sleep information on my phone (Nexus 5X)

thanks.

Chris.