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?!

[Lady2019]

I just purchased this device And I am very disappointed with it. I have done all of the things mentioned several times to try to keep this thing synced but nothing has worked. I think I will return it while it’s still within the two-week period.

[kcwalsh2019]

My fitibit worked for 2 weeks and then we lost our internet for a week. I assumed that my fitbit Charge 3 would sync once we had internet but it has not.  I've tried everything.  I've unpaired and now I can't pair it again.  Half the time it can't even find it as an available device. My 7 year old bought a $40 dollar tracker with his Christmas money and it has no problems-it loaded a weeks worth of data including sleep tracking once our internet was back up.  I just uninstalled the fitbit APP and reinstalled it to no avail.  The problem is with the Charge 3.  It's worthless if I can't sync it with my phone.

[Ombaf]

It's worthless. Mine is some 3 months old and repairs lasted a few weeks and virgin store in Yas - Abu Dhabi won't take back the useless fitbit charge 3.Better off buying a cheap Chinese brand in downtown.

[LizMat1]

Hi, 

I've done the exact same as mentioned below. Reset for 8 seconds cleared unsynced data but it still won't pair. My other devices. I.e. Bluetooth headphones are connecting fine. 

Thanks

[kg10]

I have the same situation as JBMoorpark: health insurance cost/compensation is tied to fitness activity as tracked by wearables.  If the device won't sync, it's next to useless but on top of that is costly to me personally.

The Charge 3 has been a syncing disaster since the day it came out, and 4+ months later it's somehow even WORSE.  The standard checklist that gets recited over and over again by Fitbit reps doesn't work.  The users are not idiots, *syncing doesn't work.*

Syncing used to be a time-consumer and frustration inducing chore, taking about 6 attempts and about an hour and a half per successful sync (ridiculous in the extreme, but at least it *usually* worked...eventually).  Basically tried to do once a week while charging because I didn't have the time or patience for more.  BTW, I have only once in 4 months successfully synced to my phone.  The only way I ever got it to work was to use the dongle that came with my Fitbit Alta to sync via PC.  But after the latest update, all syncing via any device has failed despite over two dozen attempts.  I have restarted the Fitbit, I have uninstalled and re-installed the app, I have done the whole checklist which never works anyway, because you never know what thing might make it happen to work this one time that never worked before and never will again, but it did this time.  In a nutshell, that has been the story of owning a Charge 3.  The Fitbit has refused to sync for two weeks, and I am becoming convinced the last software update is the cause of it.

Fitbit has had WAY more than enough time to have fixed this issue.  It has been a known issue since the day the C3 came out.  In fact, the C3 never should have been pushed to market with such obvious failure of its most basic functions.  If you wanted beta testers for the product, then GIVE someone a Fitbit in exchange for user experience feedback, and don't alienate your customers with a grossly defective product.  Yes, it is the product.

I have been waiting for many months before writing anything on the topic because I wanted to give FB the opportunity to solve this.  It looks like they don't intend to.  Don't buy a C3 or if you only recently did, take it back.

[FitRichard]

I have also tried every method of restarting, unpairing, charging and not charging to try and sync my tracker, but it never worked. However the solution of disconnecting the tracker, clearing user data, and then trying to pair again worked for me!

[Mel78]

I am getting so sick and tired of this. I have noticed that if I don't sync it daily with my phone and let it go at least 2 days it will not sync. And the only way to get it to sync is to 'delete all user data' so everything I have done for the past couple of days was for nothing!!! I don't participate in the challenges anymore because of this problem. I have been with Fitbit since 2014. First had flex, then charge then alta hr and now I most stupidly choose charge 3 because of it being slim and waterproof. It's too late to get a refund for it and I already sold my alta hr. I have never seen a device that has been more troublesome than this one. I am almost ready to abandon Fitbit and go with Samsung or another device, maybe I will give Versa (the one I was leaning towards) a shot. I don't think we should suffer because they put out a device that doesn't work properly. Besides the freaking sync issues I have no other complaints. I just go a couple of days and forget to sync it to my phone then I am screwed. Please please fix this because I hate that the only method that works for me is deleting all my progress half way through the day and having to start over!!!!

[Username170]

That worked for me too, but today. it would not sync. I cleared the data, and rebooted, but still nothing. "Looking for tracker" or "Tracker is disconnected". That's it for me. I am going to return it. I do not know of a better sleep and fitness tracker, but this one has proved unsuitable. Also, The fitbit moderators decided that my former username. "Iratecustomer," violated their community guidelines, a clear sign that public relations is a higher priority than solving the sync problem. I outie.

[kcwalsh2019]

I was only able to fix it by deleting all data and pairing it again as if it's a brand new Charge 3.  I hope this issue is solved!  It will be maddening if this happens routinely.  They tried to tell me it was my phone and I asked well then why did it work for the first 2 weeks, and only stopped after we lost internet for a week?  There was no response to that question. The technician's that helped me via chat were very helpful, but having to resort to losing my data is so frustrating!

[Kaisercat]

Good news. Just remember there still may be syncing problems. Just check if Charge3 is enabled in BLUETOOTH. And the SHUTTING DOWN your phone at times will fix it. These are simple TROUBLESHOOTING tricks that many occasionally have to use. Once again congratulations on your fix!

Sent from my iPad

[mstapf]

Thanks for all the feedback.  I ended up deleting all data from C3, rebooting it, removing it from the fitbit app and then tried re-pairing the device to the app but kept getting bluetooth errors.   The one thing I forgot to do was go into the the Bluetooth Settings on the phone and delete the pairing there too ..... then everything connected again. 

[AlyssaG]

In settings, go to "about" and then scroll down to find "reboot device." It will ask you if you are sure (you won't lose any data), and you scroll down to hit the check or the x.

[MarreFitbit]

Hi @ToniCarr and @CinDB! I recommend going to the Bluetooth settings on the phones/computers/tablets you were trying to sync with and remove the tracker. In the list of Bluetooth devices you'll see the Charge 3 and next to it, this symbol "!". Hit the symbol and it will take you to the next step, once you're there select the option that says "Forget this device" for iOS and "Unpair" for Android.

Once you've made sure about that, go back to the Fitbit app on the compatible device, go to the "Account" option in the upper right corner and select "Set up a Device". This should start the setup process for your device. 

Hello guys @JYeo, @Lady2019, @Ombaf, @LizMat1, @kg10, and @Mel78! I've created a case to get you in contact with our Support team about this. They will be able to work with you and review your options. Please keep a lookout in your inbox to the email address associated with this Fitbit account. Someone will be in contact with you soon!

Hi @Username170 and @kcwalsh2019! I've seen that you have a support case already. If your issue persists, please reply back to your open case. Our team will be more than glad to further assist you. 

Hey there @FitRichard and @mstapf! Thanks for letting us know that you're back on track. Don't hesitate to let us know if you need further assistance! 

Thanks for helping out @Kaisercat and @AlyssaG! 

Ping me out guys! 

[kaerob49]

My Charge 3 is syncing on a manual basis but not automatically. My Alta 2 never auto synched either. I have an iPhone 8 running 12.1.2.

The issue is that the C3 will not pick up notifications. I had Apple check out the settings on the phone; they said they were correct. The settings are the same as they were for the Alta 2 which did pick up notifications fine.

Deduction says that the issue is with the C3. About a month ago I was told that it is a known issue. When is the known issue going to be resolved? I can't get notifications of texts and emails which I like to get when the phone is not directly with me.

[CrazyJ223]

Thanks! Steve suggested in another thread alsobthat if the tracker is paired under the Bluetooth settings on phone it could be blocking the sync with the FB App. That was my problem. I now can do all day sync again since deleting it from the iPhone Bluetooth where it was showing up for some reason as "IPhone"!

[Kaisercat]

Mine says ‘CHARGE 3’ the BLUETOOTH settings of my iPhone 8+

Sent from my iPad

[CrazyJ223]

I thought it was weird my said iPhone. I do have a JBL Charge 3 speaker on my iPhone Bluetooth also so it does get a little crazy with the names.

[Kaisercat]

You’re confusing your iPhone!

Sent from my iPad

[SunsetRunner]

I’m having same issues. Tried all of the on-line trouble shooting.

Sounds like a known issue!

How about fixing or offering refunds Fitbit?

[Kaisercat]

Explain your issues. Have you cleared data yet?

Sent from my iPad