Charge 4 Band Connector broke

[hannahjyoti]

I have reached out to Fitbit several times about getting a replacement for my broken Fitbit. It only broke due to a design flaw so you would think Fitbit would replace it. I am frustrated and disappointed that Fitbit would treat its customers with little respect. I was shoot until my Fitbit broke and have been patient through the process of trying to replace my Fitbit. I feel like I am in a laundry machine getting nowhere. Has anyone else have a broken band connector? Did they replace your Fitbit?

Moderator edit: Subject for clarity.

[sherburnj]

I know. I’m sorry. The more responses that come through on my post are just
repeats. It’s a defective product (the connector pieces… computer head to
the band, all seem to break between 12-18 months) that Fitbit doesn’t stand
behind.

[93TF98]

Yes, my charge 4 broke a few days ago. Waiting on fitbit to respond, but not counting on them to stand behind their product. Seems to be the way they do business. I will never buy another fitbit again. Have only had this fitbit 19 months.

[IJsselmeisje]

Mine broke a few weeks ago. It was replaced by Fitbit.

[Kidz2359]

Mine just broke too. I didn't think to call Fitbit. I already ordered a Charge 5. I never had this problem with the Charge 3. 

[NHimes]

I had the same thing happen. Just over a year of use. Right outside the warranty timeframe. Fitbit offered my a 35% discount off the retail price. The unfortunate thing is that the sale price of a Charge 5 is the same price as the retail price with the discount.  That’sa pretty nice slap in the face from Fitbit.  I doubt I purchase another Fitbit product after this debacle. 

[McKayS_NF]

Bought my charge 4 last summer. I had the defective strap issue in January.   Fitbit replaced it with a new charge 4.  I was hoping they sent an updated version and everything went ok up until this week.

Now my replacement is defective as well.  My wife has the charge 5 and so far no issues with hers. 

For now, I have decided to get the charge 5.  But if my wife or I have any more issues with defective Fitbit products in the future, we will never buy any more Fitbit products and will never recommend them to family and friends!

[Jaszi]

I had similar problems, I had bought Charge 5 then found out that there is a non-FitBit replacement band that will cover the face and you can still use the Charge 4. But then I missed the stair flight counter that was not available on Charge 5. So I was trying to pair the Charge 4 again in place of Charge 5 and no matter how many times I tried to connect, kept getting Connection unsuccessful error messages. So I kept using Charge 5, until got messages that the Charge 5 was not connected. So neither one could be paired. Found out from the Charge 5 community that FitBit has been aware of that problem for months but there’s been no fix. So with Prime Days, started looking at Apple Watch. Got a Series 7 and I don’t have to deal with FitBit and their lack of satisfactory resolution to known issues. Good luck to you with your equipment, but I will not buy FitBit again and I will not recommend going forward. There are several others who have posted same issues and all of our same frustrations. 

[mfrancois]

I agree 100%.  The problem with moving off the FitBit platform is you lose all your history - weight, foods, activities, sleep etc. - so one must start all over with everything.  FitBit uses the "Wells Fargo customer glue plan" (remember when they chased you down in the produce department at the grocery store to open any number of new types of accounts, the idea being the more you became dependent on WFB, the harder it would be to go somewhere else, even if unhappy -- cynically smart but obnoxious).  I challenge you younger, talented techies out there to develop an app which can download FitBit data and export it across several alternative platforms.  I would gladly pay for that!

[Franco007]

Thank you for sharing the link sherbrownj. I agree this would be the only solution to using the Fitbit since it still works but can't connect any other band to it. It's worth a shot. Note: I called Fitbit company they would not replace or do anything due to its out of warranty.

[Kez2202]

Mine is still under warranty but this has happened to me twice since Christmas, Fitbit have replaced the pebble both times, I just received my 2nd back today 14/06/22

I contacted Fitbit through the app - tap your profile pic, select help & support then go through contact customer support. Mine broke twice and Fitbit replaced the pebble free of charge as it’s still under warranty, they ask you to take a photo of the the affected part on a piece of paper with the case number they give you along with your name - this info must be handwritten and then they send you a postage paid returns label via email. 

Hope this helps 🙂

No contact Fitbit and they will replace - not sure if that’s only if still under warranty or not though.

[Jaszi]

Been there, done that. The guy I talked to said he’d send over to warranty group as I thought warranty started when I got the replacement to a prior Charge 4 but not the case. Within a few minutes of hanging up with rep, got email signed by rep with same name saying was not covered by warranty. Did not offer a discount. Stupid me, I bought a Charge 5 that would still be under warranty. But it’s not worth the effort to get another one. 

[Kidz2359]

My Charge 4 was not under warranty either but I did get the 35% off email.
Thanks to Amazon Prime Day I scored a Charge 5 for $104. Still below the
discounted price and free two-day shipping. My Charge three never had
issues like this.

[RodrigoMFitbit]

Hello everyone!

Thanks for reaching out regarding the band of your Fitbit Charge 4. In this case I recommend that you contact Fitbit support (click here) directly. You can reach them via e-mail, phone or chat. If your device is under warranty, you will receive a replacement. 

Have a nice day!

[McKayS_NF]

It should not matter if it's under warranty.   The charge 4 has a design flaw that is well known by fitbit.  Your replacement you sent me in January has the same issue.  

Instead of sending us a free replacement charge 4, you should have manned up and sent us a free charge 5.  But that would hurt your profits!!  Next time, make sure you make a reliable product or you will lose your customers! I have already checked and you have some competition coming your way!!

[dz1234]

be careful what you with for...the charge 5 appears to have some serious battery issues.

[SunsetRunner]

Mine broke while under warranty. Had to send in pictures for them to review. Then they replaced it no charge.

[rmateen]

My Charge 4 keeps detaching from the band. I've tried several bands--proprietary Fitbit bands and third-party. I've had about 7 Fitbits and I'm done. Looking for a more secure brand that doesn't come apart --or have the numerous issues I've experienced with Fitbit.

[Jaszi]

I gave up when my Charge 4 with 3rd party band that covered the face and stayed attached and then the Charge 5 wouldn’t stay paired or connected. Both are known issues. I got an Apple Watch Series 7 just before Prime Days started. I love it! Seems to be more accurate tracking my activity. 

[Aleazenby]

I purchased a charge 4 and the connector broke. A replacement charge 4 was sent out in December 2021. When they offered to send a new one out, I expressed my concern about the same issue happening. That one also just broke. I reached out to customer service and was told that my device was outside the warranty and couldn’t be replaced. This is a known design flaw. So when this keeps happening, Fitbit should be accountable. I’ve received a coupon but why should I spend more money on a product that the company does not stand behind? This device needs to be replaced

[mfrancois]

My story exactly! Join the (very large!) club!!!

Sent from my iPhone