Charge 4 GPS issues

[Mountaingirle]

Hello, it’s me again, so I’m having issues with my GPS this time, it loses signal randomly and never picks it up again, I use this to track runs and hikes and until recently have had no issues with gps like this, I have ran and hiked it the same area many many times and never issues and now all of a sudden it doesn’t work, can you please tell me what the issue is? Is this related to my battery issue that I’m still waiting on a response to? Awaiting a reply … 

[jcness]

You're not alone. This also started happening to me more often in the past few weeks -- although this is not an isolated incident and happens frequently over the past two years.

If a moderator decides to respond here, they'll act surprised as if it's the first time they've heard of the issue (it's not -- a quick search shows dozens of posts about this exact problem), then they'll post a link to an article on how to use the GPS (as if we don't already know how) and an article on how to reboot the device (as if we haven't tried that a dozen times already).

If they're feeling particularly cheeky, they'll advise you to take your phone with you and use the dynamic GPS setting... which negates the purpose of having the Fitbit in the first place.

If users continue to complain, they'll just close the thread.

The short answer is: there is no workaround, and the company is doing nothing to address the issue. Deal with it for as long as you can, then explore different products.

[dz1234]

Happening to me too. The GPS has always been poor, but it seems to be much worse, of late. I walk around for several minutes before getting it to sync and sometimes I just give up and run without the GPS. Even in dynamic mode with my phone, I had it drop this morning. 

[Wrigate71]

Mine as well. 

[BTTan]

From my chat with customer service, they have acknowledged there is an issue, but no date for any kind of fix. They seem to be trying to sit this out until the warranty of our devices go out. 

2022 July 26 (GMT+8)

20:54:47 Agent: Nineveh V.: For this one, I'm sorry because we’re aware of the issue of your Charge 4 tracker's GPS that has disconnected 10 to 15 minutes after starting your run or workout and are working to identify a resolution as quickly as possible.

20:54:54 Agent: Nineveh V.: In addition, I'm sorry because we currently don't have the exact date on when it will get resolved.

20:54:55 Agent: Nineveh V.: But we are doing the our best to further investigate it to get this sorted the soonest.

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21:01:51 Bt T.: is this a known problem with the charge 4? or does it affect other models?

21:02:46 Agent: Nineveh V.: It is for the Charge 4 tracker only.

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21:03:53 Bt T.: maybe you should consider providing a upgrade path for charge 4 customers who still have our devices under warranty21:04:24 Agent: Nineveh V.: Thanks for sharing this one.

21:04:40 Agent: Nineveh V.: I appreciate you for showing your interest in the other Fitbit device.

21:04:51 Agent: Nineveh V.: Aside from this, is there anything else that I can help you with today?

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[BillJ99x]

It obviously should be a known problem since it has existed for 2+ years. Doubt it will ever get resolved at this point since Fitbit seems to have abandoned the Charge 4 at this point. 

[Mountaingirle]

@JamesRingFitBit @dz1234 @BTTan @BillJ99x @Wrigate71 @jcness 

it’s seems to be Fitbit 4 had been a problem tracker, I’ve had issues from the start, they sent me 2 refurbished trackers as replacements that had the same issues and then stopped replying and when I contacted them on chat Once they read through my account they disconnected, this happened almost daily until I just had enough. The worst customer service I’ve ever had. As mentioned they just sit out the warranty until there’s nothing you can do. Despite my device being declared not fit for purpose they refused to refund me my money, or give me a credit to the value of a charge 4 to get a new Fitbit. I think initially they offered me 10%. Not acceptable. Funny how none of the Fitbit people on here have jumped in. I apologise but it’s probably because there’s an avoid/do not reply mark again my account lol. 

[Mountaingirle]

I have reluctantly upgraded to a Versa 3, the watch is everything I need, the reluctance comes from the appalling customer service. So far I’m happy, but we will see. I wonder if it’s to do with me being in the uk, or is the customer service crap all over the world ?? 

[Gingerscouse]

Hiya

I reported this same issue myself today, I had a text chat with an advisor, did everything asked of me, resetting the device, re-syncing to the phone etc, went out this afternoon for another walk (I don't run) , lo and behold, the gps tracker didn't connect, my phone was with me.  Restarted the walk to come home, the GPS lasted approx 15 minutes and conked out in the middle of a park.  Clear skies, it's a beautiful day and not walking under loads of trees.  I have now have a Case.  However, I can't find how to get back to the chat function to report it again!  BH's fitbit works perfectly - it's not a charge 4 either.

Moderator Edit: Personal info removed

[Gingerscouse]

Update - just found and been on another live chat.  no use whatsoever.   I'm afraid.they recommended using the phone GPS (which is not always possible).  I might have to put the ruddy thing on ebay and buy something else (yes, I told them that too).

[Stop-trackin]

I wish I could say I was surprised @Gingerscouse 

It's a monumental waste of one's time trying to go through the customer non-services in whatever guise.

I'm waiting for a replacement band (the easiest thing to resolve but even that is convoluted) and once that arrives, I may just join you and dispose of this on eBay.

I'm going to see if I can also raise a cashback claim with my credit card provider too.

Time I invested in an Apple watch.

With any luck, fitbit will sink into oblivion, entirely of their own doing

[dz1234]

The entire reason I upgraded to the 4 was so that I wouldn't have to run with a phone and even that doesn't work every time (though it does most of the time). I think the GPS seems to be getting worse by the week. It used to drop about 20% of my runs--this week it went 0 for 3. Between this, the screen that is so dim I can't see it outside, the broken band connector, several other smaller glitches and the poor customer service this will be my last fitbit. I had a charge 2, 3 and now 4.

[Stop-trackin]

@dz1234 i could not agree more. You are not alone. I too have had a litany of issues with the charge 4 - currently waiting for a replacement band, which I was initially  told I could go pick up at the retailer’s where I bought it. Turns out, that was not accurate. I now have to wait for over a week for a replacement, which seems to be stuck somewhere in the Netherlands. In the meantime, I have a charge 4 resting in my bag, which appears to be picking up ‘active zone minutes’ even though it’s not measuring any heart rate (I’m waiting for them to tell me my handbag has a heart rate). 

I have had no luck trying to fix any other issues related to the GPS switching itself on when I’ve turned it off and then the device not tracking exercises I’ve done.

Have gone through a few troubleshooting and still nowhere with the thing. 
It seems that Fitbit hope people just give up.

It would be laughable if it wasn’t annoying, having to spend hours on the phone to support that seems anything but.

I have had a couple of comments removed on here but no actual help offered by the moderators. It is a complete and absolute farce. 
Like you, this will also be my last Fitbit 

[Gingerscouse]

@Stop-trackin One of the solutions given to me was to ' loosen the band a notch and to hold the tracker at head height' I'm 5 foot 3ins!! haaaaaaaaaa! like I'm going to walk the ruddy dog with one hand on my head!  I too am looking at Apple watches, however I'm concerned about the metal used on the watch and also in the wristband (I have a very expensive nickel allergy).  

[Stop-trackin]

@GingerscouseThat would be funny if it weren't frustrating. I've heard of the re-boot solving all manner of tech issues but this is a new one on me. Surprised you weren't also asked to attach the fitbit to the dog and hold the dog aloft for better connectivity! That might just come next. It is a shame that this is what a what-once appeared a reasonable device has descended into. Sorry to hear about your nickel allergy and I hope there are options on materials that you could use.

[ljwon430]

totally same issue occured me several times, even in this morning.

however, hiking mode is able to detect gps. running mode isn't working. pls fix up this issue...

how about charge5???  same as ch4??

[ScoobyDooMom]

My issue is the same and received an email saying he is a supervisor and how can he assist.. This is my reply.  (All my concerns have been logged in the ticket by the agent.  If you read, you will see what the problem is.  Nobody is able to resolve the issue.  Blaming poor GPS or no GPS signal on clouds and trees. Never had this issue in the 5 years of owning a fitbit.

   Had the fitbit app ON and my phone with me

   GPS setting - tried dynamic and phone with the app open and the phone on me........ GPS cut off    

MAP MY WALK  worked perfectly.

This morning I went again for a walk and it went off on an open area in a normal residential area.  This has been happening for over 2 weeks, ever since I did the update on July 22, 2022.  I resolved the issue myself by using a THIRD party app called "map my walk" and "map my ride". 100% accuracy all the time, no matter the weather.    Really poor customer support and service with "invisible supervisors who do not have access to phones. Looked at the "Fitbit Community" and see a lot of unsatisfied customers with the same problem.  

Used to be a good product, but no longer.  Will not be buying another one nor will I be recommending it to anyone.  

So happy I never even subscribed to premium plan as I see there are issues even with paying customers.  Guess I'll use my charge 4 for steps.  Got a step counter originally for free out of a Kelloggs box which did the same thing. )

[ScoobyDooMom]

Love your comment, surprised they didn't suggest jumping up and down.

[zorahope]

I didn’t even know we had a GPS. 🤦🏻‍:female_sign:

[Stop-trackin]

@ScoobyDooMomNever say never! You may have inspired the next troubleshooting solution