Charge 4 rapidly losing battery -- firmware issue?

[vicioussquid]

I have a Charge 4 that is a little over 1 year old -- just out of the warranty period, of course! But ever since last Thursday, after my last workout, the battery has been draining rapidly within 2-3 hours -- from 100% to 0%.

I've completed to no avail:

• Numerous charge cycles with the original charger, with different outlets/chargers
• Monitoring battery drain wearing and not wearing the device
• Multiple reboots
• A factory reset and re-paired with my phone
• Cleaned the device with an alcohol swab
• Turned off Fitbit GPS, set to default screen/timeout settings, etc.

My firmware is 48.20001.100.76, listed as the most current on the Fitbit site here. The app updated on my phone 6 days ago, which coincides with when my Fitbit started draining. So I guess I'll see if Fitbit releases a new update that resolves this issue? If not, the device is mostly useless now.

Unfortunately, Fitbit support was not helpful. And like for many others, only offered a coupon for a new purchase that expires in 30 days. This is my first, and likely last, Fitbit. I've mostly enjoyed the product and software, but reading about other people's issues and similar problems with the Charge 5, I have zero incentive to continue with this brand.

Is anyone else experiencing this issue with the Charge 4 with this firmware?

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FYI, I noticed that the Fitbit app released an update on August 1, though the Charge 4 firmware is still listed the same. I've updated the app on my phone (Android 13), and charging my Fitbit now to see if there is any change in behavior.

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No improvement on performance as of 10/9/2023, even with new app (Android) versions. It also stopped counting my steps when I try to wear it for the short time it's live. Guess this one's destined for the landfill in just one short year...

[BRD62]

Please let us know if the app update changes anything.  I have an iPhone.  I wouldn't think the app update would have any effect on the tracker firmware? The behavior for my Charge 4 has gotten worse.  Now when I put it in the charger, I get the smiley face but that's all.  Nothing else appears on the display.

If I push the button, I can feel the tracker vibrate but still nothing displays on the screen.  The app can't connect or find my Charge 4 either.

[GWB67]

Yes I've seen the update and was hoping it might fix the problem but it's not done so for mine. I'm still charging it fully hoping it might improve but at the moment it's just the same.

I keep checking the app for a firmware update but none as yet. I don't think Fitbit are interested in resolving this. 

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I thought the same but if they do put out a firmware update, it'll show in the app. 

Mine is no better. 

[niss3]

Does anyone know if it is possible to revert to old firmware just to test if it has anything to do with it?

[GWB67]

Not as far as I know. 

[vicioussquid]

Unfortunately, no considerable difference for me today after updating the app. I put my fully charged Fitbit on today around 11 AM, and it's down to 15% now (2:20 PM). Sorry if I got anyone's hopes up 😞

[GWB67]

Same here. I keep checking to see if there's a firmware update in the app but as some people have had this issue for over a year, I don't hold much hope. 

Still waiting for the new one to arrive. 

[nchenard]

I applied the update on August 9, 2023 and my Charge 4 went from staying charged for over a week down to about 3 hours 😕. I just got it in December 2022. 

[GWB67]

It'd be under warranty though. 

[Radojevic]

I suspect the Fitbit Charge 4's battery draining issue may be caused by its Bluetooth feature, which is used to communicate (sync) with your smartphone.

Can you perform the following test for me?
I'd do it, but lucked out not installing the latest firmware update, which is causing this problem.

Fully charge your Fitbit Charge 4.
Then, do one of the following to disable your Fitbit Charge 4 from communicating with your smartphone:
1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Disable Bluetooth on your smartphone.
3. Uninstall your smartphone's Fitbit app.

If your Fitbit Charge 4 battery life dramatically improves, worst case you'll need to do one of the workarounds above.
Best case is Fitbit engineers will have a better idea how to fix the issue.

[vicioussquid]

Thanks for the suggestions Radojevic, but these unfortunately didn't make a difference for me 😞 Bluetooth is a good instinct though!

[BRD62]

Unfortunately the screen on my Charge 4 has gone dark.  I've tried a reset while in the charger, but no luck.  I get the smiley face but that's it.  Screen stays dark.  Only two years old and it's toast!!

[Radojevic]

I'm so sorry.
I'm sure it's only a matter of time before I join your pain by accidentally touching the firmware update notification.
Makes me not want to open the Fitbit app.

[Eleana_M]

This is very discouraging. I had the same issue this week. My Charge 4 is about 18 months old and I never replace electronics before 2 years at the very least. This is my third Charge device (I also had 2 and 3). The first devices presented screen problems after 2 years. If this is a firmware issue that's not sorted I'm afraid it would be my last Fitbit.

[Asvkia]

Mine was 56% when I went to bed last night and dead within a few hours.  Everything was going well until Google bought Fitbit.  I'm with you, zero incentive to continue and am looking into other trackers.  No amount of discount will help if they don't support their products!

[CoachRog]

I am in the same boat as you.  My Charge 4 is about 2.5 years old.  This is my 3rd Charge devise, previously had the Charge 2 and 3.  It was working fine till last Friday when it went dead in just a few hours.  A charge before would last for days.  It wouldn't charge or do anything for a couple of days and I left it on the charger for 2 days and it finally reset.  It took a charge but would go from 100% charge to dead in 2-3 hours.  After a couple of days, it just went blank/dead.  I will have to look into other fitness trackers.  Agree if this is a firmware issue, it will most likely be my last Fitbit also.

[Bowling_sc]

I had the same problem starting on the 31st of august. Same firmware number as the post. Now the screen is black, battery drains super fast, press the button only vibrates. The support team can't answer what is the root cause. Only 1 month after out of the warranty. Super disappointed. I suspected that it is because of the firmware and bluetooth. Why can't they fix it or rollback to previous version? I saw many charge 4 and 5 people having the same issue. Fitbit is losing my trust after the 6 years.

[GWB67]

I know how you feel. After several attempts to get mine working again with no luck, I decided to get the Charge 5 which at the moment works well.

But I suspect it will encounter the same issue when out of warranty, if so I'll try Garmin. 

[BRD62]

My Charge 4 hasn't worked since early August.  They offered me a 35% discount so I decided to order a new Charge 5 on August 10.  It is still on back order, and now the projected ship date is September 29th.  I'm now thinking about either changing the order to one of their watches or canceling and going with another vendor.  Any advice from those that have or are dealing with this same issue?  Thank you.

[SteppingSusan]

After leaving it a couple of weeks, I put mine back on charge, put it back on @ 100% battery early yesterday evening, and it’s now - 18 hours later- showing 83%, so I think that the battery drain update might have been rolled back. Fingers crossed that it’s fixed now. 

[JanieBobs]

I have the same issue, I thought it was because I’d  been swimming but it’s never affected it before. Now it’s stopped tracking my steps 😒