Charge 4 won't connect to GPS

[Kcoston]

why won't my charge 4 connect to GPS? It just keeps on showing "connecting" but never does. Had no trouble with the Ionic GPS connecting...

[Rich_Laue]

I would try a restart. 

What is the cloud cover? 

I wonder how long the antenna is in the Charge 4 compared to the ionic and Surge. 

[Kcoston]

How do you restart it? Other than letting the battery die?

This is brand new out of the box, freshly set up and it won't connect to
GPS...

[PF77]

Mine too.  I’m in NYC and at first assumed it was the tall buildings, but even when out in the open in the park it won’t connect.

[BSara]

Same issue here

[Odi2]

Same here. I’m in NYC and it connects to GPS about four blocks away from my apartment building and disconnects again when I’m around three blocks away. Super annoying. Also, the battery life is a joke. 

[xnadal]

Same happens in SF

[Harwood91]

Hi, has there been a solution to this? Having the same issue

[Kcoston]

No solution, but I found that it will usually connect after some time.
>From the same exact location, sometimes it will connect in a minute and
sometimes it takes several minutes...it seems totally random. Sorry--not
much help!

[AlejandraFitbit]

Hello guys, I hope you are doing fine.

I appreciate all the efforts in trying to fix this GPS issue. If you are having problems with this feature, I recommend trying the following:

• Confirm that the exercise type uses built-in GPS. In the Exercise app, choose from walk, run, hike, bike, interval workout, and golf. On Charge 4, outdoor workout also uses GPS.
• Check that GPS is turned on for the exercise. For more information, see How do I turn on GPS for an exercise on my Fitbit device?
• Make sure that your device is charged to at least 80%.
• Confirm that your device is syncing with the Fitbit app. The more you sync your device, the faster your device can connect to GPS.
• Make sure that you have a clear view of the sky when you start the exercise. Environmental factors, including tall buildings, dense forest, steep hills, and even thick cloud cover, can interfere with your device’s ability to connect to GPS satellites. If the signal is blocked—either because you're indoors, underground, or due to another reason—GPS won't work. 
• Avoid trying to start an exercise with GPS several times in a row, which can prevent your device from connecting to GPS.
• If Charge 4 can’t connect to a GPS satellite after 10 minutes, the tracker stops trying to connect until the next time you start a GPS exercise.  

Let me know the outcome.

[Bigianb]

I find it very temperamental. I would say it connects about 1/3 of the time outside my house ... often it keep connecting and disconnecting. There are no tall buildings, the sky is clear and all the other GPS devices I have connect no problem. Generally I select walk with GPS. The watch synchs with the phone all the time and no problem there.

My assumption is that either the antenna is rubbish or the watch itself has not updated the satellite constellation data based on my location.

[Ninelivess_]

Hello, I have tried all of these steps, my Fitbit is brand new out of the box and has never been dropped or scrapped and it is still having issues. it has not connected once since I've gotten it. and yes there has been clear blue skies every time I have tried

[DarynK]

Its completely hit or miss for me. last week no problem. Today can't even get a flicker of a connection.

Very frustrating as I've followed all the instructions previously mentioned to no success. 

Bought this device specifically as its "un-tethered" as I don't want to run with a phone. 

Going to look for something else. 

[bswaroop]

@AlejandraFitbit so let me get this straight. As phone connected GPS is not available; as per you and Fitbit, this device is only designed for: 

• rural areas as GPS is affected by buildings
• perfectly sunny days as any cloud cover stops the GPS from working
• for exercises which last less than 3 hours because the GPS battery is crap. 
• Areas that are completely flat as any topography changes stops the GPS from working.
• Also, make sure you’re not in an area with trees. Because then you’re screwed. GPS doesn’t work there either.

Any other exceptions you wanna add? Let me know who was the genius behind this device. The device is fraudulent and should be recalled.

and I bet no one from FitBit will reply back to this post. 

[arkanist]

Yep, it feels like a time travel back to 2015 when I had to connect my Charge HR to my phone, only to wait for my phone to connect to gps..not exactly a seamless experience. I've only had 1 run with it so far, clear skies, rural area, no buildings..maybe the wind was too much for it cos it lost gps 3 times during the run.

[AlejandraFitbit]

Hey guys, thanks for getting back.

I understand how are you feeling and appreciate all the feedback about the GPS function of the Charge 4.

@Bigianb, @arkanist and @bswaroop, as you mentioned, GPS accuracy depends on the signal strength among other factors. For more information about this feature, click here.

@Ninelivess_ and @DarynK, I've gone ahead and escalated your cases to our support team, for them to take a deeper look at this. Please keep an eye on your inbox for further instructions.

I will see you around.

[GDS1971]

Yep, same connection issues here with no trees or buildings and sunny most days here in Queensland Australia.  Very disappointed and will be seeking a refund.

[AlejandraFitbit]

Welcome to the Community, @GDS1971.

I am sorry to hear about your disappointment and would like to know if you have tried the instructions provided in my previous post? If you haven't, I recommend taking a look at them and give them a try.

About the refund, please check our warranty policy.

Keep me posted.

[DarynK]

thanks, appreciate the support. I've followed their instruction to update but i've not been out to test yet.

Will give it a go and see how i get on. 

[V_M]

Hi,

I'm having the same issues as other people in this thread; my (brand new) device won't connect to GPS independently of tethering off my phone.

I've tried the actions you suggest above; can confirm it was definitely trying to connect, and that it had appropriate charge and I was using it in a spacious area without tall buildings.

Any suggestions as to what the problem could be?

Thanks.