Fitbit charge 4 connector for wristband is broken

[HeidiMN]

Hi!

My Fitbit charge 4 strap connector broke today. I bought my Fitbit in November 2020, so my charge 4 is about 17 months. Of course I wear it every day, but I guess it was meant to last longer?

I haven’t lost it or smashed it or anything , the screen is without scratches and looks as it was new.

best regards

Heidi M Numme

Norway

[N4k]

The exact same thing has happened to my fitbit charge 4. I fail to understand why fitbit will not supply replacement brackets for what seems to be an issue. Support says it is out of warranty and offered a discount on a new product. I don't want a new fitbit as mine works perfectly.

[angela866]

FWIW it happened to me about a year ago and they replaced it. 

Guess what just happened again? 

They now say - after a chat with support - that they can only offer 35% off. I don’t want the same model and want a replacement. This is ridiculous. There is an obvious flaw as it’s happened repeatedly. 

When I upgraded from a V2 to V4 I never anticipated this. I should have gotten a different model.

[HeidiMN]

I think replacement brackets is impossible in this case. The “pin” in the charge 4 that holds the attachment bracket is broken…I have to connect my charge 4 to my wrist with adhesive tape or buy a new smart watch…😩

[N4k]

I hear you - I am in the exact same boat - a small piece of plastic to replace a loose one is all it takes. Right now I am holding my strap on with tape! Like the first person, I bought my Fitbit in November of 2020. It works fine and I hate to have to throw it out. Maybe I'll get out the glue gun - worth a try before discarding it. 35% off the main site doesn't really help as fitbits are cheaper from other sources! I will really re-think what brand my new tracker will be!

[Bikerman90]

I had this exact same problem, that's why I replaced my Fitbit Charge 4 with an Inspire 2 - because otherwise, I'd need to keep it together with tape. Oddly, both have been failing when it comes to tracking GPS for biking, though I got myself an odometer. FitBit needs to start selling replacement parts or creating an option for customers to send in their broken parts for repair - and from the sleuthing I've done, this problem appears to have been going on for some time now yet nothing has been done about it.

[angela1052000]

My Charge 4 connection also broke. No possibility of repairs. I do like the charge 4 this was a big disappointment. 

[Jeblager]

Just bought replcement strap on ebay for £3.95, no stress

[Bikerman90]

@Jeblager wrote:

Just bought replcement strap on ebay for £3.95, no stress

Was that the wrist strap or the connector?

Edit: Just found this on eBay:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/224932600555?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item345f071aeb:g:QHAAAOSwvv1iVFq7&amdat...

To Fitbit: Why aren't these available in Canada or the States so we don't have to pay a pretty penny to get them sent here? 

[N4k]

It was the connector - straps are fine but the connector comes away from the watch unless it is held together with tape! By the time I order the parts and pay shipping I might as well buy a new tracker. Wouldn't it be wonderful if fitbit included a couple of extras with their fitness trackers.

[Jeblager]

Wrist strap

Jeb Wilkinson

[dz1234]

This has happened to me and many, many before you. The previous thread was closed and can no longer be commented on. If it broke off at the connector, buying a new strap doesn't help. There are third party bands that can be used that will fit the unit with the broken strap. The one I bought on Amazon is called a supcase, which will allow you to continue using it.

[Jeblager]

Thank you

Jeb Wilkinson

[sebagodis]

Same problem twice in 6 months....plastic connector from the device breaks...after 1st one they sent me a new one...here I am 90 days later and same thing happened...I told them I do not want another of the same if it will break again in 90 days.   I never take it out of the band so I don't know why it deteriorates so fast

[Bikerman90]

@sebagodis Oh wow, glad I didn't buy another Charge 4 - my first one broke after 14 months; sounds like if I bought a new model, it could break in even less time. That's why I bought an Inspire 2, which so far is serving me well bar problems with GPS - plus being that I got myself a bike odometer, that's not such a problem anymore. 

 

[fdfitz41653]

Considering filing a Consumer Protection Agency action against Fitbit and Google for knowing of a product defect and failing to correct it.

[sebagodis]

They are refusing to do anything more than send me a new one.  I have to ship it back for their "inspection"   I asked for a refund in the form of a credit that I would use to buy a charge 5.  They refuse which is idiotic since they will make something off of my new purchase and at least appear to value customer service.

[KayGK]

I have owned my Charge 4 for seven months.  The same thing happened to me--the black connector (which is the "male part") snapped off the watch.  I donʻt believe it is repairable.  I wrote and sent pictures asking for a full replacement.  Hopefully it comes soon!  In the meantime, i am using tape.

[Loniii]

I am in the same boat, purchased my Charge 4 around June 2020, but because I am outside of their 1 year warranty, they can only offer me the generic 35% off. Not only is the connector broken, but the battery has started draining like crazy  (I can start off at 100% in the morning and reach 40% by afternoon - and I never use the GPS function). Like most of the people in the thread, I seldom take my Fitbit off, so the malfunctions for my Fitbit is definitely not due to wear and tear but rather poor quality in their workmanship. I'm quite disappointed in Fitbit's response, and am shocked that this Fitbit has lasted me less than 2 years. I am quite displeased by their customer service, and am going to pay extra money and switch to Garmin instead. 

[N4k]

I have now washed my hands of Fitbit - my final response to customer service was: Thank you for letting me know that Fitbit will not send out a small, inexpensive replace part. I have cancelled an order for another Fitbit Charge 4 due to hearing of other customers complaining of the same issue. Looking at Fitbit trackers to replace my Charge 4 they all seem to have the same connector. I will no longer be supporting Fitbit and will move to Garmin as they have a studier strap connector - strap and pin versus a plastic clip.

This is a huge disappointment to me and obviously other customers, hopefully in the future Fitbit will provide a sturdier connector. We have become a throw away society - the Charge 4 works perfectly and there is no option to keep using it. What a waste!