GPS not working on Charge 4

[MattyLevan]

The attachment between the actual watch (Fitbit called it a bead) and the strap broke and they very kindly sent me a replacement for the bead. However since then it simply will not connect to GPS, which is making tracking my runs difficult. It is still giving me a distance but it is definitely off since it recorded a 5km parkrun as 4.7km.
When I try to start a run it shows the start arrow and the word connecting and if I do nothing else stays like that indefinitely. If I tap the arrow it will start tracking but after about two minutes the watch buzzes and shows a message that it is turning off GPS.
What do I do to get it to actually connect to GPS?

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity. 

[Berkoboy · Accepted solution]

My advice to Charge 4 users is simple - don't bother with the onboard GPS - it's useless . Even if you get a connection it will be lost mid way through. I have never managed to get it to track an entire run.  Take your phone with you and sync to that . I had to replace my Charge 2 after many years of faithful service as the battery had expired. I am actually pleased with my purchase of the 4 - it does exactly everything my 2 did plus more . In reality many people take their phone with them when outdoors in case of emergencies so why add the expense of failed on board GPS ? The addition of GPS to the Charge was marketing led to face off against Garmin and the like - I suspect Fitbit knew it would perform poorly when compared to a phone. 

[MattyLevan]

Thank you for your advice. Unfortunately my whole reason for getting a smart watch was that I don't normally carry my phone when running and wanted to track my distance and pace. Fitbit was simply the cheapest in the shop and now I understand why.
Can anyone recommend a watch that. Tracks how far I have run, gives me a pace in minutes per km, notifies me when I pass each kilometer and tells the time?
I don't need it to connect to multiple apps, sync with texts to my phone or buzz for random notifications like 300 stars (whatever that means).

[SarahAt]

I have this exact issue and have been in contact with online chat representatives all week and there is no solution. My mom and I walk every morning and she uses a Samsung watch. Originally because she had a Samsung smartphone, but now has an iPhone and it still syncs great with her phone. She doesn’t take her phone with her on our exercise route and her watch tells us/speaks out loud at each mile what our pace is, how far we have gone, and tells her her heart rate. I think one or two other data elements too maybe. She loves it and it functions much better than the Fitbit. Provides her a map and everything. Basically everything we are missing out on with Fitbit. 

[Runfat-boyrun]

Like you, I bought the fitbit charge 4 for its built in GPS, and the need to not take my phone out with me when km running.

I've had the watch for 2yr after upgrading from a much more basic and older fitbit version. It has lasted me well, and has been very accurate tracking not only my distances, but splits and overall time too. I have been 100% happy. It the whole 2 yrs it might have lost GPS mid-run on 2 or 3 occasions, but picked it back up with in a few meters again.

My issue now is, it will NOT connect to GPS at all..... It still logs my jogs, my times and my steps for the run (accurately), but with no GPS I can't link to strava or see maps!!

If you find a fix for this problem, please let me know too. I've tried - switching GPS off and on again. Toggling between "built in GPS" and using phone gps. 

HELP!!!

[SarahAt]

One thing they did specify (although three reps all had a different response to needing the phone with you or not, so not sure on the reliability of them), is that the watch has to have above 80% battery. Also very unfortunate.

How do you toggle between GPS built in or not? Even though it clearly doesn’t help, I’m curious given the reps couldn’t help me over chat with anything.

thanks! 

[Runfat-boyrun]

Go to settings - scroll down till you get to "GPS settings" - toggle on "GPS MODE". This will switch you between the watches built in mode, dynamic mode, and using Phone GPS.

Hope this helps you.

[Harp1296]

Same issue - something has changed in the past two weeks that GPS is not longer working.  I consistently used it for the past 12 months on the Fitbit4.

[MattyLevan]

OK so on the advice of one of the  representatives on chat I reset my watch while charging it. I then tested it again - it took about 20 minutes, long enough the chat had timed out, but did eventually connect. Trying again this morning it now seems to connect in about five minutes, at least in some locations.

[Runfat-boyrun]

Yes @Harp1296 - exactly the same for me. Its been about 2 weeks since I was last able to connect to the built in GPS. 

Frome what @MattyLevan has just written, looks like a full reset is the only way to fix this.

I'll keep you posted if it works for me too.

[KSommers]

In that case you may as well use only the mobile if you have to keep syncing it. Stupid app settings also say you can add Wallet but there’s nothing on the app anywhere where you can connect it with the wallet. I just use mine for the time now, waste of money.

[SarahAt]

They had me reset as well, and it still didn’t work accurately, and also didn’t get the map to pop up. Are seeing the map when you track exercise after you reset it? 
thanks!

[SarahAt]

My app settings don’t have a GPS option…perhaps my frustration is causing a user error now! Lol

[Kaysy]

So…should be set on phone gps?  Glonass…off or on?  Yhx

[KSommers]

It is set on the phone and Glonass is on.

[Harp1296]

@Runfat-boyrun  and @MattyLevan - I did the reset with no success as GPS still not working.  45 min online chat with Fitbit and my case has to be escalated.  No additional communication received yet (chat was yesterday around 3pm) 😞

[SarahAt]

Yeah, the reset didn’t work for me either. I did switch the setting for gps on the watch itself, to using the phone gps, and then used the app on my phone to track the exercise and it worked. But that’s not what I want to have to do (it’s not convenient to bring my phone with me, sort of the reason I bought a watch!) so definitely let me know what you find out with your case being escalated! It’s frustrating to say the least!

[BTTan]

Reset didn't work for me too. but caused another new issue. the workout just stopped and session is stopped. i had only realised what happened and restarted a new "run" (3 times in 2 hours). that resulted in 3 separate runs with time period that missing.

[SarahAt]

Yes! That was what happened to me initially and sparked my inquiry via chat with Fitbit. It’s just confusing! 

[alice44]

I think the GPS settings are under settings on the Fitbit itself.