How do I repair a bubbling wristband?

[KevinK26]

Good evening,

Before I leap into my issue, I would like to say that my FitBit has been one of the best purchases I have made in recent memory.  I love this product so much that I ordered one for my mother and one for my father (who are technilogically impaired for the most part), and they were thrilled to have one.

That being said, I have run into problems with my personal FitBit Charge HR.  The band is detaching at the screen display (yellow), and there are these rogue "bubbles" that are gradually becoming worse (red).

Is there anything that can be done?  I'm really discouraged by this because I've only had the product for four (4) months.  I followed the proper care guide, but that only went so far.  As I stated above, I love my FitBit and I don't want to consider going with another brand.  The band tearing away and the floating air pockets are a blemish on an outstanding product -- and no one wants to wear a blemished product.  I've refrained from showing my FitBit to others because I believe this product is far above what it currently presents itself as.

Any help concerning this manner would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

- Kevin

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[TimFish]

I have the same issue with the air bubbles. looks like it is growing a tumor. Any help would be great.

[ep_280]

I would contact FitBit and have it replaced under warrenty. It looks like a factory defect.

[LRChodge]

This happened on my first Fitbit (purchased in July 2015). Customer service replaced very quickly after verifying my purchase and receiving pictures that I sent (October 2015). Unfortunately, I just submitted another request because it is happeneing again. While I really appreciate the quick and friendly support, has anyone figured out why this happens? I don't submerge the device in water. I don't even wear it to Bikram yoga because its so steamy. I take care of it according to the instructions. For the price and the purpose, I'd expect it to be more durable. Has anyone found a way to prevent this?

Thanks!!

[Jrdubyakc]

@KevinK26 As others have mentioned, your Fitbit is covered with a one year warranty (assuming you purchased it from an approved retailer).  Customer Service will be able to help get the replacement process going for you.

[KevinK26]

Thank you very much!

[Jiminator]

I have the same issue. I got mine December 2015, and by April 2016, it was delaminating at the screen. I took very good care of it. In fact, I was a couch potato for the first 3 months of the year, and didn't even wear it for over a month of that time.

Upon reporting it, Fitbit promptly replaced it under warranty, but I'm afraid its going to happen again in 4 months, because I'm wearing it now every day and I am much more active now that the weather is warm. There doesn't seem to be anything that can be done once it starts to delaminate. 

[Jimmy_c]

The band issue is an on-going problem. I bought a HR in Feb 2015, revived a replacement due to defect around October 2015. That one has just started to detach from band but as warranty expires since original purchase I am out of luck.
I don't think this is fair when both units failed due to fault outside my control. Time to move to another brand.

[SunriseRunner42]

Thanks for getting back to us.

Upon checking it appears that your tracker is already out of for warranty replacement. As much as we want to provide you with a replacement, our limited warranty provides replacement for trackers deemed to have a manufacturer's defect within 365 days of purchase.

On the other hand, to help keep you in the Fitbit family in working towards your goals and considering you're a valued customer, we'd like to move forward in issuing a promo code to give you a 25% discount should you option to purchase another tracker.

What's good about this 25% discount is it may give you more options and open windows for possible upgrades as it can be used to all Fitbit trackers, including our newly released Fitbit Blaze and Fitbit Alta. In addition, the discount code has a 30-day validity which will give you sample time to think of what you will do with it.

Please reply and let us know if you'd like to receive the discount. If so, you'll receive a separate email with a link you can click any time in the next 30 days to shop fitbit.com. The discount is automatically applied at check out.

We thank you for being a Fitbit customer. Please let us know if you have additional questions.


Sincerely,

John Allen A. and the Fitbit Team


Translation: we know it's crap, buy another! Just throw that disposable electronic gadget in the ground, or perhaps a nearby waterway!

Since that's fitbit 's plan, just buy 10 or 15 cheap Chinese knock offs for same price as one real one. Same crap, likely last way longer between that many, and accept that this company has a great idea, but no idea how to support it.

#fitbitfail

[Jimmy_c]

Same message I got. Terrible customer service, by this logic if your Fitbit fails after 360 days and they send you a dud replacement they are not liable.

[golfprincess]

I love my Charge HR is great. The customer services was great. They sent me another Charge HR. However this is my third one with the same problem. The screen button is falling apart. I asked if this is. No a factory default. No response other than send a new one. What I want is a good product when I pay the price for it. 

[SunsetRunner]

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@golfprincess wrote:

I love my Charge HR is great. The customer services was great. They sent me another Charge HR. However this is my third one with the same problem. The screen button is falling apart. I asked if this is. No a factory default. No response other than send a new one. What I want is a good product when I pay the price for it. 

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Yep, great customer service until you hit that 365 days.... Then, the great customer service is over and you are left with whatever you got last, knowing the same thing is going to happen to it with nothing to fall back on as far as a replacement for what is obviously a factory defect. These things must be extremely cheap to produce so they can just keep sending out new/"refurbished" ones until the warranty is over. Some folks have received 5-6 replacements. You think fb would be doing that if they cost ANYwhere near the retail price????

[Grrr8scott]

Will the bubbling cause any problems long term? Mine is doing it, too. My year is up in December, so I'd like to wait a bit before I call customer service.

[SunsetRunner]

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@Grrr8scott wrote:
Will the bubbling cause any problems long term? Mine is doing it, too. My year is up in December, so I'd like to wait a bit before I call customer service.

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You should call now and get a new one. Keep getting new ones as long as you have the warranty and they go bad. Make them honor that warranty. For some reason, at some times, they make you return the bad one to get a new one. At other times, they just send you a new one. So, you may end up with more than one tracker. I actually had 3 by the time my warranty ran out. One has now died completely - electronics failure. But, I have 2 with bad bands that I am limping along with. I have also removed the good band from the failed tracker and have put it aside in case the glue fixes eventually fail and I need a 'new' band. Obviously this is only for those who are beyond the warranty period.......

But, if push comes to shove and the warranty runs out on you, some super glue should keep it in tact for awhile.

[Grrr8scott]

Thanks for those thoughts. I already had one charge HR replaced because it would not sink. They did not ask that I send it back, so I have the wristband from that one. I'm hoping ther find a solution before my 365 days runs out.

Sent from my iPhone

[ronspobox]

i've had mine for 6 months and the same issues with my charge hr band defect.

[Beckyml1980]

I called today because my FItbit Charge HR is stuck on the update screen.  I also have the issue where the casing falls off.  I was told that these are known issues but since I am outside of the warrenty period the best they could do is a 25% promo code.....  OK, so this is my 3rd Fitbit.... i've had issues with all 3 after the warrenty peroid.  None of which were replaced and I stupidly kept upgrading.  If this is a known issue then stand by your product and replace it or recall it!  These are expensive toys to keep buying every 365 days!  Shame on you Fitbit

[Jimmy_c]

If you buy from Best Buy you can get extended warranty for around $10. This covers 2 years and best of all any issue they issue full refund (minus $10) with which you can buy another and the warranty starts again. not ideal but at least you can upgrade for $10 a year instead of $150 every 13 months.

[HandsomedanNZ]

I've just experienced the same thing.
Contacted Fitbit and they have replaced it under warranty (despite my inability to produce proof of purchase) within 3 days.
All the way over here in New Zealand!!!
I'm super impressed with the service and can honestly say I have never had service like it.

[Beckyml1980]

Thanks for this information @Jimmy_c.  Rather spend the 10 bucks in order to get a replacement since they seem to always break just after warrenty is up.