My Charge 2 doesn't count steps unless my arm moves

[lizziefit]

Hi, I have just bought a fitbit charge 2 after using a Garmin for two years. I love the display but find that my steps are not always incrementing. I have notcied that just walking doesnt increase my steps but if my arm swings (the one with the charge on it) then steps increase. This is frustrating as I didnt have this problem with the Garmin - what am I doing wrong ? is there something I can change in the settings so the steps work like a pedometre?

Moderator edit: format.

[MarlenS · Accepted solution]

Welcome @lizziefit to the Community Family!

Great to know that you're part of Fitbit now. There isn't a setting to change the way our Fitbit tracks the movement to count steps.

Fitbit trackers use a 3-axis accelerometer, instead of a pedometer, to understand your motions. An accelerometer is a device that turns movement (acceleration) into digital measurements (data) when attached to the body. By analyzing acceleration data, our trackers provide detailed information about frequency, duration, intensity, and patterns of movement to determine your steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, and sleep quality. The 3-axis implementation allows the accelerometer to measure your motion in any way that you move.

Additionally, it could be a good idea to check the sensitivity of the tracker by going to the Fitbit.com Dashboard, click in the gear icon from the top right corner and select Setting. From the drop down menu in the left side click on devices and scroll all the way down, check if you Fitbit is set for the arm you're using with the Fitbit (see pictures attached):

Also check that your personal information is right and test the Fitbit. I hope this resolve you inquiry and let me know if you have more questions.  

[lizziefit]

Thankyou, appreciated.

[Marie325]

Hello, tried to use this to help me.  But when I follow the instructions I get to the last step and it doesn't have that option it only allows me to input right or left.  I tried looking under wrist orientation and handedness.  Any suggestions?

Thanks

[MarlenS]

Hi @lizziefit and @Marie325, hope you are doing great and enjoying some healthy activities. 

@lizziefit I'm glad to know that the information I provided helped you to resolve your inquiry.

@Marie325 well actually the pictures attached to the previous post is for the old dashboard, in the new platform you're able to find this option in the tracker's tile from your settings, please see the picture attached:

If you have any further questions, please let me know! 

[Niamhynoo81]

I'm using the Charge 2! Can you please help me stop it from over tracking steps x

[MarlenS]

It's nice to see you around the Community @Niamhynoo81! It's going to be a pleasure help you with the accuracy issue. I'd like to start with the sensitivity of the tracker following the steps from the previous posts, then restart the Charge 2 following @HeydyF's instructions. Once you're done, measure your stride length and change it from the online Dashboard, then test the Fitbit and let me know if the inaccuracies continues.

I also would like to share this article where you can find all the information about the accuracy of the Fitbit wristbands and how it calculates the information.

Keep me posted with the outcome. 

[Sandygrams]

My fitbit Charge 2 won't count steps if I'm on the treadmill unless I swing my arms, or when I'm just walking--say carrying a bag in my hand and not swinging my arm. I have my settings to show that my right hand is the dominant hand and I'm wearing the fitbit on my left arm. Is there anyghing else I can do (besides return it?)

I've had a fitbit One for a few years and it worked great, but I wanted to track my heartrate so got an armband one. So far not impressed. 

Thanks for any ideas. 

[MarlenS]

Hello @Sandygrams, a warm welcome to the Fitbit Community! I completely understand your point of view, actually, as I've mentioned in my previous posts, if you're using a wrist-based tracker, like the Charge 2, the swing of your arms is really important to record the movement while you're stepping. If you'd like to know better about the accuracy of the Fitbit trackers please check this article.

Catch you later. 

[Sandygrams]

Thanks for your response. I returned my Charge 2 and went back to a Fitbit One. I can't always swing my arms if I'm carrying something, or on a treadmill. The Charge 2 was only catching about 60-65% of my steps and that's way too inaccurate for me. On the plus side, I love my Fitbit One--accurate and easy to wear.

Thanks again.

Sandy

[MarlenS]

How you doing my friend @Sandygrams? I'm glad to know that you find a solution to be back on track with Fitbit. For more information about the Fitbit One, please check the user manual. I'd like to invite you to our Discussions board where you can find encouragement from other members, recipes and motivation to make your life as healthier you can, you can also share your experiences and find friends to share this amazing adventure.

Hope to see you around more often. 

[RandomRed]

I may end up doing the same.  The tracker is bulky on my arm, and I can't stand how many steps it's missing.  Really?  I did the whole grocery store in 14 steps tonight?  Wow!  LOL! 

[Sandygrams]

I love the Fitbit One. Hope that works for you.

Sandy

[MarlenS]

Hi @RandomRed and @Sandygrams, thanks for taking a break from stepping. 

I'm glad to know that you find the best Fitbit tracker for your daily activities. I'd like to invite you both to our Discussions board where you can find encouragement from other members, recipes and motivation to make your life as healthier you can, you can also share your experiences and find friends to share this amazing adventure.

Keep up the super stepping.

[debiemmy]

i am having same issue with it not recording steps when not swinging arm. question - does fitbit one do it differently?? 

[Mrzocor]

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@debiemmy wrote:

i am having same issue with it not recording steps when not swinging arm. question - does fitbit one do it differently?? 

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  I just took 30 steps around my house, and didn't count a single one. Pretty useless. Back in the box this one goes. Shouldn't have to swing your arm with the fitbit on it to count steps. Pretty sloppy designing!

 Push a grocery cart around, and doesn't count a thing. 

[Sandygrams]

The Fitbit that clips onto your clothes works perfectly! I've counted steps for a while and then checked it, and it's always within 1 or 2 steps. I wear it on my waist.

Sandy

[Mrzocor]

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@Sandygrams wrote:
The Fitbit that clips onto your clothes works perfectly! I've counted steps for a while and then checked it, and it's always within 1 or 2 steps. I wear it on my waist.

Sandy

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 Fits on your clothes? Not talking about that.

[Sandygrams]

The ones that you wear on your wrist don’t work for me. The Fitbit One does work.

Sandy

[Mrzocor]

 The ones you wear on your wrist are the ones people get! What are the ones that you wear on your clothes? Never heard of them. Is that what the fitbit one is?