Sudden Charge 4 battery drain

[bagg1nns]

So this week, both my partner and I have experienced huge battery drain with our Charge 4 devices for no apparent reason.

Previously, I was averaging about 5 and a half days between needing to charge it. Then without changing any settings, the battery life has plummeted and I've needed to charge it roughly every 24 hours... I've since tried tweaking a couple of settings such as changing dynamic GPS to phone only, but it's still only partly improved the situation (dropping 15% overnight, so at most it would now last 3 days between charges).

My device was brand new in June, and my partners was brand new in July and both suddenly experience the same massive battery drain issues at the same time. What gives? One device going defective is one thing, but for both to go the same way at the same time, has there been some kind of surreptitious firmware update or something?

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity. 

[SunsetRunner]

Also, since I complained on this forum, now it won't charge at all. Guess I'm moving on to something better. Good luck every one.

[Brynham]

I am having exactly the same issue since yesterday.  Previously the battery lasted 5-7 days abs suddenly since yesterday afternoon it died abs after recharge it drained in 3 hours.  Am going to try a reset but clearly there is a device or software problem 

[Brynham]

I forgot to say I have a Charge 4 that I purchased end of July 2022.  But it was charging a full week until suddenly yesterday afternoon 

[AmandaK78]

This just happened to mine today. I came on here looking for a solution. Seems this is an ongoing issue over a few years with no response from Fitbit. Very disappointing 🙁

[willjoe]

Fitbit Charge 4 and Charge 5 come with built-in GPS. Using this function drains the battery quite a bit. Switch built-in GPS on and the battery life comes down from 7 days to only 5 hours. Remember – if you forget to turn GPS off after exercising, it will eat up what's left of the battery life.

Regards,

Will

[alaskasail]

Mine is working much better for some reason (maybe midnight update), but I agree with willjoe that making sure your gps is off will help a great deal.  After a run/walk/workout, you have to remember to "Finish" your recording or the battery will go south on you in a hurry.  Don't get distracted and forget.

[Q613]

I had the same issue yesterday.  Now it won't take a charge.

[amcnerney]

Mine started doing it on Saturday also and I did the same thing came looking for answers

[Brynham]

I would try contacting Fitbit via the contact us option on their app / website.  As to update my experience, I decided to contact Fitbit directly and explained the problem.  They were able to see via the internet my battery drain problem and seeing it was a genuine problem then offered to replace my Charge 4 with a Charge 5.  They sent me a replacement free of charge, I assume because my previous watch was under guarantee being less than a year old. So try contacting them as they may be able to help.

[Brynham]

Understood. This is undoubtedly true as inbuilt GPS feature will drain batteries quicker. But that was the not the problem in my case.  It was a genuine battery drain issue for some other cause, as I was just sitting at home.  And Fitbit replaced the device when I reported it as there seemed no other solution they could suggest.  So suggest contacting them.  They were very helpful and quick in my case

[amcnerney]

I did contact them directly and since mine was over the 1 year I got the go around. After 30mins with them I was told if it continued to contact them again.