Condensation in Versa's sensor

[ftalita]

Hi,

This evening my Fitbit Versa (bought approx 7 months ago) began acting strangely (navigating to the Bike workout on its own, turning itself back on straight after pressing the left button to turn off the screen). After a few minutes of this, it began to show only the blue Fitbit logo, seemingly restarting over and over without ever loading the clock face.

After getting home and charging it for a while, the clock face would occasionally load in between these restarts. I reset the clockface to the default thinking it might be an issue with that, but the reset loop continued. After a while it no longer even showed the Fitbit logo, just coloured bars on the screen that would change between blue, green and brown on each reset (see screenshot linked below). I tried to follow the factory reset instructions on Google but the watch is non-responsive to any attempt to manually shut down or start the device, and doesn't vibrate at all in the manner described by the factory reset process. It continues to reset itself over and over.

Turning over the Versa, I found condensation on the sensor panel (see other screenshot linked below). I was walking for a few minutes in heavy rain today but never submerged the watch. I regularly swim in pools and occasionally lakes and have never had this happen before.

Has anybody had a similar experience and does anyone have any suggestions about how to fix this problem.

Screenshots

Moderator edit: Labels

[Faxida]

Hi Lanuza,

I have the same issue; condensation in my sensor. Battery drains within hours of being fully charged.

I’ve had this before and at some point the watch wasn’t even being charged anymore.

Since it was still under warranty

the store I bought it has replaced it, this is already my third Versa in a years time. 

My first Versa just went crazy on my heart rate and at some point stopped charging, the second had condensation issues. 

I have to admit I have been swimming with my Versa, but it should be waterproof. Somehow I’m now starting to doubt that 🤔

I do believe it’s still under warranty

What do you advise...bring it back to the store to get it replaced again? 

Kind regards,

Faxida

edited to add: watch also gets warm when being put on charger

edited to add: now it’s completely dead. Won’t charge won’t turn on

[TennisSML]

I’m having similar issues since yesterday afternoon. I upgraded from a charge 2 to the Versa last November. I swim with it occasionally but it comes off to shower. Last night the screen started to disappear or have lines thru it. I’ve tried to factory reboot it several times and even let it charge overnight but now it’s back. It is still tracking tho since my stats are still available and updating in the Fitbit app. 

[Shayn_e]

I’ve also started getting condensation in my sensors. I recently got a job at a theme park and after my first day my Versa began malfunctioning and I noticed the condensation. 

[radzieus]

Oh no! I have the same issue. The first time it shut off while swimming. I thought it was the heat draining the battery. That time I was able to charge it back to life. This time I was swimming again, but again thought it was the heat. I got it to charge for about 5 min and now it’s just a black screen. I can also see condensation in the heart rate monitor. I didn’t notice if there was condensation the first time this happened. I have contacted support and have a return label, but my concern now is— this seems to be an issue that they can’t have resolved because of the recent posts. I’m just going to get another possibly defective device. It is supposed to be waterproof, but apparently it’s not. Looks like I either don’t wear it swimming next summer or I will have paid a whole lot of money for a Fitbit to last one year! (I bought it in June 19 and am assuming it will fail next summer with the heat and water). Too bad! I’ve loved all my Fitbit devices!!

[Racermike02]

Same thing has happened to my Versa. Although I've had it for almost a year, I'm afraid it's probably out of warranty. It has rarely seen water, and recently had moisture in the sensor, even though it hadn't been in water in several months. I don't understand it. Lines on the screen, then nothing. Frustrating.

[BonBee]

I'm very disappointed in  FitBit and this purchase.  I received a replacement soon after I posted about the condensation in my Versa. I have not condensation issues anymore, but I have had many other issues. I'm still using it, but only as a water proof pedometer...there are many waterproof pedometers on the market for $40.  We all know the Versa costs much more than that.  

[radzieus]

I agree! I’ve purchased many Fitbit devices over the years. I’m pretty disappointed in this version. It’s very flaky. 

I’m also without a Fitbit for a good long time, waiting for a replacement! I’m using my daughter’s Ace 2 (which also is crazy flaky, it took me two hours to “update” to my account. I had to redo it 4 times)

but I have no pulse monitoring which I use for calories burned. 

[Vishisht]

Hi Fitbit fam,

My fitbit versa did the same today. Battery was about half and I was relaxing at a beach. I've been in ocean water, fresh lake water and in swimming pools with my watch before but never had any issues with it. But today, after a couple hours at the beach when I checked the time, I realized that my fitbit wasn't working and I saw condensation at heart rate sensor. I saw there was a red light blinking (very faint) but it was very irregular.

It was there for an hour I guess and now my fitbit is dead.

I've owned it from June 2018 and never had any issues with it.

Please advise me what shall I do with that.

I have a Ragnar run in a week and I was really vouching on it to track my run.

Thanks,

Vishisht

[Vishisht]

This is the second of the three fitbits I've owned which stopped working due to water/condensation. They are supposedly water resistant up to 50m. Yes, I've been in water with my watch on but it was not more than 4 feet deep and no more than 15 minutes at a time.

First one was Blaze and the other is versa. That's around $350. I called the customer support and the only thing they could offer me was 25% discount on my next fitbit only to lose it again due to water/condesnation issues?

I guess this was my last fitbit. Moving to Apple now.

[Luck_E_Stars]

Omg IV had the same issue. I'm on my third versa bc of condensation issues, once that happens the watch crashes and never turns back on. 😭 and now my replacement versa has condensation! 😭😭😭

[Adonovan23]

I am having the same issue after using mine at a water park. Can someone reach out to me??

[CaroLuisR7]

After I posted, I was contacted and received help with my problem. Everything was good until yesterday. I was wearing my Fitbit while folding laundry when I felt it vibrate. I thought I had reached my steps for the day but what happened was that the screen went blank. Its been like this for about 10 hours. Tried resetting it but since the screen is blank, I don’t know if it’s working. It vibrates if I touch the screen but that’s it. I’ve had his Fitbit for about 4 months. The app on my phone says the battery is full and that it’s syncing. 

[Sendy]

I'm having the same issue.  I came out of the shower and noticed it was off so I dried it and put it to charge but realized it wasn't charging.  I checked and and had condensation on the sensors on the back. I really never wear to shower and the one time I do this happens. I've taken it to the pools and beaches many times before with no issues. I don't know how to fix it. 

[Starrychic]

I have the same problem with condensation on the sensors of my versa. I was swimming and it just stopped working i tried everything that was reccommended but nothing has worked and my Versa won’t switch back on even fully charged. I have had the watch 2 years.

[Starrychic]

Did you get it sorted? What did you have to do? 

[Racermike02]

No, still doesn't work and nobody from fitbit contacted me. I'll not be buying another product from them.

[MarciD]

I had the same problem. I purchased a Versa in March 2019 and loved it until the battery wouldn't keep its charge. Customer Support replaced it in August and this morning the replacement will not charge at all, black screen, and hot to the touch when I took it off the charger. After careful inspection, I noticed condensation inside the sensor. Returning for my 2nd replacement within 9 months. Condensation seems to be a HUGE problem with Versa.

[jadey_q]

I have the same problem too - went swimming yesterday in a 1.8 m pool and my Fitbit Versa 2 seemed to be working fine. Went home and suddenly the Fitbit icon popped up on the screen. The device then kept switching itself on and off again and again then went black. I left it overnight hoping it would resolve in the morning but no luck, the screen was now black and unresponsive. I charged it for 2 - 3 hours during the day, tried to factory reset the device using the instructions on Google. The screen continues to be unresponsive. I also observe condensation in the Versa 2's heartbeat sensor (I am not sure how to insert photos on this post, but I have some and can send by email if needed).

I have only had the Fitbit for about 7-8 months and i'm very disappointed as I was enjoying using it. Primary reason for getting a Fitbit was because it was waterproof (I swim regularly) and the Fitbit was meant to be water resistant. I have used the Fitbit while swimming before and have not experienced any issues.

Any advice on how to fix this issue would be much appreciated.

[Sendy]

I believe if you've had it less then a yr it's still under warranty and
they will replace it for you. Just contact fitbit. Unfortunately for me I
had it for 18 months and all they can do for me is 20%off on a new one.. 😒

[Adonovan23]

I got 40% off but honestly, the answer here is switch to Garmin 😉 spent
$55 on a vivosmart that does almost the same stuff that my versa did
(obviously the display isn't as pretty but that wasn't my selling point)
and isn't showing any signs of slowing down or water damage despite 2x a
week water aerobics classes, 4months later.