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

[bspeer]

After charging last night,  I took my versa off the charger and it's doing the same thing,  it cycles with just the logo and when it will put the time up for a second the screen won't respond as a time is incorrect,  I see condensation as well

[Mvice]

It’s possible there was condensation there when you put it on the charger.
If you see condensation your Fitbit will probably not work anymore. (Sorry
about that)

Contact Fitbit and they may replace or give you a deal on a new one.

[CoffeeAndSweat]

I just started having this problem too. I have never taken my Fitbit Versa in the water, but I just noticed condensation in the sensor. My Versa started acting wonky a few days ago (not holding a charge, heating up) and then completely died. When I was checking it over, that was when I noticed the condensation. I'm surprised this seems to be a relatively common issue--I thought these were designed to be water resistant!

[MelyMel]

They are supposed to be and the fact that they're not willing to replace
them after the warranty is ridiculous. Personally, I believe it to be false
advertising if you claim its water resistant but you can still get
condensation in the sensors.

[WiiBowling]

My Fitbit died over the weekend due to water ingress.

The device is intact, but you can see droplets of water through the sensor on the back.

I was just wading on the surface of a lake. I did't even go swimming.

Contacted Fitbit Support by live chat.

They say I am out of Warranty.

I was offered a 35% discount off a new product.

I don't think I will buy another Fitbit again because I can't trust the product to work as intended.

If all of these people's Versa died while using the product as intended, there is definitely a manufacturing

defect.

Did anyone find another tracker product that is waterproof?

Also please make sure to create a support ticket and save your records about these issues so you have them in the future.

Thanks

[jillybean1188]

And that a few people (like myself) never even got them wet--no swimming or lakes or even showers. Mine must have just been sweat. And all I got offered (for it being 13 months old) was 25% off. No thank you. I purchased a Garmin instead and am loving it so far! Fitbit kind of burned a bridge with me after all these reports and nothing being done to resolve the issue or fix it, especially when the product is SUPPOSED to be water resistant. Overall it's just bad manufacturing and then bad customer service on top of it. (and clearly they know this is an issue and aren't doing anything about it). 

I now tell everyone to NOT buy a fitbit because of this experience. Garmin is going to be getting my money and praises from now on. 

[Ngaylon]

My Fit Bit is now having the same problem. I have not been in the pool but I do live in Florida. Lately I have been out in the heat working out and sweating profusely. Today after my daily walk, my watch flashed the dead battery Signal with the exclamation point. Now it keeps flashing the Fitbit symbol and won’t turn on. I’ve tried to restart/reset the watch and I’ve placed it on the charger. After looking through this thread and seeing some people mention condensation on the back of the watch around the sensor I noticed this is on my watch as well. I’m so disappointed as i haven’t had the watch long at all and I truly love it. Please tell me what I can do in order to get my watch working again! 

[IevaĢ]

Same problem here. Went swiming yesterday with my versa.  Afterwards tried charging with no results, tried reset with no results. After carefull investigationf Find out that there is condensation/water inside sensor on back of the watch. Also it looks like Black sensor paneļu is not perfectly sealed, it moves in and out when pushed. Please help.

[Adonovan23]

I'm about to save you 7 pages if comments.
If it's a day over 12 mths old you have a very expensive broken watch.
Less theyll replace it..

I recommend you switch to garmin cuz they offer a lot more features for the
same cost or less and don't wear out like fitbit does

[glo24]

I’m also experiencing this and frustrated because I just started getting back into working out and as I’m relying on those stats, the heart rate to be shown for those peak times in cardio, there was nothing logged. 
last week my fitbit started displaying my heart rate as resting at 130-165 and I started getting nervous about this as my normal resting heart rate is 70-90 and I didn’t know if the sensors were working properly or not. 
tonight going on a run my heart rate did not get logged and my stats were off 😞

[TheMrsP72]

Hi - I’ve just discovered condensation. My Fitbit versa stopped working today - has been absolutely fine. Googled what might be the problem and found this thread. Any idea how I can solve the condensation issue? Thank you! 

[Mvice]

Unfortunately, nothing I tried worked on my Fitbit. My FB was still under
warranty. Do they offered me a replacement or 50% off a newer model.

I hope this helps.

[Kandice1226]

Omg! My watch looks the same at the bottom.  I haven't gone swimming and don't even wear mine in the shower or bath.  The only thing that I can think of is washing my hands, which would be crazy because I've never had this problem before. What did you end up doing? 

[Mvice]

I called customer service, and they gave me the option to receive the exact
same model for free or 50% off an upgrade.

[TheMrsP72]

Pointed out that as I’m in the EEA (European Economic Area) the warranty is 2yrs not 1, so got a free replacement. 

[SallyHarder]

Had to replace it unfortunately

[Natzdxb]

I have also experienced something very similar. I had my versa on the other day while at the pool. I was only going in to cool down so not submerged at depth.

My watch vibrated and then went blank. When I looked at the back I noticed the sensors had condensation in them. I have been unable to clear the condensation or switch the fitbit back on using the factory reset. I have even tried to charge it to see if it would give it some life but no luck. It actually made the condensation worse again and I still have a blank screen.

[Moon-]

Hi,

I guess its goodnight for my versa 2 as well, because of the lockdown the warranty period is gone too. RIP

[CoffeeKendra]

I am experiencing this too, for the second time. 🥺 My replacement now also has moisture in the sensor windows, same as my failed unit did previously. Help!! 

[Nattalia]

Same problem. Last weekend I was swiming and I've done it before w no problems, but this time My fitbit Turned off. I thought I forgot to charge it, it usually last me almost a week. So I charged it but then it lost charge quickly like 1% every minute. I dried it off and re charged twice, I restarted it and stuff just like you.. Until like you said I notice condensation on the back little windows. I shut it off and put it in a bag of rice. Now I'm waiting and hoping that tomorrow after 24 hrs. I will be able to save it. On May would be 3 years since I've had it. This is the first time I've had a problem.