GPS not connecting when starting an exercise.

[mmccue]

When trying to begin an exercise my versa will say connecting without ever being connected. This has caused no GPS during my runs and deceased accuracy of stats. I've updated everything and restarted everything. Unpaired and paired Bluetooth and still won't ever be connected during exercise. Please help.

Moderator Edit: Clarified Subject.

[MarcoGFitbit]

Hello @mmccue, I hope you're doing well, it's nice to see you around the Fitbit Community. 

I appreciate your participation in the Forums and for sharing your experience with us. I would also like to thank you for letting us know you've already tried to troubleshoot this situation. At this moment, I would like to suggest you to keep the Fitbit app open when starting an Activity. The app has to be running on the background so your Versa's connected GPS links with your phone. 

I hope this can be helpful, please give it a try and let us know the outcome. 

[PJLUK247]

I have the same issue. It used to work fine. This seems to be a recent issue perhaps from an update. 

The suggested work around works but it is not a solution to the fault and detracts from the usability of the watch. 

[Tammyro]

 I have had the same issue with my watch since I purchased it. I have done everything that I have been instructed to do with deleting and reinstalling the app., resetting the watch to factory settings, etc and still is doesn't work that way it should. The last thing I was told when nothing helped was that the Versa doesn't work with all phones, so this option may just not work for my running, biking, etc. where I would use GPS. Very frustrating when you spend $200 on a watch!!

[PJLUK247]

Sounds like you’ve had a worse time than me. 

At at least it used to work, so I’m holding out hope it will be fixed. 

[Si8]

Exactly the same issue here. Worked for a couple of weeks then just stopped. 

I have managed to get it to connect a few times since by going into the app on my phone (S7) and letting it sync but then a few minutes later it stops again.

Uninstalled the app reset the watch removed all bluetooth devices. Only thing I haven't done is reset my phone!

As everyone says...very frustrating. Come on Fitbit.... not good enough.

[mmccue]

Similar issue happening again. After connecting with phone and shows connected before starting a run, after I put my phone away and start my run, the Versa then says connecting. I'm so fed up. Not only does it not show a map, it doesn't even track my distance correctly anymore.

[Mali101]

Same here. I just got the Versa about 2 weeks ago and it's been a mess every time. The GPS map after I get home from my walk is terrible, it'll only show me walking down one small street, or the lines will go all over the place as if I walked through houses. 

[mmccue]

I wanted to add that I discovered if I paused my run immediately after starting, letting it disconnect, then connect again, it seems to stay connected. Either way this is unacceptable but it's better than nothing for some.

[PJLUK247]

Oh. I don’t get that problem. If it connects, the map is spot on. Even to the point of crossing the road.

But in reality of course, it’s not the Versa that is doing the location tracking it’s the phone.

Sent from my iPhone

[Sarniia]

I’m having issues as well with the connecting of GPS, it used to do it flawlessly and now it’s just not happening anymore. I followed all of the troubleshooting steps, nothing. I have a versa lite. So frustrated! Anyone try anything different? 😞

[Si8]

It will occasionally connect. Went for a walk last night but set the exercise to bike and it actually made the connection about 5 times through out the 50 min walk but only for a few seconds each time so I had a map that looked a little like the Star of David!!

Starting to wonder if it is the watch as if you prompt a sync from my S7 it sometimes takes minutes before the sync completes. Just did one now and it took only 1 minute but sometimes it can take many more. 😞

[Karla_G]

Mine still does not track even with the app open (and having verified it showed the bluetooth connection before starting).

[Lizzie98]

This does not help. With my last Fitbit I didn't have to keep my phone on me and it tracked fine. I don't want to have my phone on me while I exercise which is the purpose of the watch for me.

[Dahlia77]

hello it is the same for me recently and while tracking my runs. It seems it is an update problem

[Michael-C]

I'm having the same issues. I open the Fitbit app on my phone and then open the Exercise app on my watch and select run. In a few seconds it will vibrate and then display connected on my watch. When I click start on my watch and begin my run it disconnects a few moments later and will not track my location. The other day it shut down in the middle of my run altogether. Very frustrating considering the main purpose of this watch is to track your fitness. I'm starting to wish I would have just spent a little more and purchased an Apple Watch.

[Lizzie98]

Me too! It is frustrating. I need to call customer service again. Good luck
to you and keep running!

[PJLUK247]

The problem went away for me not sure how. What I would say though Is you shouldn’t have to open the app on your phone to make it connect. Are you sure you have the location services setting correct for the app. It should be set to allow always.

Sent from my iPhone

[Dahlia77]

In my opinion, pay a little more and buy a garmin watch


Dahlia Hittidahliahitti@yahoo.fr9665 62 61 51 41Riyadh, KSA

[Dahlia77]

Hello again,Thx for the tip but I always try to connect from my watch. Anyway I am not relying on it anymore


Dahlia Hittidahliahitti@yahoo.fr9665 62 61 51 41Riyadh, KSA