Latest Update Drained my Versa!

[beijosTif]

I've had my Versa for over a year and have never had an issue with it until the latest update a few weeks ago. At first the mileage tracker was off so I thought I'd see if there were any updates available-big mistake! Since updating my Versa to the latest version my battery drains super fast. I used to be able to go a few days without having to charge it. Now, I have to charge it every day!

I've tried restarting it 3 times, letting it on the charger for a few hours and it does not help. This is so frustrating! I don't want a device that I have to charge every day. I did a half marathon this past weekend and I was so afraid my watch was going to crap out during the race. What ever was done in the last update - sucks!! Perhaps this is Fitbit's way of pushing people to buy their new version?

Hopefully Fitbit can get it together and push another update out that will fix this battery drainage! Or give me a new Fitbit!

[beijosTif]

I just "chatted" with Fitbit and they told me to do a battery diagnostic test? I'm awaiting the email instructions from them. I also just realized that my Versa is not tracking sleep- it hasn't since I restarted it 3 days ago.

[KelliSayre]

I have been having the same problem! My battery drains really fast and it does some hokey things, like it got stuck in an exercise mode yesterday. Did the battery diagnostic help or tell you anything?

[GrubbyDuck]

Hi @beijosTif 

Did support ask you to do a full factory reset Versa, delete & reinstall the app & set all back up again?

I know it is all belt and braces, time consuming and around the houses but from personal experience 9/10 'defects' I have experienced with any FitBit 'beating it up' by doing full reset etc., resolves them.

When you get email for battery diagnostic test - would you post it here please?  As I have never seen that & I am sure it will help others too in the community.  

[beijosTif]

@GrubbyDuck @KelliSayre I have not yet received the battery test but will share once they send it to me.

I also just realized that on top of the battery draining, and sleep tracker not work, the HR monitor isn't working either. I'm tempted to do a hard reset but really don't have the time to set it up again.

[SunsetRunner]

Hi! I've got similar problems that started two days ago. I updated the firmware last week and my Versa is paired with an iPhone, but I haven't updated the iOS yet. My Versa is 7 months old.

Issues I'm having:

1. For the past two nights, it's not tracking my sleep cycles, just the minutes I'm awake, asleep, and restless.

2. Over the past two days, my heart rate readings are significantly higher than usual, as are my active minutes. My activity hasn't changed. I walk an hour to work and an hour from everyday, so I usually have between 120 and 150 active minutes every weekday, but these past two days my active minutes are over 200. My heart rate, which hovers around 115 when I'm walking to and from work, is getting into the 120's and 130's. Again, nothing has changed about my activity or how I do it.

3. I just noticed tonight how quickly the battery is draining! I was on a full charge on Tuesday morning and I'm already down to about 55% 60 hours later, which hasn't happened before.

I've tried doing the hard reset, twice, where you hold down the buttons on each side of the device until it powers down and then powers back up. 😞

[beijosTif]

Here's what I received from Fitbit for the battery test:

>>>
In regard to your process, we'd like you to kindly perform the next battery test by following the steps below to see how is the unit working. To do so, please check the following.

• Restart the unit by following the steps in How do I restart my Fitbit device?
• Disable all feature while doing the test. For details check  Can I improve my device's battery life?
• Let the battery drain completely.
• Fully charge the watch. 
• After your watch is fully charged, sync it during the day (this will allow you to check your battery levels in detail). For more detail please check Why won't my device sync? 

Once again, we'd like to thank you for your cooperation and patience.

Please reply here once you have done the battery test, and we will properly check the information to see how can we proceed. We will be waiting to your response. Remember, we are here to help you.

<<<

I decided to do a factory reset to see if that solves anything, I figured it will drain my battery completely and then i'll do the charge like the requested.

[beijosTif]

DON'T UPDATE YOUR FITBIT!! I'm so sad that I updated to the latest software because it literally killed my versa. I chatted with Help and did exactly what they asked me to do and none of it fixed my Versa. The heart rate monitor is dead, battery dies in one day, and all of this started happening AFTER the update! I spent a hour chatting with someone trying to remedy the situation. My watch is 2 months past warranty expiration- so I get a nice 40% discount code! They can take that code and shove it! I'm done with Fitbit! They also told me they don't have ANY reports of the update causing battery drainage to Versa's. Apparently they don't read the community threads.

[Avantis]

The same thing happened to me. My Versa was only 3 months old. I had no problems with it until the latest update. After that I suddenly had to recharge TWICE a day. My experience with Fitbit customer service is not good, so today I took my Fitbit back to the store and got my money back. Garmin, here I come. 

[GrubbyDuck]

Hi @Avantis 

I recently procured a Garmin Forerunner 245 off back of the ongoing iOS13 & FitBit Versa updates that have so mucked us all about & so much.

Presently migrating 'getting used to it' how it operates & works. Nothing at all like FitBit app & dashboard at all.  

May I ask you to do one thing though before you do buy?

Go look see.  Don't just do as I and buy one 1st.  The screen display is very different to and the clockfaces are nothing at all like FitBit. Especially if like me you want to see detailed stats. You need a magnifier to read data on screen & I kid you not. Font size must at best be 4 to at best 6 - about 1/8th as displayed here.

Garmin screens (matters not what clockface you pick) are quite difficult to see.  Navigation buttons fiddly & awkward.

The Garmin Express app that you must download to gain access to apps, updates & clockfaces as well as the Garmin Connect app to see yoru daily stats etc., are too battery resource heavy on your phone.

Better the devil you know?  I'm sat here with Versa dominant & Forerunner non dominant wrist.  Trying to make my mind up what to do & who to go or stay with.  It been just over a week that I nave been wearing & comparing the two and to be honest?  There really is not a lot in it. Step count are roughly the same. As are heart rates.  Save for the Garmin works. I'm getting notifications Versa is failing to notify of, vO2 has been an eye opener 'an education' as have the more detailed sleep stats.

I'm slowly coming around to the Garmin but the big hurdle is the display. Without glasses/contact lenses, and you cannot always wear those when training, I cannot see data as displayed on the screen.  Versa I can. 

Oh what to do!     

[Avantis]

Thanks GrubbyDuck.

Good information. I have not yet decided what to buy, but I am leaning towards Garmin Venu or Garmin Vivomove Luxe. Will look into the things that are your challenges. The Versa is already gone, as it had to be charged every 10 hours after the latest update.

[beijosTif]

@Avantis @GrubbyDuck thank you both for your input on Garmins. I need to correct myself from earlier- Fitbit sent me a 25% off coupon- not 40%. After hours of troubleshooting with them, and a nasty email sent to the company, I'm still left with a broken watch and a 25% off coupon. Last time I had a Fitbit watch (Alta HR) it broke 3 months after warranty expired. It is as if the watches know when you can no longer get a replacement and decide to break. So now I need to consider my options.

I am torn between going back to Garmin or staying with Fitbit. I used to have a Garmin Vivoactive and love/hated it. The Garmin app interface isn't as friendly as the Fitbit's which is one thing I really love. Has anyone ever considered any other brands? Currently looking at Galaxy Active watch or Garmin Venu, Forerunner 245, or Vivoactive 4S?

Thank you all for your input or for helping me to know I'm not the only one out there experience these issues- even though Roser at Fitbit told me no one else is having issues with there Versa.🙄

[SunriseRun427]

@beijosTif 

I was able to restore my Versa back to factory condition from a Windows 10 laptop. Maybe worth a shot before splashing out on a new watch?

[beijosTif]

@SunriseRun427Good to know- I didn't think to try restoring from the computer. I will try that tonight! Thanks

[GrubbyDuck]

@beijosTif 

Hi,

Win10 app - you must disable Bluetooth 1st on your phone/device or you will get connection conflicts.

You can only have one active connected Bluetooth & FitBit at any one time.

If you do not have Win10 FitBit app installed you can do so from here:  https://www.fitbit.com/uk/setup?platform=win10     

[SunsetRunner]

Hi @beijosTif, I'm not an expert, I have been looking at the Garmin. My son has one which seems to do everything however I can't read the screen.
This seems to have changed with the Venu which uses AMOLED as the display. Same as Fitbit Versa.
Price is significantly different, but it also has many extras it seems.
Waterproof for pool and sea. Versa only pool and no hot tubs.
Thickness looks worse but I just measured my Versa 1 and it is only ~1-2mm smaller! I do like the look of the Versa.
I'm considering returning my Fitbit as it is the second one I have had in less than 6 months.
The screen went stupid and it would go into spasms where I lost control of it.
The last straw was the band had fractured and broke at the normal place I lock it to my wrist. Remember this is less than 6 months old. Other problem is the material in the band creates a rash on my wrist.
Current problem is now I don't get detailed sleep readings and to add insult they expect me to pay for a more in-depth analysis which Garmin appear to do for free!
I use a Versa 1 version 38.n with an iPhone 8 version 12.3.1 Stay away from Apples ver 13.n total mess at the moment and what also seems Fitbits total firmware mess ver 68.n (what happened to the other updates between 38 and 68? )

Last point the 25% offered to you = “a stuff you in my mind”, helps me realise its best that I return my Fitbit while it is under warranty. That is really pathetic customer service. They know their devices have faults. Go to the firmware upgrade page and see the complaints.
Perhaps they will attempt to address that offer with a replacement for you.
Good Luck.

[beijosTif]

I felt like I should update everyone on where I stood. Being irritated with my fitbit I decided to leave it off since it is not working correctly. It spent all night on the charger and when I removed it the next morning it was at 100%. I then decided to not wear it and left it off the charger sitting on the counter. I came home 9 hours later and it was completely drained- turned off and flashing red battery symbol. That was it- I'm done and goodbye Fitbit. 

I proceeded by buying the Garmin Vivoactive 3 and the Samsung Active 2 to test drive and compare. Thank God for Amazon and their return policy. I want to try them both on for fit and feel and will decide from there where I go. Being that I'm a runner- I'll probably go Garmin, but we shall see.

As for the lame **ahem** 25% off coupon from Fitbit- I passed it along to my sister to use since she still wanted a Fitbit after hearing about my horror story. 

Thanks all for feedback, help, and reading 🙂 Good luck to all that are still dealing with Fitbit issues. 

[WallyB9]

They offered the same thing to my wife after it killed hers. Garbage. 

[hsdenham]

OMGOSH!!! WT???  I did the update 2 days ago and now my Versa is crap... The battery drains completely within hours after being fully charged.  It used to turn on with one button now I have to use the one and one of the ones on the side with two buttons and even then it doesn't always turn on, the clocks app is bad bad bad it doesn't always work right loads the wrong clock etc.  The Agenda app doesn't work at all unless you give it all kinds of permissions then it stops working.  What kind of update makes your device NOT work or its worse than when you did the update.  You all need to fix this issue fast!  It's not like these watches are cheap and I've only had mine a month.  I want this issue fixed and I want my watch to work or I want you FITBIT to replace it with one that works.  Because by following your instruction and updating my watch it now doesn't work.  So why should I have to replace it myself??  Either fix the update so that my watch works like it did prior to this crap update or I want a new watch that does work. 

Heather