Versa 2 heart rate inaccuracies after the update

[Maddieduffield]

I updated my Versa 2 at the weekend and since then my heart rate has been inaccurate during workouts. I do hiit classes, and last week my average heart rate during these classes was normally around the 170 mark. It's now around the 120 mark. 

I've tried cleaning the back, fully charging and restarting the device - nothing has worked. I've only had the device since September, so it breaking after 4 months is ridiculous. 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there @Maddieduffield, welcome to the Community Forums. Thanks for trying to troubleshoot the issue with your Versa 2 before reaching out. 

In addition to the steps you've tried, please see What factors can affect my heart-rate reading on my Fitbit device?

Let me know how it goes. 

[Brach13]

I have found exactly the same thing while lifting weights. Last weeks workout averaged 117 bpm yet after updating exactly the same workout averaged 90 bpm. 

keen to find an answer. 

[Brach13]

I have tried all the recommendations and no change the Heart rate is still out. 

[Maddieduffield]

@MarreFitbit I've tried all of the tips and still no luck - what can I do? 

[MrMarv]

@Maddieduffield , @Brach13 and @MarreFitbit -

Is it possible that the firmware update actually f-i-x-e-d the heart rate tracking issue? The issue that pretty much forced me to go elsewhere for a fitness device after six years with FitBit?

I don't see anywhere in the above posts where anyone has verified the issue by taking a manual pulse - the "ol' count your pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by four" routine. Until you do so, you are just comparing firmware versions and not stating findings of fact.

Under the previous firmware I did exactly that many, many times and found the reported heart rate to be much, much too high. I take Beta blockers and it is virtually impossible for my heart to go past 120 bpm and definitely not the 140 - 156 range my Versa 2 often reported, as the drug blocks the effects of the hormone epinephrine, also known as adrenaline.

During parallel testing two weeks ago with my Apple Watch Series 6, the Versa 2 was consistently 8 to 15 bpm higher than actual and often as much as 24 bpm higher. Rarely was it the same as my manual check or the pulse-oximeter I use. The Apple device was always within one or two bpm of actual which is probably a product of comparing realtime on the device and an average over a 15-second span.

[Brach13]

Unfortunately no. The issue of inaccuracies in heart rate have only started for me since the latest update and the move from active minutes to zone minutes. 

I have counted my pulse on several occasions and I also take beta blockers for a heart condition so I am very aware of where my heart rate should be and it is very different to what the Versa is displaying. 

[Clare2cb]

I just Did my update last weekend as well, and have been experiencing inaccurate reading when exerting myself working out! HR won’t go over 70bpm or 90bpm. Today I cleaned The sensor again and restarted it, and it wouldn’t go over 102bpm coincidentally always “below zone” and giving me “poor scores” for caloric burn during day. I guess At least I know I worked Hard but it’s annoying to have this product start working poorly. 

[arat18]

Same problem here.  Seems to be mostly when I select "Workout", which I typically do for my high intensity classes.  I walk regularly, and that doesn't seem to have been impacted.  It's showing those the same as before the update, in higher heart rate zones than my high intensity workouts - uh, ok lol.

[N.C.F]

Same here. My heart rate goes from cardio to 38bpm back to cardio while working out.(worn correctly too) or it goes to over 181bpm for no reason. I just went to 121bpm by sitting on the sofa ... Reported to FitBit and no response as of yet. Only started happening about a month ago and haven't noticed during walk settings, only on workout. 

[clintlalonde]

I am having the same issue. The HR readings are very inaccurate. I got a Versa 2 for Christmas (I have been a FitBit user for 5+ years). I thought I was getting an upgrade from my Charge, but the Versa 2 HR fluctuations have proven to be frustrating.

For example, today I went for a 50-minute bike ride on a route I have done many times before. My HR readings were 94 avg BPM / 132 max BPM;

0 Peak Zones

2 min Cardio

18 Min Fat Burn

32 min Below Zones

Despite the fact that I know I was working hard and breathing heavy numerous times during the ride.

Compare this to the exact same ride I did on January 13th where my readings were122 avg BPM/155 max BPM

4 min Peak Zone

27 Min Cardio zone

6 Min Fat Burn

10 Min Below Zones

I also had a treadmill run last week where my HR spiked to 209 (according to my FitBit) which scared the crap out of me. I immediately stopped and did a manual check which showed my actual HR was 145. I continued running and my HR on the Versa continued to register a 209 for 7 minutes when it then dropped suddenly down to the 145 range for the remainder of my run.

I find the Versa 2 HR monitor frustrating and unreliable. I am considering taking this back and reverting to my old Charge which, despite a terrible battery, at least was consistent.

[MrMarv]

Yep - not fixed. Just another piece of evidence that I did the right thing and went with Apple after six years with FitBit. The Alta HR and Charge 3 never gave me issues. If the Charge 3 hadn't white-screened on me in January of 2020 I would probably still be using it, even as simple as it is compared to the Versa 2 and Apple Watch Series 6, which is pretty much an iPhone on the wrist. Ok. It has a heart rate monitor which is outstanding AND an SPo2 app that you can run on demand.

From a treadmill session early December under the previous firmware version. When it started tracking over 140 I started manually checking my heart rate - five times in the five minutes I was over 140. Never hit 100 bpm. Pretty constant at 94 - 96. That is why I questioned whether the earlier posters actually document their actual heart rate.

[GvlRunner]

I am also having this issue. My heart rate and calorie burn for all my regular activities are about two thirds what they were before. Curious to know if this was intended??

[gabylunacaz]

Same thing here. I even contacted Amazon tried to return but was outside my return window. I’m going to contact Fitbit since the watch is less than 6 months old and I specifically bought it for reading heart rate during my cardio workouts. So frustrating. 😡

[Workitsars]

I am having the same issues. This morning my heart rate was registering as 102 prior to exercise, as the intensity increased the versa 2 said my heart rate was lowering and read 80-90. 

[Raïssa]

Same problem after the update. With the samz workout before the update my HR is an avarage of 150bpm and now it won’t go over 110bpm. And all of the sudden it goes straight to 160bpm to return to 110bmp immediately.  

[athenahoya]

Me too 😭

[byxor]

Was curious if you contacted Fitbit and what they “say” is the issue?  And more importantly if there is a solution.  This is a problem for many and it all started after the software  update.  Thx!

[fabiogumiero]

Ionic sensors simply stopped working, now versa isn't giving correct heart rate. Come on guys, you need to have a better quality products since price isn't cheap! And before release the new update, do the correct QA tests. shame fitbit!

[Pjd1300]

I've absolutely had it with the increasing inaccuracies for the past 5 years over three different fitbit products.  I am returning my Versa 2 and switching to another brand.