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

[Juliusw1984]

I know you're right and I tell myself this too. However, for me it causes
more issues because it helps me determine how much to refuel for training
purposes. Some days require more calories, while other may need less and
the watch helps me to determine that.

[DenisaR2408]

Very annoying

For me I need to eat less calories than I burn as I am trying to loose weight

at the moment this issue is affecting my mental health

should I train like mad or stop eating ?

[AEBH]

I did complain and they sent me the body of a second Versa 2. No
difference. Sad, because I’ve had a FitBit for years and years, but I will
be switching to something else.

[DenisaR2408]

@AEBH sad they have the same approach

probably next they will give you the chance to upgrade to Sense which has the same issues

I don’t understand their customer service approach? Why send new devices and why say customers are at fault, by not using correctly their device or something changed in their routine?

a better approach will be to send an e-mai to all users affected and provide with a resolution, return items or a fixed date.

I lost quite few hours just explaining the same thing to numerous people in customer service with no luck, it’s just adding up to the frustrations we all have 

[mauren11]

I’ve had the same problem. I chatted with customer service and did all their troubleshooting tips. Still not working accurately. 

[DenisaR2408]

Same here, my sense is still giving bad readings in relation with the heart rate and climbed floors.

customer service are refusing to give a date for when they will fix the issue. 

all companies have 30 days to answer a complaint, fitbit have no time frame

Poor customer service 

[DenisaR2408]

They just don’t care 

poor customer service and products that don’t do what they are advertising. Not worth the money

[khandy1504]

Any updates on potential fixes?

[DenisaR2408]

Fitbit just stopped answering to my e-mails

the complaint it’s open since January

unlike other companies fitbit are above the law and they are not giving you a timeframe for when they will resolve it

mine complaint it’s opened since January

[VetMom3]

I've been having the same issues with my Versa 2.  The first one I got, the touch screen stopped working after a few months so it was replaced.  Then the replacement started inaccurately tracking my heart rate since the word go.  My resting heart rate started going up to over 80 when it was at 60 or less prior to the replacement Versa 2.  Now it does not track my heart rate accurately at all during rest or during workouts.  I have been taking my heart rate manually for the last couple weeks when I exercise and the Versa 2 is so incredibly low it's awful.  Last night my heart rate was between 160-170 manually during my elliptical workout but my Versa 2 never read over 105 for a heart rate.....even went down into the 50s which I find incredibly hard to believe because my heart was definitely racing.  

Very disappointed in the Versa 2 and how terrible it is for tracking.  Makes me even question getting another Fitbit period.   The Charge 2 that I had before worked beautifully, until I smashed the screen...... 😞  Thought the Versa 2 would be a wonderful upgrade, but have been very sadly disappointed.  Looking into other smartwatch companies now to replace.

[DenisaR2408]

I upgraded to Sense for the same reason. But all fitbits have the same issues since the software update.

The customer service is appalling. 

[SunsetRunner]

I got a replacement for my Versa 2 after the issue started. The replacement has the previous firmware version and while it worked okay at first it's gotten **ahem** as well now. It constantly looses my heart rate during working out, it has difficulty reading it if it's above 130. For example I'm doing intense cardio with short rests, my HR reads 120-140 which I know is low. While doing the exercises with jumping and moving around it can't track higher and keeps falling or losing it. If i stop and just sit not moving my arm it goes up to 170-180 which is the real HR. But once I start moving it drops down again... I have never in my life had such bad customer servicd experience. As soons as I can afford it I'm moving away from FitBit, I've had more than enough.

[DeftClutz]

I have this exact issue as well.

I don't understand this, finding heart rate is literally counting. The point of a heart rate monitor is that you don't have to constantly count on your own.

At this point, fitbit is simply unable or unwilling to produce a working device. 

[DenisaR2408]

I have a case opened with them since the start of the year

had 2 versa 2 and now I upgraded to Sense. I chase them on a regular basis and go through the same discussions again and again, though the heart rate issue was acknowledged by one of the managers and they said they will fix it (of course no date …)

They keep asking me to return my fitbit and order a new one. After I had issues with 3 of their products. They want me to go to a 4th one and have the same chats all over again

their customer service is appalling.  

[Pjd1300]

Increasingly, over the last few years,  I had been cursing at my Fitbit for erroneous HR sensing (sometimes way too high, sometimes not at all), random reboots, and workouts (not) tracking or just stopping.   After months of frustration with support and one replacement Versa 2, THIS issue finally pushed me over the edge an prompted me (and countless others) to jump ship. 

These days I'm just "closing my rings" (wink wink) and my Heart Rate (read: stress level) is, ironically, no longer affected by my Heart Rate Monitor. 😉

[PT_305]

I jumped the ship last month after waiting nearly 3 months for a fix that tanked my Versa 2. It was only 6 weeks old when the update ruined it but I was out of return/refund policy by 6 days. I didn’t want to go down replacement route as it’s a software problem and would have affected replacement at some point as well.  I am enjoying “closing the rings” as well. 

[Gode34]

Not to beat a dead horse, but I’ve been having this issue for months as well. Has anyone heard anything concrete from Fitbit on this? The number one function of a Fitbit is to track your heart rate. If it can’t do that accurately, all the other features are pointless. Almost everything else is based off heart rate. There are many things I love about these devices, but I’m seriously getting ready to jump to the Apple Watch. They’re more expensive, but maybe you get what you pay for?

[ckana66]

After the update my versa2 started reading 20 bpm high on my runs and 10-15 bpm low during my weigh training sessions. I was able to manually count my heart rate during weights but didn’t want to stop my run to manually measure my heart rate. I was a bit concerned though, since it was showing me at peak or over for my runs which range from 3-10 miles. I eventually bought a polar heart rate monitor and it confirmed that the versa was way high on the runs. The irony is that before the update, the versa2 was actually pretty much spot on for my runs. I don’t understand why Fitbit can’t go back to their old algorithm, it seems like such an easy fix.

[Rabbit43]

I received a replacement versa 2 for a faulty one on 18th March 2021 and heart rate is all over the place when I exercise. I am 78 with a nominal maximum heart rate of 142. 2 days ago I did a 30 minute spinning session and maximum heart rate read 172 ave rate of145 22 min peak 7 minutes cardio 1 minute out of zone. The next day doing the same 30 minutes at the same intensity and load the readings were 127 peak heart rate with 114 average. 0 minutes peak 29 minutes cardio 1 minute out of zone. The heart rate is fluctuating all the time with exercise, I am talking mainly with spinning. Like many others I am very unhappy with the quality of the fit bit product. I have had many different ones and have had problems with them all. Am now looking for something that will give me accurate heart rate readings when exercising. Anyone have any suggestions as which other brand are accurate 

[fabiogumiero]

Agree, the only way is to buy a brand that respect their customers, already changed too.

And it's a pity that they will remove your comment and mine, they don't accept the truth.

2 fitbits that doesn't work in 1 year.

Shame Fitbit.