Versa 3 - Battery issues after firmware update

[SunsetRunner]

Last week I did the mandatory firmware update to version 36.128.6.21.

Before doing the update my battery would last about 5 -6 days (depending on how much exercise I did). 

Now since doing the update it lasts less than a day. That's with everything turned off too (eg. Notifications, snore detection, vibrations etc) . 

Makes it pretty much useless as I don't get accurate sleep data and when I want to use it for a run I have to wait for it to charge. Anyone else had the same issue? 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Moe_McD]

Yes exact same issues, since the mandatory firmware update Versa 3 doesn't hold a charge. I charged to 100% at noon and now at 8pm down to 51% and if I hadn't checked I'm sure it would have been dead by morning meaning I wouldn't have an alarm to wake me up. Support just directs you to their tips. Which are not helpful at all. Are they forcing us to buy new devices? Frustrating!! 

[Guy_]

Hi all, it is not sure why people with normally working watches were targeted with this forced update. There may have been an error in the selection criteria or watch analysis.

If you have a problem afterwards and the watch is still under warranty it can be replaced.

As this seems like a rushed fix (in many cases for a non problem) which results in your watch not working properly afterwards, a factory reset and a fresh install may be helpful to get the update installed under the proper conditions, instead of a rushed update.

However please be aware of the major  issues with a factory reset which are done at your own risk.

There is no proof as yet that this will help but it possibly could.

However, it would be wise to first see if a watch restart helps, by holding the watch button for 10 seconds till the display blanks or it vibrates and wait for it to restart.

For those that experienced step count issues be advised this was a general problem unrelated to the firmware update - see Unreliable step counting bug

[Moe_McD]

Hello thanks for you reply, I have already done the restart many times then I had an issue with the exercise app not starting which resulting in a Factory Reset, which was sad as all data was lost 😞 
I have an open support ticket with FitBit and when I reply to them saying I am still encountering issues with battery after doing their suggestions all I get is this reply: 
We sincerely apologize to hear about this issue. I understand how frustrating it must be. Unfortunately, our team verified that your Fitbit Sense is one of the impacted devices. The firmware update will reduce the risk of the battery overheating and as a result, it will reduce battery capacity. Thus, we commenced the Sense and Versa 3  Battery Performance Program for impacted devices to process their  eligibility for $50.00 (or local equivalent) in payment.
So big whoop $50 doesn't help my phone to stay charged. DO BETTER FITIBT

[terpentina]

My display started to malfunction, so I had to reset my Versa 3. However, since it updated the firmware to 36.128.6.17 (instead of xx.21), my battery discharges within a few hours (less than a day).

I don't expect this to be resolved; they did this on purpose, and now all customers who are out of warranty are screwed

[Guy_]

Hi @terpentina - 36.128.6.17 is a good firmware, normally without battery problems.

If your watch was already demonstrating symptoms causing you to factory reset that fault unfortunately is more likely to be the cause of the short battery life.

Sometimes when a watch gets wet it begins to detiorate, occasionally immediately. Other causes are possible.

[Moe_McD]

 I suggest everyone keep asking for them to work on a new firmware update, having a fitness watch that you can't use GPS with is not a fitness watch. I feel like more pressure from us then maybe they will update the firmware? 
Getting tired of the blanket response from them. Go to here to create support ticket.  https://support.google.com/fitbit/gethelp?hl=en
We're truly sorry for the trouble you've experienced. We have verified that your device is impacted, thus, it will experience battery issues. While we wish we could offer more, the maximum compensation we can provide is $50 USD, converted to your local currency. We hope this helps in some way.

[MsConnieV]

The days just before the update, I was charging my fitbit every 4 to 5
days. Immediately after the update, it has to be charged every day. The
battery life was fine until the update.

[Kcarla2009]

Having the exact same problem with my Versa 3! The battery now lasts less than 1 day! And I have everything turned off, disabled or turned down! Seems like it is pretty much just a watch with a crappy battery life.

[SunsetRunner]

I am in the same boat. I can't go through a whole day without having to recharge after the mandatory update. @FatimaFitbit is there a chance they will update the Versa 3 again to fix this bug?  I agree that a potential $50 rebate isn't going to replace a watch I paid a lot to own only to not be able to utilize all the functions.

Thank you!

[Kcarla2009]

They won't even give me the $50 as they say my Versa 3 wasn't impacted and since I  am out of warranty, there is nothing they will do for me.  So, I asked them if I wasn't impacted,  then why don't they reverse the mandatory firmware update so I can have my battery life back.

Still, have not heard back from support on that one. However, Google did send me an email asking how my experience was with customer service!  LOL

The right thing to do would have been to recall the watches that were impacted and leave the rest of us alone! After all, the battery was a safety hazard. But, they would rather make our watches no longer functional so we are forced to buy a new one. It is the way of the world now! No corporate responsibility and the consumer has to pay for their mistakes.

[Kcarla2009]

That's nonsense! Why is it happening to all of us at the same time?  I just want them to give me a way to reverse the update so my battery life is restored!!

[Kcarla2009]

I hear that!

[Kcarla2009]

I was told my Versa 3 was not impacted so I would not ve getting any appeasement. But, since you forced all of us to update the firmware, it had made my fitbit unysable since the battery last less than 18 hours. It was fine before that. Since I was supposedly not impacted, I would like to know if there is  a way to reverse the update so that I can use my Versa 3 again.

I  have an open support ticket, but no one seens to want to answer that question or help me, other than to tell me I am out of warranty and not "impacted".  This is nonsense.  You have admitted that your firmware update has affected our battery life,  yet we are getting no help! Let us reverse the update or provide us with a bug fix. Thank you.

[Kcarla2009]

Same, same, same.

[Cdane777]

This happened to me with Fitbit Sense 2. Battery draining. Now I see it was an update. I won’t purchase Fitbit again. I had to last time because the screen cracked and they wouldn’t replace it. Very disappointing. I have been a Fitbit user for about 8 years. 

[JessLandry]

I have the versa 4 — previously had the versa lite which lasted a long time and I never had any issues until I accidentally broke the screen. I got the versa 4 to replace it. I’ve had it since summer 2023 and the GPS never worked properly. It would disconnect and reconnect over and over, which sucked because that’s what I use it for the most (to track my exercises with the map). There was an update recently which I realized fixed the GPS issue which I was so happy about. Come to find out though, it totally messed up my battery. Even with the watch being almost 2 years old, I only had to charge it every 2-3 days. Since the update, I would charge to 100% and as soon as I took it off the charger it would go to 89%. I could track a walk and after a half day or so it would go to 70% and the next time I would look at it the screen was blank. I would put on charge and it would turn on right away at 66%. I did all the troubleshooting I could find and then called support. The rep said the issues were normal due to usage and seemed to disregard what I was saying about the fact that my battery was great until the update. It can’t be a coincidence. I understand my watch is not under warranty anymore but I don’t think it’s fair that I am basically out of luck because of what I truly think is a Fitbit update problem. The rep sent me a 35% off coupon for a new watch but if I’m putting any amount of money on a new watch I will be doing research on other brands. So frustrating. I have used Fitbit since 2019 and love that I have all the data since then…