Versa 3 doesn't count my steps when on a treadmill and screen wake won't work

[BrodyOlivia0206]

My Versa 3 has decided it doesn’t want to include my steps when I’m on my treadmill. I accumulate a lot of steps there. I followed the instructions from the previous persons same issue. Didn’t work. It also isn’t displaying when I turn my wrist. This is very frustrating!

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[JohnnyRow]

Of course, I have no idea what instructions were from previous person that you followed.

But, with tracker on your wrist, it can count steps only with wrist movement.  If you are holding hand rail with fitbit wrist, fitbit cannot sense steps, feeling no movement.

Options:
1) Continue as doing, knowing you are still getting credit for calorie burn from increased heart rate.

2) If can keep balance, let fitbit arm swing naturally, perhaps still holding rail with other hand.

3) If steps are more important to you than calories, put tracker in pocket to probably get accurate step count, giving up any heart rate data.

4) Buy a third-party strap extender from Amazon or elsewhere and wear above ankle, getting accurate step count, and some people say that, with careful positioning, they can also get heart rate.

5) Find a tracker brand with a mini-camera that somehow always focuses on legs or hips so it can tell what legs are doing, while being worn on wrist.

[MarreFitbit · Accepted solution]

Hi there, @BrodyOlivia0206. Welcome to the Community Forums. Thanks for trying to troubleshoot the inconvenience with your Versa 3 before posting here. I understand how frustrating this can be. @JohnnyRow Thanks for your suggestions!

Please note that your Versa 3 may not detect the number of steps if your arm is not moving. If you walk with a normal arm swing on the Treadmill/Elliptical, it should count the proper number of steps and calories. Take a look at the article: How does my Fitbit device calculate my daily activity? 

Also, remember that if you are using the Treadmill exercise mode on the Versa 3 it will use the Walking Stride Length and not the Running Stride Length for calculating distance from the number of steps. This will cause the distance to be off substantially. So, if you are running on the Treadmill/Elliptical, it is better to use the Run exercise mode, assuming you have correctly set up the stride lengths for Walk and Run. However, keep in mind that it is important that your arms swing freely in order for the Versa 3 to count steps, and not held next to the body.

To properly update your stride length, track a run with GPS or measure your stride length manually. For more information, see Can I change my stride length in my Fitbit account?

As for the screen wake feature, please go to your quick settings and check that screen wake hasn't accidentally been turned off. Swipe right from the clock face on your watch to access the quick settings. Change whether the screen turns on when you turn your wrist.

If this settings is set correctly, please try restarting your Versa 3 by following these steps: How do I restart my Fitbit device?

Hope this helps.