Versa WiFi and Bluetooth Malfunctioning

[gbfboxer]

I’ve had a fitbit of some sort for close to a decade. I’ve been loyal to the brand despite a significant number of issues with my different models over the years. I was excited to see the new Versa with the nearfi pay and decided to splurge even though my Blaze has been working really well. 

Well, it arrived Saturday morning and it’s been a complete disaster ever since. WiFi doesn’t work, it won’t sync with my phone over Bluetooth, and the battery lasts less than 2 days. I’ve struggled to reconnect it for over an hour after I disconnected it and rebooted it a couple times trying to force a WiFi and Bluetooth connection. It looks like the lock feature is what is preventing the Bluetooth pairing from working, so I was able to get that to trigger and then pair my Versa back to my phone after about 25 tried and reboots when the Bluetooth setup/pair step locks up and hangs indefinitely. 

I am am so frustrated because this was not an inexpensive purchase and it’s essentially a piece of trash sitting on my bedside table being charged for the 3rd time since I got it 2 days ago. Very unhappy customer right now. If you’re going to sell it then it darn well better work. Contemplating leaving the brand all-together over this. 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[WIUpnorth]

I wonder how many people bought the Versa and got it working and how many are struggling to get it to work and will take it back? It appears it's more important for Fitbit to get it out on the market before really testing it just so they can beat the competitors. I have both the Ionic and got the Versa since it's smaller but like the Charger 2 the best. Too bad the Charge 2 is not water proof as I would stay with it. Actually I have it on now. Gives me the stats I need with it all these apps. I guess I am wanting a good fitness and health watch. Forget all the useless apps that are already on my phone.

[Laura005]

It has become very evident that they did not test product before pushing out into the market. I started off with a fitbit, switched to apple watch, and went back to fitbit (purchased the fitbit versa yesterday). It still doesn't work. I've been working with fitbit support but all of their steps have not been able to resolve my issue. If It doesn't work by tonight then it is going back to the store. This watch is too expensive to have sitting around. Such a bummer....

[gbfboxer]

My blaze was actually my most reliable of all the fitbits I've used. I gave it to my husband to use when my new Versa came and then tried to reclaim it when this one proved to be a bust. he refuses to give it back because he likes it way better than his old one (another hand me down from me). I'm on the lookout for something that does the HR stuff, can track my runs, yoga, can be worn while swimming, gets call & text notifications and allows me to pay for things. This fit the bill, too bad fitbit isn't delivering on its promises.

[Arshem]

I had the same issue. I took it back to Best Buy and the next one worked without any issues! I'd recommend taking it back if you can't get bluetooth connectivity to stay on.

[Ctyldsley]

Feels completely underbaked to me. With my Oneplus 5 I'm unable to have notifications unless I put my phone on loud. Vibrate works, but then my phone's vibrating constantly for notifications - I don't need both my phone and my wrist vibrating all day, it makes the thing a useless paperweight for me.

Not to mention the fiddly method to set up music control, the super basic app store and watch face store, the watch not lighting up from a notification, the wrist flick working literally about 50% of the time if not less.

I'll be returning mine and going back to my trusty 3 year old Pebble Time which still manages to nail the basics far better than any device to this day that I've used. It's a shame because the hardware itself is nice, it's small, light and very comfy to wear. It just functionally feels like a beta product.

[A_AVL]

@gbfboxer

For the same reasons as you, I have started to look outside of FitBit.

I have just packed my Versa back in it's box, and it is on its way to FitBit. I am thinking of testing another to see if I got a lemon, of if they just weren't ready for launch.

Regardless:
I read that Garmin has some nice products, I will also check them out this weekend at Best Buy. While similarly priced (the one with the link to banks is slightly more but not too much), if it works...  and it looks like a watch, and it fits my wrist...

I have heard good things of Garmin.

I have been with FitBit Since the Charge HR first came out. They have problems launching products, but it's their support that has finally pushed me to the ledge. Actually, that isn't quite true. Their support has pushed me to the ledge repeatedly, but I haven't found a product that matches their app.  (YET!)

I did try the Nokia HR, but it's app isn't very good, so that was a no.

I'll keep my fingers crossed on the Garmin!

[A_AVL]

@Baysidefish

I was going to look at the VivoMoove, the Fenix, and Forerunner. I don't recall which I was thinking of most seriously last night, but it had the pay feature, and music.  I think it was an additional 30 or 40 over the FitBit SE. 

I saw the VivoSports, but since I have the Alta HR, I already have a good armband.  I wanted a watch.

That I could use to pay for drinks when out dancing, so I wouldn't have to carry around a wallet, or all sorts of other stuff.  And something I could go hike, bike, or run with, and listen to music without my phone. 

I will research further.

🙂

[AMartin777]

Yep, same here.  This has turned out to be a real disaster.  Wi-Fi is unrelable, syncing is unrelable, can't get music transfer to work with PC.  Just keeps saying, "device is busy" and crashing out of the screen used for music transfer.   My wife and I have been loyal Fitbit customers for years but with both of us purchasing new Versa's and them performing so poorly, we are considering returning them both and looking to other companies that turn out a product that works.  If Fitbit is trying to ruin its customer base and lead itself to bankruptcy then it's well on its way.  We want to love these new watches but they are, for the most part, crap.

[arc1969]

Have to agree with this.  No problems at all so far, setup was smooth (but a little slow) and it's working perfectly.  You might have a bad one?

[arc1969]

Looks like Fitbit have gone cheap on these message boards though.. No edit?

Anyway, I was agreeing with Arshem. 

[Ynott]

I'm having similar issues. It's very frustrating. I understand it's a new product and can have a few bugs but I shouldn't have to pay $230 to become a beta tester for Fitbit. At this point, I wouldn't recommend this thing to anyone.

[Arshem]

Me and my ex wife bought ours at the same time, same location. Mine was bad, hers was fine. It seems very hit and miss. Hopefully the Op will be able to exchange it.

[gbfboxer]

I ordered the limited edition and I'm trying to see if they will exchange it since I ordered directly from the Fitbit site. Only the limited edition has the pay from the watch option which was my main reason for switching to the Versa from my Blaze. this coupled with eh fact that Spotify doesn't work on these watches makes me wonder if I should have gone Garmin. I mean if you pay $230 dollars for something I shouldn't have to worry about exchanging it to see if there is another lemon waiting on the other side. 

[arc1969]

I'm not trying to defend Fitbit as there is obviously some real problems, but it's common knowledge that Spotify haven't created an app for Fitbit yet 😞 

[gbfboxer]

Arc1969 I’m Aware it isn’t supported right now, i was willing to overlook if everything else worked as advertised. it’s just another straw on the camel’s back. WiFi doesn’t work properly, Bluetooth doesn’t work properly, battery life is not as advertised, lack of support for my preferred music program, a lack of response or fixes from fitbit support. They all stack up to make me feel regret. I mean if you are angering decade old customers you’re not in a good place. 

[daniellemarie94]

I received my Versa last night and have not had any problems with it at all. did not take long to set up and has been accurate with everything. 

[taijitu]

@Ctyldsley a lil bit late, but I went ahead and tested it with my Huawei P10 - DND doesn't give me any notifications since the phone itself doesn't get any, but on silent I get notifications on my watch just fine without my phone going off vibrating. Thought I'd just give a heads up if you haven't returned the watch yet that it ..should.. potentionally work.

[SunsetRunner]

I had an issue in the beginning ..,,, but resolved it by wiping it out and reinstalling ...., all functions work great now.... no complaints 

[Freckles54]

I, like so many others am so disappointed with the Versa. I’ve had three other fitbits and have been loyal to the brand. Like many others, Setup was an ongoing disaster that finally worked (kind of) after many attempts - 24 hours after purchase. It struggles to maintain both bluetooth and wife connections and the heart rate has been somewhat tricky on occasions. This device has been rushed to market and is buggy. Shame on you fitbit.  I teach I.T. And am no novice at device setup and management. This almost got the better of me. Its a great looking device. It ticks some boxes and fails too often at others. It seems to require both good hardware and software updates. I will try for a couple more days and then return if no better.