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

[SunsetRunner]

I would return it and try another Versa.... I found when the Ionic first came out it was definitely buggy .... I have not found that with the Versa... once I got it to set up properly, I have had no issues.

[gbfboxer]

For those following along, I have reported the issues to Fitbit and they are determining if they will replace my Versa. Since the original post: I have had all call notifications cease, the watch does not sync with my phone without a reboot, the watch continues to crash and display only a black screen when I try to view the time or start an activity. The battery life is still less than 2 days. 

[gbfboxer]

Also, Fitbit moderators saw fit to change my post title from "useless paperweight" to the current "need help getting started" yet didn't bother to comment or contribute to the conversation here when they made the change and called it a "clarification". I don't take kindly to a public complaint about the state of their most recent product being turned into a user doesn't know how to use the device post. I and my husband have been using a Fitbit for the last 10 years. I am not an incompetent user or just having trouble with setup. The Versa watch was released unready and many people have ended up with lemons, myself included. altogether a disheartening and frustrating experience. 

[MalachiSATX]

Exact same issues here. Purchased at Best Buy and returned due to sync and notifications not functioning. Good to see it was not just me. 

[Jujube289]

I have a loyal Fitbit fan. This is totally disappointing. When I got my Versa on April 17, I had no problems at all - I thought I got lucky — until that outage of April 24. Now it’s just downhill, losing Bluetooth connection one day and magically reconnecting the next without me doing anything about it. What’s the point of a health tracker  when it can’t track? After three separate calls to tech support - each lasting one hour  - I am ready to pack it up and ship it back to Amazon. I thought of buying a new piece and see if I get really lucky; but what if it works for a week and stop again? I love Fitbit and the idea of moving to Apple Watch is not easy but may have to happen sooner than I thought.

[SunsetRunner]

I do like the versa .....but I totally understand your frustration.... it seems like when ever they rush to market it comes out with a product that’s buggy ....When I first got my Ionic it was very buggy and disappointing. I found it improved vastly as new firmware updates were released. I do agree that a product should be ready to rock right out of the box . As an owner of a Apple Watch there are always bugs to workout with each IOS update and new watch model. I was an Apple Watch adopter from generation 0.... the Apple Watch has vastly improved in the fitness realm with IOS 4.... FitBit now has a small window to compete in the fitness smart watch market ...... Apple has definitely upped the game with the new IOS and series 3.....

[Freckles54]

Hello
It wasnt a good start. It was a global problem. Im in Australia. I think
theres been a problem with their servers. There has been a notification on
the fitbit community in the last couple of days that all issues have been
corrected. And it seems to be the case. My Versa is finally working fine
with updating, accessing the clock and app galleries and connecting with
both bluetooth and wifi. Thank Goodness for that 🙂

[gscheid]

got mine on weds and already noticed issue people were having--but spent weds afternoon fully installing all to the watch-even music.  all working fine but for last two days not syncing?  phone having hard time finding watch.  I ran a couple times and thought they would sync w/ Strava but nope.  Move up from Charge2--seriously thinking returning to that one

[asteed01]

I have a Google Pixel 2, and have had to reboot my phone, the versa, and "replace my fitbit device" in the FitBit app with my Versa on the charger every day this week in order have it start syncing for the day.  My watch and my phone are in separate rooms overnight, so it doesn't sync throughout the night.  It takes me about 15 minutes to do in the morning, and is very very annoying.

[Daff3r]

Same problem with mine. It paired then never could update the versa. I tried 2 different WiFi. 

[Freckles54]

Hello.
I have managed to get the syncing somewhat better. First I found that no
other fitbit should be seen by my phone (We have the Alta hr in the house).
Bluetooth, wifi and location
have to all be on for a succesful sync. Location was key.
Although not perfect it has been much better and not taking anywhere near
as long.
I love the Versa but the sync issues have been a pain.
Good luck with it.