Versa won't update the firmware

[Mikeemik]

Purchased the versa, originally had the charge. Versa will sync, but won't update the firmware which renders the device as useless. Google nexus 6p. Tried bluetooth and wifi options. Removed the app and reinstalled no joy. I'm an computer engineer so carrying out a firmware update is a pretty easy task. Some one from Fitbit please assist. 

[evilneoprincess]

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@Mikeemik wrote:

Purchased the versa, originally had the charge. Versa will sync, but won't update the firmware which renders the device as useless. Google nexus 6p. Tried bluetooth and wifi options. Removed the app and reinstalled no joy. I'm an computer engineer so carrying out a firmware update is a pretty easy task. Some one from Fitbit please assist. 

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I received mine yesterday and followed advice from another thread to install the update, I'm on Android as well. Remove any previous devices (I had one) and uninstall the app from your phone. Restart the phone and reinstall the app. Make sure that you are updating over WiFi and not Bluetooth. It took about a half hour but I was able to update my firmware. Good luck!

[219Liz]

i spent about 6 hours trying this morning. guess it got to about 25% before i gave up as the fitbit which was fully charged was now dead. Had to enable mobile track as I am in a step bet and will be very upset if i loose in week 6 because my device wont set up.

[evilneoprincess]

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@219Liz wrote:

i spent about 6 hours trying this morning. guess it got to about 25% before i gave up as the fitbit which was fully charged was now dead. Had to enable mobile track as I am in a step bet and will be very upset if i loose in week 6 because my device wont set up.

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Make sure that the Versa is plugged into the dock and as close to your router as can be while updating. You might also have a defective device ( I have had my fair share over the years). If that doesn't work I recommend contacting support.

[starlia]

The exact same thing has happened to me. I've been so very excited in getting this latest upgrade from my HR for a birthday present. I've spent almost 16 hours trying to get this device to work. Working with Android devices isn't computer science and updates shouldn't take this long. I've read so many bad reviews but I didn't believe that Fitbit would put out something so problematic. 

[Mikeemik]

All I would personally return the device if you can. Really buggy device. Fitbit. replaced my device after several senior engineer attempts at troubleshooting (Warranty was not renewed, even tho I had been able to use the device from purchase, fitbit policy). Since receiving my new versa, it now able to update, but now it has an issue with sync with the Fitbit app. This is so poor from Fitbit considering the cost of the device. There are so many articles relating to the versa sync type issues, Fitbit should be ashamed. 

[starlia]

I have had nothing but ongoing problems once I finally got the firmware to update 18 hours later and a lot of frustration. I tried to add a couple of apps and now my fitbit will not sync. I cannot stop the apps from trying to load and they are in perpetual download mode in my phone. I cannot fathom why Fitbit is allowing these problems to occur. This is supposedly the second most popular and best rated device beside the Apple watch. I read about the problems but thought it wasn't going to be this bad. Wow was I wrong. I am glad I didn't purchase the device from Fitbit and have a different warranty. I can return both without an problem and without several days waiting. 

[AlvaroFitbit]

@starlia I hope you're doing well! Sorry to hear about your issues with your Versa. For the firmware update if the Versa isn't responding or completing it try going to your phone's bluetooth settings and remove all devices listed there. Restart your phone and restart your device. After this retry the firmware update. If the issue persist then please try these additional suggestions.

@Mikeemik for the syncing issues you can try the steps above as they help refresh the link between your phone and your Versa.

Let me know how it goes!

[Joshshytle1980]

Just got the versa today as a Christmas gift. It doesn't work. It refuses to update. It refuses to connect to Wifi. The only thing it does do correctly is sync to my phone's Bluetooth, but that's pointless since this garbage won't work without the firmware update. I've read through this article, I've tried all the suggestions, and I've gone through the help page. It doesn't help. This is quite rediculous. I'm thankful this was a gift and I hadn't wasted my money on this garbage. 

[Katbshep]

My new versa had the same issues. I have been trying to download the firmware since christmas. Today i called customer support. They instructed me to do all the stuff i had already done several times. It still didnt work. I will be returning the versa. It is so disapointing. 

[Katbshep]

I want to update this. I was all ready to send back my versa, had the shipping label printed etc. I decided to try once more to load firmware. This time i blue toothed to my tablet and used my cell phone as a hot spot. It loaded the firmware in about 20 minutes! 

The only reason i can come up with for this is that i have a satilite internet service (hughes net) and i think there is some incompatibility with that particular router/wifi. 

I hope this might help others having the same issue. I wish the customer service agent would have known to suggest this.

[FB_Versa_V_Bad]

I have the exact same issue that also baffled customer support.There must be something bad happening between the Hughesnet Router and Versa. May I ask what model of Hughesnet modem you are using (e.g. HT2000)?

You solution worked a charm.

Thank you!

[SunsetRunner]

Hi, fist of all: did your Fitbit app mentioned a new update is avalaible for your Versa? If yes, try the following:

1. Prepared your Versa carefully before starting the update, e.g. switched to a clock face from Fitbit itself whenever you're using a third party one and charge the Versa fully.

2. Reboot your Versa and put it  the charger and connect it to your laptop/PC.

3. Make sure that on your mobile device the Fitbit app is connected to Wifi during the entire procedure by plugging your MD in your laptop, go to settings in the Fitbit app and to Wifi settings and click the white icon on the right side of the name of your network to connect it to  your network. Once connected, the white icon turn to blue and it will say "connected".

4. Start the update. 

5. Leave the Versa during the entire process in the charger and connected to PC. This is mandatory as the Versa does not has WiFi on it's own, but uses the WiFi on you phone/PC as a bridge. 

6. After finishing the uodate got the the settings of your Versa, scroll down to Device Info and see whether is says 32.331.30.

7. Last but not least: when the update has finished successfully, leave the Versa in the Charger and connected to your PC so the Today app gets the time to update completely.

Really hope this will work for you, good luck and keep me updated!!

[FB_Versa_V_Bad]

None of this worked as this is not the issue. See my latest community post.
There is some issue with Hughesnet Wifi and Versa I think.

A recent post on your site showed how to get around it b downloading the fb app on an ipad, and tethering the ipad to my Android phone and using a 4G connection to download the firmware. All done in 30 minutes.

[SunsetRunner]

Hi, let's wait if the procedure I described works for Mikeemik. It already worked this way for a lot of others. My update, using this procedure, was finished within 10 minutes. 

[Katbshep]

Crazy! I have the same router! There must be something incompatible with
this router. I thought because it is a WPA2 it should work according to
fitbit help page. So glad you got your versa working!
Katherine

[Katbshep]

I have the same hughes net router. 

[Mikeemik]

Guys to let you all know I returned my versa Fitbit. It was about a three month process with untold conversation with fitbit customer services chasing payment (virtual MasterCard). But I can finally say I'm issues with my versa Fitbit has finally been resolved. Poor experience from start to finish, never again. Good luck all

[cyborgkitten]

As somewhat of an FYI to anyone still having problems with this, I experienced the same issue with updating to 3.0 and had to remove the Versa from my account, do a factory reset on it, and re-add it.  It's working now.  The factory reset can be done from the watch interface at: Settings -> About -> Factory Reset.