Battery of my Fitbit Sense drained within a day or less several times last 2 weeks also lost charge

[MurrayHartman]

My Fitbit Sense, purchased November 2020. Ser # 2C132ED6E929                                          Nov 1, 2021

In the past month (Oct) my Fitbit Sense seems to have changed in Battery life a lot shorter..

My routine is charging it every day from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM (Virtual no exception) and charger has 4 point contact.

It always showed when starting charging 82% to 84% and after charging it is back to 100%.

In Early October it seems to start use more energy even on occasion it warned during the day a very low remaining charge of 12% (this was within 12 to 15 Hours after charging (did I make a error?)

I then did make double sure that after the charging cycle the battery charge show 100%.

Sometimes it was normal (82% to 84%) but other times it’s considerably lower 50% or less after the 100% charge.

The Fitbit Sense is always up to date with the newest Soft/ Firmware, I tested the Sense by removing all devices that communicated (Desktop and Smartphone), Set Display time at lowest setting and Brightness at standard setting I also removed the automated display view with wrist movement.

TESTING FOR SEVERAL DAYS (with no external load on the Fitbit (No other devices, No wrist move display etc.)

Thursday, Oct 28 – 7:30 PM – Battery 100%, Fitbit Sense fully loaded.

Friday, Oct 29 – 6:30 PM – Battery 61% in 22,5 Hours (with no load. (No desktop/ smartphone/ wrist movement)

Friday, Oct 29 – 7:30 PM – Battery 100%, Fitbit Sense fully loaded.

Saturday, Oct 30 – 3:30 PM – Battery at 58%, Reading about issues with Fitbit and decide to do Factory reset

Saturday, Oct 30 – 3:39 PM – Factory Reset ok, latest firmware version 44.128.5.49 update took very long till 11.00 PM

Sunday, Oct 31 – 6:30 PM – Battery 89% Sense seems to be ok again of course no extra load (and 3 ½ hrs. less)

Sunday, Oct 31 – 7:30 PM – Battery 100%, Fitbit Sense fully loaded.

Monday, Nov 01 – 6:30 PM – Battery 86 % all systems go, Factory Reset and Firmware 5.9 does the Job……..

[MurrayHartman]

My Fitbit Sense, purchased November 2020. Ser # 2C132ED6E929                                          Nov 1, 2021

In the past month (Oct) my Fitbit Sense seems to have changed in Battery life a lot shorter..

My routine is charging it every day from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM (Virtual no exception) and charger has 4 point contact.

It always showed when starting charging 82% to 84% and after charging it is back to 100%.

In Early October it seems to start use more energy even on occasion it warned during the day a very low remaining charge of 12% (this was within 12 to 15 Hours after charging (did I make a error?)

I then did make double sure that after the charging cycle the battery charge show 100%.

Sometimes it was normal (82% to 84%) but other times it’s considerably lower 50% or less after the 100% charge.

The Fitbit Sense is always up to date with the newest Soft/ Firmware, I tested the Sense by removing all devices that communicated (Desktop and Smartphone), Set Display time at lowest setting and Brightness at standard setting I also removed the automated display view with wrist movement.

TESTING FOR SEVERAL DAYS (with no external load on the Fitbit (No other devices, No wrist move display etc.)

Thursday, Oct 28 – 7:30 PM – Battery 100%, Fitbit Sense fully loaded.

Friday, Oct 29 – 6:30 PM – Battery 61% in 22,5 Hours (with no load. (No desktop/ smartphone/ wrist movement)

Friday, Oct 29 – 7:30 PM – Battery 100%, Fitbit Sense fully loaded.

Saturday, Oct 30 – 3:30 PM – Battery at 58%, Reading about issues with Fitbit and decide to do Factory reset

Saturday, Oct 30 – 3:39 PM – Factory Reset ok, latest firmware version 44.128.5.49 update took very long till 11.00 PM

Sunday, Oct 31 – 6:30 PM – Battery 89% Sense seems to be ok again of course no extra load (and 3 ½ hrs. less)

Sunday, Oct 31 – 7:30 PM – Battery 100%, Fitbit Sense fully loaded.

Monday, Nov 01 – 6:30 PM – Battery 86 % all systems go, Factory Reset and Firmware 5.9 does the Job……..

[Odyssey13]

Hi @MurrayHartman  this article - click to read - explains how to extend battery life.  Hope your battery holds steady for you.

[Guy_]

Hi @MurrayHartman  - are you saying that a firmware update was the probable cause for the short battery life?

And that a factory reset afterwards cured it?

What firmware version are you on now? The one it came with or  44.128.6.12?

[MurrayHartman]

Correct it solved the problem completely, Murray


Sent from Mail for Windows

[Guy_]

What firmware version are you on?

[MurrayHartman]

firmware version 44.128.5.49 that was automatically downloaded from Fitbit.

Sent from Mail for Windows

[Guy_]

Curious outcome. If its working I would stay on that version of firmware because there is a newer one and its odd you didn't get that one.

[MurrayHartman]

Mmm, what is the newer one? Wonder what they changed again. I did do the last downloads past Sunday Oct 31 and they where automated by Fitbit as far as I know, strange that they all ready have a new one, will stay on the one I have till the issues are resolved that everybody complain about, it is working fine now. I normally always download upgrades when available because they often need to do some tweaks but won’t now for a while till there is a well proven one.

Sent from Mail for Windows

[Guy_]

Thanks for the feedback, it makes sense, The newer release was only starting to be rolled out on the 27th October and presumably not yet reaching you yet. It can take quite some time for it to rolled out to everyone.

What is still odd, is that a factory reset resolved the bug in the 44.128.5.49 which was causing rapid battery drain, like it didn't get properly installed when it updated.

[MurrayHartman]

The main thing for me is that everything works the way it is supposed to be and I'm happy with it as the say - "If it's not broke don't Fix it" - I will stay for a while with my OS and Firmware, No upgrades for me for a while. I am a happy camper again.

[reginaruss]

Hey Guys how do you get the new firmware and do a factory reset?

[Odyssey13]

Fitbit posted about it just an hour ago - click to go to that announcement

[MurrayHartman]

On your watch go to your Gear and then About there you find Factory reset

[Guy_]

@reginaruss  - factory reset comes with much to do, so it's only recommended as a last resort because things can turn out not as expected.

[reginaruss]

thank you Guy_ good information.

[MurrayHartman]

I use it only as a last resort my watch was not wearable anymore and wanted to return it but I found out that while still one month in Warranty a new one when you trade it only gives you the remainder of the original warranty thus nothing lost.


Sent from Mail for Windows

[MurrayHartman]

After a frustrating week and experiments with my Fitbit is working great with firmware version 44.128.5.49 and I will keep that for a while (No automated updates for me) till I see the track record of this new upgrade just announced OS 5.3 Firmware 44.128.6.12. If people are happy with it in the following Months, I will consider it.
I would say if your Fitbit works fine just wait till the bugs are gone from the new Upgrade.