Fitbit Sense firmware update for battery

[HockeyMom28]

I received an email today telling me that is was urgent that I update my Fitbit Sense due to possible battery overheating.  I cannot get this update to install, so I am stuck with a clockface telling me I have to update.  When I try to update, the progress meter never moves and I get a big red X.  

I have factory reset my Fitbit.  Cleared all data on my Fitbit app.  Readded the Sense to my Fitbit.  Rebooted my phone and the Fitbit.  Nothing seems to work. 

Current firmware version is 44.128.6.17

Moderator edit: merged reply

[BobD50]

@swmp9jrm 

Thanks, for your suggestion

Should have come from Support, not a user.

But at least we get the Sense back working as normal. Wonder how long before the ANNOYING message returns.

Cheers Bob

[BobD50]

If the Firmware version is same as before, update was not completed 

Just did a master reset, back to Factory Settings, then if fully working again, without any user input, then the System just reinstalled all your previous data back into Sense Onboard Memory.

Called A "Soft Reset" that means "NO DATA LOST", whereas  a "MASTER RESET" removes Completely "ALL STORED DATA", similar to when user originally purchased their Device, and Started Setup from Scratch.

I await some comments from a "Real Tech in Support", whom understands "Firmware Upgrades", like me with 60 years experience.

Cheers Bob.

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How long before the Message reappears.

Mine is stillOK after 3 Hours since I used the Clock face being my original Clock face.

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Another version of this update.

About time Support provided some information. ie Previous version and then Latest version. Is it different across the world, just like phone firmwares, relate to regions. Therefore multiple versions of Same Update, just different code version number.

[MrKeith70]

Mine failed completely.  All I get is the fitbit logo after several boots.  Bluetooth and wifi totally fails.  Firmware must be corrupted.  No respose yet from them.

[Brownbeer]

I have the same issue, any idea how to fix it?

[Arless]

Mine was in reboot loop too and this helped me https://www.reddit.com/r/fitbit/comments/17od62j/factory_reset_sense_without_settings_menu/

[bigdog71]

I got the email yesterday Feb 3rd and did the update.  Seems to have installed ok, but now my battery always shows at 100%.  There is no way this update improved the battery management that much.  Someone needs to investigate why it is not correctly reporting the battery level.  Even the app is reporting the same after syncing.

[Scott337]

From what I have read it's not really a battery "management" update, it's more of a battery stability update; as-in not letting the battery charge to a point where it overheats. So it will report inaccurate information for a short time, but it should not overheat after this update.

[olliewills]

I'm in exactly the same position with the constant red X. I've also factory reset my watch, cleared app data, reinstalled the app etc. It all goes fine and the reconnection of the watch to the app even does a software update, but no matter what I try I can't get off the 44.128.6.17 software version and the urgent update message keeps coming back. This does seem to be a hugely mishandled update. I'm not really sure what to try next...

[Luroc]

My update went smoothly, but my battery has said 100% since yesterday... it usually drains. 

[Mjts64]

I performed the update today. My watchface went back to the default, and the only thing that works on my watch is the time. No battery status, no heart rate, no weather, no settings...nothing. I've restarted the watch multiple times, uninstalled the app, unpaired and re-paired the watch and app. I cant do the factory reset because i cant get into settings on the watch! Nothing works. Not good, Fitbit!

[Knsca]

Same here. Stuck at 99% all day. 

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I feel the same. I had no issues with my sense until i did the update yesterday. I only ever had to charge it once a week and it's almost 3 years old. 

[FelicityM]

Yes, because it wont synche so misleading battery reading, even their chat was not working when l tried yesterday to get help

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Sadly l cant even get it to work at all, just goes back to the notice to connect to app, which afyer uninstalling and reinstalling 5 times leads to exactly the same issue, cant even synch or read anything on my now useless SenseSent from my Galaxy-Tab A 2017 on the Telstra Mobile Network

[fixmyscreen]

I'm having the same problem. I think it is updated however the message does not go away and the clockface doesn't show. How did you finally get it to work?

The verson of firmware I have is 44.128.6.17.

[BobD50]

Hi FelicityM,

This Fitbit app uses WiFi  to login to server & Bluetooth connection between Tablet or Phone to Fitbit Sense to transfer data. Telstra Mobile Network not used unless you are using Hot Spot instead of NBN Network using your Modem for WiFi connection.

Anyway after getting multiple messages on Sense Screen, that I successfully used the Clock face FIX. Found msg returned after 3 hours, did use fix several times, until the msg would return less time before fix required. Also got more annoying emails from Fitbit. Eventually I gave in and updated firmware.

It would not work after several attempts on my Samsung phone, then I used my Samsung Tablet.

It worked straight away, Updated successfully over less than 20 mins.

Took several screen dumps & Fitbit sitting on Tablet Screen, my WiFi Router some 2m away. So connection was very solid between devices.

After upgrade Battery Level locked to 99% Full charge, before update was 85%. Left overnight, today still 99% (wrong).

Put on charger for 20mins, now 100%, so probably correct, but after 8 hours, still 100% (wrong).

Firmware prior to update. 44.128.6.17. Now 44.128.6.21 after update.

So now I wait as others suggest will correct the charge level. Which is same as when Sense was new. But not normal after 12 months. Being already stable, properly Firmware is really buggy. 

Updates should not be this difficult,  if Support team did their job, and at least did some testing before Release, which was standard, years ago. Now get it out there, then let the user find any issues.

Anyway that's it for now. Eventually you will succeed to update.

Cheers Bob

[FitbitUser1216]

Same. I tried for an hour. First the notification kept alerting on my phone every minute for more than 20 mins. Finding useful support was difficult. Then the app said my Fitbit wasn’t connected. Power cycling the Fitbit and my phone, so many times, forgetting the device from phone Bluetooth, trying to reconnect a Fitbit that is impossible to get past the forced update screen. Finally, finally it connected and updated. Really an hour of trying. I was so frustrated that I was ready to throw my Fitbit in the trash. The update itself took about 5 mins.
I have been using a Whoop for about a year and they just added a steps counter so I may be letting go of Fitbit after 10 years of continuous use. 
fitbit please at least acknowledge that this update is problematic and apologize to the users. 

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My battery life jumped from 72% to 99% post update. I think it’s wrong too.

[JI3_Florida]

Thank you for this information.  If I extrapolate this, then they have effectively chopped off a day of useful battery life between required battery chargings?  From what you describe, each day will now take a "bigger" chunk of charge off the New 100% = Old 84% value, --> 1 day less between charge cycles.

[DHearn]

I'm having the same issue. Finally got it to connect (not sure how, I didn't do anything different) and it did the update successfully. But I'm still getting the notification to do the update and can't see my clock face. Support was not helpful at all

[glennbye]

I urgenly ask Fitbit to perform another update to correct the fact that the battery percentage on our watches is now incorrect. It keeps saying that it is 100%.  That is not fine because Fitbit stated also that that the battery time is shorter than it used to be before the firmware update (now 128.6.21).

[pittbu]

Auch bei mir, nach dem Zwangsupdate, wird der Akkustand mit 99% permanent angezeigt. Also wieder mal ein Update mit erheblichen Fehlern.  Vorher war alles okay. Das Update hat übrigens über 3 Stunden gedauert. DANKE Google........

[olliewills]

Well I've tried again many times and now my fitbit app has decided my watch has 0% battery, doesn't seem to want to sync except if i remove it and re-add it, and is still on the 44.128.6.17 firmware.... This despite the fact that the watch itself is currently on my wrist, saying 93% battery and is happily streaming my HR/steps to my phone in front of my eyes.... what is going on!

Moderator Edit: Word choice.