Fitbit Sense shows "Slow Charging" message

[WehuttyWanker]

With every power source I've ever hooked my Sense up to, I get a "Slow Charging" message. What do you do here plug it into 120 AC outlet or something to satisfy its demands?

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[mdavidw86]

I have 4 different connectors. All behave the same.  I've yet to get connection that doesn't report slow charging.

Moderator edit: format.

[Guy_]

@mdavidw86  -  and they are all equally prominent? check the the holes on the back are clean, don't forget to do a shutdown first to not be blinded by the lasers.

See Why isn't my Fitbit device's battery charging? and How do I clean my Fitbit device?

[mdavidw86]

have now cleaned/recleaned and made sure the connectors are all perfect.  Still happens.

Moderator edit: format. 

[Guy_]

@mdavidw86 

Good job, probably call Fitbit support there is obviously a special situation they might be able to help you with.

[m-umar]

I had similar problem with my Versa 3 which is a replacement and takes 8-13 hours for a full charge. I was told that it is a known issue and is now sitting with Tech support and obviously it has been escalated to higher lvl tech support but no one has contacted.

[Casual-User]

It is a very common issue, and there are numerous threads about it.  Like another user, I have a USB meter.  On the rare occasions that you can get “fast” charging, the Sense draws 0.32 Amps at 5V.  To get there, you have to lay the magnetic connector on the table, hover the watch over it, and let it latch on.  Then you set the whole thing down on the table, and apply light pressure left to right (from 3 o’clock toward 9 o’clock) and a tiny bit of counter clockwise pressure on the cable.  Voila!  Fast charging.  Unless, and until you get a notification, or step too hard as you walk away. My pins are even, my watch back and contacts are clean.  It’s called bad design, or bad manufacturing.  They should recall the lot and fix them.

Moderator edit: format. 

[Casual-User]

The truly frustrating aspect of this is that my Versa (original version) charged fine. The “clamp” was clunky, but it was effective, as it was on my Charge HR. Most devices use magnetic coupling and inductive charging. Fitbit Sense is more complicated, likely more expensive, and doesn’t work. They have irritated a long term (3 generation) customer, and it’s clear I’m not alone. They owe every Sense purchaser a recall and repair, a replacement that works as advertised, or a full refund.

[RobSoLF]

I don't have a suggestion for users, other than to try a bunch of different direct wall chargers until it stops giving you the message.  Though I've done this with several chargers, a couple of which are high quality aftermarket units, and I still get the same message.

I do have a suggestion for Fitbit, though:  Maybe if you wouldn't program it to leave the "charging slowly" screen on and make the watch constantly vibrate, the "slowly charging" watch might charge a little faster, ya think?

[m-umar]

The Current & AMPs has nothing to do with the slow charging message. It has everything to do with the OS and my feeling is Fibit (Google) is just buying for time now until next year when the new versa models be released with the Google Wear OS. But the damage caused by the current on going issues with charging and HR will make it very hard for Fitbit to recover. Just have a look online sale sites where users are dumping Fitbit Versa 3 & sense for less than half price and the ratio is almost 3:1 in favour ot fitbit and that inclide mostly outdated old models from others. I doubt very much sure that Fitbit is not currently trying to improve their OS so don't hodl your breath for a solution.

It is not the support team rather the Google who is sleep on the wheel.

[510BayWalker]

Owned my Sence from 9/25/20. My slow charging started showing about 1.5 months ago. Intermittently at first now it shows all the time. I even shutdown my Sence ( Settings > Shutdown ) to see if that would speed up charging. I have ordered a new charge cable and will see this this will solve my issue.

[Casual-User]

Please advise if it does. My wife and I both have Sense, and both experience slow / no charge. Fiddling with the “connection” to the watch is required on every attempt, and “fast” charge can only be achieved in about 1 in 20 attempts.

[m-umar]

@Casual-Usertry cleaning the contacts both on the Sense & the charger  with the rubbing alcohol. Observe for uneven pins. Also try your Mob charging dongle if it helps. Fitbit support is always here to help. Support bunch are pretty helpful and Just google the number in your country to contact them or even have a online chat.

[Fittobittied]

I had that problem but haven't got the message since I plugged into a 120 outlet instead of my laptop and replaced my charger - chargers seem to only last a short time, I'm on my 4th charger in 4 months but they are only about $5 a piece on Amazon.  

I forgot to mention that I couldnt get my first Sense to charge at all and called and they sent me a new one.  Couldnt get that one to charge either until I replaced the charger now they both charge just fine.  

Moderator edit: format and merged posts.

[Lilian]

I just started getting that message when plugged into the same outlet using the same adapter as for the last  ten years, so nope, I don’t think so.

[m-umar]

I had this message again last week when I plugged my sense into the outlet that been used all the time. Unplugged & Plugged back into the same one & somehow error didn't come back. Really annoying. It is still under warranty but what happens when out of warranty?

[MarineSeabee]

I purchased a Sense brand new and 6 days later sent in for warranty and now the replacement is doing the Slow Charging even when I have it on a high capacity wall charger! Sigh

[m-umar]

Both versa 3 and sense has this issue. It is a design fault due to the pins on the charger. Make sure any of the pin is not bit lower as compare to others. It is more prevalent with replacement ones that are not new rather refurbished. 

[Fittobittied]

Every charging issue I had - slow charging message, actually taking forever to charge - turned out to be related to the charger not the Sense and were fixed by replacing the charger.  

[Casual-User]

Not sure what you’re referring to as “the charger,” the wall charger or the adapter cable, but my wife and I both have Sense devices (as well as Versas and Charge HRs). We’ve never had charging issues before the Sense, and we both have issues with the Sense, so in effect, we’ve tried multiple devices and multiple adapter cables, both with multiple wall chargers. Bottom line is the “package” is a problem, a headache, and Fitbit hasn’t stepped up to fix it. I bought a Garmin Venu 2 yesterday. It works, it charges, it’s a nice package. I’m done with Fitbit.

[Rge]

I had the charging problem also. It turned out to be one of the contact pins on the charger wasn’t springing back out . My Sense is only6 months old so Fitbit warranted the charge cable, but if they only last 6 months that is definitely a design flaw!