My Sense charger is not working

[trishcollins]

I am on my fifth charger since buying my Sense in Jan 2021.  The original charger has been replaced under warranty twice, but they won't replace it any longer, as it's out the warranty period.  I have also ordered several other third party chargers, which over time have also stopped working.  They all have one thing in common.  One of the four pins retracts into the charger and won't come out, so the charger is not contacting on all four pins, and therefore cannot charge.  This is completely unacceptable, and I am tired of buying chargers between $10 and $20 every month or two, in order to keep my watch charged.  This is obviously a defect in the charger design, and I would be more than happy to purchase an OEM charger, if Fitbit can actually show me they have fixed the problem.  I have seen several complains about this issue, and I see Fitbit doing nothing to resolve it.  It's a quality control issue that needs to be addressed.  I have done all the other things as suggested, but it's always the same issue.  A pin retracts and the charger is useless.  I try and be extremely gentle when attaching the watch to the charger, but that's difficult because it's magnetic, so pulls it towards the charger with a snap.  The $300 watch is useless if it cannot be charged, and I will not be buying at FitBit again, unless they can show they actually are doing something about this issue.  I bought mine on Amazon, and will be posting a negative review if nothing is done to fix this problem. I am otherwise happy with the watch (I have other issues regarding the exercise, but for the most part, it does what I need), but cannot see myself spending that kind of money again for something that is rendered useless by a sub-quality charger.

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[Guy_]

Hi @trishcollins  - the point is clear.

However, as they say, flying is easy, it's the landing and take-off that is problematic!

In other words, it's how you connect and disconnect the charge cable that may be an issue [of less good design].

Both my original charge cable, and a more robust design 3rd party cable [click pic] are still working for me after over 18 months.

Slow charging does happen but cleaning each charge with rubbing alcohol avoids it.

[trishcollins]

I am extremely careful connecting and disconnecting the watch from the charger.  However, the magnet is strong and pulls the watch towards the charger, and I have no control over that.  Once that pin retracts, it never comes back, and it's always the same pin no matter which charger, so that says a bad design (most of the third party chargers I suspect come from the same manufacturer as the OEM).  I have read this happening to others on a number of occasions, so it's not just me experiencing it.  I keep the posts clean and clean the back on the watch on a regular basis.  I am disappointed that they haven't made any attempt to fix the problem.  This is contributing to throw-away society, where you can't fix anything, you simply buy another and put the first one in the landfill.  My husband even attempted to try and fix the first charger, but it couldn't be done.  It cannot just be the way I attach the watch to the charger causing the problem.  Given the idea of these watches are for people who are doing physical workouts, you would think they would make the chargers a little more robust.

[DannyBee]

I have the same issue. This is totally unacceptable!

[melaniepa]

05 14 2022

Having same issues!  I have had my sense less than 2 months!  One pin now recessed, and sense no longer charging

I’m on vacation out of country n have to buy a new charger!  I have been reading complaints dating back to 2019!   
Fitbit needs to address the charger issue .  It’s  obviously a design flaw.  

[mfillastre]

After using Fitbit products since 2015, I was given the Sense last Christmas. I have the same problem with the charger and I now realise that this problem has been around for a while. Very disappointing. I think Fitbit should fix the problem and offer a new charger to all clients

[Mottsa]

My Fitbit SENSE no longer keeps any log. The screen is stuck with 'Fitbit logo' on screen and stopped about 11:20 this morning AEST.

I cannot turn it off, get it to do anymore steps or do anything with it. 

What should I do?

I will have to go back through my bank statements to see when I paid for it.

[imaharleymama]

I bought mine a year ago. Last 5 months it won't charge. I've purchased from fitbit! A new charger...SAME DANG THING. It won't charge. 

@Fitbit

#fitbit

needs to address this and make it right. The watch is useless, absolutely :hundred_points: useless without the charger working. This is crazy.. 

[imaharleymama]

That is so not true at all. I clean mine every single time and the connection lasts all of 3 to 4 seconds at best and shuts off. Ive replaced the cable, the power box, cleaned and recleaned. It won't charge. 

[imaharleymama]

 By chance which pin is it. If I'm looking at my watch and the charger is attached, the pin on the left bottom is shorter or missing even on the chargers I've purchased separately. 

Sometimes I can get a charge to about 25 or 30 percent. Most of the time my watch is just dead...

[melaniepa]

Yes the bad pin is same location

Sent from my iPhone

[AmieElder]

Same situation. It's so frustrating. I'm looking at other options at this point. I'm on charger number three, not counting the one that came with the watch. The first lasted a long time, the replacements have been garbage. All were Fitbit chargers. I'll likely get cheap ones at Amazon this time. But it irks me to no end that I pay a monthly subscription and have to keep buying chargers. It's a high maintenance product at this point.

[imaharleymama]

Design flaw for sure.  I just want it to work. 

[DannyBee]

I got a different charger a mounted one on a stand. So far so good 🙂

[JustThisGuy]

What I find remarkable is that in spite of an obvious design or manufacturing flaw that the company has not owned, nobody is proposing to return the device under warranty.

[Guy_]

Hi @JustThisGuy  - there would be no point returning a defective charge cable under warranty, they just send out a new one. Or you can buy them for a $4.

Sometimes people are asked to return their good watch for a refurbished one when the watch is not at fault, just the charge cable.

[Normk60]

I have the same issue and will likely be switching to Apple Watch if I don’t hear from FitBit.

[Macmhaolain71]

 

I have been scouring this forum to be able to give credit to guy who came up with a fix but can’t find his post. I bought my Sense in Oct 2020 and have had Fitbit send me three chargers and bout the rest from Amazon. All have to same flaw where the bottom left pin becomes stuck. If I didn’t love my Sense so much I would have switched back to my Apple Watch but I love this watch. 
Anyway this guy suggested he had a tiny tiny pair of tweezers and lifted pin out and put a tiny ring of super glue around the ring and sides of pen. So I had just ordered a new three pack from Amazon and one of them lasted 3 Days!!!!! So I thought to myself why wait until pin sticks. Why not put a thin ring of superglue around border of bottom left pin. Not over the pin but, use one of those tiny tiny packages of super glue that have needle nose opening. So I put ring around all four pins. It looks quite messy but works like a charm. Just don’t get any on the pins themselves.  Let it sit all night and it no longer depresses in and connects to my charger. I’ve used it three days no problems. Now should Fitbit fix their terribly flawed charger YES! But will they after two years of just sending us replacements? Doubtful. 
try the hack it works! I wish I could give credit to the guy who brought up idea but can’t find his post. Was brilliant idea. 
shea 

[anetvg]

I'm about to be on my third charger.  Same issue.  Pin pushed in.  This is so annoying!  I didn't sign up for buying new chargers and creating more trash every time my charger breaks.  Unacceptable.

[melaniepa]

Totally agree!!! Its a design flaw that needs to be addressed

Sent from my iPhone