Sense charging cable isn't working

[mloubou]

When I first started wearing the Sense (about 6 weeks ago), it would e-mail me when the power was low, or vibrate to notify me.  It doesn't seem to do that now and so I think it totally ran out of power yesterday.  It would not light up no matter how I pressed the side (although I do find the button finicky and I have trouble hitting it just right )  I attached it to the recharger which was plugged into the computer and left it for 3 hours. It still wouldn't turn on.  I thought maybe it didn't like the computer charging it, so I plugged it into a wall mounted recharger for 5 hours.  Still nothing.  In normal times I might bring it to the store where I bought it and ask them to try to recharge it to see if it was the recharger or the watch, but my area is locked down so I can't do that.  Any suggestions?

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Guy_]

Try practicing with the button, as its not actually a button, it takes a bit of getting used to.

Worn on the left arm -

rest your other thumb on the arm to the left of the watch

and forefinger on the back of the hand

and do a gentle squeeze of the watch

You need to squeeze for a few second until it vibrates or the logo appears/

[mloubou]

Thanks for the hints. Although I find it finicky, I have been able to do it
until yesterday. Since then I have tried multiple times and get nothing. I
think my either charger is not working or the battery is not taking the
charge.

[LZeeW · Accepted solution]

@mloubou   Fitbit recommends cleaning the contacts with some rubbing alcohol and a toothbrush.  Try that.  How do I clean my Fitbit device?   It is part of the troubleshooting steps.  You already did the other step, trying a different charging source.

[mloubou]

Wow - it worked! My Fitbit is now charging. Thank you so much for your
help.



Mary Lou

[HERMES9576]

I am incredibly frustrated, it’s big ordeal to get my relatively new sense to properly charge, even after cleaning the connection surface with alcohol and allowing the surfaces to dry it’s still 50:50 chance that I get the proper connection to start charging. I am almost ready to dump this  sense smart watch and just get Apple Watch 

not surprising, it’s impossible to get help from Fitbit to get Fitbit replace my two month old Sense, my good old charger 2 was / is so much more reliable 

[mloubou]

Another question - how do I get it to alert me when the power is low?  I really liked it when it would e-mail me...

Thank you

[Guy_]

@mloubou 

In the phone Fitbit App

Click on profile photo [top left]

Scroll down to

Click Notifications

Scroll down to Email Notifications

The watch face SimpleClockDuo vibrates every time the battery level descends by 1% below 17% and flashes on the screen. It might be a useful alternative, as its a constant persistent reminder.

[mloubou]

Maybe I just don’t notice it. I will try to be more observant 😊



Thanks

[Guy_]

@mloubou  Most watch faces don't do the vibrating, but I know SimpleClockDuo does, only below 17%, and the battery level goes red then too, you can't miss it!.

[Odyssey13]

Hi @mloubou  see Page 24 of the Sense user manual - click to go there. If you have less than 24 hours left of charge, you'll see a red battery with an exclamation point on your Sense. The app on your mobile device ought to have the battery percentage on there, too. What @Guy_  is saying is that a clock face that he uses has a battery feature. 

[mloubou]

Thank you Guy_ and Odyssey13 for your responses.

[kjpalme1]

Me too. I am having all these problems. I clean it all the time, but I can’t never get it to charge, when it dose charge, it is a very slow charge. Very. I don’t think I have ever gotten it fully charged. My Sense is 1 month old. No, it isn’t me, I have tried everything, even bough a new (Fitbit brand) cable to try. New wall chargers, not outlets, cleaned it with a toothbrush and alcohol. Everything. 

now it is completely dead and I can’t get it to turn on at all. So disappointed because I was loving my sense. If I can’t find a solution today I am returning it (if I still can). 

[belterre]

I have found one of the pins on the charging tab gets stuck in the retracted position and does not make contact when trying to charge. I am just getting a new cable.

[wenrenli]

There are 4 pins on the charge cable, if one of them stuck inside the housing case (won’t erect) it won’t charge. Contact Fitbit service to get replacement for free.  This can happen repeatedly every 5-6 months due to the poor design.  I am on my third one now.

[Guy_]

Hi @wenrenli - there can be reasons why the pin gets stuck in

If you clean your contacts the watch contacts well before charging, have a look at these tips it may avoid it failing. Tips when using the Sense or Versa 3 charging cable 

I am still on the original cable - and reserve - after 28 months.