Sense does not connect to GPS

[BurnMoreCals]

Hi @AlvaroFitbit, reaching out to you to see if you can provide some help.  I just got a Fitbit Sense today, went through the sync process which updated the watch and then tried out the exercises.  When I opened the Walk activity, the Sense says "GPS connecting".  I waited over a minute to see if it would connect before I actually started the Walk.  The GPS wasn't connecting so I started the Walk recording.  After a couple minutes I checked the status and it reported "No GPS Signal."  I tried restarting the Walk several times and GPS never connected, and also tried Bike with same results.  Also tried shutting off the Sense and restarting to see if that would fix the issue but no luck. I'm in a suburban area with strong GPS signals, and have never had any problems connecting on my original Versa through iPhone.

Can you tell me (a) how long it should take for the Sense to connect to GPS,  (b) how to troubleshoot the GPS when it isn't connecting, and (c) which should connect faster, Sense GPS, or original Versa GPS pass through with iPhone?  I can usually get a GPS connection with the original Versa in 30 seconds or less.

[bwdavis]

I have the same problem with Sense GPS. I have had my Sense for about a week and I have noticed a slight improvement over that time as apparently the tracker updates data files? Still it can take up to 3 to 4 minutes to connect to GPS. This means you can lose the first quarter mile on your GPS tracking map. I am disappointed with the performance of the built-in GPS as this was the feature I was most excited about. When I used my original Versa linked to my Iphone, it connected in a matter of a few seconds. It looks like this is no longer an option with the Sense. I'm seriously thinking about returning the Sense over this issue. Maybe others have had a better experience and I have a bad Sense or perhaps a software fix is on the way?

[Drew_Watkinson]

For me my first gps connection was a 5 min affair. After that for the same area it has been fast. 

[marksurry]

My first GPS connection was painfully slow but subsequent connections have been quick, like my previous Ionic.  It did however lose GPS towards the end of my last run.

[Mike_Croy]

When the Sense arrives it has no context so the first time it can take a while to make the GPS connection. After it has made the initial connection subsequent connections will usually be much quicker. - See: https://www.lifewire.com/time-to-first-fix-ttff-1683313

Mine also took a long time to connect the first time but is much faster now.

[BurnMoreCals · Accepted solution]

Hi all, thanks for the advice, finally got GPS to connect! 

I was continually getting "No GPS Signal" around 5 minutes after starting to record the Walk or Bike activity.  This isn't long enough for the first connection.

If you don't start recording the GPS doesn't time out and just keeps trying to connect.  In my case I started the Walk app, but didn't start recording.  The "GPS Connecting" displayed continuously without timing out and finally connected after about 10 minutes.  Second time connecting took around 15 seconds which is inline with my expectations. 

Thanks again!

[bobby2478]

Mine takes forever to connect to gps, several minutes. Much slower than my charge 3 took to connect via "connected gps" which was already slow until a recent firmware update appears to have improved that. 

Hopefully fitbit improves this performance for the sense in a future firmware update. 

[jkbrzt]

The only reason I’ve just upgraded from Versa 2 to Sense was the GPS. Instead of running, though, I’ve been trying to start the GPS and googling why it’s not working for the last hour. Fitbit is making it really hard for me to not switch to Apple Watch.

[CBV2]

Had the same problem.  Moved from the Versa 2 piggybacking on the iPhone GPS, which was reasonably quick in finding a connection, then went to the park with my new Sense for my usual walk.  Selected Walk and waited for a connection.  Sense said searching, searching ... searching.  After 4 or 5 minutes I gave up, started the record function and started the walk.  Bing, up came the connected signal. So does the Sense need to be recording to make the GPS connection?  Apologies if this has already been answered somewhere here.

[Mizzbecx]

I'm glad to see people are having the same problems as me, I'm gutted as I had an Ionic which worked perfectly every time but upgrading to the Sense. This this was a waste of money to be honest! Oddly though my Sense said "GPS Connecting" all the way on my 35 minute cycle but still recorded the ride and map. I would still prefer it to see "Connected" though so I know for sure each time! I've tried as someone else suggested leaving it connecting but not pressing the "play" button, left it like this for over an hour but still nothing. Any other advice at all? I'm just waiting for the online chat to become available......

[Mizzbecx]

I have found this, on my 35 minute cycle it said "GPS Connecting", however it recorded my full ride and map etc but never actually "connected"!

[krob65]

Same here!  If I start walking before it connects, though, I lose distance.  I've measured the distance around my neighborhood and know what it should be after my standard walk.  I was so happy to think that this GPS would take the place of me having to carry my phone around to use Map My Walk/Ride/Run.  I don't have much confidence in it now. 

[Latoya13]

It's weird. I've had my sense for about 4 weeks now and the first few times it connected within seconds. Today though, its not able to connect. Very annoying. 

[Vyas]

It can’t be the best answer when it appears it did not work for so many people and the hardware seem to have the problem.  I switching back to Charge 4.

[supriyarai6]

I am facing same issue but the best answer provided also does not help...I just started the walk app and without starting the recording waited till it shows GPS connected but it's like forever 'GPS connecting..' kindly help with this issue