Zip syncing erratically

[Kali284]

So, I got a Zip for Christmas, and for the first month it worked great.  Then my dongal got damaged - just the outside protective cover and it still worked, but I ordered another, just in case.    This may or may not be related to my issue.

Within a week of getting the new one, I noticed that my Zip is syncing erratically.  It seems to mostly happen at night (it is as exhausted as I am from a busy day?!?) but this weekend I found it happening here and there.  It would not sync for 30-45 minutes with me sitting with my laptop on my lap!

One evening, it wouldn't sync and I played with it for about 45 minutes before it finally went.  Last night, I took it off and set it right next to the dongal.  I kept waking the zip up and refreshing the page every 10 minutes or so and after over an hour plus, I gave up and fell asleep.  This a.m., I got up and when I checked it, it sync'd my steps from this morning, but didn't sync my last 300 steps from last night!  I thought it was supposed to hold 7 days worth of data!

I have tried unplugging and replugging in the dongal.  I have tried my other two USB ports.  I tried the old dongal.  Nothing seems to be helping!  Sometimes it works, other times, it just doesn't.

I read the pages on how to manually sync, but cannot find any of the icons referenced.

I am using the dashboard via fitbit.com, on a Windows 8.1 platform.  It sounds like maybe there is something I could download onto my laptop, but I have no idea where to find it or if it would work better.  I don't want to sync to my phone because of data limitations.  I am fine with it not syncing until I return home, but it needs to actually sync!

This is so frustrating and disappointing!!!

[Mcore]

It's nice to have you here @Kali284. Welcome! This is a strange behavior and the only thing I could think of right now is your tracker's battery. Have you checked if the battery is making proper contact with your tracker? You can check this out by making sure the metal pin in the battery compartment is not twisted or bent. Here's a picture of what it should look like:

Have you tried syncing your tracker using a different computer? Has your tracker synced since you last posted in the Community? If it did, were you able to see the missing 300 steps back on your Dashboard?

Looking forward to your reply.

[Kali284]

Hi Melissa,

The pin does seem to be positioned correctly. 

Yes, my tracker has sync'd since then.  In fact, it sync'd the next morning with the steps for that morning, but that last 300 steps never came in.  According to FitBit's technical information on its website, the Zip is supposed to hold up to 7 days worth of data, but in that situation, it didn't hold even 12 hours of data.  I entered them manually as a walk, just to get them in there.

I notice the issues more on the weekend, because I am home to monitor it.  During the week it is harder to tell.  Two nights ago, it didn't seem to sync well, but then it seemed to sync just fine last night, although I did a manual sync (finally figured that out!) before turning in, just to be certain I didn't lose anything.  But it's a pain to have to remember to do that!

One thing I am wondering.  While I have not paired my Fitbit with anything other than my laptop, my daughter and I both have phones and iPods with speakers, all of which are bluetooth enabled (that's 6 bluetooth enabled devices).  I connect our speakers with my laptop (via a cord) for better sound when watching videos and working out.  Could this be causing havoc?    At any given time, a bluetooth device is likely to be in the same room with my laptop and within 5-10 feet of it.

Also, my laptop is set up to go to sleep after a period of time to conserve energy.  I know some apps don't "wake up" well from this process.  Could this be an issue?

Neither of these things is likely to change, but at least I can try to be more aware of it.

[Mcore]

I appreciate you confirming that the metal pin seems to be fine and for your reply @Kali284. In regard to the two situation you mentioned about having other devices connected via Bluetooth, this could be interfering with your tracker's connection. You can try testing this situation whenever you have an opportunity.

It was a good idea also to manually log your steps you were missing, this is actually what we recommend when this tends to happen. If you were not able to see those steps added after you synced, this means that the tracker did not register them either.

Keep an eye on your tracker and please let me know any findings you can get. I'll be happy to help! 

[Kali284]

Thanks Melissa.

The tracker DID register the last 300 steps, they just wouldn't sync to Connect.  It's how I knew I had more steps missing - I subtracted what was on my Zip from what was on my dashboard. 

Frustrating (and ironic) that this will likely occur after every workout if this is an issue with conflicting bluetooth devices.

So far, it has been syncing well, but by coincidence, my workouts the past few days have not been ones from my PC.

[Mcore]

@Kali284 I'm glad to hear that the 300 steps were added to your Dashboard. This behavior might not be that consistent but it's a possibility if you have other bluetooth devices connected. 

In regard to what you said on your post "my workouts the past few days have not been ones from my PC", are you saying that your workouts are not showing up or you are not able to log them? 

Looking forward to your reply.

[wildguess]

I tried everything from reinstalling the program to removing the battery etc. It wouldn't sync with the Zip setting on top of the dongle. I found out that if I tell it to sync, it says to try again and again. I found that, if I try it again, or just after it asks to sync, if I just drop the Zip onto my mouse pad from a couple of inches it will alway sync with in a very few seconds. I am wondering if someone else could try that and see if it helps them sync the Zip

[Mcore]

Thank you for joining the community @wildguess. This is very interesting. Never heard of this happening but it will be good if someone could confirm this as well. I don't have a Zip  but hopefully other users can share there findings as well. 

If you have any new updates on this, please feel free to post back.

[Kali284]

@Mcore - What I meant by my last few workouts weren't on the computer is that I sometimes do workouts that are downloaded on my laptop or online.  When I do those workouts, I use my bluetooth speaker, which may be causing at least part of the issue.  When I posted, by coincidence, my schedule dictated workouts that were not on my laptop and therefore I wasn't using my speaker. 

I did have another issue over the weekend, when I was not using my speaker with my laptop, but was able to get a sync manually after two tries (first try said it couldn't locate my Zip).

It's frustrating that there are bluetooth interference issues.  We have managed two phones, two iPods and two speakers all with bluetooth and none with any issues.  Wondering what is different about FitBit?

[Melanie777]

Hi there, this is my 2nd Fitbit Zip since Christmas. The first one just would not sync. And I have the same again. Have reset it and done all sorts. I don't think this is worth even half the money. So much wasted time and aggravation. You should be paying us to use them. TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED.

[Mcore]

Thank you for being part of the community @Kali284 @Melanie777! I appreciate your comments in regard to this issue. @Melanie777 I wanted to ask you, are you using a computer or a supported mobile device to sync your tracker, or are you using both?

@Kali284 At the moment I wouldn't be able to tell you what exactly is happening in regard the interference with the bluetooth connection. This is currently being investigated. How often do you sync your tracker on a daily basis?  Do you keep your Zip at least 10 feet from the plugged in dongle? Have you tried syncing with other computers to check if this situation repeats itself?

Looking forward to your reply.

[wildguess]

I put the Zip within an inch of the dongle or right on top of it. It only
sync's when I drop it.

[Kali284]

The number of times I sync varies.  During the week, maybe 3-4 times.  On the weekend, it depends on what plans I have.  Could be dozens if I am having a lazy day at home or could be 3-4 if we have a lot planned.

I can't tell you the range I am in when it syncs automatically, but if I try to do a manual sync (which I am doing last thing every night to ensure an accurate accounting of my steps), I need to be within about 6-9 inches in order for it to even recognize the Zip.  Anything further, and it says it cannot find my device.

I feel fairly safe in saying that there is no way that my Zip is syncing from 10' away.  For example, my laptop is less than 10' from my bed and if I don't sync every night, I loose any steps between last auto sync and midnight.

I have not tried on other computers as I don't have one I can easily do so on. 

[Melanie777]

Now on my 4th tracker sigh lol lol

[Melanie777]

I am on my fourth tracker now. Wish me luck LOL