Fitbit Not Charging – How To Fix

Fitbits are designed to assist you on your fitness journey by keeping track of your goals. Available in different models, the one you choose depends entirely on personal preference and budget.

Like most electronic devices, Fitbits can sometimes experience charging issues. This can be a major inconvenience, especially if you rely on your Fitbit as part of your daily routine.

Fortunately, there are some troubleshooting techniques that Fitbit owners can try out before giving up and buying a brand-new device. This article will look into various reasons why your Fitbit may not be charging and how to go about fixing it.

Fitbit Not Charging

Generally, Fitbits have decent battery lives between charges, with the latest models lasting up to seven days. Despite this, it’s not uncommon to occasionally experience issues with charging.

There are many reasons why your Fitbit might not be charging as usual. If you find yourself experiencing charging trouble, here are some reasons why and how to fix them.

Replace the Charger

Fitbits usually come with just one charging cable. It’s not entirely unheard of for a charging cable or USB port to experience problems. To test if this is the problem, try using a different cable. If you don’t want to go ahead and buy a new one, then consider borrowing a friend’s charger.

Restart Your Fitbit

When used too much, electronic devices can sometimes experience glitching, and Fitbits are no exception. Essentially, it operates like a miniature computer. And like a computer, some problems may be fixable by simply restarting the device.

Depending on your model, restarting your Fitbit may vary. Typically, it involves pressing down on one or more side buttons for a couple of seconds. Once you’ve done this, try plugging it back into the charging port to see if it works.

Fitbit Not Charging to 100

Some Fitbit users have reported that their devices refuse to charge 100% and instead stop at 99%. Users need not worry too much about this as the final charging percentage may take a little longer to complete (usually about 2 hours).

That being said, some troubleshooting techniques can be implemented in an attempt to fix this problem.

Restart Your Device

The first thing users should do is restart their Fitbit device. More often than not, Fitbits that are used regularly and rarely switched off can start to experience glitches. By turning the device off and back on again, this issue may be eliminated. After a restart, attach your Fitbit to the charging dock again and leave it for approximately 2 hours before checking the battery recharge level.

Try Unplugging the Charger

If restarting your Fitbit has failed to charge it to 100%, the next option is to try unplugging the charging cable for around half an hour before re-plugging it.

Fitbit Not Charging: Getting Hot

Have you experienced your charger heating up when trying to charge your Fitbit? You’re not alone in this, as many users report similar problems. Some people worry that this will damage their devices in the long run.

When a functional charger converts the alternating current to a direct current, it transmits around 70% of electrical current while the other 30% gets diffused and turned into heat energy.

Nevertheless, while it is normal for a device to heat up a little when charging, overheating that hinders charging capabilities can be a cause for concern and should be investigated.

Check the Charger

Sometimes, overheating may occur because the charger might not be compatible with the device. If you’re using a different charger from the one you received when you bought your Fitbit, you may want to invest in a new one that matches the original. Although a charger may fit into your device, this does not necessarily mean that it will be compatible. A tell-tale sign of incompatibility is overheating and poor charging.

Additionally, it could be that the charger you are using is not a high-quality one. Cheaply made chargers rarely come with strict safety precautions, so overheating is often an imminent issue.

Fitbit Not Charging: Alta

Released in February 2016, the Fitbit Alta is a great way of tracking daily fitness. The wearable technology uses the same functions as previous models. It includes a full OLED (organic light-emitting diode) that activates reminders, notifications, and a clock, all with a few taps.

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for Fitbit Alta users to experience issues with charging. Luckily, there are some solutions available.

Restart Your Device

Many Fitbit users have reported that their charging issues were solved by simply refreshing the Fitbits memory. To restart your Fitbit Alta:

1. Plug the charging cable into your device.
2. Press the small round button located at the bottom of the cable three times.
3. The Fitbit logo will then appear, indicating that the gadget is restarting.

Replace Your Charger

One reason why a Fitbit Alta may not be charging is because of a faulty charging cable. Modern electronic devices can occasionally experience sensitive charging ports, and so the cable must be plugged in as tightly as possible. However, having to hold the charger in a particular position constantly can be taxing, so it’s worth investing in a brand-new charging cable.

Clean Your Fitbit Alta Charger

For best results, make sure to check both sides of the charging cable for any damage or dirt. It may be that some dust or additional debris has accumulated over time and is stopping your Fitbit from charging fully.

Clean Your Fitbit

Like a charger, your Fitbit can also accumulate dust over time, making it harder to charge. For precision, try using a cotton swab and a drop of rubbing alcohol. Once you have thoroughly cleaned your Fitbit, try plugging it into a charging port again, and remember to go easy on the pressure.

Plug Your Fitbit Alta Into Different Sources

If your go-to charging port is a PC USB, then consider plugging your device into a different source if you experience trouble. Changes in firmware can sometimes cause devices to behave out of the ordinary. When this happens, try plugging the device into an alternate port or USB adapter. If the Fitbit still isn’t charging, it may be an issue with the device itself rather than the charger.

Fitbit Not Charging: Charge 4

The Fitbit Charge 4 is among the latest fitness tracker models available, released in 2020, but some users have reported issues regarding charging. Fortunately, users can solve the issue relatively quickly by checking certain aspects.

Restart the Device

As seen with other Fitbit versions, it may help to try restarting the device. To do this:

1. Press and hold the tracker button down for roughly 8 seconds.
   
2. The Fitbit will vibrate, and a smile icon will appear, indicating it has restarted.

Check the Charger

Often, charging problems may be a result of a faulty charging cable. Conduct a thorough inspection of your cable, ensuring that it is not dirty. If it is, use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to clean the metal contacts.

Fitbit Not Charging: Verse 2

Fitbit’s Verse 2 differs from other models in that users can also use Amazon’s Alexa to navigate it. If you find your Fitbit Verse 2 isn’t charging, a few actions can be taken to solve the issue.

Restart the Device

Restarting your Fitbit Verse 2 could potentially clear any charging issues associated with the device. To do this:

1. Press and hold the tracker button located on the side of your Fitbit Verse 2.
   
2. When the Fitbit logo appears, release the buttons. This process usually takes around 10 seconds.
   
3. Your Fitbit restart process is complete.

Replace Charger

If you’re using a different charger than the one that originally came with your Fitbit Verse 2, then it may be that it’s not compatible with your device. This incompatibility can lead to issues when charging.

If this is the case, consider investing in a new charging cable compatible with your Fitbit. To ensure compatibility, seek help from an expert.

Clean Your Device

Sometimes, a device may not charge properly due to an accumulation of dirt on the charger or the Fitbit itself. To ensure that it is cleaned thoroughly, use a cotton swab and a drop of rubbing alcohol. Make sure that the charger and device are fully dry before reconnecting to a power source.

A Final (Fit)Bit of Information

Owning a Fitbit can have a positive impact on an individual’s overall health. Incorporating the use of one into your everyday fitness routine can significantly aid you on your health journey.

One of the most annoying things that can happen when using your Fitbit is that the battery refuses to charge. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to solve the issue.

Do you use a Fitbit? Have you experienced any issues with charging? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.