Fitbit is working on fix for Charge 5 Bluetooth pairing issue
Some Fitbit Charge 5 users have noticed the device on their wrist keeps losing Bluetooth connection. The company says it is aware of the problem and is actively working on a fix.
As spotted by 9to5Google, the issue was first reported in early April on Fitbit Community forums. It doesn’t seem to be a widespread problem, but there are still some people that are seeing this happening.
“Bought Charge 5 ten days ago. Have Bluetooth connected and then immediately not connected on my iPhone. Shall I return it to the shop? Looks like this is common problem,” one users says.
“Mine’s the same. Spent a frustrating few days back and forth with Customer Services who asked me to send a video of it happening. Did this and they then said they would escalate it,” another one adds.
To us, this sounds like it may be a hardware problem affecting some devices rather than a software glitch. Particularly as the company has not issued any major firmware upgrades for Fitbit Charge 5 in recent months.
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We’ve done a detailed guide a while back on what to do if you are experiencing Bluetooth connection and sync issues. The steps boil down to a few things.
At the outset, you should restart both your fitness band and smartphone. This is the go-to solution when seeing any sort of technical issue.
Open up the Fitbit app and if it is not syncing automatically, attempt to do a manual sync. Also check the Bluetooth connection on your smartphone. Is it turned on and is Charge 5 paired to your phone?
Try toggling Bluetooth on your phone off and then back on. Open up the Fitbit app and see if the issue has been resolved. You could also try syncing to a different phone, tablet or computer.
A more drastic step is to remove all devices from your Fitbit account and the list of connected Bluetooth devices on your mobile phone. And then do a pairing as if it was a new Charge 5. As an added measure, you could even factory reset your Fitbit.
If you’ve tried all of this and are still seeing the bug, the best course of action is to communicate with the Fitbit Customer Support team for further instructions. As mentioned, they have acknowledged the problem and are currently working on a solution. Having said that, it is a bit strange that some two months after the issue was first reported, there is no software update with the fix.
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Woke up this morning, couldn’t read Fitbit Charge 5 sleep log. The phone kept searching for Fitbit. I took process of forgetting the device, turning on and off Bluetooth and searching again but nothing happened. I’ve tried pairing with another phone, nothing happened either.
Problem must still exist on August 6,2022 I lost my connection on my iPhone Bluetooth and have done all the suggested things and still will not connect on phone. Was able to connect on iPad but is not discoverable for phone
So annoyed. I have been having Bluetooth connection problems for over 6 weeks. I finally called fitbit 8/4/22 and was told my information would be be forwarded to a “higher department” and would receive an email from them within 24 to 48 hours. Still waiting????
Has there been any resolution? I am having the same problem. All of a sudden, my Charge5 is not showing up on my phones bluetooth and won’t sync. I have restarted the Fitbit, my phone, uninstalled and reinstalled the app, all with no luck. I’d love to hear if you found a way to fix it!
Same problem. My Charge 5 sync’ed overnight, I went to look at my sleep score this morning and it didn’t have one on the app. Tried to sync manually, sync failed. Contacted customer support via chat and they said they needed to elevate the issue and would email me a response within 24-48hrs. Tried all the usual fixed. On my phone, selected ‘forget’ the device in the bluetooth settings (Pixel 6), and now it can’t re-pair at all. Super frustrated to find out this is a common bug. I liked the device and app, until now.
I had this problem also with my recently purchased Charge 5, but now it’s syncing with the app WITHOUT being bluetooth paired. (??)
Mine syncs too without being bluetooth paired any longer. I like being able to see it as one of my paired devices though.
Doesn’t look like Fitbit has actually fixed the problem, based on how our Charge 5 is acting.
Same issue here. No rhyme or reason and doesn’t respond to usual connection tricks. Daily frustration. Not sure why it keeps dropping.
I bought a new Charge 5 in January of 2023. The problem appeared within days and continues. I’m certainly not going to call their tech support line after reading all the above posts and the obvious willingness to make vague escalation promises and never get back to the callers. I wish I’d read these before I purchased.
My Charge 5 is fine, but my partner’s bought at the same time, suddenly is 5 minutes fast. This seems to have happened when UK clocks changed to BST. I’ve been trying to pair it again using his TCL Android phone – the phone keeps saying Bluetooth isn’t connected but it is! Sync fails after a few minutes. I’ve spent so long trying to rectify this – any ideas anyone please?
I am having the same problem. Bluetooth does not find the charge five. Bluetooth finds other devices in the house but not the charge five and it sinks in the car.
I have shut down the phone several times. I have restarted my charge five several times. I have deleted the Fitbit app. No matter what I do. I can’t get Bluetooth to find the charge five. And if Bluetooth can’t find the charge five there’s no way I can cause it to pair. I need to know what else I can do.
It’s July 22, 2023 and the connection issue STILL has not been addressed. I hate to do it, but my only option is Apple with waaaay too many options I won’t use, but connection has not been reported on ANY models. What a shame, such a large company that can’t address such a simple popular complaint.