Fitbit is a great tool to track and monitor your fitness and get in shape, but it can be frustrating when you are not getting the battery life that Fitbit promises. Even if you use a new Fitbit Charger, it may charge very slowly and give you an error message “Slowly Charging.” There are many reasons for this charging problem, poor battery life, loose charging cable, and other environmental factors such as high temperatures.
This article will help you troubleshoot the “Fitbit charging slowly” issue so that you can get back to your workout routine on time.
Also Read:
What is the Average Fitbit Charging time?
Fitbit wearables usually reach 0-100% charge in a maximum of two hours, and they can be charged on any USB port, including the one on your laptop or an electric plug adapter for wall sockets. However, the charging duration may vary depending on the power source.
I always recommend you charge your Fitbit with an AC adaptor with the original charger than a power bank or laptop to reduce the charging time. You should also remember that using the wrong charger may increase the charging time and may even damage your device.
What to do if your Fitbit Charges slowly?
If your Fitbit takes a longer time to charge, even with the original charger, there might be an issue with your device. In this case, you should check your smartwatch/fitness tracker or charger.
Now let us have a look at some Fitbit charging slowly problems and how to solve them:
Restart/Reboot Your Fitbit
If your Fitbit smartwatch or fitness tracker takes longer to charge the battery than usual, you should immediately restart/ reboot it. As you know, smartwatches are tiny computers that can hang or glitch like any other electronic device.
You can solve most of the charging issues by simply restarting your Fitbit. To restart/reboot your Fitbit, go to Settings>About>Shutdown. Then press the power button (left side) to turn it on again.
Check for a Software update.
If your Fitbit has outdated software, then that might be one of the reasons for slow charging. In this case, you should update your Fitbit to the latest software.
If a software update is available, then you can see it on the top of the Fitbit App. Just tap on that notification to update your device. Before you proceed, make sure that you keep the Fitbit and connected smartphone closer. Also, you should ensure that your Fitbit has at least 50% of battery backup.
Check for Loose Charging Cable
The Fitbit charging cable can become loose because of repeated plugging and unplugging. You should check for a loose Fitbit charger by looking at both ends of the charging cable – if either end is worn-down or bent, you’ll need to replace it with a new one! As mentioned, make sure you buy an original Fitbit charger from the official website or authorized stores such as Amazon, Walmart, etc.
Check the Charging Port of your Fitbit.
Inspect the Fitbit’s charging port for any debris or dirt that may have accumulated over time. Fitbits are tiny gadgets, so there is a huge chance of getting dust or debris inside the charging port, slowing down the Fitbit battery charge!
You should clean Fitbit’s charging port using a dry cotton swab to remove any foreign particles from your device. Never use any kind of damp cloth or sharp objects, as it may cause serious damage to your Fitbit.
Turn off Always-on Display While Charging Fit
The Fitbit quick start guide recommends turning off the Always-on display feature while charging Fitbits because it consumes a lot of power and slows down Fitbit’s charge time! You can quickly turn it off at the display settings.
Settings>Always-on Display>Off.
Factory reset the Fitbit.
If none of the steps helps you fix the “Fitbit charging slowly” problem, you should factory reset your Fitbit. Before you go ahead, make sure that you back up all the data on your Fitbit because it will delete all your data and settings from your device.
To factory reset Fitbit, go to Settings>About>Factory Reset>Reset Device. Once done, you should set up your Fitbit again as a new device.
Fitbit Iconic Recall
If you own a Fitbit Iconic, this is for you! Due to lithium-ion battery overheating issues and potential burn risk, Google-owned Fitbit voluntarily recalled its Iconic smartwatch models in 2 March 2022.
If you use a Fitbit Iconic and do not have any heating issues, Fitbit still recommends that you stop using it and return it for a full refund. Fitbit has also opened a dedicated Fitbit Ionic Recall web page where you register for a refund. As Fitbit stopped the production of Iconic watches in 2020, you can either request a full refund or get a discount for a new Fitbit device.
Please note that this Voluntary Safety Recall of Ionic Smartwatches is available only 90 days after the registration date. So make sure to return the device immediately after registering your device.
Most importantly, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) prohibits you from carrying Fitbit Ionic devices on airplanes or in aircraft. So, if you have any upcoming flights, please do not take your Iconic watch with you!
Contact Fitbit for Support
If Fitbit is still charging slowly even after trying out all the above solutions, you should contact Fitbit for support. If you are in the warranty period, Fitbit may well replace your Fitbit.
I hope this blog post provided helpful information on how to fix Fitibt’s Charging Slowly! If it did, don’t forget to let me know in the comment section below.
Saneesh VS is a tech and fitness enthusiast. He has been reviewing smartwatches and fitness trackers for the past few years and is passionate about it. He writes about the latest news in the industry, helpful tips, and buying guides. You can find him working out or spending time with his family when he’s not writing or reviewing gadgets.