We all know a fitness junkie who is never seen without their Fitbit (or maybe it's you), and it's easy to understand why. These unassuming devices can track a myriad of health markers, such as heart rate, steps, breathing, sleep, workout zones, and more. However, once in a while, your Fitbit may act up. Whether it's syncing problems, battery issues, an unresponsive device, or software glitches, a reset can often restore your Fitbit to optimal performance.
In this article, we'll guide you through the different types of resets—soft and factory resets— and show you how to perform them on various Fitbit models. You'll also learn when it's appropriate to reset your device and additional troubleshooting tips to keep your Fitbit running smoothly. We'll also introduce IFTTT, our free automation software that can connect Fitbit to over 1000 apps and devices, streamlining your health journey.
When to reset a fitbit
Before diving into the reset process, it's essential to understand when a reset is necessary. Common scenarios that may require a reset include:
Syncing issues: If your Fitbit is not syncing with the app on your phone or computer, this could be a sign that a reset is needed.
Battery problems: If the battery is draining unusually fast or not charging correctly, resetting your Fitbit might help recalibrate the battery gauge.
Unresponsive device: If your Fitbit is frozen or not responding to button presses, a reset can often get it back in working order.
Software glitches: If you experience random reboots or other erratic behavior, it could be due to a software error that a reset can fix.
In some cases, you might also want to reset your Fitbit before giving it to someone else or if you plan to return or sell it, ensuring that your personal data is wiped clean. Resetting your Fitbit can resolve these issues by restarting the internal software and clearing temporary data that may be causing the problem. It's a simple and effective first step in troubleshooting that can save you a trip to the service center.
Types of resets: soft reset vs. factory reset
Soft reset
A soft reset is a simple restart that does not erase any of your data. It's the first step you should try when troubleshooting your Fitbit device. This method is quick and usually resolves minor issues. Think of it as the equivalent of rebooting your computer; it closes all running programs and clears the memory, which can solve temporary glitches.
To perform a soft reset, you generally need to connect your device to its charging cable and press a specific button or combination of buttons. The exact method varies by model, which we'll cover in the following sections.
Factory reset
A factory reset, also known as a hard reset, will erase all data stored on the device and return it to its original factory settings. This type of reset is more drastic and should be used as a last resort if a soft reset does not resolve the issue. Performing a factory reset means that all your personalized settings, including alarms, goals, and data, will be lost, and you'll need to set up your Fitbit as if it were new.
It's important to back up any important data before proceeding with a factory reset. However, most of your fitness data should be synced and safely stored on the Fitbit app or your online dashboard.
How to perform a soft reset on different Fitbit models
Fitbit Charge Series
- Connect your Fitbit Charge to the charging cable.
- Press and hold the button on the side of the device for 8-10 seconds.
- Release the button when the Fitbit logo appears on the screen. Your device will restart.
- After restarting, the device should function normally. If it doesn't, you may need to repeat the process or try a factory reset.
Performing a soft reset on the Fitbit Charge series is often the quickest way to resolve minor issues such as sync errors or a frozen screen. It's a safe and easy process that doesn't affect your data.
Fitbit Versa Series
- Press and hold the back (left) and bottom (right) buttons on the Fitbit Versa simultaneously.
- Continue holding the buttons until the Fitbit logo appears on the screen (about 10 seconds).
- Release the buttons and wait for the device to restart.
- Your Fitbit Versa should now be running smoothly. If not, you might consider checking for software updates or opting for a factory reset.
The Fitbit Versa series is known for its advanced features, and a soft reset can help maintain its performance. It's particularly useful if the touch screen is unresponsive or if apps are not working correctly.
Fitbit Inspire Series
- Connect your Fitbit Inspire to the charging cable.
- Press and hold the button on the side of the device for 5 seconds.
- Release the button when you see a smiley face icon on the screen. Your device will restart.
- If the issue persists, ensure that your charging cable and port are clean and try the reset again.
Fitbit Ionic
- Press and hold the back and bottom buttons on the Fitbit Ionic simultaneously.
- Continue holding the buttons until the Fitbit logo appears on the screen (about 10 seconds).
- Release the buttons and wait for the device to restart.
If the soft reset does not work, consider updating the Fitbit OS or performing a factory reset for a more thorough solution.
How to perform a factory reset on different Fitbit models
Fitbit Charge Series
- Connect your Fitbit Charge to the charging cable.
- Press and hold the button on the side of the device for 15 seconds.
- Continue holding the button until the Fitbit logo disappears and reappears. This indicates that the factory reset is complete.
- Once the reset is complete, you'll need to set up your Fitbit Charge again using the Fitbit app.
Fitbit Versa Series
- Go to the Settings menu on your Fitbit Versa.
- Scroll down and select "About".
- Choose "Factory Reset" and confirm your selection.
- After the factory reset, your Versa will be as good as new, and you can reconfigure it from scratch.
Performing a factory reset on the Fitbit Versa series is straightforward through the on-device menu, but remember that it will delete all your personal data on the device.
Fitbit Inspire Series
- Go to the Settings menu on your Fitbit Inspire.
- Scroll down and select "Clear User Data".
- Confirm your selection to initiate the factory reset.
- Once the process is complete, you'll need to reconnect and set up your Fitbit Inspire with the app.
Fitbit Ionic
- Go to the Settings menu on your Fitbit Ionic.
- Scroll down and select "About".
- Choose "Factory Reset" and confirm your selection.
- After the factory reset, set up your device again as if it were new, which will involve re-syncing your data.
If doing a factory reset didn't resolve your issues, the next step would be to contact Fitbit support. They can guide you through a repair or send a replacement if you are covered under warranty.
Better Fitbit with IFTTT
As great as Fitbit is, what if we told you that IFTTT could help unlock functionality you never even knew existed, at no additional charge? IFTTT is our free web-based service and mobile app designed to boost productivity by automating tasks. It works by creating connections between over 1000 popular apps and services, allowing them to work together seamlessly.
The basic idea behind IFTTT is to create "applets" or sets of instructions that trigger when certain conditions are met. This can be turning on the lights automatically when you enter your house, for example. It could be syncing your IOS health data to Fitbit, or generating custom-made spreadsheets with your heart rate data. Serious athletes know the value of IFTTT.
Founded in 2011, IFTTT has been used by over 25 million individuals to automate business, home, and lifestyle tasks, saving time and increasing efficiency. It's commonly used to connect disparate services and systems, making all products and services work well together in a way that instills user confidence. Best of all, it's free and only takes a couple of minutes to set up.
Join IFTTT today for free and see for yourself why we are the most trusted automation platform by professionals and amateurs worldwide.
Top Fitbit Applets with IFTTT
Track your daily Fitbit activity in a Google spreadsheet
One of the most popular Applets. Automatically track all of your daily Fitbit activity into a simple Google spreadsheet.
With this automation, Fitbit will now be able to submit your data to iOS Health.
Log your Fitbit weight to Strava
When your Fitbit weight is updated, it'll automatically sync with Strava
To enable these Applets and millions more (yes, millions), try IFTTT today for free.
Wellness
How to reset Fitbit devices (every model)
September 20, 2024
