Two of Fitbit’s most popular series are their Charge smart bands and Versa smart watches. The company regularly sends updates to these devices with bug fixes and new features.

However, it appears that a recent update is seriously affecting the performance of a key component of these devices.

More specifically, users of the Fitbit Charge 4, Charge 5, Versa 2 and Versa 3 wearables are reporting erratic GPS performance where it keeps disconnecting or doesn’t connect at all.

Fitbit Charge (4 and 5), Versa (2 and 3) GPS disconnecting or not connecting

According to reports, the Fitbit Charge 4 and Charge 5 GPS has been unreliable for two or three weeks. This is due to multiple sudden disconnections negatively impacting route tracking.

fitbit-charge-4-charge-5-gps-disconnecting-not-connecting-1
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GPS Dynamic Setting Issues

My Charge 5 firmware updated last week and now the GPS Dynamic setting will not connect to the phone automatically.
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Charge 4 on android keeps losing GPS connection

I’ve been doing the same exact run and in the past before the update I lost GPS connection once every 20 runs now it’s every single run at roughly 10 minutes into it what can I do to fix this
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The vast majority of reports about the issue come from Fitbit Charge 4 and Charge 5 users. However, there are also some Fitbit Versa 2 and 3 users dealing with the same situation.

fitbit-versa-2-3-gps-disconnecting-not-connecting-1
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VERSA 2 – GPS KEEPS DROPPING OUT DURING RUNS!??

My Versa 2 GPS has started to ‘drop out’ during my daily run during my holiday to Barbados! It was ok for a few weeks but this is the 4th day it has failed and I am here purely to exercise and bolster my heart health. I am desperate!
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Versa 3 GPS connectivity issues

Versa 3 GPS not working properly. Brand new Versa 3 GPS takes several minutes to connect for a run workout. Then sporadically disconnects throughout the run. Fitbit and app are completely updated. Logged out/in. Followed all the “solutions” provided on forums. Still does not work.
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Issue under investigation

It seems that the latest Fitbit update (v48.200001.100.43) that came out about 3 weeks ago caused or intensified the GPS connectivity issues.

48.200001.100.43 GPS suddenly not working

Hi, since a week the GPS is not working any more. More then a year it runs without multiple errors (only stopping due to too much clouds but not very often)

Now, like other are claiming, I get after a few minutes a message like “GPS is not available(…)”
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Fortunately, the Fitbit team is already aware of the GPS issue that many users are facing and working on a fix. However, there is no ETA for its rollout yet.

We will update the story as events unfold.

NOTE: You can also check the Fitbit bugs/issues tracker.

PiunikaWeb started as purely an investigative tech journalism website with main focus on ‘breaking’ or ‘exclusive’ news. In no time, our stories got picked up by the likes of Forbes, Foxnews, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, Macrumors, and many others. Want to know more about us? Head here.

Jean Leon
1613 Posts

A tech enthusiast since ever. I like to always be up to date on the latest news in the industry and write about it. Twitter: @jean_ERdC

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