Trying to complete 10,000 steps on your Fitbit, but like always, your Fitbit does not track your steps properly, and is driving you crazy? Why is Fitbit not counting steps? Well, you are not alone because many users are complaining about a similar issue. Let’s crack the code on this problem and find a common solution!
Fitbit is the most trusted companion for many because it helps them in their journey of staying fit. As Fitbit is commonly used to track steps or activity, it can be frustrating for Fitbit lovers if they face this issue.
It’s time to get set for some enlightenment on why this happens and ways of fixing the problem of Fitbit not counting steps on Android and iPhone.
Why Is your Fitbit Not Counting Steps?
Fitbit not only helps you track your activity and workouts but also keeps a note of your everyday steps, which can be highly beneficial for your overall fitness. You can remain motivated and keep working hard to hit your goal. But your Fitbit not counting steps accurately, all your hard work is wasted! Many have raised concerns about their Fitbit Versa 2 or Fitbit Luxe not counting steps. So, here are the reasons why this may be happening:
- You are not wearing your Fitbit correctly. Wear it on your non-dominant wrist snugly for the best results.
- You haven’t charged your Fitbit.
- The stride length is incorrect.
- If you have turned on the GPS system of your Fitbit, it may prioritize distance over step count.
- If your Fitbit hasn’t synced with the app, data may not appear.
- The firmware of your Fitbit is outdated.
- Your Fitbit profile has not been updated. Correct and timely updating your height, weight or stride information will help step calculation be more accurate.
How To Fix My Fitbit Not Counting Steps Properly?
Fix 1: Check If You Are Wearing your Fitbit Properly
Not wearing your Fitbit properly is the most common reason why your Fitbit is not counting steps. Wearing it incorrectly can cause issues while tracking your data. So, here is a quick list of what you need to make sure to stay away from this issue.
- FitBit recommends wearing it on the non-dominant wrist for accurate step count, so check which hand you are wearing your Fitbit on.
- Check whether your Fitbit is in direct contact with your skin. Make sure you don’t wear it over your shirt’s sleeves.
- Make sure that you have a snug but comfortable fit of your Fitbit. Not too tight or too loose for everyday use.
Fix 2: Restart The Fitbit
Another simple way that can help you get rid of the Fitbit not counting steps on iPhone issue is to restart your Fitbit. This gets rid of minor software glitches and temporary bugs.
You can press and hold the side buttons on your Fitbit until a logo appears and release them immediately to restart most Fitbit models. You can repeat this process twice in case it doesn’t work the first time.
Fix 3: Check The Stride Length
Fitbit uses the Stride length for calculating your step count and distance. In case the Stride length is incorrect, ultimately the step count will also be incorrect.
Fitbit calculates the stride length automatically using your height and gender. You can try calibrating it manually in the Fitbit app on your phone by tapping on your profile picture > Fitbit device > Activity & Wellness > Exercise > Stride Length.
You can measure your stride by walking a known distance and dividing it by the number of steps. Enter your manually calculated stride length.
Fix 4: Update Fitbit Firmware
If your Fitbit had been accurately counting the steps and suddenly stopped, an outdated firmware can be the common cause for that. So, you can check whether there is a pending update, if yes, then navigate to the Fitbit app on your phone > go to your profile> tap on your Fitbit device> Update.
Fix 5: Update Your Fitbit Profile
If you don’t feed your Fitbit with the right information, it is not going to track your metrics properly. So, to solve the problem, you need to properly set up your Fitbit account and regularly update details such as your height, gender, age and stride length.
Fix 6: Sync The Fitbit Properly
The entire point behind syncing your Fitbit is to get access to real-time data while working out. It is possible that your Fitbit might not be syncing properly, causing it to not count your steps. Here is how you can sync your Fitbit correctly.
- Open the Fitbit app.
- Navigate to your Fitbit account by tapping on the Profile picture.
- Search for your current device and tap on it.
- Tap on the Sync Now option.
- If your Fitbit model supports All-Day Sync, make sure it is turned on.
Fix 7: Turn Off The Fitbit’s GPS System
Although GPS tracks distance, routes and outdoor workouts, it doesn’t affect how the Fitbit counts your steps directly. That said, if the signal is weak or inconsistent, it can create an interference that may make the step count inaccurate.
If your Fitbit is used mainly for counting your steps, turning off the GPS can help prevent these inconsistencies of Fitbit not counting steps.
For A Fitbit Smartwatch:
- Swipe to the left on the home screen of your device.
- Select any exercise.
- Now, swipe down.
- Turn off the GPS.
For A Fitbit Fitness Tracker:
- Open your Fitbit app.
- Select the synced tracker.
- Look for the GPS Settings option or the Connected GPS option.
- Tap on it and turn it off.
Fix 8: Charge Your Fitbit
If your Fitbit is running low on battery, then also you can face the Fitbit not counting steps issue. So, to solve this problem, you must charge your Fitbit fully.
I recommend that you keep your device charged above 20-30% because a low battery hampers the smooth functioning of your device.
Fix 9: Contact The Fitbit Support
If you have left no stone unturned by trying all the ways mentioned above, then try contacting the Fitbit support team by navigating to their official website.
Wrapping Up
Putting on your Fitbit and tracking your steps to complete your goal is a daily routine for many users. Being a fitness fanatic, it is extremely important to track your daily step count. It is definitely not going to be easy if your Fitbit doesn’t work properly.
It is pretty certain that you feel irked if your Fitbit stops counting the steps or counts them incorrectly. Now that we have answered why is Fitbit not counting steps, it is time to brace yourself and try the fixes dropped above and get rid of the problem.
Also read: How Accurate Is Fitbit Heart Rate? Can You Trust It 100%? and Fitbit Stops Tracking Sleep: 10 Ways To Fix!
