How To Turn On the Fitbit Versa (If It Doesn’t)

Of course, we expect our wearables to be reliable but what can you do when your Fitbit Versa won’t turn on?

Fitbits are popular trackers that allow users to take control of their health. But what happens when these trusty wearables stop working? Luckily, there are a few tried and tested methods to help you restore life into your Fitbit Versa. 

We’ve researched some of the top methods users use when their Versa appears dead and when you should try to contact the Fitbit support team. Knowing these tips will come in handy whether you’re a new user or a long-time fan of the brand.

Keep reading to find out more.

How To Turn Your Fitbit Versa On

If your Fitbit Versa has turned off and you can’t seem to bring it back to life, there are some suggested methods to resurrect the device. 

Put The Fitbit On Charge

Before you delve into any other methods, make sure your Fitbit hasn’t run out of charge. Many owners think their Fitbit Versa has died, but often it’s simply run out of charge without them noticing. This is an easy mistake to make, so try leaving your Fitbit for an hour or so and come back to see if it’s alive again. 

It must be noted that Fitbit uses lithium batteries, and sometimes these run out of juice – especially if you’ve been using your Versa for a while. 

Check The Charger

If you suspect your Fitbit Versa isn’t turning on due to lack of charge, investigate the charger too. Chargers can easily break, so check for any signs of wear and tear. Don’t forget to check the pins too! 

You can also check the charger on another Fitbit Versa (if you own more than one). If the second device starts charging, you know it’s a problem with the Fitbit rather than the charging accessory.

If you realize it’s the charger that’s broken, it’s time to buy a new one! A replacement charger can easily be ordered, and your Fitbit Versa will be up and running in no time. 

Check If The Device Is In Waterlock Mode

Another reason your Fitbit Versa might appear dead is that it’s stuck in water lock mode. This mode disables the screen from responding to swipes or touches. To turn this mode off, make sure your Versa is dry and then long-press the button on the side to remove the lock. Repeat this a few times to unlock it. 

Are Your Brightness Settings Too Low?

Modern devices can adjust their displays to the brightness we need. However, sometimes Fitbits can get stuck on very low brightness, making them look as if they’re dead. To check if your Fitbit is actually on, go into a dark room and see if you can make out faint light on the display. 

If you can see faint light or information on the screen, your Fitbit is likely dimmed. To fix this issue, go onto the Settings app and select “Screen Brightness.” Change this to “normal” or “max” and turn off the “Dim Screen.” 

You can also check to see if the Fitbit is in “Sleep Mode,” as this makes the screen darker too. This can be found in the settings menu, under “Quiet Modes,” with a half-moon icon image. 

Try Restarting The Fitbit Versa

The first method you should try is a simple restart. While turning it on and off again is a cliche joke, it is always worth trying as this won’t delete any data or activity.

To restart a Versa device, press and hold the bottom and back buttons for 10 seconds. When you see the Fitbit logo pop up on the screen, release the buttons. Your Fitbit Versa will then turn back on without any data being lost. 

If this method doesn’t work the first time, you should try repeating it a few times. Users can also try removing any cases or screen protectors too. If this still gives no results, you might need to contact Fitbit Support.

When To Contact Support

If you’ve tried the restarting process, but your Fitbit hasn’t turned on, you might need to get in touch with the Fitbit support team. This team will troubleshoot with you, allowing a more personal service. 

You can find the support team on the Fitbit website via live chat. You can also call their 24-hour help service or tweet them on their @Fitbitsupport Twitter account. There are also old Fitbit Community posts on their website; however, when it comes to turning on an old Fitbit Versa, many of the posts point users towards restarting the device. 

Perform A Full Reset

A final option is to initiate a full hardware reset. This method should be your last option, as this will reset all of your data and information on the device.

Warning: Do not do this unless you are absolutely sure as it will delete all data and return to default settings

To fully reset your Versa:

• Push down all of the Fitbit buttons for 15 seconds to initiate the reset.
• Let the Fitbit logo appear and disappear. You can release the bottom right button, but make sure you are still holding the top right and left buttons. Release these when you feel a vibration.
• The Fitbit logo will appear again and you can start the setup process.

Again, this method will remove all of your fitness data, and you’ll be starting at square one again. Make sure you’ve tried all other options before factory resetting the device. 

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Extra Tips

If you’ve tried to restart your Fitbit device and nothing has happened, but you don’t want to call support yet, there are some extra tips users swear by. 

These tips include

• Cleaning out the Fitbit Versa ports. Often, without devices charging ports can get dirty. Use a toothpick or small brush to gently clean these out.
• When you leave your Fitbit Versa on charge, avoid using rechargeable battery backs or USB hubs. Always charge it directly into your mains or computer USB port if possible.

The Takeaway

A broken Fitbit can be frustrating, but there are ways around this problem. Hopefully, your Versa will be working again soon! If you’ve found these tips helpful, learn more about your Versa device. 

Have you ever had trouble with your Fitbit Versa? Let us know your tips in the comments!

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Last Updated on February 26, 2023