RobotPoweredHome supports the player. If you buy through links on my blog, I may receive an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases.
I never go anywhere without my Fitbit. It not only tracks my heart rate and calories burned on my morning walk, but also my sleep cycles and rhythms.
Because I wore it on my wrist all the time, I sometimes noticed that the Fitbit wasn't tracking my heart rate.
Usually that's just because it's a little loose around my wrist.
But recently I noticed that my Fitbit stopped tracking my sleep, even after I made sure it was securely attached to my wrist before I went to bed.
So I went online to do some research, read online articles about the problem, searched user forums and official support pages to learn all I could about the problem, and then wrote this whole article that summed it all up. what I had learned.
If your Fitbit stopped tracking sleep, restart your Fitbit and make sure it's fully charged. Adjust the way you use your Fitbit to make sure it can tell when you've fallen asleep.
I've also talked about changing Fitbit's sleep sensitivity mode to better recognize when you're falling asleep and manually creating Fitbit sleep log entries to make up for missed sessions.
When does Fitbit start tracking sleep?
It really depends on the version of the device you are using and the settings you have selected.
If you still have a Fitbit One or Fit Bit Zip, your device is in manual sleep tracking mode.
When you are about to hit the bag, simply hold down the tracker button for a few seconds.
When the timer begins to count down, you'll notice the other tracker icons blink; this indicates that it is in sleep mode.
In the morning, press and hold the button for a few seconds and the sleep recording will stop. The icons will stop blinking when you wake up from sleep mode.
However, if you have one of the newer models (Alta series, Blaze, Charge series, Flex series, Inspire series, Surge series, Ionic, or Versa), your device will have automatic sleep tracking.
You can always switch to the manual setting if you suspect that the automatic readings are not accurate enough.
The manual mode implementation adds an additional stat (the time it takes to fall asleep).
Also, there is not much difference in the metrics of the automatic and manual modes.
The device itself determines when you go to bed for a nap based on the decrease in speed of movement of the accelerometer.
For models with a built-in heart rate sensor, the tracker also takes resting heart rate and fluctuations into account, resulting in higher accuracy.
Restart your Fitbit
The first thing you should do is restart your Fitbit. As with many devices, a simple reboot is a quick and easy fix.
To reset your Fitbit:
- Plug your Fitbit's charging cable into a power outlet or computer.
- Plug the other end of the cable into your Fitbit. Make sure the connection is secure.
- Press and hold the side button on your Fitbit for about 10 seconds.
- Depending on your Fitbit model, you may see a battery icon, a smiley face icon, or a traditional power indicator. If you see any of the icons above, release the button and simply unpair your Fitbit.
Personalize the way you used your Fitbit
As I mentioned at the beginning, one of the main reasons your Fitbit might not be tracking your sleep is because of the way you use it.
Be sure to wrap it securely around your wrist before bed.
The watch does not have to be too tight, but if it is too loose, your vital signs may not register accurately.
Check your Fitbit's battery
Like any other smart device, your Fitbit needs a regular charge. If you run out of energy, the shots will not be complete or accurate.
Charge your Fitbit regularly to make sure your vital signs are registering correctly.
Change your Fitbit's sleep sensitivity mode
One tricky feature of your Fitbit to be aware of is the sensitivity setting. Your device will not work properly if the setting is too low.
This can often be caused by movement during sleep. Fitbit's sensitivity mode may not be able to tell if you're sleeping.
You can follow these steps to change your Fitbit's sleep sensitivity mode:
- Open your profile in the Fitbit app.
- Find the sleep sensitivity setting in the advanced settings.
- Set it to Normal or Sensible mode.
You can also change the settings on the desktop:
- Login to your accountFitbit.com.
- Look for Settings in the dropdown menu in the upper right corner.
- Open Sleep Sensitivity and choose Normal or Sensitive mode.
- Click Submit to apply the changes to your device.
Manually create sleep log entries on your Fitbit
If the problem persists, you can use the Fitbit app directly to monitor your sleep patterns.
You can do this through the sleep start and stop record available in your app.
- In your Fitbit app, select the sleep tile.
- Click on the ellipsis (the three horizontal dots) and select the update option.
- After adjusting the time to fit your sleep cycle, tap Save.
It is important to be careful when using this method.
Because of the way it's implemented, you don't have access to important information about your sleep stages and patterns that would be accessible in automatic mode.
Adjust other Fitbit sleep tracking settings
You may want to explore some more settings available to you on your Fitbit.
soy goals
This feature allows you to determine how many hours you want to sleep each night.
Here's how you can adjust your sleep goals to get that restful sleep:
- Select Sleep Pad in your Fitbit app.
- Open the gear icon in the upper right corner.
- After creating or changing your sleep goals, tap Done.
sleep schedule
You can also implement a sleep schedule to help you reach your sleep goal.
All you have to do is set your wake up time, bedtime time or both in your app.
Once you've decided which cycle is perfect for you, you can also customize bedtime reminders for specific times and days.
You will be rewarded with a cool digital star on your sleep log if you manage to stick to your sleep schedule.
Make sure your Fitbit is synced with the Fitbit app
If you're new to your Fitbit, chances are you're not.synced with your Fitbit account.
The first thing you need to do is sign in to the app and make sure your device is synced.
If you are using an Android device, syncing may not be a feature available to you in the app.
In this case, you need to manually log in to the website and sync it.
Update the Fitbit app
You may still be using an older version of the app.
If yes, then you should update it immediately. With earlier versions of the app, you won't be able to access all the features available on your latest Fitbit.
It can even cause the device to malfunction. You can easily find the latest app update on the iOS store or Google Play.
Reset your Fitbit Versa
Factory reset is always a risky endeavor. A hard reset can help sleep tracking work normally, but you will lose all settings and data stored on your watch.
This includes any installed apps and any data synced to the phone.
If you have no other options, follow these steps to perform a factory reset:
- Find "Settings" on your Fitbit Versa watch
- Tap the About section.
- Select "Factory Reset" and finally confirm.
What data does my Fitbit track while I sleep?
sleep stages and more
For a long time, Fitbit devices had no way to recognize sleep cycles. A firmware update a few years ago introduced the long-awaited sleep phase feature for several models.
All trackers can now tell you how much light, deep, and REM sleep you get on any given night.
The device calculates values by combining data from the accelerometer, heart rate variability (the time between two heartbeats), and Fitbit's proprietary algorithms.
contact support
As always, if all else fails you should contact FitbitCustomer serviceEquipment.
If your wearable has stopped tracking sleep altogether, there may be another problem.
Or there could be a hardware issue and Fitbit's customer service team will help you resolve the issue.
Get a good night's sleep with Fitbit's sleep tracker
If you want to get more rest and be more aware of your sleep cycles, Fitbits are a great device for tracking when and how long you sleep each night.
Not only can they report the length and quality of your sleep, but they can also help you get a better start to your day with the silent alarm feature, which wakes you with a vibration instead of a loud, screeching alarm sound.
While Fitbit readings aren't 100% accurate, they can still improve your quality of life by being close enough to provide insight into your exercise and sleep patterns.
You may also be interested in reading:
- Can you ride a bike with Fitbit? detailed explainer
frequent questions
Is the Fitbit sleep tracker accurate?
Fitbit is one of the most respected wearable device brands in the world, and its trackers are used by many people around the world. The accuracy of the tracker is good, but it also depends on the correct use.
Which Fitbit is best for sleep tracking?
The Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 are two highly regarded sleep-tracking watch options you can buy these days.
What is sleep mode on Fitbit?
Fitbit's sleep mode is a great feature that allows you to set your Fitbit tracker to not vibrate or trigger incoming notifications from your phone.
Can Fitbit detect sleep apnea?
Yes. By tracking a person's oxygen levels throughout the night, the device helps predict potential health problems such as allergies, asthma, and sleep apnea.