Why Have I Lost Steps on Fitbit? How to Get Them Back

Have you been using your Fitbit to track your steps and found it disappeared? I’ve been there. I know it cannot be very pleasant.

Luckily for you, there’s a big reason this is happening. I’m here to help.

According to Fitbit, your device may lose steps when you sync multiple devices to your Fitbit account, which causes the steps for one Fitbit to be doubled, so you. As a result, your Fitbit may need a restart to resolve glitches that cause inaccurate results.

In addition to why you lost steps on your Fitbit, I also included how you can restore your steps, why your Fitbit steps are not accurate, and where your steps go on your Fitbit device, so keep reading until the end.

How Do I Restore My Steps on Fitbit?

1. Log in to the Fitbit app.
2. Swipe down to the bottom of the dashboard.
3. Tap on “Edit.”
4. Search for the missing tile, which should show a “+” sign on the corner.
5. Tap the “+” sign and drag it to where you want it to be.
6. Tap “Done.”

Ensure you are logged in to your email account, and all the tiles are not enabled. It would help if you used the same account on your phone and fitness tracker to show your steps accurately. Log out from both accounts to check if you use the same email.

Here are the steps to follow when checking if all the tiles on your app are enabled:

1. Scroll down to the bottom of the Fitbit app dashboard and tap Edit.
2. Click the – or x icon located at the tile’s upper left corner to be hidden.
3. Tap the + icon located at the tile’s upper left corner to be shown.
4. Rearrange the tiles by holding and dragging them to the desired position.
5. Tap Done.

However, you can only edit your Fitbit app dashboard using iOS 9 or greater on your iPhone.

You can install the app on two mobile devices, but remember that if you’re using two or more Bluetooth devices, the other device has Bluetooth disabled or is not nearby when trying to sync.

I advise keeping your Fitbit app updated for Android or iOS and ensuring all your tiles are not enabled.

You can log out, restart your mobile device, and log in again to fix and restore your missing steps. 

But if you’re still having trouble, the best thing to do is contact Fitbit customer service via (877) 623-4997 or the 24/hour helpline here.

Do you find your Fitbit doesn’t track calories correctly? You can read my helpful article to find out why your Fitbit calories are so high.

Why Are My Fitbit Steps Not Accurate?

A weak GPS signal can affect the accuracy of your Fitbit steps, as your Fitbit uses step count to calculate distance until it finds a signal. Also, if you have multiple Fitbit accounts associated with one device, the number of steps may decrease as the Fitbit app only counts steps from one device.

Getting an inaccurate number of steps is frustrating, especially if you have a daily step goal to hit. Using only one device or app is important to avoid confusion when counting the steps you’ve taken in a day.

Adjust your daily step goal using more than one device or app.

For instance, if one of the devices normally records around 1000 steps fewer than other devices, you can adjust your daily step goal accordingly. Another tip in ensuring you get accurate step logs is to manually add them to your app at the end of each day.

It may take effort, but rest assured that you’ll get accurate results.

Here are other reasons why your Fitbit steps are not accurate:

• Wearing the fitness band on the dominant hand. According to studies, people are walking faster with their dominant hand. This idea means that Fitbit may overestimate the steps they take.
  
• History of arthritis or joint pain. Difficult walking could also cause the device to overestimate the steps counted.
  
• Occasional malfunctioning. Fitbits may sometimes malfunction for many reasons, including battery life and frequency of usage.
  

If your Fitbit watch is having some issues or giving you an inaccurate number of steps, you may need to reset the device or replace it. There are so many reasons your fitness tracker is incorrect; if you’re unsure, you can contact Fitbit for further assistance.

If you’re having trouble using your Fitbit app, read my article on why is the Fitbit app unavailable and learn how to fix it.

Where Did My Steps Go On My Fitbit?

Steps show on the Today tab, Exercise section, and the Fitbit website. For example, in the Today tab, you will find a daily summary of steps you’ve taken, including your weekly average steps, while the Exercise tab shows where and when you took those steps.

To view your step logs on the website, follow these steps:

First, log in and tap on the Activity tab > View your steps for daily, weekly, or monthly summary.

If you’re trying to manually log steps on your Fitbit app using Windows 10, follow these quick and easy steps:

1. Launch your Fitbit app on Windows 10.
2. On the dashboard, click on the Exercise tab.
3. Tap the plus sign.
4. Go to Exercise Type and select Walk.
5. Enter the time you started walking and the time you’ve finished.
6. Type in the number of calories burned.
7. Confirm the information you have just entered.

Perhaps, you’ve also experienced your Fitbit watch not updating your steps. Again, you can check your Fitbit app to know if you have pending updates.

Now, install if there are pending updates and restart the device. If this doesn’t work, you can uninstall the app and then reinstall it or log out and log back into your account.

Occasionally, restarting your device can resolve the issues. Here’s how to reset your Fitbit:

1. Make sure your Fitbit device has sufficient battery life. If not, charge the appliance for several minutes.
2. Once the device has enough charge to function, the next step is to tap and drag the button for at least three seconds to turn your Fitbit on.
3. If it won’t turn on, press the button and hold it for 20 seconds or more until the device starts.
4. Follow the prompt on the device to create an account, and then you can track your fitness activities.

Resetting your Fitbit from time to time is a healthy habit to develop when you own a fitness tracker.

Want to make your Fitbit look cool and unique? Please read my article on getting more free Fitbit clock faces.