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New bug in FIT files: empty File ID and no Record messages

HarryOnline
2 months ago

At www.fitfileviewer.com, I received many similar corrupted FIT files in the past weeks. I have not seen this type of corruption before, so I assume it is a bug in a recent software update on some devices. Typical for this corruption is:

  • There is a file_id messages, but all values are invalid
  • Many messages are missing, most notably the record messages, but also event, device_info etc.. Summary messages, like activity, session and lap are there. 
  • In several cases, but not always, many messages are duplicates, e.g. there are two identical activity messages, each lap and session appears twice.

FIT File Viewer can now fix these files, i.e. make it possible to import them in Garmin Connect, but of course it cannot restore the missing data.

I have seen this happening on FR 255, 955 and 965, and also in these threads:

  • 0 9 days ago

    I've been having this problem on and off for two months with Run and Walk activities.  It doesn't affect steps count.  Garmin replaced my FR965 but the replacement (factory reset) just had the same issue.  I've partially repaired the FIT files using fitfileviewer (thank you!), but soo frustrating to lose activity data and badge streaks.  I started using my old Garmin FR645 as a backup; wearing two watches for each activity. If this persists I will definitely switch to a different brand.

  • 0 9 days ago in reply to BadgerTraveler

    It's a miracle a company like this survives. It's 100% clear that this is a software bug and they employ people (I guess a watch exchange goes through multiple people) who think by replacing the hardware it can be fixed?

  • 0 9 days ago in reply to flocsy🤠

    I emailed support as well and they seem to be going down that path of making me take the watch to a shop. This is a software issue, it's just a matter of sending the corrupted files to Garmin devs so they look into it, it's not that hard.

  • 0 9 days ago in reply to constsalusso

    Not for you and me. It is very hard for them... Let's see how many quarters it'll take they fix it. If ever...

  • 0 8 days ago in reply to BadgerTraveler

    I only experienced it once in over 2 years of my 255 bought new, and I do lots of outdoor activities with GPS. I supposed it was a one time thing. Sad for you though.

  • 0 8 days ago in reply to constsalusso

    the only support took the .fit I extracted from the watch to try to repair it. They did so, but acknowledged GPS data were missing and likely the cause of the 'corruption'. This usually happens if starting an activity then pausing it and resuming at the very start.

  • 0 5 days ago in reply to 4433344

    even if all the people in this thread experienced it only once in the past 2 months, look at the original post. That is from a service that people use to try to fix the fit files. If there were no errors of this type until 2 months ago and there are lots since, on multiple devices with new firmware, it's not hard to understand that there's something new in the past 2 months. You can blame the Sun spots or Trump or whatever you like, but others blame the new firmware Garmin released 2 months ago...

  • 0 5 days ago in reply to flocsy🤠

    Please try to imagine that you buy sport/outdoor watch from Garmin and you run an NYC Marathon you finish it and activity is not saved and metrics are not calculated. Activity is saved on watch but cannot be transferred to garmin connect ( who to blame then?)
    Also Garmin is stating in their docs that they don’t guarantee anything. 
    Sounds hilarious right ? 

  • 0 5 days ago in reply to flocsy🤠

    I'm on the same page as you my friend. I sent my corrupted file to Garmin Support and I also provided the URL for this forum thread, I hope their developers take a look. I'm a Customer support agent myself for a software as well and when multiple customers come to me with the same problem, I take that seriously and have the development team take a look. Dismissing so many comments reporting the same problem is not a minor thing. Okay, let's hope for the best. Fingers crossed.

  • 0 5 days ago in reply to 4433344

    This is exactly what happened to me today. I went for a run by myself, came home to pick up my child, who we went for a run with. I separated the runs by a lap. I stopped my Garmin while I was waiting for him.
    No GPS track and FIT in the exercise. The file had double laps and timestamps