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Fit file empty on device

Former Member
Former Member

I went to sync my device and initially received an error message (I didn't pay much attention to) in Garmin Express.  I synched again without issue.  However, I had 3 new rides I was uploading and only 2 came through.  The 3rd file only shows as 1kb in Windows Explorer and when I try to manually drag into Strava, it says it's empty.  This prompted me to look within Windows Explorer to see many of my previous rides showing as 0kb (that all had successfully uploaded data in prior days). It's as if something wiped the files within my device.  It seems I definitely lost the red arrow file (a race, of course).  When I go to the History in my device, it lists the ride with its mileage and time, but when I try to do any deeper dives like Summary or Laps, it shows values of zero and states, "invalid."  It is the ride on 8/8 labeled "Yesterday 10:03am" that is 22.0 miles.  I'd love to recover this file, but more importantly, I don't want this to happen again and I have no idea what has done this.  Help is appreciated.

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 4 years ago

    Former Member

    hi, sorry to hear about your mishap

    guess the reason of your loss is in the first screenshot

    • too many fit files in the ACTIVITIES folder (how many are there now ?) time for a backup/clean operation of the folder
    • you could use a file recovery scan tool with a lot of luck (recuva or bitwar or photorec)
    • search your computer for transferred or failed to transfer fit files

    happy & safe  sporting

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to Former Member

    Thanks for taking the time to respond.  There were 197 activities; 93 of these fit files are 0kb or 1kb.  However, properties on Windows shows 36mb free space (69mb used), so I question that.  I did not have luck using a file recovery tool nor was I able to locate any failed to transfer fit files (though I also am not an expert at either, but gave both a go).  If you have any further tips on how to search for these, please share!

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to Former Member

    Former Member

    shame the recovery did not work

    However, properties on Windows shows 36mb free space (69mb used), so I question that.
    • you can, but your edge will thank you when cleaned Slight smile
    • I guess the Garmin operating system is not capable handling this many files.
    • also every device has a file limit set in the device.fit file, regardless of the amount of free storage space

    choice is yours Wink, just give it a try

    There were 197 activities; 93 of these fit files are 0kb or 1kb.
    • so checking below it shows your device is starting to delete activity files on it's own because of the 200 limit !
    • deleting a fit file takes a long time and the process is prone to error like you experienced
    • I uploaded my edge 820 device.fit file here fit2tcx runalyze

    happy & safe sporting

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to Former Member

    Thanks again!  I used the website you mentioned to confirm my device also has a 200 activity limit.  I did go ahead and delete most of them and will hope for the best moving forward & will purge regularly.  I can also confirm my device has been deleting files on its own for quite some time (one of the recovery softwares was able to show prior activities that were overwritten by others and there were a lot!)