Why did my Garmin Vivosmart 5 reset step count to zero after charging?
Answer
Sync the Vivosmart 5 in Garmin Connect before assuming the steps are gone—daily totals often live in the app timeline even if the band display resets. Then charge with the official cable, wear the band higher on the wrist, and check for a firmware update if heart rate keeps dropping out.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- A factory reset can erase unsynced band data that never reached Garmin Connect.
Follow these steps
Sync with Garmin Connect
Open Garmin Connect on the phone, keep the Vivosmart 5 nearby and unlocked/awake, and run a manual sync over Bluetooth.
You should see: Connect shows today’s steps and a current last-sync time.
Compare band and app totals
Check the Steps card in Connect for the full day timeline, not only the number currently on the band face.
You should see: You see whether the ~9000 steps were saved in Connect.
Charge and wear correctly
Clean the charging contacts, charge to a stable level with the Garmin cable, then wear the band snugly above the wrist bone and retest heart rate and steps.
You should see: Charging completes normally and sensors track more steadily.
Update firmware if glitches continue
In Garmin Connect, install any Vivosmart 5 firmware update, sync again, and avoid unnecessary factory resets unless Garmin support advises it.
You should see: The band runs the latest firmware and step tracking remains consistent after the next charge.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Step total in Garmin Connect versus on the band, last sync time, and heart-rate sensor dropouts
Before you change anything: Open Garmin Connect and sync before resetting the band again. Use the official charging cable and clean contacts. Note the last sync timestamp. Avoid factory reset until sync and update are tried.