Polar FT4 heart rate monitor issues

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Replies

  • Mads1997
    Mads1997 Posts: 1,494 Member
    I think you will find it is the strap. If you have one of the soft straps that is likely the case. Mine did the same thing and they sent me out a new strap with a hard rubber that sits against your skin. They said they were not using the soft ones in future. My FT7 is over 2 years old and they replaced mine for free.
  • attcute
    attcute Posts: 37 Member
    the only times i had this issue with my Polar FT4 was when the battery needed to be changed...i went to walmart and replaced the batter in the watch...occasionally ill get the 00 reading and I just wet the leads more and that does the job.
  • dixiech1ck
    dixiech1ck Posts: 769 Member
    Try getting your strap wetter or using a gel with it... but honestly, I had the same problem with 2 polars! Switched to a Garmin last year...problem solved!

    I use a little oil based moisturiser with the water since the problem started (about a month ago). Hasn't really helped, I use a lot of water already and sometimes when it gives me a reading of 00, I take it off and re-wet it, but it still has the water on it from the first time :/

    Ohh you should never ever use anything with an oil base on the heart rate straps. It'll void your warranty. Is your chest strap senor area fabric or is it the newer rubberized version? If you are using the fabric version, chances are there's a lot of build up in the strap from your sweat. Remember, sweat is salt and it'll gunk up in there. After every use, you should be washing it with a mild soap and then weekly, throw it in with your clothes or towels. Just make sure to hang it up and not put it in the dryer.

    Mine had been acting up as well - I have the FT7 and FT4. Sometimes the sensor and the watch just have difficulties reading each other. I contacted customer service and have had no issues since. They replaced the entire watch, gave me a new strap and even sent an extra sensor for my troubles. I will say, Garmin's aren't fool proof either. Friends of mine have had the same issues with mis-reads and high heart rates. When the numbers start looking goofy, it's time for a new battery most likely.
  • rheelizabeth
    rheelizabeth Posts: 160 Member
    Try getting your strap wetter or using a gel with it... but honestly, I had the same problem with 2 polars! Switched to a Garmin last year...problem solved!

    I use a little oil based moisturiser with the water since the problem started (about a month ago). Hasn't really helped, I use a lot of water already and sometimes when it gives me a reading of 00, I take it off and re-wet it, but it still has the water on it from the first time :/

    Ohh you should never ever use anything with an oil base on the heart rate straps. It'll void your warranty. Is your chest strap senor area fabric or is it the newer rubberized version? If you are using the fabric version, chances are there's a lot of build up in the strap from your sweat. Remember, sweat is salt and it'll gunk up in there. After every use, you should be washing it with a mild soap and then weekly, throw it in with your clothes or towels. Just make sure to hang it up and not put it in the dryer.

    Mine had been acting up as well - I have the FT7 and FT4. Sometimes the sensor and the watch just have difficulties reading each other. I contacted customer service and have had no issues since. They replaced the entire watch, gave me a new strap and even sent an extra sensor for my troubles. I will say, Garmin's aren't fool proof either. Friends of mine have had the same issues with mis-reads and high heart rates. When the numbers start looking goofy, it's time for a new battery most likely.


    I only started using the oil based moisturiser with it very recently, way after the issue started, it's just getting worse and worse so I gave it ago, it found my HR but still dropped out later on.

    It's the rubberized one I have. It's currently in the washing machine for the first time since I got it (ewww I know but I didn't know it could be washed, I thought it would more likely break it!). Hopefully that will help, if not, there are replacement straps on eBay for £15 so I think I'll try a new one and see if that helps. Waiting on these batteries too. Attack it from all directions! lol.

    I'd phone them up, but it was a gift for me at Christmas and the person who gifted it to me no longer has any of the receipts. It was purchased on Amazon but they say it's way out of it's warranty (which apparently was only 12 weeks, gah!).

    Let's just hope it's the batteries and nothing else. Hopefully a good wash will help too.

    Thank for all your replies and advice guys! :flowerforyou:
  • BlueEyedTXmom
    BlueEyedTXmom Posts: 179 Member
    Actually I don't believe you're supposed to wash the newer rubberized straps in the washer. Only the older fabric ones. A new strap is about $20 on amazon.
  • angieroo2
    angieroo2 Posts: 970 Member
    Actually I don't believe you're supposed to wash the newer rubberized straps in the washer. Only the older fabric ones. A new strap is about $20 on amazon.

    My FT7 strap that I got a few months ago says it's washable.
  • Mads1997
    Mads1997 Posts: 1,494 Member
    When they say they are washable I dont think they mean chucking it in a washing machine. simply after use wash it with shampoo or mild soap in the shower.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    Try getting your strap wetter or using a gel with it... but honestly, I had the same problem with 2 polars! Switched to a Garmin last year...problem solved!

    I use a little oil based moisturiser with the water since the problem started (about a month ago). Hasn't really helped, I use a lot of water already and sometimes when it gives me a reading of 00, I take it off and re-wet it, but it still has the water on it from the first time :/

    Ohh you should never ever use anything with an oil base on the heart rate straps. It'll void your warranty. Is your chest strap senor area fabric or is it the newer rubberized version? If you are using the fabric version, chances are there's a lot of build up in the strap from your sweat. Remember, sweat is salt and it'll gunk up in there. After every use, you should be washing it with a mild soap and then weekly, throw it in with your clothes or towels. Just make sure to hang it up and not put it in the dryer.

    Mine had been acting up as well - I have the FT7 and FT4. Sometimes the sensor and the watch just have difficulties reading each other. I contacted customer service and have had no issues since. They replaced the entire watch, gave me a new strap and even sent an extra sensor for my troubles. I will say, Garmin's aren't fool proof either. Friends of mine have had the same issues with mis-reads and high heart rates. When the numbers start looking goofy, it's time for a new battery most likely.


    Polar don't have the warranty cover the straps at all. I had to ask them about it once & it's not covered.
  • Loves418
    Loves418 Posts: 330 Member
    That will be the strap. They are not covered in the warranty either. I had one go on me about 2 days into a new one. Lucky I'd only upgraded from my FT4 to a FT60 so I could still use the strap.


    Also hope you been either cleaning the strap (under running water is usually fine) or throwing it in the washing machine once a week. Sweat will kill it after a while.

    I rinse it before using it, but I've never put it in a washing machine, great advice, thank you :)

    Rinse it after use as well. Otherwise the sweat just sits in there.

    I put mine in a bra bag to wash..ALSO the directions say NO fabric softener..so I toss it in with kitchen towels that I don't care if they are soft...and I hang it to dry after. It says to wash it after ever 5 or 7 uses I forgot which. It really makes a difference.
  • RepsnSets
    RepsnSets Posts: 805 Member
    I had the same with my PT7 I washed the strap then when I went to use it I wet it more than usual and tightened the strap as well :) Havent had any issues since
  • ereck44
    ereck44 Posts: 1,170 Member
    Hi,
    I've had the same problem. Very frustrating
    when counting on getting accurate numbers. I have had the watch since November and almost changed the batteries but decided instead to rinse the strap really well with warm water and dial soup and scrub the strap with a tooth brush..it got rid of most of the body oil and sweat after the workout. It is working so much better. I almost never get a 0 reading now. It is now part of my regimen.
    I hope that helps.
  • ErinG6191
    ErinG6191 Posts: 33 Member
    I had the same issue- got a new strap and haven't had any more issues. Good luck!
  • skrakalaka
    skrakalaka Posts: 338 Member
    I bought mine after Christmas and was having the same issues. All I did was wash it really good with detergent. I think sweat was clogging it up. Now it works fine.
  • karisul1
    karisul1 Posts: 50
    My strap on my FT7 does this...it will reset to 00 and say "check heart rate transmitter" or something to that effect. I am busty, so I always assumed that it was my sports bra jamming up under the strap and disrupting the suction/frequency the strap has against my skin.
  • ktliu
    ktliu Posts: 334 Member
    I have the same issue before until I discover this trick, Use a bit of soap, dish soap, or handwash use, and use a tooth brush and brush the sensor area, rinse it and put it on. And you should get a clean reading every time.
  • tkonle
    tkonle Posts: 1
    I have been having the same problem. Called Polar 18002271314. Said it sounded like a faulty sensor and they are sending me a replacement sensor and strap. They just asked for the serial number off the back of the sensor. I would try calling them. I got right through. Talked to the guy for about two mins and boom sensor being sent without any fuss. Now that's great customer service!!
  • paulperryman
    paulperryman Posts: 839 Member
    Mine has stopped registering the last week too and i;ve only had it for a few months
    was registering on and off then the last 2 days nothing, today it was stuck at 168-180bpm which is not even remotely close to what i would've been registering. Tried washing it over and over, taking the battery out to no avail

    Wondering if the use of Deodorant could also cause issues same as salt on the skin as a result of sweat.

    Getting a new battery tomorrow to see if that will clear things up.
  • jsd_135
    jsd_135 Posts: 291 Member
    I have this HRM, try the batteries, make sure you have the chest strap secured properly (not too loose) and make sure you wet the straps too. If i don't do this right it doesn't work form me, not worth the shortcut in time. Make sure the chest strap is tight enough I have to adjust this each time I use it, and for swimming it needs to be even tighter and not too over to the left.

    Hope this helps.

    Over to the left, why have I never thought of doing that?! I've always had it bang in the middle. Duh, will also try this next time I wear it.

    I was worried it was through over-use as I have used it pretty much every day since Christmas day!

    I just started having the same problems as you described. Moving it to the left seems to have fixed the problem. Better adhesion than in the center. When I bought it (in January) I was 25 pounds heavier, and the area over my sternum was fleshy enough for good contact.
  • Swissmiss
    Swissmiss Posts: 8,754 Member
    Only time that mine would do this is if the strap is not making good contact with my skin. Add a drop of water to the point areas on the strap and see if you get a better, more consistant reading.
  • carrietehbear
    carrietehbear Posts: 384 Member
    I had an issue like that. Make sure you wash it every 5-6 works & rinse it with water after each workout. Also, check and make sure the strap is tight on you.

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