First, you need to figure out what the problem with your FIT file is. Typically, there are 3 types of problems:
- File is too big for Strava
- File is corrupted and can't be read
- File is readable, but has errant points/timestamps
- Your GPS died but you started it up or used another device and you want to combine them. (tool)
- Your GPS died and you're missing map data. (tool) (tutorial) (video)
Here are the steps you should take - in this order from easiest and most likely to solve the issue to harder and more "grasping at straws"
- FIT File Too Big
Is your file too big? A FIT file larger than about 10 MB will usually be a problem for many platforms. Some devices, such as Wahoo start to have problems once the files exceed 5MB. Here is the tool to thin out your FIT files and here is the tutorial on how you can shrink them.
- The FIT File Thinner will remove extra points in your file - but don't use this tool unless you know that the problem is that your file is too big. Too big is a FIT file size more than about 10MB or so...
- Corrupted FIT File (option 1)
If the problem is not the size of your FIT File, then it might be corruption. There are many types of FIT File corruption. The header can be corrupted, the various records can have the wrong base type, there can be a frame-shift... GOTOES can automatically repair many of these types of problems in the Merge Tool. I know it's called a merge tool, but it is dynamic, very powerful, and can accept single files as well. This tool takes your FIT file(s) and rebuilds them from scratch. You can export to GPX or TCX free - for import into your favorite app. If you export as FIT, your exported file will include most (but not all) of the standard FIT file fields. Here is a list of the supported FIT file fields.
- Here is what the GOTOES Merge tool interface looks like when it finds a corrupted file. The tool automatically repairs many types of corruption. But if it can't resolve the issue, move to the next step...
- Corrupted FIT File (option 2)
If steps 1 and 2 above failed you, the next thing you should try is the GOTOES Fit File View and Repair Tool. This tool will allow you to see ALL of the raw data inside your FIT file. GOTOES will identify items that are part of the standard FIT File definitions - and those that are not. You should not worry if you see items that are not part of the standard definition; Garmin has not yet documented everything... but if you see type or size mismatches, that MIGHT be part of the problem. After you load the file, there is a REPAIR button that is shown, and if the above options failed, you should use this repair method. This button is aggressive, so after using it, you may lose some of your FIT fields - but the important data like your map, heart rate, cadence, power, etc. should all still remain. Currently it only handles smaller files, but you can shrink first (above) and then do a repair. I'm hoping to improve it to parse larger files soon!
- The second thing you should try is going to GOTOES Fit File Viewer. Once your file is loaded, you get a button that allows you to repair the file. Please note that in the coming months, I plan to expand this tool to handler larger files.
- Fixing Errant Points
If steps 1, 2, and 3 above did not resolve the issue, we need to ensure that the problem is not errant points or timestamps.. If you have a timestamp that is in the future or in the past, you're going to need to delete it with GOTOES. Here is how to delete errant timestamps. Sometimes you will get errant points in the wrong GPS position. Here is a tutorial on how to delete errant position points with GOTOES.
- GOTOES allows you to manually edit errant points. If it is just one or two points, this is a good way to resolve issues (such as when your map has a line going out to Timbuktu. It's also a good way to delete a couple of timestamps far in the future or the past. This is not the preferred way to handle other types of corruption, but for single point issues, it is the optimal solution.
- Last Ditch Effort
If steps 1, 2, 3, and 4 all failed, a last-ditch effort option would be to use the GOTOES Convert FIT to CSV file tool. This tool uses a different parsing mechanism and breaks everything down into a CSV file which can easily be uploaded back to GOTOES to convert back to a (simplified and repaired) FIT file (or GPX / TCX if you desire). The CSV files can be quite large, so if it is too big to import back into GOTOES, you should zip it first.
- As a last-ditch effort, you can try converting your FIT file to CSV using a different GOTOES parser. This parser reads files differently and tries to extract whatever data it can from your FIT file. Some information may be lost, and you will get a big CSV file.
- Get Help
If steps 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 above all failed, or if you're not the technical type, now it's time to Contact Me for help. I always respond to users as quickly as I can. If I'm home and in front of my computer, I can usually repair your FIT files the same day. If I'm on the road, I'll get back to you with a date/time when I can get your FIT file fixed for you. Note that my home computer has more memory and a more powerful processor, so for BIG files, sometimes I can repair stuff where the online tool fails.
Hope this information helps you out and remember, I'm always willing to take a look at your corrupted FIT files. As I encounter new types of corruption, I try to add solutions to my tools so the recovery process can be automated for you.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.