Hi There, I am desperatly in need of some help.
All was working well until the last 2 weeks. My Saris is less then 2 months old and I have not moved it since it’s been set-up.
My set-up Saris H3 with an ipad for Zwift, iphone for companion, Garmin chest heart monitor. I am in ERG mode on my Saris
In the last 2 weeks, my Avatar during meet-ups or events stops pedaling even if I am still pedaling on my bike. All my tools are in very close proximity so it’s hard to explain what is going on. I’ve been told that when the Avatar stops moving it’s a loss of connection (Bluetooth) with our devices. I’ve tried to “pair” during the meet-up to finish the event and the ipad doesn’t see the trainer at all.
Here is what I have done so far for trouble shooting:
-Updated firmware of Saris H3 and recalibrated : CHECK
-Updated Ipad & Re-installed Zwift application: CHECK
-Updated Iphone & Re-installed Companion application: Check
------Tested this updated set-up: TEST FAILED
Test #2 : Used a more recent Ipad: TEST FAILED
Test #3 :Apple TV 4G (brand new) and tested with Companion for pairing of the devices : TEST FAILED
I will be testing later this morning Apple TV 4G paired directly to the trainer and my heart monitor.
I have talked with many local people that seem to not be having any Saris H3 issues with using Apple products, so I am now wondering if I have a trainer problem or if it’s a Zwift problem since the most recent upgrade of Zwift. Any guidance or idea to help me trouble shoot this would be appreciated.
After updating the H3 via iPad and then calibrating, did you disconnect the H3?
If not, do so.
Reconnect via the Zwift app for Power Source and Controllable. Since using BT you will need to use the H3 for cadence and speed.
All I got as I typically use a PC laptop via Ant+. On rare occasions I use the ATV 4K and have no issues switching to BT.
This same issue has happened to one of our H3 trainers in the last couple weeks. This same thing and an occasional drop of ERG mode.
Have a look in Support forum: plenty of people with your same problem.
I have it as well, so far no acknowledgement or feedback to support tickets (I have opened one about 10 days ago).
No issue with other apps, so it seems to be a Zwift issue after last iOS 14.2 update, as it wasn’t happening before.
Anyway, if you want more infos I suggest you check the bug & support forum: there are 2 or 3 threads there with tens of posts with pretty much the same issue.
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My H3 started to do the same thing after 11 months. I returned it to the dealer for a new unit and all is well. I think they must have an electronic component on the circuit board that is failing. BTW, I had now NO support from Saris.
Hi, I just upgraded to apple TV and it resolved my issues it seems to be more stable in keeping my bluetooth connection.
Hi Kurt, I upgraded to an Apple TV 4K, this has solved my issue. I’ve stopped losing my bluetooth connection. Much more stable than my ipad.
Hi France_Ringuette_JZQ - I’m desperate to solve my bluetooth drop issue and was also contemplating buying an apple tv 4k rather than my iPad. Were you on a Saris H3 as well?
I’ve been experiencing bluetooth drop between my H3 and iPad and even my HR strap would drop as well (but kept connected to my watch…).
I’ve read that there were also some limitations with apple tv as well, i.e. can’t connect more than 2 things at once (remote, h3, hr, etc.).
Thanks for your feedback
I’ve had the exact same problem since the latest iOS update. Wasn’t sure if it was the iOS or Zwift update that caused the problem. I’ve been using my H3 and Zwift seamlessly for about a year prior. Frustrating…
I have the same set-up as you - Saris H3 paired with i-pad. I tried running Zwift with my i-phone and had the same bluetooth drop-outs. It drops my HR monitor is well.
Same issue here. I have 2 Saris H3 trainer for both of us. I only have issue when connected to ios devices since somewhere in january. We were using zwift on ipad without issue in december.
All these test are done in the exact same location with a HRM Pro chest strap and power transmitted to a garmin edge (ant+) . Test done with both trainer with same results.
test1 : BLE on windows PC – No issue
test2: Ant+ on windows PC – No issue
test3: BLE on iphone – Lost of connection 1 rides out of 2.
test4: BLE on ipad – Lost of connection at almost each ride.
note: On test3 and test4, the garmin edge still remains connected, no dropouts.
4 BLE drops in 6 rides this month. Using Apple ipad, not ATV. My wife and I switched our H3’s but even using hers I have had dropouts and she has not. We do Sufferfest 2 or 3 times a week with NO dropouts. As the H3 functions flawlessly with Sufferfest I conclude this is not an H3 issue but something with the interface with Zwift. Odd that Wahoo would, today, introduce a Wired EtherNet device advertised specifically to prevent the dreaded Bluetooth dropout on Zwift.
I’ve been having the same issues for the past 2 weeks on PC. Decent spec new laptop with more than adequate hardware. Switched to Bluetooth via companion app on android during a ride the other day which resolved it. Have set my default world to one that isn’t active and had no issues since. Makes me think its a zwift issue rather than H3.
I have an I pad with TV connection via HDMI cable, one year old Saris H3 and consistent inconsistent drop out of all organized rides and training rides. Exactly as you all describe. However, my old Cycle OPs Magnus works fine. It is clearly a Saris H3–Zwift issue. I cannot understand why Saris hides from this. I would never recommend this POS to anyone. They had better engage us in conversation or lose the market. 
Hi,
I just gave up using my ipad and switched to apple TV4k, this has resolved my issue. I no longer have this problem since November.
My husband just got his H3 2 weekends ago, he’s using his ipad that is more recent and so far so good. No freezing of avatar or loss of Bluetooth like I was seeing last fall.
Good luck everyone
I’ve had this issue with the Saris H3 on up to date iPad, iPhone and Android on both Zwift and BKool. Also on BKool my cadence on occasion varies greatly going from actual cadence of 88 to 190 for example (if only I could get 190), and which I’ve seen on occasion in Zwift. No other BTooth devices connected or in my home gym to interfere with signal. Also on BKool I’d get resistance increase on for example 7-9%+ descent gradient. On BKool forums many have mentioned this issue also. Me thinks the issue is with the Saris. For an £850+ piece of kit, not good. Trying to contact Wheelspin Cycles to return the item so wish me luck. Appreciate there is a pandemic ongoing at the mo but was very quick to sell me the device! Not answering phone and no reply to 2 emails sent so far. Third strike and I’ll go to my Credit Card provider. Check their Google and Trust Pilot reviews!! Wish I had before purchase but all out of stock elsewhere and…well you know. Yours frustratedly HH. P.S. I will try the Saris with Rouvy.
I’ll give this a go as I have a 4k Apple T.V.
Further to post 4 days ago thus far I’ve had 2 successful 1/2 hour rides, 1 x 1 hour ride and one 10m 50s failed ride on the Saris H3 and Rouvy. On the failed ride the iPad iOS (14.3) totally crashed and rebooted though oddly Rouvy posted this up to Strava!! Go figure.
Tried Zwift on a 5th Gen Apple TV 4K (iOS 14.4, Bluetooth V5) with the Saris H3 today for a 1 hour lunch break session and happy to report no drop out! Whoop! Whoop!
In addition I found cadence and wattage shown on screen was far more settled when purposely cycling at a steady rate on the flat and through Downers Grove for example. The reaction to resistance on gradient change was spot on compared to the 3 second + delay experienced when using iPad Mini 4 and an iPad 10" Apple iThingy bought last year on iOS 14.4, and considerably smoother in change to the resistance. The delay also experienced on BKool btw.
Wednesday I had a 1 hour and a 20 odd minute session using an old iPad mini 2 on iOS 12.4.7. with the Saris H3 and although when connected to HDMI screen the graphics was choppy to say the least, but not unusable - 15-20 fps when not connected the animation was much smoother on the iPad alone.
On the iPad Mini 2, like the Apple TV 4K I had no dropouts on those rides and the transition in resistance according to gradient % change was again, spot on and so very much smoother than my iPhone 6s, iPad bought last year both on iOS 14.4 and on an Android V10 mobile.
Loath to sell old tech I may now sell the iPad Mini 2 and other tech to buy another Apple TV 4K as I had to pinch this one from the living room for the man cave. She who must be obeyed hasn’t spotted its gone yet.
Further update, I have had only 2 occasions over the last month where the resistance change to gradient change was about 3 seconds behind. I found though with the Apple TV I only had to quit the ride and start again. No rebooting the Saris or restarting Zwift. I now wait a minute or 2 from powering on everything to starting an actual ride. Seems to do the trick.