Before we get into how your Digital Scale could be changing weight. Let’s first talk about why it may be happening in the first place.
If you’ve ever used a Digital Scale, then you’ve probably noticed that it sometimes changes the weight on its own.
Don’t be alarmed, That just means that the scale is using its tare feature.
This allows you to reset the scale to zero and get an accurate weight without having to subtract any weight from the previous load. But in order to use this feature correctly.
You need to know how to stop your Digital Scale from changing weight. So that you can have the most accurate possible readings.
If you haven’t calibrated your Digital Scale, or if you move it often, you might notice some inconsistent results.
To solve for inconsistent weight readings, make sure your scales are level and check out our calibration guide here.
Reasons Why Digital Scales Change Weight
If you’ve noticed that your weight on a digital scale changes or fluctuates between weigh-ins. It could be due to a few different reasons. Here are three causes of changing weight:
OFF By 0.2lb or 0.1kg
- If your scale isn’t consistently weighing items you’re weighing, and it is off by a fraction of what you’re measuring, then there is something wrong with your scale.
- You may want to try recalibrating your digital scale or readjusting your weights.
- Before you come to the conclusion that it needs to be replaced.
The Unit Not Calibrated
- If you’re using a scale that weighs in units like grams, milligrams, or micrograms, it is possible that over time it may lose its calibration.
- If your scale doesn’t have an auto-calibration feature, you should calibrate it once a year (or more frequently depending on how often you use it).
- These scales are designed with internal springs and calibration weights and will lose their precision as those components stretch out of shape or come loose.
The Scale Needs Calibration
- Because digital scales are electronic devices, they can occasionally experience errors or glitches. The most common error is for a scale to show an inaccurate weight.
- This might happen if your scale isn’t calibrated correctly, which can happen if you pick up and move your scale. Store it in an area with extreme temperatures, or simply use it for too long without cleaning or recalibrating it.
Wires Are Interfering With the Scales’ Response
- Due to how your scale is designed, any materials that are placed on top of it could interfere with its ability to deliver accurate weight measurements.
- This could be as simple as putting too many objects on top of it or placing your scale on a carpeted surface instead of something flat and hard like wood or tile.
The Calibration Factor Can’t be Found Online
- You just purchased a brand new scale, but it keeps showing you different weights.
- You try resetting your scale with no success.
It seems like an Easy Fix
just calibrate your scale However, when you search online for instructions on how to do so, you can’t find any real instructions. The main reason why many scales will show different weight results is that they haven’t been calibrated properly.
The Solutions We Use to Prevent the Digital Scale From Changing Weight
There are several solutions that you can use to prevent your scale from changing weight.
- Placing a sticker or a dry erase board on top of your scale, using duct tape, or by simply unplugging it.
- This is obviously not an ideal solution but is good if you are in a bind and need to weigh yourself quickly.
- The other options include covering up all four sensors with socks or dollar bills (make sure to remove them when weighing) and putting some pennies on each sensor.
- Before weighing, use double-sided tape, add Velcro strips (also make sure you remove them when weighing), and remove batteries for a few minutes.
- Using any of these methods will keep your scale from giving false readings due to interference caused by any object placed near its sensors.
You Stepped Off Quickly
A sudden change in elevation will cause most scales to register higher than normal. Until they have time to catch up with what is going on around them. If you step off quickly after weighing yourself, don’t worry!
Also read: Ecobee Keeps Changing Temperature Fixed
Conclusion
A Digital Scale is one of the most effective methods for tracking your weight loss.
But it’s also important to look at what’s going on under the hood.
If you notice that your scale is fluctuating daily by more than a few pounds, there are several things you can do to ensure an accurate weight reading.
First and foremost, make sure that you’re not carrying extra weight when you step ON it. Including keys or even something as seemingly insignificant as water in your shoes.
You should also check to see if your batteries are running low, which could be causing fluctuations in weight readings.
Finally, consider purchasing a new scale altogether; older models may have trouble keeping up with changes in body mass index (BMI).
