Troubleshooting the Polar® Heart Rate Chest Strap

Heart rate reading is erratic or absent entirely

Probable Cause Corrective Action
Belt transmitter electrodes are not wet enough to pick up accurate heart rate readings. Wet the belt transmitter electrodes.
Belt transmitter electrodes are not laying flat against the skin. Ensure the belt transmitter electrodes are laying flat against the skin.
Belt transmitter needs cleaning. Wash the belt transmitter with mild soap and water.
Belt transmitter not properly set up. Setup of the belt transmitter is accomplished by initially bringing it with in 1 foot / 30.5 cm of the receiver. The receiver is in the console. After the heart rate is displayed on the console the range is extended to 3 feet / 91.4 cm.
Chest strap battery is depleted. Contact Customer Support Services for instructions on how to have the chest strap replaced.

Abnormally elevated heart rate readings

Probable Cause Corrective Action
Electromagnetic interference from:
  • Television sets and / or antennas
  • Cell phones
  • Computers
  • Cars
  • High voltage power lines
  • Motor driven exercise equipment
 Move the exercise equipment a few inches away from the probable cause, or move the probable cause a few inches away from the exercise equipment, until the heart rate readings are accurate.
Parent topic: Service and Technical Data