FreeStyle Libre Errors and How to Fix Them

My Dad put on a new sensor and he kept getting the reading "Sensor has ended".

Almost 100k people needed to watch this video. I hate diabetes, hate what an absolute epidemic it is, and hate that it’s just been monetized and ‘managed’ rather than eradicated decades ago. Infuriating.

My first two sensors were defected! I called and they asked for serial number and event log! They overnighted me two new ones! I applied the second one earlier and getting an error message after about 8 minutes of set up! Check sensor!

I just started using the FL3 and in 5 days have had to apply 5 sensors due to Replace Sensor messages. Each message happened during the initial 12 hours even though I did get glucose readings during that time so I know I applied it correctly (soap and water, alcohol pad, drying time, etc.) I've been diabetic for over 50 years so applying these is not rocket science. I called Abbott each time and they did send replacement sensors. The last rep. I spoke with told me it can take 12-24 hours to get accurate readings not the 12 hours it states. He also said they are having problems with the filaments and are working on it and he has had a consumer who had 20 faulty sensors in a row. He told me if the sensors are shipped to you sitting outside in the heat or cold can damage the filament and that the shippers may not be handling the packages correctly including the sensors they shipped to me using Fed Ex (yes, one they shipped failed also.) He also told me they may only last 11 days not the 14 they claim they will last. I applied Skin Tac after applying each sensor to make sure each would stay on so taking each off was not as simple as if only the adhesive they apply. I'm so fed up with the poor quality of these sensors and the fact I've gotten 3 reps who must have been using cell phones because they couldn't hear me. I used a land line phone. The other issue is the reps are usually speaking English as a second language making it more challenging to understand what they are saying. One sensor gave me a sensor error and said to try scanning again in 7 hours! After the 7 hours it said to try in 10 minutes. That finally worked but I got a replace sensor message a short time later.

Just my opinion, but Abbott shouldn't be selling these sensors if they are so vulnerable to damage. No wonder they cost so much if Abbott has to keep sending out free replacements.

I don't know if my insurance will cover another brand of CGM but if they will are any of the other CGMs better as far as quality control of the sensors goes?

I think I'll go back to just using strips. My experience with this CGM is so poor. If Tom or anyone has had similar experiences or any helpful ideas please respond with a comment. I have 5 sensors I could try using that Abbott just sent.

I'm totally disgusted with my experience.

They also claim it is not the readers fault it is the sensor so they would not replace the reader. I thought perhaps the reader was actually the cause of the error messages.

What about freestyle libre2 reader says only ,.....Connected to the computer.

Mine says Gluocosd reading is unavailable. Try scanning again in 54 minutes

Anyone else have problems with it not sticking to your skin?
I had one that was on so good it was even kind of hard to get it off, then other times after a few days it’s coming detached from the sides.

tl;dr if any of these errors appear you just wasted money.

my libre 3 is off by by 20 points ... is that normal since its not actually using my blood with the sensor

thank you for all your vids. got mine today

By the way, I use my Freestyle sensor with two devices. With the Freestyle reader and with my smartphone (iPhone). When starting the sensor, I first do it with the Freestyle reader and immediately after with the smartphone. The advantage is that in the smartphone app there is additional information (time on range, estimated HbA1c, etc.) and when I go out I don't need to carry another device. At home I can use both, depending on which one is closer.

How about an error message from freestyle libre 14 day that says ....WAIY 8 HOURS? This is the second time in less than 4 weeks I have had the same problem. I can't do a finger stick because my insurance won't cover the strips and the sensors. Stuck in a very dangerous place for a senior citizen. 😫

Ive had nothing but problems within the last 2 weeks. Went through 2 with 3 hours, they sent replacements, went through both of them! It runs through its hour then says incompatible sensor or sensor ended.

you didn't cover "signal loss"?

Had trouble getting new sensor to scan on Samsung Phone. ( New sensor won't scan ) Tried checking >Settings
>Connections
>Turn ON Wifi
>Turn ON Bluetooth
>Turn ON NFC and Contactless Payments.

Then try scanning new sensor again. If it doesn't work, try turning those settings off then all 3 back on again or shutting the whole phone off then on again... worth a try, worked for us. Hope this helps!

Mine is saying incompatible senor

I just had 3 sensors replaced today by Abbott. It didn't take very long at all. It's just a real pain in the ass or arm. It's interesting to know what the error scan in 10 minutes means though. I release insulin erratically and sometimes during an event, before a seizure, I get that message when I'm trying to make my glucose go up and anxiously await a higher number. Have any of you had a pancreatectomy? I'm on the fence because my dad was diabetic. I'm scared of trading in one demon for another.

I just messed mine up AGAIN, DAY ONE!!!!

I decided to give the Freestyle Libre a try for my cat, per my vet's recommendation. Tried downloading the app to my phone, but it was a humongous hassle which is probably not worth it (since i presume is designed for human not animal use). I've only used the provided reader. First sensor only lasted 7 days. Had several "check again in 10 min" errors these days, but it would fix itself. Vet had me checking levels every hour so i think maybe theres a limit to how many checks you can do. The cat is a senior but still moves around, and i think the sensor could have been better placed. Its right behind his right front paw. he usually leans on that area, either left or right. A higher placement could be beneficial. But hey I'm no veterinarian or diabetic. I'm just trying to make him feel better.
Any insights are helpful, we are new to the diabetes world.

Libre2 App doesn't have button to activate sensor. NFC & bluetooth are on

What about the "incompatible sensor" error?

Mine goes out of range then lies about it later saying it was in range...like no it was not why are you lying???

I upgraded to the libre 3 and it’s been a love/hate relationship with it. When it works it’s so much better and convenient than when I used to use the freestyle libre and with many more features but now it seems like every other sensor is bugging out and/or needing to prematurely remove and apply another one before the cycle ends, then I have to yet again contact the company send another one and so forth.

You forgot to mention "This sensor is not compatible with this reader, which my wife just got with 4 sensors in a row. The previous sensor was giving readings that were way too low. She's been using Freestyle Libre 2 for over a year and we've had about half of sensors be bad, including the ones we got back as replacements. One of the representatives at Abbott said to reset the reader with the power button for 30 seconds and then the sensor would work 100% of the time. A bunch of BS. Twice after that we tried it and got the same error with two different sensors. This product is crap. It shouldn't have been released, or Medicaid should drop it, regardless of how many corrupt officials negotiated this deal.

First shipment from USMED was faultless. Second order had mix of libre 1 and libre 2 cgm. After a couple calls I have been told they will replace libre 1 w libre 2. Also cannot use a reader or phone app from US on a cgm from UK. Very frustrating on a recent long trip. I would have to change my IPhone profile to an English address, install the Uk libre app and work it that way. That would change my Apple profile on all my devices. UGH

The error message to recheck in 10 minutes is annoying. I had to check with a blood drop since the error message stayed on all day.

There is a loud beep coming from my phone about every 5 minutes. How do I stop this? Heeellllppp

Helpful for sure. Thank you! I have a freestyle Libra 2 and today I just can't seem to get a correct reading. Tried test strips .....15 strips later, and wasted, continued to get an E-7 error. So irritating. I'll wait until tomorrow and let my poor fingers heal to try one more time then contacting customer service. 😢

Got a error msg...try again in 10 minutes....after putting in New one....took the old one out to outside trash can and new one started reading....

I was prescribed the Libre 2 but where can I find the VERSION on the box that my prescribed me?

This happens to me all the time 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

Can you clear up my confusion, can you use both your reader and your iPhone.I’ve seen some videos from libre (about a year old) explaining how to do it.

Mine says try again in six hours , I changed my meter went to bed instead of waiting 60 minutes . Will drinking lots of water help?

So i woke up this morning and it said I needed a new sensor however yesterday it said I had 4 days left on it. This has happen to me twice. So if anyone knows anything about it please let me know I would appreciate it

😪 please in spanish !!!

Can we scan same sensor after reinstalling the librelink application

Hi I started the libre 3 sensor after using the libre 2 sensor for an year. And this is my 5th libre 3 sensor that will not take a activate/startup scan what tips can you give on this problem besides calling the Abbott company and doing what they suggest like scan it every ten minutes for the next 2 hours. I had a libre 2 sensor and I put it on and it scanned instantly... So what's going on with the libre 3 sensor? Is there a bad batch of libre 3 sensors that is out to the public?/the people

Has anyone gone to test after the 60 minute warm up period but it just goes thru the reactivation process again? What is the cause and is there a solution or does it mean I need a new sensor? Tyia

I followed your advice to replace the sensor one hour before the sensor ends and after that the reader says the sensor ended and now its not functioning. What do i do?

I am on my 3rd sensor and None of them have worked correctly. I pay out of pocket because I have private insurance. They have replaced one but I am going to request a different brand from my doctor because of so many problems. I had a trial of the freestyle libre 3 but the app didn't work. 🤐

I have never had a problem with the free style libre 1 but now with the free style libre 2, 2 sensors have failed.

Hi dont know if anyone can help i cant get through 2nd part of verification for libreveiw i never had problem before iit says will send code to email then says error 998 ive been using 3 years on libre 2 now any ideas?

I'm not paying for another I never had these problems with dexcom this is crap

I have gotten old of them on one sensor

I've recentely been provided a Libre 3 which I thought was a great idea. However my first unit would not register for over an hour before use. The 2nd fell off after two days. The third had many error codes and reading fails. The fourth had many errors and then fell off while sleeping. These units are pricey in the US and I was not aware to contact Abbott for replacement until my dr. Suggested. I did that today and spoke to a call center--very noisy and I had to repeat myself several times. She is sending me one new sensor. She asked several times if I kept the old ones and the boxes, which I will now. I was able to retrieve the error reports--several pages worth to provide her. Not sure if I will continue with it. Finger stick supplies are so much cheaper.

I have been using Freestyle Libre 2 for more than a year. At first, they worked great and were highly reliable. Estimating here: Since the beginning of 2023, they are failing at a rate of about 50%. Every two weeks, I apply one and grit my teeth for the first hour while waiting to see whether the sensor will work or fail. I am astonished at the failure rate. My employer would be all over an improvement program for any failure rate greater than 1%. That aside - Is anyone else experiencing a similar failure rate? Is there anything I can do to reduce the failure rate? Lately, Abbott seems to be trying to blame my use of an iPhone 12 Pro because the OS updates so quickly/frequently, and they can't always keep up. True? Would using a reader work better? Any ideas a all would be appreciated.

Sensor stopped working for less than a day again. They won't replace it because they said its meant for humans not cats. My vet put it in and it worked before no problem. Very expensive and piece of crap.

I just switched from FL1 to FL2 and absolutely hate it! FL1 was simple. A reader that lasts 2 weeks on a single charge and gives quick results. I LOVED FL1. Then i had to "upgrade" to FL2 and bought a new reader. My biggest issues are the battery life is around 1 to 2 days. The other was how it was detecting my blood sugar levels when I was a few feet from the sensor and not actively looking get a reading. This was annoying at night when the reader would light up the room when I'm sleeping. I don't want alerts when I'm not asking for any. I check my levels because I want to know in that moment where I am. I don't need a tracking device. I got so annoyed with the reader that I switched to the App. I have an high end phone that has NFC. It works fine around town buying stuff. With the App, it's a 70% failure rate of getting a reading. I ended up wasting 2 sensors and these sensors are not cheap since I'm paying them out of pocket.

Hello, I have been using the freestyle libre sensors for about 2 two years. When I put on a new sensor, after I scan it and spend the 60 minute wait to take a glucose reading, it sometimes asks me if I want to scan a new sensor, and gives me two options for answer: YES or NO. Normally I press the NO option, but in the last two it told me that the sensor is not working, remove your sensor and start a new one, that the sensor is exhausted. I don't know what to do because other times I have pressed YES and it also tells me that the sensor is exhausted; And they are brand new, straight out of the box. Most I wear work, but this has happened to me about 6 times. Can you give me an answer? Thank you.