Why Your Scale Might Be Giving Wrong Readings

Most people who regularly use a weighing scale for fitness purposes or for weighing specific items at their place of work realize how important accuracy and consistency of measurements actually are.

When you use a digital weighing scale often, it is easy to notice when readings do not seem accurate. But why exactly does it happen, and what can you do to resolve this issue and to avoid it in the future?

This is what this blog is all about. If you suspect your scale might be giving wrong readings but don’t know for sure, then keep on reading till the end.

This blog lists some main reasons why you might be getting inaccurate readings on your commercial or personal scales. It also lists some effective tips that can help you get rid of this issue. So, keep on reading till the end.

• The Surface Is Not Right
• Scale is Not Calibrated Properly 
• Batteries Are Either Very Weak or Low
• Your Weigh-in Habits are Inconsistent
• Environmental Factors Are Affecting the Readings
• Load Sensors Are Faulty
• Scale is Old and Worn Out
• There is Vibrational Interference
• Poor Storage and Maintenance 
• There is Interference from Other Devices
• User Errors

The following are some common reasons why your weighing scale may be giving you incorrect readings. 

1. The Surface Is Not Right

Probably the most common reason why your scale might be giving inaccurate readings is that the surface on which it is placed is either uneven or soft. If your scale is placed on a carpet, a padded surface, or uneven floor space, the readings may be affected because the scale’s sensors get distorted in such conditions..

How to Resolve This Issue?

• Always place your scale on a hard, flat surface like a hardwood floor or on floors with even tiles, and avoid using it in a carpeted area.
• If you don’t have any other option, place a hard board on the carpet and then put the scale over it to get better results.
• You can also use a bubble level app to ensure the surface is flat and not tilted.

2. Scale is Not Calibrated Properly

Another major factor is the poor calibration of a weighing scale, which can lead to wrong readings even in the most sophisticated scales. The calibration of your scale may be disturbed due to improper storage, unnecessarily moving the scale around, or stepping on and off of it too quickly.

How to Resolve This Issue?

• Most modern scales come with an autocalibration feature where you turn the scale ON, let it zero out, and then use it to weigh yourself or any known weight.
• Most weighing scales come with a manual that provides clear instructions for calibration.
• You can also contact your scale provider to have it calibrated if you find it hard to do it yourself. 
• When calibrating a scale, make sure to use proper calibration weights and always do it on an even surface.

3. Batteries Are Either Very Weak or Low

Your smart scales need a stable power or voltage supply to give you reliable readings. When the battery of the scale becomes weaker, the sensors don’t function properly, the display starts to blur, and the reading updates become slower.  

How to Resolve This Issue?

• Experts recommend that you replace the batteries of your scale every 6 to 12 months.
• You can also choose high-quality alkaline or lithium batteries, as they don’t discharge quickly and have a longer life.  

4. Environmental Factors Are Affecting the Readings

The place where you put the scale has a significant impact on its accuracy. Some external or environmental factors that can lead to wrong readings include too high or too low temperatures, air blowing directly over the scale from a fan, high humidity levels, and the presence of dirt or dust.

 How to Resolve This Issue?

• To resolve this issue, you need to place the scale in a clean, dry, and temperature-stable space that is away from fans, windows, or air vents.

5. Load Sensors Are Faulty

Most modern personal and commercial scales use strain gauge-based load cell technology to detect the weight and convert it into readable electrical signals. Load cells tend to become less sensitive over time due to wearout or damage from drops.

How to Resolve This Issue?

• You can determine if your load cells are working fine or not by stepping on the scale with one foot or by standing slightly off-center. If the readings bounce around to a greater extent, it shows the sensor may be failing.
• If your scale is more than 5 years old, experts recommend replacing the faulty sensor or the entire scale.  

6. Scale is Old and Worn Out

Another reason why your scale might be inaccurate is that it is either too old or too damaged. The signs that show your scale is too old include sensors not working properly, buttons fading or becoming harder to press, delayed readings, and the scale not being able to zero out.

How to Resolve This Issue?

• If your scale is 3 to 5 years old, consider replacing it for more accurate results.
• When buying a new scale, consider things like its ratings, customer reviews, brand reputation, and warranty.
• Also consider scales with advanced features like auto-calibration, app syncing, data logging, etc.  

7. There is Vibrational Interference

Vibrations can significantly throw off the readings of your weighing scale. If the scale is placed on a shaky or wobbly surface or near vibrating machinery, there is a high chance that it will give you inaccurate weight readings.

Sensors in smart weighing scales can sense even the smallest vibrations that are not felt by humans. This is why you need to make sure the scale is vibration-free when in use.  

How to Resolve This Issue?

• To avoid vibrations, you can place your scale on a thick, hard, and stable surface.
• You can also avoid using it near heavily vibrating machinery.
• When using the scale, you can try turning every vibrating machine off. 
• You can also invest in anti-vibration mats to get better readings from your scale every single time.

8. Poor Storage and Maintenance

These are also the main reasons why your scale might be giving inaccurate readings. Poor maintenance leads to the accumulation of dust or crumbs both inside and on the surface of the scale. 

The debris can get inside the scale and affect its sensitive circuitry, leading to inaccurate readings. Storing your scale in a congested space and under heavy items can also affect its calibration and lead to wrong weight readings.

  How to Resolve This Issue?

• You can avoid this issue by wiping the scale after each use.
• Also, clean beneath the scale platform to prevent dust buildup.
• You can also keep it in a place where there is no moisture or dust.
• If you keep your scale in a closet, make sure it is placed in a horizontal position and there is no heavy item on its surface.

9. There is Interference from Other Devices

This is another important but slightly less common reason why your digital scale might not be working properly. These scales have built-in Bluetooth and WIFI connectivity features to facilitate data syncing or storage with your phone or smart devices.

Interference from devices like smart hubs, microwaves, or WIFI routers can disrupt the communication between the scale and the mobile apps these are synced with.   

How to Resolve This Issue?

• To prevent this from happening, you need to keep your scale away from the range of WIFI routers and other smart systems in your house.
• You also need to make sure your scale’s firmware is up to date to further ensure better readings from your personal, commercial, or industrial scales. 

10. User Errors

User errors such as inconsistent weighing habits, standing incorrectly on the scale (either off-center or shifting weight by leaning to one side), misreading the values, holding heavy objects, and wearing heavy clothes also lead to wrong readings.

You need to remember that your body’s weight fluctuates 2-5 pounds a day naturally, based on things like diet, physical activity, water retention, meal digestion, etc. If you weigh yourself at different times and under different conditions, it will lead to inconsistent or inaccurate readings.

How to Resolve This Issue?

• To avoid inconsistent weighing habits, you can weigh yourself daily at the same time, under similar temperature, using the same scale, and wearing similar or the same clothes.
• You need to avoid weighing yourself immediately after workouts, having big meals, or drinking plenty of water.
• To further ensure accurate results, you need to develop proper weighing habits, like standing upright and at the center of the scale, and not moving too much while weighing yourself. 

Conclusion

Your weighing scale might give you wrong readings for a number of reasons and most of which have been listed above. Factors like wrong calibration, poor maintenance, inconsistent weighing habits, and uneven surfaces can significantly affect the readings of your scale.

If you notice your weighing scale consistently giving wrong results, make sure to look at these and other key factors mentioned in the blog and then use the suggested solutions. This will guarantee you get the most accurate and reliable weight readings every single time.

Visit us at Eagle Scales today if you are looking for high-quality personal, commercial, and industrial scales that deliver consistent accuracy.