Movement Error / Failed Reading
Withings Blood Pressure Monitor
Severity:What Does This Error Mean?
A Withings movement error means the monitor detected body movement during the measurement that interfered with the reading. Sitting completely still with the arm supported and relaxed resolves this in almost every case.
Affected Models
- Withings BPM Connect
- Withings BPM Core
- Withings BPM Wireless
Common Causes
- Body movement during measurement — arm shifted, crossed leg, reached for something
- Talking during measurement — vibrations from speaking affect the reading
- Cough or sneeze during measurement
- Cuff placed too loosely — slides during inflation
- Cuff placed over clothing — fabric moves
- Arm not at heart level — held up or resting too low
How to Fix It
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Sit correctly before starting the measurement.
Sit in a chair with back support. Feet flat on the floor — do not cross your legs. Rest your arm on a table or flat surface with the palm facing up. The cuff should be at the same height as your heart. Relax for at least 5 minutes before measuring.
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Apply the cuff correctly.
Place the cuff on bare skin — not over clothing or a sleeve. Position the cuff 2 cm (about one finger-width) above the bend of the elbow. The cuff should be snug but not tight — you should be able to slip one finger underneath it. The artery marker on the cuff (if present) should align with the inside of the arm.
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Stay completely still during the measurement.
Once the measurement starts, do not move, talk, cough, or breathe deeply until the monitor deflates fully and shows the reading. The measurement takes 30–60 seconds. Even subtle movements like tapping a foot can trigger a movement error.
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Check the cuff tightness.
A loose cuff moves during inflation and deflation, causing false movement errors. After placing the cuff, check by trying to slip two fingers underneath — if more than one finger fits easily, tighten it. A cuff that is too tight is also inaccurate — aim for snug but not uncomfortable.
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Ensure the app is connected before measuring.
For Withings BPM Connect: make sure Bluetooth and the Health Mate app are connected before starting the measurement. A connection drop mid-measurement can cause readings to fail or show errors. The BPM Connect stores readings internally if Bluetooth drops, but a stable connection avoids issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Withings blood pressure monitor keep failing to get a reading?
Repeated failed readings are almost always a positioning problem. The three most common causes are: the cuff placed over clothing, the arm not resting flat at heart level, and movement or talking during the measurement. Check that the cuff is on bare skin, the arm is supported and relaxed at heart height, and sit completely still from the moment inflation starts until the result appears.