Fitbit Alta HR screen dim

[Sjl109]

I’ve had my Fitbit for just over two years, and I love it however lately the screen lighting has been so dim that it can only be seen in the dark.  I’m past my one-year warranty and not interested in buying another Fitbit if this problem is going to happen again.  I’m wondering if anyone has experienced this or has any suggestions?  I love my Fitbit but besides being able to see my data on my phone later, it’s now useless as a watch or daytime fitness tracker and I’m close to giving up on Fitbit.

[DavideFitbit]

Hi @Sjl109, it's good to see you around in the forums for the first time. Sorry for the late response. 

Thank you for sharing all these details about the display of your device being too dim for the last few days. Before considering other options, please let me know if you've tried to perform the restart procedure following these steps. This has been useful to other users experiencing something similar. 

Please keep me posted on the outcome.

[Sjl109]

Hi David,

Thanks for following up!  I tried restarting the Fitbit, and it hasn’t fixed the problem.  I can’t see my screen except at night.  I have never had any damage to the watch including taking into water, so I’m not willing to buy another if it can’t hold up to regular use.  It’s pretty disappointing because other than that (and the plastic straps breaking) I’ve loved my Fitbit.  

Sarah

[SunsetRunner]

Hello @Sjl109  I have a Alta HR as well. (purchased a bit over a year now) I know what your talking about when it come to the screen being dim, especially in the sunlight. I hope after a restart as the moderator suggested works for you. Mine has been dim since the day I purchased it. Besides that one issue I find it to be a hardy and reliable device. I just place my palm as a cover over my band if the suns too bright to view it or rely on my Fitbit app to give me the information I seek. As far as the straps breaking have you ever considered purchasing a Fitbit Ankle Strap? I bought mine on Amazon for  around $10. I love wearing it on the ankle because it avoids excessive wear and tear because your hands get so active. Just a thought. 

[Sjl109]

For me a major part of the Fitbit is using it as a watch, so I don’t want it on my ankle.  Since my original post where the light was dimming the light has deteriorated and now is not visible at all except at night in pitch darkness.  The light brightness was fine when I bought it less than two years ago (I originally wrote I’d had it over two years but realized I actually bought it December 2017).  The original strap also broke at the connection within 8 months of purchase and was replaced under warranty and then the replacement broke after warranty.  I love the product but it’s proved to not be durable. 

[DavideFitbit]

Hello @Sjl109, sorry for the late response.   

Thank you for confirming that you already tried the suggested troubleshooting steps. I've sent your information to the Customer Support team for further assistance with this, but was informed that you already have a case created or that you already got in touch with them. Please keep an eye on your inbox. 

Thank you for sharing this information as well @SunsetRunner, did you notice any change on the display after trying to perform the restart procedure? 

Keep me posted. 

[SunsetRunner]

Hello @DavideFitbit 

Thank you asking me if I was having issues. My Alta HR is working great and it’s been dim since purchasing it a bit over a year ago and doesn’t bother me. 😃 I was just here attempting to offer a bit of help to the original post.

[DavideFitbit]

No problem @SunsetRunner, thank you for sharing your experience with the Fitbit device!  

[Sjl109]

Hi Davide,  Just wanted to update for anyone else who might run into this problem - I contacted Fitbit support and within a day they agreed to replace the pebble and the replacement arrived the next day!  The difference is literally night and day and I’m really happy to be able to use my Fitbit again!

[SunsetRunner]

Wow @Sjl109  this is excellent news! Thank you for sharing 😃

[DavideFitbit]

That's great news @Sjl109, thank you for sharing!  😀 

[Jo4874]

I’ve had my FitBit Ulta HR less than 2 years and the screen is dim.  I can barely see anything on the screen.  It syncs just fine.  I did the restart and that did not solve the problem.   Any suggestions would be nice.  I would hate to buy another device if this is going to be an ongoing product performance issue. 

[DavideFitbit]

Hello, welcome to the Fitbit Community forums @Jo4874.

Thank you for all the details that you've provided regarding the screen of your Alta HR that is dim and that you've tried to restart the tracker already. 

I've sent your information to the Customer Support team for further assistance with this, but was informed that you already have a case created or that you already got in touch with them. 

Please keep me posted on the outcome. 

[912systems]

I would also like to chime in.  Same problem of a dim display which just started recently.  I have tried a reset to no avail.  any other fixes since the beginning of the year?

Thanks in advance,

Devon

[HoundDogMama]

Screen unreadable.  Restarted and can now see a very faint readout.  What’s next to get the screen back to normal?

[912systems]

Got off the chat with CS and they gave me a 35% discount in the Store towards a purchase of a new one.

HAGWE!

[648charlie]

I have the fit bit alta hr.    I also have the fitbit alta without the hr...  The hr alta is sooooo dim it is unusable.   the fitbit withouthe hr is many time brighter.. I have reset the hr but still to dim to use.   I feel since I paid more for the hr that it was a waste of money...Can you help me.   I would be happy with another without the hr

Moderator edit: personal info removed

[912systems]

Get a hold of customer service. They gave me a very nice discount on a new unit.

Devon
On Trawler Road

[648charlie]

I dont want a discount. I would like a fitbit alta hr that is readable. or a standard alta replacement.   I have no more money to spend on fitbit.

[irishangelanna]

I have had my Alta HR FitBit for 3 years now. I have had the same problem as you, for the last 10 months to a year, it's very dim, I can only see it really in the dark or at night. I got over 2 years with it before it got so dim. Otherwise, I am happy with it. I will probably buy another one during the holidays to replace this one.