Charge 3 Brightness Issues

[Matthew68]

I struggle to see the display on my Charge 3 when I am indoors and can'barely see it at all when I am outdoors, so I am having to wear another watch just to be able to see the time. I have changed the brightness options in the settings (auto / normal/ dim) and this has no effect whatsoever. Indeed on the low settings the screen is so dim that it goes invisible. I have also restarted it and followed all the normal advice but to no avail. I'm pretty sure it didn't used to be this bad. My wife has a Charge 2 and we can both easily see the display on that, both indoors and in daylight. Is this a generic issue with the Charge 3 or has mine developed a fault? 

[Matthew68]

Haven't had any replies so I'm currently communicating with Fitbit Support. However, just to illustrate the point, this is how my Charge 3 display (on the left) compares to the display of my wife's Charge 2, outside on a cloudy day.

[Matthew68]

I appreciate that I am talking to myself here as no one has replied (!) but I thought it might be useful to other people with the same problem if I give an update.

Having found many threads highlighting this brightness problem (just search 'Charge 3 display too dim') I realised that this is a problem that many people have with the Charge 3. A few months after being bought, the display of some of them gets so dim that it is impossible to see the display unless in a dark room. The advice is always as follows from Fitbit Help.

1. Try a restart

2. Restart device using the 15-second method (they provide you with the steps to do this)

3. Try changing the clock face

4. Do a factory reset

I've not read of any of these steps working for anyone on any thread, but it may have worked for some unbeknown to me . After all these steps are completed a photo of the display is requested and then you will be offered a replacement Charge 3 or 50% of a brand new Fitbit of your choice. 

Seems like it is quite a widespread issue with the Charge 3.  

[mini35]

My Alta HR has the same issue outdoors.  In thinking on replacing my current tracker, it is a concern on what to replace it with.   My course of fitness in majority of time usually occurs outdoors.  I understand your frustration.   

[Matthew68]

The early Fitbit devices I bought (bought my first over 8 years ago) seemed to be far more reliable. In recent years my first generation Charge needed replacing after a year and then stopped working after 2 years, my Surge needed replacing after 8 months and then the replacement died when just over 2 years old. Now my Charge 3 has become defunct after 9 months. They don't seem to last very long for the price. If it still worked I'd still quite happily be wearing my original first generation Charge. However most devices now seem very poor quality and not built to last. I love Fitbit's dashboard and stats though, and have over 8 years of data. That is the only thing stopping me from switching to another fitness tracker.  

[JTZCre8]

I have had two Charge 3s do this, both of which were actually replacements received from Fitbit for other issues (I'm on my 5th Charge 3 now). It was a very gradual dimming that only became notic9after a few months of normal use. Contact support and they should take care of you. I recommend providing them with a photo like you posted, too. 

[Noteri]

Same issue here. I was outside and tried to change the setting thinking maybe there was a bright option. Once in the setting screen it went dim and I couldn't see anything until I got inside. It should default to normal when in the settings screen.

[Matthew68]

Same thing happened with mine. It was gradual dimming over a few weeks which eventually left me unable to see the screen unless in a darkened room. The only solution is a replacement.

[DougYVR]

My Charge 3 is frustratingly dim... ANY attempt to view it outside is futile. I'm so annoyed that I "upgraded" from my Charge 2 that was so good at what it was designed to do.

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@Matthew68 wrote:

I appreciate that I am talking to myself here as no one has replied (!) but I thought it might be useful to other people with the same problem if I give an update.

Having found many threads highlighting this brightness problem (just search 'Charge 3 display too dim') I realised that this is a problem that many people have with the Charge 3. A few months after being bought, the display of some of them gets so dim that it is impossible to see the display unless in a dark room. The advice is always as follows from Fitbit Help.

1. Try a restart

2. Restart device using the 15-second method (they provide you with the steps to do this)

3. Try changing the clock face

4. Do a factory reset

I've not read of any of these steps working for anyone on any thread, but it may have worked for some unbeknown to me . After all these steps are completed a photo of the display is requested and then you will be offered a replacement Charge 3 or 50% of a brand new Fitbit of your choice. 

Seems like it is quite a widespread issue with the Charge 3.  

---

[Matthew68]

Hi Doug

I've had a replacement and now can see the display in the brightest of sunshine, so I'd suggest you contact Fitbit Support. Your Charge 3 is very likely to have developed a fault. It seems like a common problem.

[DougYVR]

Thanks for the info, Matthew… yes, I’ve contacted Support. Let’s see what happens.

Doug

[Gmanfan2]

I am now having the brightness issue over the past 2 weeks. Hs anyone found a solution? Tried all the reboot options I have read already. 

[KenWL]

I have this problem too and none of the solutions work because I can not see anything on my screen. It is a complete blank, so I do not know if I am on a screen where I can reset the brightness or not. My simple solution has been to quit using it and not recommend Fitbit to friends. I have talked a few folks out of buying a Fitbit. It seems to me that if you register your product and company knows of problems with the product, they would take care of notifying you of the problem. Don't automobile companies do this with recalls? I will never buy another Fitbit product.

[TaliaE6]

Having same problem with screen too dark. Will try your suggestions. I’m very frustrated. Not even a year old. 

[Noteri]

I have not found a solution.  I set the brightness to normal, but that is not bright enough when outdoors in the sunlight.  It's impossible to see with dark glasses and my glasses are the self-tinting type so...  

I have not tried returning the watch because I believe it is a design issue.  My guess is that they were trying to maximize battery life (and indeed that is very good) but I wish they would have allowed the user to make a trade-off between battery life and brightness.  Otherwise, I'm happy with the Charge 3, but will not buy another FitBit product due to this major flaw.

[TaliaE6]

Hi. I did get a solution to brightness issues. Called Fitbit 1 877 623-4997. Walked me thru steps. Now it is fine. It is a little hard to see in sun outside. My vision is fading with age but inside no problem seeing screen. 

[TaliaE6]

Hi. I did get a solution to brightness issues. Called Fitbit 1 877 623-4997. Walked me thru steps. Now it is fine. It is a little hard to see in sun outside. My vision is fading with age but inside no problem seeing screen. 

[Gmanfan2]

Thank you. I will try the number listed when time permits. 

[Wikske]

Thanks for the info. Mine is the same and you saved me a lot of time trying to figure out how to correct it. 

[Wikske]

I’m on my forth Fitbit (different models). Each one had issues but the Company has very good about correcting the problems. It is a very useful product so even thought I’ve had to get new ones I am going to stick with them as long as they back the product when it has issues.