Charge 5 Death Spiral

[atomicPete]

After the last firmware update my Charge 5 started crashing, freezing, rebooting, battery draining, logo sticking, X-circling, etc. The only thing missing was a skull lighting up on the display. Of course, every go around I would do all of the button tricks to bring it back, but each time it took more and more resets until that stopped working.

It's finally given up the ghost and won't reset anymore.

I'll throw it in the drawer with my collection of other dead Charges and move on to another platform. I'm done with Fitbit.

And yes please, respond with a copy and paste of:

If your Charge 5 display is unresponsive, try restarting it by doing the following: 

• Connect your device to the charging cable.
• Press the button located on the flat end of the charger 3 times, pausing for 1 second between presses. Then wait 10 seconds or until the Fitbit logo appears. For more information please see How do I restart my Fitbit device?

[Sstacy]

I have had to have my charge 5 replaced 2 times already and am now waiting for my 3rd replacement which is on back order in a 7 month time frame. With all the issues posted here it shows that this product does not live up to the Fitbit name. I think that they just keep replacing them until the warranty runs out. This is not the way to treat your customers. Very unhappy with Fitbit. 

[Lblumchen]

I'm with you atomicPete, and your way with words! 

[SJ-Roberta]

Seconding you on this: “I'll throw it in the drawer with my collection of other dead Charges and move on to another platform.” I'm done with Fitbit. I also am on my third failed Charge 5 and am being told I can have a 35% discount on a new one because this time it’s out of warranty. What platforms are you all considering? I only know of Apple Watch. 

[bdeldonna]

Same thing happened to me. My Charge 5 totally crashed and I’ve only had it for a little over a year. They offered a 35% discount on another one but I will not be buying another Fitbit and will NOT recommend it to anyone. The sensors on the side never worked well but I let that go, live and learn. 

[SJ-Roberta]

I can confirm that this is what Fitbit does:  replace failed devices until the warranty runs out.  The replacement is not considered a new device with a new warranty.  I really wish I had read the fine print and researched the reliability.  I didn't know about the battery drain issue until it happened.  If I had any idea, I wouldn't have bought one in the first place.  Charge 5 remains a best seller that is highly regarded in the marketplace, so I guess there are enough customers out there who don't mind.

[SunsetRunner]

If your Charge 5 display is unresponsive, try restarting it by doing the following: 

• Connect your device to the charging cable.
• Press the button located on the flat end of the charger 3 times, pausing for 1 second between presses. Then wait 10 seconds or until the Fitbit logo appears. For more information please see How do I restart my Fitbit device?

tried and denied…

then I was told to disconnect and try reconnecting. It’s a black screen, no way to see the 4 digit code… Fitbit stinks and the customer service is lacking. I miss the good old days where you the customer were a top priority.  I do believe their hands are tied and a discount is all they can offer but why would I want another one to disappoint me later? You can see by my signature at the bottom it’s not my first rodeo with Fitbit, I’ve been thrown off many of times.  Time to get off this crazy ride. 

[SunsetRunner]

I think my biggest problem though is the fact that the update messed up our trackers and 35% off a new tracker that could then be messed up as well. I think Fitbit is doing us a disservice. I supported this company even though I’m an Apple guy I never wanted the Apple Watch. I might go with that or just leave my days of using a tracker in the past. Currently using my flex 2 and that might be it once it dies. 

[SJ-Roberta]

I didn’t want an Apple Watch either, but am pleased to report that I am now the happy owner of one.  I was going to keep using my Charge 5 until my Fitbit Premium subscription ran out in October, but the battery drain and blank screen issues worsened to the point of making it worthless.  

I continue to be astounded by Fitbit’s total indifference to losing customers.  Good luck if you’re still with them.  Hope they get this figured out someday.

[chilehead]

"The replacement is not considered a new device with a new warranty"

That makes sense though.  Otherwise there would be a bunch of people who would intentionally do something to their device to get a new one with a brand new warranty.  

But in this case, a bad firmware update bricking devices should result in automatic replacement of any impacted device even if it's no longer under warranty. 

[U289Navy]

Me too. I learned replacement is not an option for me as when I did, I got one with the same problem. I now choose the discount towards a new one. If this new one that is coming does what the other 3 have done, I will not get another Fitbit.

[asmanfredo]

same here atomic pete et al, pretty lame tech. but i'm not gonna waste valuable drawer space. i'm thinking sledgehammer. anyway i have been all-in since 2016. 7 years and 4 fitbits due to device death. i even have the wifi fitbit scale. i'll continue using the scale until it dies. or maybe i'll just go back to my 30 yr old analog scale . it still works. so, to recap: 1) gonna cancel my fitbit subscription now. 2) smash the charge 5 w a sledge. 3) delete fitbit app. ok best wishes to all!