Charge 5 abruptly stopped working

[Shashankkr]

Hi,

My charge 5 has died out of the blue. I can confirm that it was fully charged. If I connect to the charger now, sometimes the logo appears for a second and nothing after that. 

I have followed all the possible steps to troubleshoot it. 

Please help

[Errwho]

Mine did the same thing this week and I'm also out of ideas to try. Reading on this forum has me worried we might not get a lot of support from Fitbit 

[fcalicchio]

Mine did the same thing this week too. At first the battery started draining very quickly.  Now my screen is just black with a red circle with a white x in it. I can't update the firmware, it keeps failing midway through.  I've tried everything on these forums. And it seems like there are many people with the same problem. I called their support line and He said he had to talk to his supervisor and would email me with a resolution. I think I need a new one. I had the insurance and my other one. Cracked out after a year and a 1/2. So this was a replacement under the insurance. And now this one has only lasted nine months.  I never heard anything back from Fitbit.  At this point I think we are SOL.  This is so disappointing. I've had Fitbit devices for about 8 years now. I guess it's time to try a Samsung Galaxy Watch instead. I'm not going to buy another Fitbit. Since they don't even last a year and their support is useles. It's a shame. They are destroying their brand. 

[Merlijn]

Oh no, i came here for help for the same problem! But now i'm afraid that i might have a new one. So disappointed. He is not even 2 years old. 

[Shashankkr]

Seems like a Y2K kind of bug to me. Definitely a software issue. Mine 1.2 years old so can't claim the warranty. Anyone who has one for less than a year can get a new replacement. 

Wirecutter is recommending inspire 3 so I am going to try that. Very disappointed though. 

[Ncox]

Mine has done the same thing. 

I am wondering if it has anything to do with the recent software update. It was fine until I updated mine last week.

I've tried resetting multiple times but nothing. Only get the fit bit logo appearing occasionally.

I am still testing if the sensors are working in the background, i.e. recording steps and heart rate etc. however without the screen working it's really not going to be much help 

[Shashankkr]

One of the troubleshooting guides told me to unpair it from the app 😝 .. now it's just a brick .. I have given up. I have never updated mine though. Did extensively used the interval excercise mode though. 

[notFitty]

Confirming the same just happened for my girlfriend's charge5, had a hell of a time getting it to stay up and charge after using the charge cable button press procedures, then charged to 100% and seemed to be working, it was then dead again by the time she woke up (8 hours after 100% charge)

Just got it replaced today after the failure two days ago

So there is definately a problem with them that Google won't admit to if so many are failing within a few months of each other.

Was running firmware 57.20001.188.58 when I managed to get it running for those few hours

-------

Oh and it was bought in May 2023 so not even a year old luckily, so was instantly replaced by the retailer on the spot which was good, but I'll be pissed if the new one fails after a few months again.

[RogerAgness]

My Charge 5 is barely one year old and does not want to charge.:battery:
- When you bring the little black charger with the two prongs up to the back of the FitBit you can feel the magnetic pull and the prongs align with the round contacts but they don't stay in. Now, they don't repel like with opposite-polarity magnets, but they don't attract either, other than that initial pull.
- And if you hold it in position there is still no connection. It just flops off.
- I can't double-tap to wake it up. The last time I checked a few days ago it was about 20% so it might even be down to 0% now. 😭

Later: I have been sitting here for thirty minutes holding the charger in position onto the back of the FitBit, and nothing... no response to fast OR slow double-tap, and no indication on the black screen that anything is happening. ☹️

[EmRR]

This has happened to me too 😭

[GiGiF74]

That is EXACTLY, down to the last detail, what happened to me. I’m so upset!!!

[ComradeF]

Mine also died out of the blue a couple days ago. The screen stopped working, and now the device can't hold a charge.

I bought this unit from Fitbit.com in June 2023. It lasted a whole 6 months. Pitiful. I suspect it may have something to do with the firmware update that's bricking everyone's devices, but I don't know. This is the third Charge 5 that's died on me!

[RogerAgness]

The last reading was Friday, February 2. There was no reading on Saturday, February 3.

[SunsetRunner]

Same has happened to my charge 5, and also my wife's just before Xmas.  I haven't bothered to replace mine yet, but after reading how this is widespread issue that Google seem to be ignoring I'm not keen on getting another fitbit.

[RogerAgness]

Charge 5 in the news, one week later

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Fitbit-New-smartwatch-update-provides-new-functions-but-makes-devices-...

[ComradeF]

They sent me a replacement, and the replacement won't even move past the Fitbit logo! Now I have TWO bricked Charge 5s! They didn't even test it before sending it out. Great quality control going on here.

[Shashankkr]

😅😅😅😅

[Nayclan]

Same here. Got into auto update. Suddenly battery got drained.screen went black. Did the 3 presses reset, Fitbit logo appeared for a second, then black again.

Its charging, syncing and recording steps (checked in app), but screen doesn't show anything

I got this on June 2023 so not even a year. Where I live theres no official store, so no 1 year warranty. Very pissed since it's not cheap. Reading forum, seems support not doing anything. Will not ever ever buy Fitbit again. 

[Troll_nz]

Same problem, it was working next thing I know I have a brick on my arm. Not sure if there is any point trying to do a factory reset if it's completely unresponsive.

[Ke.steel]

My died 7days ago now. Won't charge, won't sync, won't reset, red X circle some times, black screen, Is set for auto updates, 15 months old. Must be allot of dead ones around it seems.