Charge 5 black face & now totally unresponsive after trying charger reset

[Rosieposie4321]

Charge 5 had blank face but could feel vibrations & it was updating on app. I tried to reset by putting it on the charger.. I initially got the logo & vibration but nothing else. I tried pressing the charger button 3 times to reset it. Now everything is dead. I get no power or vibration whatsoever & app can no longer find the watch. It was at least able to update before I tried the reset. Almost as if the reset fried the watch. Any thoughts or recommendations? It seems these always fail around the 1 year mark. So irritating . 

[TheSaint82480]

I am having the exact same issue!

Did all the resets and it can still find it but when prompted for the 4-digit code there is nothing on the screen to read.

Don’t know where to go next….

[Heather1411]

Same for me. Yesterday screen was light for about 20 min. Today it's black and app can't find. 

[DavideFitbit]

Hi everyone, and welcome to the new users in the Fitbit Community.

Thanks for all the details that you've shared about this inconvenience with your Charge 5 and the steps that you already tried.  

@Rosieposie4321 @Heather1411 I've been informed that you already contacted the Customer Support team for further assistance with this. In this case, they will let you know how to proceed.  

@TheSaint82480 Could you please try restating the device using the charging cable and try to complete the setup process again? 

[ryarnot]

I had something very similar happen to mine about 2 weeks ago (not sure if it updated before it decided to stop working though). I noticed the charge was not holding like it usually did (for a couple of days usually) and it could barely get through a full workday without dying on me. Then a few days later the screen started going out on me, but I would still get vibrations and now it seems to be completely dead. I can't get it to even wake up on the charger. So, of course, I go to see when I purchased it because I've had issues with a previous device before that Fitbit replaced for me since it was within the warranty, but alas I bought this one in late January 2022 and it dies in exactly 14 months. I've really liked FitBit in the past, particularly for its app, and have worn their devices for years, but it feels like each new device I get lasts less and less time. Having a device die right outside the warranty window and another (luckily) right before is just sketchy to me. Seems like these things have very clear planned obsolescence at this point.

[COstepper]

I am also having the same issue.  My charge 5 vibrates but the screen is black.  I have tried restarting it numerous times but nothing.  It still keeps up with my steps, sleep, etc but the screen is black.

[LisaONY]

Same issue!  Starting yesterday black screen and battery discharged in less than a day.  The battery normally lasts at least 4 days.

[Buddyhoss]

I as well had this happen to me, three days ago, on April 10th.  This watch (a Charge 5) was also a replacement for another Charge 5 that this had happened with back in September (received the replacement in October, 2022).  That means this watch is about 6 months old.  Customer service says it is outside the warranty period and will not be replaced.

I had a Charge 4 that this same thing had happened couple years back that died after 14 months (outside the warranty period, no replacement offered).

Needless to say I will never be buying another Fitbit.

[arleanmd]

Same thing happened to my 2nd fitbit charge 5. This is my 2nd fitbit charge 5 that had the same problem.  I like this product for simplicity.

Sad to say that i wont spend another dollar with fitbit products again.

[TheSaint82480]

Im back and was able to connect again but now I’m dealing with this battery issue. Won’t even last for a full day right now, which is weird since it’s usually good for 5-7 days.

[IanV66]

Yup, this is affecting me too.  Device is barely a week old.  Got a Charge 5 as was so thoroughly disappointed with the Sense 2, and it seems teh Charge 5 is plagued with its own issues.

Black screen after less than 24 hours.  Reset using the Fitbit charging cable - and comes back.

Last night it didn't come back, so thought I'd go through setup again.

Unpaired the device, deleted it from my Fitbit account.

Left it on charge all night.  

just tried to reset it and now it wont even reset.

Phone finds the device, but I can't see the bluetooth code on the charge 5 screen.

This is staggering.  From a company tat was world beating - I switched to Fitbit when they acquired Pebble, been with you ever since.  But teh last two new devices, Sense 2 and Charge 5 have been useless.  Google is clearly trying to wind down fitbit and get people to switch to its Pixel watches.  However 18 hours on a charge is a joke.

Fitbit please help me sort this out.

[Liislin]

I have since yesterday (13th April) the same issue. Screen is black, wont charge and phone cant find the device. Does vibrate when taking on/off charger though. 

[LisaONY]

Support couldn't help and said because I bought it through a third party on Amazon it voided any warranty.   I asked an update was pushed out given the number of people who are having the same problem all at once and they said no.  

Like the rest of you, this sadly is my second and last Fitbit.

[User2326]

How weird. I received the same exact issue to the day. I will try the reset process and see if that works. 

[curious-I]

Today, my Fitbit screen went Black. I charged the Fitbit but didn’t get any sign on the watch. Even so, it was fully charged after 40 min according to my phone app when I tried to sync my Fitbit with the black screen. Now 8 hours later it’s still a black screen and it syncs on my phone app. I’ve tried restarts with the charging cable button, it doesn’t work whatever I try; but it faintly vibrates every time. How do I solve this issue now? It seems all our Fitbit charge 5 watches have  exactly the same problem at exact the same time! Please Fitbit moderator do something!

[djahngo]

I've had similar problems. Screen went blank. Contacted Tech support. Nothing after several charges and resets. A few days later I picked it up and it responded! Clock worked, but nothing else. Tech support offered me a 35% discount on a new one - I owned it 1 year and one month. Guess I have a watch.

[Hospicern2000]

I have tried to reset several times, reconnect to my phone. Can not get 4 digit code as face still black. This is the 3 rd fit bit that has malfunctioned. I am considering going with another brand unless you can provide a solution or new one at no charge. 

Moderator edit: format

[sittight1]

Same thing happened to me today.  Screen went totally black when I was running.  I have had several Fitbits and have been looking at the Apple Watch.  I was offered a 35% discount as well.   I read other customers who are on their second Charge 5 and the same thing happened again.  Not worth a second round.  So disappointed.

[djahngo]

The Charge 5 is nice when it works, but I don’t want to buy another only to have it last a year. 35% off isn’t much after adding tax and shipping.


James Hiatt

[TomNevins]

Today April 14 I am having the same issue - device is unresponsive.  I have tried all the restart procedure with zero success.