Charge 5 erratic behaviour

[Erik63]

Hi, 

My fitbit 5 with firmware 57.20001.194.91 is behaving erraticly. After a swim in a pool I noticed the screen didn't switch on. I disconnected the band and charged it. I remained dead. I did the 3x 1 sec pause reset. That seemed to work, but it didn't. Screen came on but taking it from the charger makes it fall back into its previous state of black screen. Charging it brought it back to 100% but now O2 sat light and heartrate monitor stayed on until the battery drained again.. 

Serveral attempts later the screen comes on after charging and then shows the fitbit logo after 2-3 seconds the clockface comes on and I'm able to swipe through the menu. I've even managed to change the clockface. 

It only connects with my phone when it's on the charger. O2 saturation light and HRM light won't come back on and screen remains dead. No haptic feedback.  YT short showing working display. Now it's dead again That short was recorded today. Now the watch is dead once more and won't even restart when on the charger. 

Is there a way to do a full fresh firmware install and if yes, how do I perform that operation? If I can't get it back to work this will be the last fitbit I've ever bought because every single one of them (6 in total) have died on me.

I appreciate your recommendations on either question. 

Regards, 

Erik
 

[ClassicRedhead]

I have the same issue. It started on Sunday evening and has persisted. And my battery drains lightning fast. It was at 88% when I went to bed at 1230a and down to 3% at 428a. I charged it to 100%, put it on at 9a, and now at 345p it was at 6%. I've tried all the usual things - resetting from the cord, restarting on the watch, changing the clock. It's totally screwed up. 

But don't expect a reply that's actually useful from Fitbit. They just say you need to charge your battery and do the press-3x nonsense and everything should be fine again. It's not. This is a widespread issue that screams software issue and lack of testing before release. Im looking for alternatives to Fitbit. I'm so over them. Google's purchase of Fitbit sent a great tracker into the toilet. 

[Erik63 · Accepted solution]

As a result of the overwhelming support and multitude of useful tips, tricks and hacks in reply to my earlier post I've decided to purchase a Chinese smartwatch Gard Pro Ultra 2+. Slipped it on my wrist with 87% batterylife, straight out of the box. That was 10 days ago and that same charge is currently at 44%. Not only same tracking options as fitbit 5 (heartrate, O2 saturation and sleep) but also a multitude of extra sports (like fencing for instance!) plus a quite accurate bloodpressure and bloodglucose level indicator. Came at €90,-, delivered within a week. I'll probably get spied on as well, it just won't be Google but a chinese goverment official. 

Thanks for all the help and suggestions!


Erik