Charge 5 is unresponsive

[Ros1611]

My Charge 5 is 14 months old, and today it stopped working. Initially it only had the Fitbit logo, but after following advice on here, I did a reset via the charger and now the screen is blank completely. After reading other posts, I have so far:

Turned Bluetooth off, unpaired it from my phone, forgotten it in the app, turned my phone off and back on again, turned Bluetooth on. My phone will no longer recognise the device in my settings. I have deleted and reinstalled the app on my iPhone, it still won’t allow me to add it back into the Fitbit app or pair via Bluetooth. I’ve done a reset via the charger multiple times - no luck. Cleaned the contacts on the back - still nothing. 
I have had multiple Fitbits over the years and none have lasted much longer than 12 months- either the band connections have totally broken, meaning I can’t even connect a new band, or the device itself has died. I only kept buying Fitbits because my kids and other family have them, but since google took over, the challenges with friends are gone and I have no reason to keep buying a new one. 
I think an Apple Watch would be better. 

[Erica1102]

It happened to me yesterday too. All of sudden it only showed Fitbit logo and became unresponsive. I tried everything that the customer service asked me to do but nothing worked. I think the Fitbit rolled out some software updates and it went wrong. Worst part is that I have premium subscription and it is not refundable. Instead of using my energy and time to fix this inferior Fitbit, I’ll just buy Garmin. 

[Craig9090]

My charge 5 screen went blank yesterday 

[AthleticWalker]

Mine went blank twice. I got it working on Saturday, but since yesterday evening, the steps to restart it only shows the logo and then went black. It seems to be misfiring on all cylinders but it does sync with my Fitbutt app.

[mirjamm]

This morning the same happened to me!

tried all the steps you mentioned. Now a black screen! Whats happening?

[Mkconner]

Mine did this same thing about a week ago...I've tried everything under the sun and the most I get is the Fitbit logo (only when it's on the charger) and sometimes it says 100% charged, other times it says 0% charged. Other than that, nothing.

[Ros1611]

I ended up logging a ticket with the support team yesterday who initially told me to do all the troubleshooting I’d already done. In the end they determined I was eligible for a replacement of the same model although likely a different colour (no new band, just the device). 

[Craig9090]

Thank you for sharing that info.

My screen went dark and I hadn’t been able to get anything on it. However, it communicated with the app and reported my exercise today. I will contact support tomorrow.


Sent from my iPad

[SusanFrench]

The same exact thing happened to me with my charge 5 yesterday! Going to contact support. 

[Mkconner]

I contacted customer service today, and after going through all the typical steps to restart my charge 5, it still didn't work. Customer service said they will look at my warranty and get back to me, other than that there was nothing they could do. My last Fitbit 4 did a very similar thing, they could fix it either and they gave me a 15% off coupon to buy a new one, which is my current charge 5. So, I guess every 1.5-2 years I'll be getting a small coupon to buy a newer version since this seems to be a common reoccurrence for Fitbit. Guess it's time to look into other brands and companies. 

[helpme12345]

I live Fitbit but super frustrated they it only lasts 1-2 years max. Today mine did the same thing and I woke up it was blank. It still vibrates and synced with my phone but the screen is black. This is the 5th Fitbit I’ve purchased and looks like none of us are getting a replacement because it’s beyond their warranty they strategically released software or firmware updates to crash it.

I’m super happy that I’m not the only one who suddenly woke up with a blank screen.

It is time for an Apple Watch 

[bluspark1964]

My Charge 5 is less than 6 months old and yesterday I couldn't get the screen to show,, it has a drained battery,, I have uninstalled reinstalled, fitbit app, goggle, and everything else, I managed to get a bit of charge this morning and it drained very quickly,,, I have re uploaded my google account the fitbit app is different,, and still having charging issues

[Debhase1]

Same thing happened to me, no luck with "fixes". I will contact support today. 

[BlueFarn]

This happened to me with my charge 5 yesterday! Going to contact support as well.

[Fiberscraps]

This is exactly what happened to me on March 9

[mirjamm]

After the black screen and still charging  I suddenly got a red circle with a cross in it. Then only black. My iphone could not contact with the fitbit anymore.  I contacted support and they let me do all the steps I allready had,  so the outcome ( black or cross and black again) was no surprise…I get a replacement because my fitbit was only 8 months old. When the next one also has problems after only 1 or 2 years I wont buy a fitbit anymore but look for a good alternative ( suggestions?). Good luck to you all and contact support for eh.. support. 

[Franny1951]

Mine as well! 

[Franny1951]

It must be designed crash since so many of us had dead devices at the same time. 

[frakwa]

Mine went dead 2 days ago. Charge5 has major engineering and component failures with so many dead devices happening at the same time.

Keeping quiet is poor brand management...sigh.. Fitbit is being positioned along the path of Nokia, Kodak,

[Ref1]

Mine is less than 2 months old, screen went blank, have tried all the recommendations & it still just shows the fitbit logo, only shows calories burnt on my phone & won't sync. Had a charge 4 for a few years  never had a problem with that.