Charge 5 screen remains black

[AlnRugby]

My Fitbit Charge 5 Screen remains black. I have attempted to restart it by all means suggested; holding charger button for 5 seconds; holding charger button for 15 seconds etc; I have tried different sockets; different plugs etc, all to no avail. The pebble is taking a charge and is buzzing, communicating with the software etc, just a completely black screen. Please suggest next steps, thanks

Moderator edit: clarified subject.

[ManuFitbit]

Welcome to the forums @AlnRugby. 

Thank you for providing the details about this situation with your Charge 5 and for trying to fix it on your own.

I'd ask you please sync your device following the steps listed in this help article.

In addition, change your clock face as indicated here.

[magnoliajem]

Hello! I also have the black screen of death. Don't know why; it happened suddenly a couple of hours ago (around 5:00 Saturday Jan. 13). My Charge 5 continues to sync with the app. I know this because I can see that my steps change, as does my bpm and battery charge indicator. The battery seems to be draining quickly, though. As you suggested to @AlnRugby, I tried to change my clock face by following the directions at the link you provided. My app confirms the clock face was changed. I'll just have to take the app's word for it, since my device screen remains pure black & unresponsive to all attempts to activate it. Please tell me how to fix it. I could live with it because it does continue to track & sync, but I really need to know what time it is! My alternative will be to buy an Oura ring & use the watch I used before buying Fitbit.

[VFP50]

I’m having the exact same issue as describe above. Also happened yesterday pm.

[magnoliajem]

VFP50 -- Just curious; did you ever get a visible screen once it went black? I haven't. What's more, this morning my app again shows "update needed." Since I just updated it yesterday to the 20001.194.91 version, I'm hoping that this update will fix the black screen problem. Fingers crossed.

[Sheila0313]

I too have the same problem and it happened yesterday pm as well. Tried everything suggested and still just a dead, black screen. 

[Jennifer_Au]

I'm having the same issue and tried everything mentioned above.

[Bhanuprakashcs]

Same problem of blank screen since yesterday not able to charge the charge 5 nor update it , some update tracker notification is coming in the app even after it is updated to 194. 

[magnoliajem]

Mine has that same notification. I thought it meant a new update to address the black screen problem. If that's what it means, my fitbit won't update.

[VFP50]

Yes but only once and very briefly. 

[Nelz1]

Same thing has happened to me - I got a flash of an ultra bright flouro-green screen with Fitbit logo then factory setting clock face showing and now nothing! Very frustrating …

[Ranibella]

I also have the black screen of death and my battery drained to 0% quickly. It won't seem to take a charge at this point despite being plugged in. The only thing I can get on the screen is the logo, and an indicator that reads 01/10, 0%, 11:45pm. My app has not synced since 01/10, shortly after software update and will not sync. I followed the various online instructions to reset but nothing has worked. My Charge 5 will no longer pair to my phone and I cannot get my phone to see it via Bluetooth. Any suggestions for those of us who have the black screen of death and can't get the basics (like bluetooth, app sync) to work?  

[magnoliajem]

Wow! I wish I could help you. I guess I'm lucky that at least my app syncs.; don't know how accurate it is, though. 

[Charleyquant]

I finally just got support to respond to me with the same issue - they seem to think it is an isolated battery issue not a software issue despite so many people with the same issue.  They told me I need to check warranty....!

[magnoliajem]

They're just lazy. Don't want to find out what the real issue is. Their heads hurt to think it through.

[Nelz1]

Also how can it be a battery issue if some of ours are charging? Too annoying!

[Sheila0313]

I think they are at a loss….this is my third Fitbit. None worked as well as the first one. Sadly, this is the last Fitbit for me if they cannot get this fixed. I’ve heard nothing from anyone. Customer support, pretty nonexistent.

Sent from my iPhone

[Jennifer_Au]

Yeah if this issue isn't fixed within the next few days i'll be getting a
new watch that's not fitbit.

[BetinaP]

Same black screen charge is all right it continue to count steps I see them at the phone.

Third Fitbit and the last one .

[Ranibella]

I contacted customer support and was told someone would reach out to me about warranty options. We had exhausted all troubleshooting options because my battery remains at 0% despite sitting in the charger with clean connections. Just unfortunate how one moment it was working fine and i never had any issues, and the next it's the black screen and battery of death. Boo...