Charge 5 won't respond to anything

[Nampo]

Hello

I'm trying to fix a charge 5 that recently stopped working. 

It does not respond at all to anything. One exception is if it has not been plugged in at all for some time. Then, it vibrates faintly when plugged in and when i try to reset it using the 3 press method described here on the website. After a few vibrations, it goes completely dead again. 

I've tried charging it for a few hours and attempting the reset again but no success. 

Checked and cleaned the pins and charging plate. 

Is there any way to factory reset it without being able to access it? Or what should i try next?

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Heiks]

Same happens to me, it vibrates when I do the 3 press method, but then nothing. It is only 14 months old and my old Fitbit did the same. Is this an inbuilt error?? Where is Fitbit support?

[Highwest]

Same sort of issue but mine is only 9 months old. I assume it is a software issue. Was on chat with some obvious bot but the problem was when it told me to go try something I had to exit the chat and could only get in again if they messaged me again. V frustrating. If I cannot fix this or exchange it will not be buying another one. My first charge 5 the strap attachment broke off after a month.

[Tedwed]

Same problem, will never buy another Fitbit

[JIFF01]

Charge 5 will be my final one, they always come undone before the 24 month mark

[SHMbak]

Mine stopped syncing on 12/8/23. I tried to restart with the cable button today (12/10,) but did not get the blue square thing.  So then I tried restarting with the option in the settings.  It restarted, but it tells me the battery is low and to put it on the charger (even though it was already on the charger, because I'd tried to reset it that way.)  I tried a different charging cable (which worked a week ago) and there's no indication that it's charging on either cable.  I tried resetting about three times, but still not charging.  I suspect there was a software change recently that killed all of our Charge 5s. This happened to me about a year ago, and they replaced it under warranty, but I suspect I'm out of warranty now.

[Chippie2121]

Same happens to me, it vibrates when I do the 3 press method. I get the Fitbit logo up then it disappears. Had the logo flickering on and off for awhile now it’s gone again. I use it mainly for the heart monitor my atrial fibrillation. I really need it to work.

[Nampo]

I had a problem with a versa 3 but managed to get it to work with a series of button presses described by a moderator here. I guess it wont work this time but can still hope! Cant find any info on how to make a factory reset on a charge 5 without being able to access it. 

[maschanta]

Same issue for me here, it stopped working since Saturday and nothing I do, helps. Very frustrating ! This is my 3 re charge 5 in 4 years , I will stop this brand altogether 

[maschanta]

Asked for help via the chat, they advised to change the clock but didn’t work. Fortunately still within warranty so they will send me a replacement…,

[Heiks]

I was advised the same, but it didn’t work either. My Fitbit is already a replacement because my previous Fitbit had exactly the same issue. A Fitbit that is replaced under warranty does not have the same warranty as one you buy new, so now they will not replace it again. So brace yourself if you have the same issue again! They offered me a 15% discount on a new one, it’s really frustrating that they won’t seem to make a Fitbit last longer than a year or two. They come with an inbuilt redundancy just so you buy a new Fitbit every year. 

[Chippie2121]

Further to my issue. My battery was 85% yesterday when the screen went black. This morning the battery is 20%. It appears that something must have been happening overnight or it was me pressing 3 times to try and get it going again!

To top it all off I received this in an email yesterday.

You earned the Anniversary - 2 Years badge on Fitbit Community

Hi Chippie2121,

You just earned a new badge!

Anniversary - 2 Years

[Chippie2121]

Does the Fitbit have a 2 year warranty?

[Heiks]

It does have a two year warranty if it was bought in the EU or UK. Funny to hear your story, because my previous Fitbit also expired just a few days before the warranty was up. Battery draining and black screen was the issue. So I got it replaced, but a replacement Fitbit does not have a 2yr warranty. You only get that if you buy your  Fitbit in France. 

[Chippie2121]

I am in Australia. I will investigate further. I would love a replacement if under warranty.

[JIFF01]

Mine is totally unresponsive, it is impossible to navigate the menus to factory reset the device, this was my last Fitbit

[SunsetRunner]

I've got a Charge 5 and haven't updated the firmware or the app after all of the bricking that has occurred and the kindergarten level design of the app downgrade. Today, when I open the app on my phone there's a huge banner saying a firmware update is available and to update now. Um no. When my Charge 5 finally quits, whether by use or update with out my permission, I'm done with Fitbit as Google has absolutely gutted an affordable option of fitness trackers for those who don't want to pay for a Google or Apple name. What you're describing is what happened to my previous Charge 5- it literally died after I mowed the lawn while wearing it. It won't do anything on the charger at all- everything you're describing. Good luck. That's how I ended up with the one I just described that I refuse to update.