Fitbit Charge 5 Repeatedly Shutting Down and Failing to Reset

[sonjaka]

Hello Fitbit Community,

I’m hoping for some advice or confirmation that this might be a hardware defect. Here’s a summary of the problems:

1. Battery and Charging Issues:

   • Yesterday, the device discharged rapidly from 80%.
   • When I plugged it in, it kept vibrating repeatedly with the charging notification.
   • A few hours later, it displayed an X in a red circle. After resetting it with three button presses on the charging cable, it charged from 13% to 96%.

2. Rebooting and Syncing Problems:

   • After the reset, it started displaying the wrong date and time (yesterday’s date).
   • The Fitbit app alternates between “syncing” and “searching,” and the device itself alternates between showing the time and the Fitbit logo, as if it’s repeatedly rebooting sometimes twice a minute
   • Once it showed todays date and the current time briefly, then displayed the logo again and after that yesterday's date

3. Reset Attempts:

   • I restarted the Fitbit last night successfully using the charging cable method.
   • Today, when I attempted the same process, the device powered down after the first or second button press, and the full reset didn’t complete, a few times in a row before getting it to reset, but the problem was not fixed
   •  
4. I didn't try forgetting and re-pairing the device in the Bluetooth settings, because I worried I would not manage another connection, although after rebooting my phone I didn't even manage one sync

I’ve tried:

• Restarting the device multiple times.
• Reboot my phone
• Ensuring the Fitbit app is up to date.
• Charging the device over 95% before attempting to reset or sync. (won't charge higher)

Unfortunately, none of these steps have resolved the issues. It seems like the device is caught in a loop of shutting down, resetting, and failing to sync.

Has anyone else experienced similar problems? Is this indicative of a hardware defect? I’d appreciate any advice or guidance on what to try next. If it sounds like a hardware issue, I’ll contact Fitbit Support for a replacement.

Thank you in advance for your help!

[RiekoC]

Hello @sonjaka 

Thank you for providing detailed information about the issues you're experiencing as well as the troubleshooting steps you've tried.

Since it looks like you've already tried the recommended troubleshooting without success, the next step would be to contact Support (<-- click link). Complete the prompts until you get the option to chat or call.

Depending on how long you've had your Charge 5, you may have some options under warranty.

[Kem_Kemmy]

Hi

My charge 5 Fitbit keeps being stuck on a blinking logo until it drains rhe battery, when trying to charge some a red x appears. It’s does not appears to sync and i notice that the sensor light isn't blinking green when the screen finally comes on… I followed all troubleshooting steps, unpair,  switch off Bluetooth, force reboot of the watch, fully charge, delete app reinstalling. Now sure what else can be done. Please advice.

[RiekoC]

Hello @Kem_Kemmy 

One user was able to get their Charge 5 working again after exposing it to freezer temps. Here's the thread (<-- click link) where the user provided the details. Although there's no guarantee that this will work for you, it might be worth trying.

If that doesn't work, the next step would be contacting Support (<-- click link). Depending on how long you've owned your Charge 5, you might have some options under warranty.

[Kem_Kemmy]

Hi RiekoC,

Thank you for pointing me to the thread. It actually works!! 

I was a bit reserved at first, but gave it a tried. Left it in the freezer for about 9 hrs and waited about 2 before trying to charge. 

It's been working for the past 2 days no issue.🤞🤞

Thank you,

Kem

[RiekoC]

Hello @Kem_Kemmy 

Thanks for letting us know that the freezer temp worked for you. It doesn't work for everyone so you're the fortunate one. 👍

[Ata85]

Exact thing just happend to my Charge 5. Have you found a solution? The watch I have now is a replacement for the first one I bought, that also stoppe working. Not sure what to do about this now. 

[Ata85]

Bare we just supposed to accept that these watches stop working time after time to now fault of our own? 

[Kem_Kemmy]

Hi Ata85

I tried  what this thread suggested and it works.
Follow the link.

The watch is still working after alll that time.

kind regards,

[SunsetRunner]

No, I have not been able to find a solution and my charge 5 continues to
randomly disconnect and stop working even though there’s plenty of battery
charge. My first watch decided to altogether stop working despite only
being just over a year old. Apparently there was a software update that
“killed” many of these watches. When this one eventually stops working
altogether I will be purchasing something else that is NOT a Fitbit.

[Ata85]

Hi! 

Thanks for the tip. Luckily we have a 2 year warranty in my country and I had one month to go. Spoke with Fitbit-support today and they are sending me another replacement. Hope three times is a charm. I have my doubts 😊