Fitbit Charge 5 won’t start

[danielny]

This morning Fitbit was working fine and at 70% batter. A few hours later the Fitbit screen was black and wouldn’t turn on. I put it on the charger and get the Fitbit logo for a brief second and the it shuts off. I tried the reset by putting it on the charger and pressing the cable button three times and I get the Fitbit logo for a brief second and then just black screen. I tried that restart multiple times and same result. I also tried the method of putting the charge on the charger and removing and repeating and same result Fitbit logo for a second and then nothing.  The app and phone don’t see the Bluetooth connection so the Fitbit is obviously not starting. Ideas?

[EstuardoFitbit]

Hello there @danielny, nice to see you hanging around the Community.

I'm sorry to read your having a hard time with your Charge 5, I'm pretty sure this isn't funny!

Please let me help you with this issue. To start, can you tell me what happened if you tried to force sync the device? Sometimes a blank screen can be a display issue rather than a battery problem. If the screen remains off but the device is still syncing, let's try changing the clock face.

[danielny]

as I already stated there is no syncing “The app and phone don’t see the Bluetooth connection so the Fitbit is obviously not starting.”.

[EstuardoFitbit]

I understand @danielny. Thank you for that information.

Since you have also tried restarting the device, the next step is to get you in touch with our support team. They will review your account and device performance to determine if there are any other troubleshooting steps you can take.

Please fill out this form, and a representative will contact you as soon as possible. I hope we can find a solution for you soon.

[danielny]

Just great. Hopefully somebody in the community. Fitbit support never responds in under 2 weeks, hence why I was asking for help here so I could get something faster. 

[EstuardoFitbit]

@danielny I totally understand why you've reached out to us through the Community. Please note that our typical response time is two business days, but you are correct that it can sometimes take longer depending on our current volume.                       

While I know this isn't the solution you were hoping for, there's not much more I can do from my end. However, I can suggest a few other steps that have helped other users. I can't guarantee they will resolve your specific issue tho.

As mentioned before, this could also be a screen issue. To check, please try to force a synchronization. Take a moment to follow these steps:

1. On the Today screen, tap the top-left corner.

2. Tap on your device's image.

3. In the top-right corner of the screen, you may see either a circling bar or two circular arrows. If you see the two circular arrows, tap on them.

Please let me know what you get! 

[danielny]

Like I said off and not on. The iPhone in Bluetooth can’t even see the charge 5 and every time I put it on the charger it does the start up and then goes blank. If it was just a screen issue it wouldn’t go through the start up sequence Everytime. 

[Blueship]

Had the same problem a few times.

1) make sure the copper connectors are clean. Some times this works.

2) When I still found I had the same problem, I found I needed to restart my charge 5 from the usb port. To restart your Fitbit Charge 5 without using the menu, connect it to its charging cable, then press the button on the USB part of the charger three times, pausing for one second between each press. You will feel the device vibrate, and after the third press, the Fitbit logo will appear, indicating it has been restarted.

[cltread]

I have a blank screen and app won’t open! I’ve  tried deleting the app, disconnecting Bluetooth etc. Still doesn’t work!

[cltread]

I resorted to turning my iPhone off and restarting and the app now works!

[Terriblue]

My fitbit stopped working last night.  I've been noticing that the battery doesn't seem to be lasting as long lately.  This time screen is black and it doesn't appear to be charging or connecting to my phone.  Red flashing light on the back.  I tried restarting by pressing the charger button three times but it doesn't seem to do anything.  This is my second fitbit and they always seem to die after a couple years--planned obsolescence should be illegal.  I keep trying to find another brand, but I have to admit I'm partial to the fitbit.  Time to start looking again I guess.