So I will begin by explaining the problem and the process I followed to troubleshoot the issue. My Fitbit became unresponsive one day, stuck on a black screen.
Troubleshooting process:
- Plugged in the Fitbit to the charger. Fitbit would vibrate but no screen indication would appear.
- Clicked the charger button 3 times to reset the device. The Fitbit logo would appear but then return to an unresponsive black screen.
- I made sure there was no issues with the charging cord, or adapter.
- I did a routine cleaning of the sensors and the charger using a microfiber cloth and rubbing alcohol.
- I checked to make sure the device was connecting to my phone via Bluetooth. Checked the app and verified that it would sync and that the device was fully charged (100%)…
- I made multiple attempts to update the device but with no success.
- So I finally checked the App Store and in this order I updated the app on my phone, and then after doing this I was able to update the device itself…
The last step seemed to work and the device was no longer perpetually stuck on a black screen. When plugged in it would indicate that the device was charging, and it would show the clock face. Although the device was no longer stuck on a black screen, it was still unresponsive to any touch input. I could double tap on the screen and it would wake the device to the clock face display, but it wouldn’t allow me to tap on the display to change the indicators, and still could not swipe in any direction.
So I followed another set of troubleshooting steps:
- I tried resetting the device again for the hundredth time via the charging cable button.
- I checked to make sure the Fitbit app and the device itself was updated to the latest firmware.
- I attempted to change the clock face in the app. I was able to change the watches display but it didn’t resolve the unresponsive issue.
- I then erased the device completely from the app and set it up brand new. It gave me the code and the device was set up properly without issue.
Even after all these steps, the device is still unresponsive to all touch input. I can flip my wrist or double tap the watch to wake it up and display the clock face, but it doesn’t allow me to tap and change the indicators let alone swipe to get to the menu or anything… I have attempted multiple resets, changing the watch face multiple times, erased the device from the app and set up the device like brand new, deleted and reinstalled the app itself, etc.
I have concluded that the issue lies in a software bug, since there is seemingly no issues with the hardware itself. It connects to Bluetooth fine, it is charging fine, it resets like normal, it even allows me to double tap and wake the screen display… but when I tap to change the indicators on the clock face or attempt to swipe on the screen it is unresponsive and doesn’t register any input… if the issue was a hardware problem then it wouldn’t register the double tap and wake the screen display to begin with. Since it registers the initial double tap to wake the screen display, but ignores all other taps to change clock face indicators; I assume that this problem lies in a software bug of some kind.
