Five Dots on Screen Charge 5

[CurlsinCO]

I have 5 dots towards the top of the screen that will not go away. I cannot navigate or double tap to remove. I have had the watch for less than one day.

Moderator edit: subject updated for clarity

[geigreg]

Thanks. This method worked for me. Took about a dozen tries before it rebooted.

[DavideFitbit]

Hi, thank you for your replies, and welcome to the new users in the Community, @Peedee67 @jmplato @Batty2279 @geigreg. 

It seems that some users have been able to resolve by completing the three pulse restart mentioned here earlier. In addition, please try setting up your Charge 5 as a new device in your account to see of you're able to unlock the screen during the set up process. If you continue the to have the same problem after these steps, I do recommend that you get in touch with the Customer Support team for further assistance. Click here to get connected. 

Thank you for all the feedback provided so far as well. 

See you around.  

[Anil-A]

The default clock face.

[Chellette]

I had the same problem. I went into the gallery and changed the clock face, no more 5 dots. Yay!

[Runhikespin]

This has also been happening to me since I bought my charge 5 in December. Always seems to freeze during long hard runs and my data and route tracking is incomplete. I’ve been talking with customer support since and am finally returning it for a free replacement Charge 5. But there’s also an offer for a 50% off  a different fitbit device and am considering trying a new device but i really don’t like the size of the other watches (as a runner i prefer the slim faces and the abilities of the charge devices. My old charge 4 gave me no problems for 2 years until the clip on the actual watch face broke and no longer allowed a band to attach to it. Going to give a new charge 5 a shot but hoping they do better on the next charge device. If the watch can’t handle different watch faces that’s just insane. I would also volunteer to help fitbit with analytics to improve this problem as it seems to be an issue for a lot of charge 5 users. 

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This is just unacceptable! There should be some sort of recall then or they need to create a problem free Charge 6 ASAP!

[Bertiej60]

What wrong with the charge 5.

I brought one and it stop working within 5 days. (5 Dots on screen) sent me a new watch a d now the same has happen again 

What should I do 

[ihawkings]

I was a long way from my charging cable when I encountered my five dots. Putting a new face on then replacing the old one took me a couple of minutes. Nice workaround. Thank you.

[wfr966]

It would be good to tell everyone the button you talk about is on the USB-type A end of the charging cable not the watch.

reference monitor’s post (‎02-01-2022 06:06), see picture!

[TriGuyJG]

I posted before on this thread. Here's an update. This happened (five dots frozen device) every few days with my brand new Charge 5. Did the steps to reset, but still not cool when out on a long workout with no phone or cable and this happens. Charge doesn't help me with my HR zones when I need it. Worked with support, got a "new" refurbished one. Same issue, just not as frequent - now once per week. Did another support ticket, FitBit is sending another one. This is such a common problem apparently - your customers want a real fix, FitBit! Ideally in firmware so it can be updated, but if in the hardware, FIX IT, or release another Charge without this problem. I'm hooked on your Trackers and don't want a smart watch. But the only tracker that would work for me is this BUGGY Charge 5.

[Shafiya]

Been having this same issue. Every few days now. Urgh

[TriGuyJG]

I'm a massive FitBit fan since their first day - had every tracker - not keen on the smart watches. I'm also a software engineer. For the charge 5, the engineers are asking this little guy to do too much! HR, GPS, o2, EKG, either a software or a hardware failure is in there, and it hasn't been fixed. Most customers simply use the reset workaround. Some get fed up and want a refurbished one. I just with FitBit would find the issue and fix it, or release a Charge 6 without the issue. I rely on this for my triathlon training (as backup to Garmin) and it's extremely frustrating on long workouts when I look down to check my HR and it's the dreaded five dots! @DavideFitbit - I volunteer to debug with your tech team, give me a diagnostic release even!

[DavideFitbit]

Hi everyone, thank you for all your updates. It's good to see that some of you were able to resolve the problem. 

Some users have been able to resolve by completing the three pulse restart or by changing to a different clock face option. If you already tried these steps and you continue to have the same problem, please make sure to get in touch with the Customer Support team for further assistance or continue the communication with them if you already have a crease open. Click here to get connected. 

I appreciate all the feedback that you've shared about this issue and please know that your comments are appreciated. This has already been reported to the team, but we haven't received other updates for the moment. 

See you around.

[Anil-A]

Thank you DavideFitbit
The customer support replaced the device. Let me see how it works now.
Anil Atluri
Stay Home
Stay Safe

[Juancanobarrera]

Hi; it’s April 2022. We just got the Charge 5 for my wife and having the 5 dots issue. Firmware up to date. Tried the USB cable reset a few times and no luck. Only changing the watch face fixed it, but I imagine is a momentary fix. 

is there a permanent software or firmware update to fix it? Otherwise we may just return it. I don’t want to be dealing with this constantly. Thanks. 

[TriGuyJG]

Here's my final post how I solved this problem. I bought a Charge 4 and will use that and give away my Charge 5 to someone who doesn't care if it stops working sometimes and has to be reset. The Charge 5 is dead to me because of this. In a year or two I will go for the next version or another wearable. As I said, I'm a big fan of FitBit but shame on you for the Charge 5 fiasco and not fixing it in a timely way.

[Chellette]

Since I changed my watch face the one time I have had zero problems since I
posted my fix. 🙂

[DavideFitbit]

@Anil-A @Chellette That's good news, thank you for sharing this update! 

Welcome to the Fitbit Community forums, @Juancanobarrera. If you already tried the restart procedure and you continue to have the same problem, please make sure to get in touch with the Customer Support team for further assistance with this. Click here to get connected. 

See you around. 

[BarryMW]

@TriGuyJG 

I had considered the very same (buy a Charge 4) fix. Even found NIB Charge 4 for sale.

I tried to buy it, honest I did, but I just could not bring myself to send more money to Fitbit !!!

So, I continue my search for an alternate 24x7 HR tracker with a multiday battery.

Closest I've come is the Withings watch, but HR is only every 10 mins, so no-go on that one.

Barry

[Soul4]

I’m surprised this issue is still happening. I see the first post in 9/2021. I bought my Charger 5 just under a month ago, and this happened to me last night. Today is 4/26/22. Fitbit, if it’s any help, I was in the shower at the time (in case wetness has anything to do with the issue). The 3 tap thing worked after a couple of tries, but what a hassle.

[geigreg]

Mine happened after taking a shower as well. I. stopped wearing it in the
shower and haven't had an issue since.