Five dots on display won't go away Charge 5

[betzthemidwife]

So after having the Charge 5 for 2 days, I got the 5 dots at the top of the screen. I followed the instructions to reboot to no avail. Customer care  was less than helpful but sent a link so I could return the device.

What worked: I let the battery run down to 0.

Unplugged the charger cable from the outlet.

Attached the device to the cable. 

Plugged in and held button down at same time for successful reboot.

It is a disgrace that someone in customer service cannot help. Do I want to return something I spent 130$ on. No, I want the device to work. Given how many of the same complaint exist, one would think alternate ways to reboot would be shared

Moderator edit: subject updated for clarity

[DavideFitbit]

Welcome to the Fitbit Community forums, @betzthemidwife. 

Thank you for sharing this information about the inconvenience that you've been experiencing with your Charge 5. 

Some users have reported this same issue and it's usually resolved by completing the three pulse restart procedure. In case you experience this problem again, please make sure to follow the steps here below: 

1. Connect your device to the charging cable. For instructions, see How do I charge my Fitbit device?
2. Press the button located on the flat end of the charger 3 times (end of the USB cable), pausing for 1 second between presses. Then wait 10 seconds or until the Fitbit logo appears. 

In addition, if you're still having this problem, please try changing the clock face option on your device as well. 

It's good to know that you were able to resolve the problem by letting the battery run down to 0. Thank you for taking the time to share the steps that worked for you and your feedback. Thank you for the information provided; our team is always working to enhance your experience and your feedback is a big part of that process. 

I'll be around.

[CassieBanks]

Mine just did this today as well after charging it and changing the face worked immediately; i.e. the pushing the button on the charge thing did not work.

[DavideFitbit]

@CassieBanks Thanks for sharing the device started working again after changing the clock face. 

Let me know in case you experience the same problem again. 

See you around. 

[Good-As-Gone]

Howdy folks, I had the exact same problem. But I was able to get my Fitbit to re-set. How?

After pressing the button on the charging cable 3 times while plugged into a charger, several times with no result I got frustrated. But figured someone had have left a way into the gizmo.

I logged into my account on a laptop with a USB3 charging port. 

Went to my profile,

Accessed the Charge 5

My account could see my Fitbit so I knew it was still functioning, just having a software glitch.

I made ONE change to the setting on the device.

I then tried pressing the charging cable button 3 times, pausing 1 second each time.

Happiness... Fitbit log appeared, followed by the expected functions.

Hope it works this way for you if you have the same problem.

[DavideFitbit]

That's good news, thank you for sharing the steps that worked for you, @Good-As-Gone. 

I'm sure this will be useful for other users as well. 

See you around.