Fixed my Charge 5 blank screen issue

[ED_G]

Last Saturday my 15 month old Charge 5 screen went blank.  Many others here seem to have the same issue-  has to be a firmware update issue if so many are having it.

I tried pushing the reset button on the USB-A connector 3 times and felt 3 buzzes, then a 4th buzz indicating it was trying to reset, but nothing more.

Once I left it charging for many hours I saw the blue Fitbit logo flashing once every couple seconds.  The reset still didn't work though.

I then read online help and they said to unpair it, reboot my phone, and re-pair it.  I did this but my phone could no longer see any Bluetooth connection from my Fitbit.

I called customer support and spent 1/2 hour on the phone doing that same reset, and unpairing the Bluetooth and re-pairing it again, which didn't work.   In the end they told me I'd be getting an email from Warranty support in a few minutes and I got a 35% off my next Fitbit, which I will never use.

I searched online and found the odd tech tip to put it in a plastic bag in the freezer overnight, let it warm back up for an hour, then recharge it.  

This actually worked and my Charge 5 is working again!   I am concerned if it's a firmware update that caused this issue as I may have it go blank again, but hopefully Fitbit software people realize this is an issue and fix this so I can keep using it.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[sara.calhas]

Thanks for sharing @ED_G . I am having same issue since last week and was literally about to give up and completely stop using Fitbit, which to be honest I will be doing in the future as the product is having a lot of issues I am not happy with. I  will try however the freezer tip tonight and see if it will work, nothing to lose as the product is not working anyway 😃

[SaltWaterCroc]

I’ve been using Fitbit for over 9 years. The Charge 5 is about to drive me away to another platform I replaced the first Charge 5 after 8 months with a similar issue, now the replacement is having identical problems. I’ll try your remedy on both Charge 5s in my possession and provide an update. 

[SaltWaterCroc]

On my second Charge 5 in a year. It is time to move elsewhere. I’ll try the freezer trick, but since 6 is having similar issues, and tech support is non-existent, I doubt I’ll finish my 10th year of using Fitbit. 

[IndyBonnie]

For the last two weeks, my Charge 5 has shut down while biking. I originally thought it was just running out of battery, but when I attach it to the charger, it shows a charge that is usually well above 50 percent, and the clock has stopped at the time I assume the device shut down. I reset the device, charge it up again, and it comes back to life. It works a day or two, with consistent charging, then it shuts down again and we start the process once more. I'm eager to hear about the freezer trick from a few more before I try it. Sounds as though it might be worth it but I wonder if it lasts. As I said, mine comes back to life, but it dies again. 

I have progressively moved up in FitBit products, thinking the next one isn't going to have as many issues. This one was fine for a while. I have treated it with kid gloves, knowing that while there are claims of being water resistant, swimming and showering with other models has killed them.

Also, the wristbands they come with are a joke. If you want to get a good replacement band, get a velcro from straps.com. 

Once I finally give up on this FitBit, I'll likely just give up on FitBit altogether, get a $30 sports watch that's waterproof, and use Runkeeper to track my exercise for the health program at work. 

[Coachwife]

Hi!

Thank you so much for the freezer tip. It worked!  My only issue now is that the screen background is bright green, but I can live with that. Thanks again!

[SaltWaterCroc]

Thanks for the suggestion. However, still no response from either Charge 5. And no response from Fitbit Support, even though it has been 3 days. After almost 10 years, time to move to another ecosystem that actually supports their products. 

[ED_G]

This has to be a firmware update issue as there are so many posts complaining about this.

They should revert to the previous firmware and push that out as soon as possible as they are going to lose all their customers.

I am in your camp and watching reviews of other brands as I suspect mine will fail again soon. 

[ED_G]

Well- I'm back to having a dead watch with just the flashing logo.    What a frustrating situation.

[Coachwife]

I thought the freezer trick worked because I got my screen back, even if it was bright green. Throughout the day it would go back & forth between the green screen and the normal background. However, it had used 50% of my battery by 1 pm. I tried to contact customer service. The phone rings busy continuously. I ordered a charge 5 off of Amazon, as we are leaving on a three week trip this Sunday & I need a tracker. This will be my last Fitbit purchase. I will go a different route when this new one inevitably dies. The purchase of this company by Google is going to be the death of this company.