Ionic's screen is blank and not responding.

[peeperpat]

I charged my Ionic, as the percentage was down to 73%.

Upon removing the Ionic from the charger stand, I noticed that the Ionic screen is black.  I tried to achieve a (1)  Reset, and (2) Factory Restart.  I couldn't get to those functions, as my screen shows no data at all; i.e., date, time, steps, calories, etc.

Has anyone else experienced this problem, with the screen?

Thanking you in advance. 

Moderator Edit: Clarified Subject.

[Whistler888]

---

@peeperpat wrote:

I charged my Ionic, as the percentage was down to 73%.

Upon removing the Ionic from the charger stand, I noticed that the Ionic screen is black.  I tried to achieve a (1)  Reset, and (2) Factory Restart.  I couldn't get to those functions, as my screen shows no data at all; i.e., date, time, steps, calories, etc.

Has anyone else experienced this problem, with the screen?

Thanking you in advance. 

---

Yep is a common problem posted on this Forum.  So would def call Tech Support right away.  Do all their troubleshooting protocols.  If still not working properly they normally will offer you a replacement device.  Many have followed my advice and received replacements.  Number is linked below.  Let me know you make out.

[Spookly]

Same thing happened to me last week. It's still syncing and getting notifications (vibrates) but screen is blank.

After searching it seems to be a problem with ionics and versas. Support offered me 25% off of some models and 40% off ionics since all the troubleshooting didn't resolve the issue.

Not happy after spending $300 just over a year ago  

[Whistler888]

---

@Spookly wrote:

Same thing happened to me last week. It's still syncing and getting notifications (vibrates) but screen is blank.

After searching it seems to be a problem with ionics and versas. Support offered me 25% off of some models and 40% off ionics since all the troubleshooting didn't resolve the issue.

Not happy after spending $300 just over a year ago  

Yep loads of users have reported this.  Many simply leave the brand and buy something else.  Product and software QC are very questionable based on actual user experience.  Particularly devices just over a year old like yours. 

[DouginAtlanta]

my ionic went black last week. No screen, no connection, no nothing. It had a 35% charge when it "died" on my wrist mid-day.

I tried all the "EMT" options. Spoke with tech support twice.  Now they say the only option is to buy another one. 

Is this a pervasive problem? Are other Ionic owners running into the same thing?

And has anyone found an acceptable response from the company?  (mine was 16 months old so past their warrant.)

Thanks

[peeperpat]

In talking with Fitbit Customer Service this morning, my Ionic no longer works.  I used a bit of alcohol on the contacts (Charger and Ionic) and that didn’t help.  

Fitbit offered to give me a discount off of a new Versa or Ionic.  I am declining that offer, and will look at other brands out there that are more reliable.  My warranty expired 12/01/18.  Disappointed in the Ionic in that it was so expensive and didn’t measure up to my standards. 

[MarcoGFitbit]

Hello @DouginAtlanta, have a warm welcome to the Fitbit Community, it's great to have you on board. It's nice to see you too @peeperpat, @Whistler888 and @Spookly, I hope you're doing well. 

I appreciate your participation in the Forums and for sharing your experience with us. I would also like to thank you for having contacted our Support Team already as well. I sincerely apologize for the inconveniences this issue has caused you, please remember that we do not expect manufacturing issues to to affect our trackers but that's why every Fitbit tracker comes a limited product warranty and in case you have inquiries or doubts about what it covers, you can check it on this article: Return Policy & Warranty.

Thanks for your patience and understanding, have a great day. 

[peeperpat]

The Limited Product Warranty is true, but what about ALL of the issues people have experienced in their Ionic not functioning as it should in such a short period of time?  Even before the warranty has expired and just shortly after expiration.  Fitbit "soothes" people into replacing the Ionic and Customer Service thinks that by doing this there is a solution.  Even going so far as "giving" a 20% discount on the Versa and 40% off of an Ionic.  I declined the offer and will go "elsewhere" for a more reliable activity tracker and better Customer Service.  

How could it be possible that the Ionic mechanism breakdown is an ongoing problem, and Fitbit doesn't think it is?  I chose the Ionic because I was inclined to believe there would be much more reliability with extra features at such a high cost of $300.         

[ryandavidj]

Same thing happened to me yesterday.  Ionic just died as it was on my wrist.  I checked the fitbit app and it said I had 73% battery life.  I rebooted the watch and it came back up, saw the clock, steps, etc and then it went black again.  I could feel the vibration alerts coming in but saw nothing on the watch.  I charged it overnight and now it won't turn on at all.  I called Fitbit and explained all this and the Supervisor told me to use rubbing alcohol on the terminals and if that doesn't work they sent me an email for 40% off a new one.  Really?  I bought my Ionic Fitbit 15 months ago from their site and this is the way they treat their customers and supporters.  I too will go to another product.  At least with Apple you can bring the device to their store and see if they can trouble shoot the problem.

Not happy with Fitbit, they are really letting their supporters down!

[johneric8]

The unfortunate truth of the matter is in regards to the Ionic the screen is likely to fail sooner than later.  There are people on this forum whom defend the IONIC and say people such as us whom have had up to 3 or 4 watches die within a 13 month period are in the minority.  No one has exact percentages,  but all over the web we're seeing more and more people whom ionics fail and sometimes within a few days of ownership.  Mostly though it's around the 6 to 13 month park in which most them will fail.

I'm sure the fitbit moderators aren't fond of us coming on here and discussing it to nauseam, but they need to understand is the only recourse we have is to try and help other fitbit users from suffering the same fate and be left with a dead $300 dollar watch on their hands at the 11 month mark.  I am so very upset right now that my Ionic doesn't work,  and I'm even more upset they thought it was okay to offer me a 40 % discount on a new on when the one I had as a replacement only made it 6 months.

The issue that you're talking about in terms of the screen going back is a sure sign of failure obviously and you are now another victim of a poor build.  Hopefully by people such as myself staying on these forums discussing things will get fitbit to take a serious look at the situation and possibly do the right thing with a refund at some point.

I really have no doubt that in the next 3 or 4 months we are going to see a record number of disgruntled Ionic users who are bewildered at how quickly this watch bites the dust.  I feel sorry for you and others whom are victims of this,  so lets keep active on the topic and see if fitbit is listening and have the means to make this right.

I think what fitbit doesn't understand is many of us worked our butts off to pay for this watch,  and many of us use them daily religiously.   These aren't the kind of customers you want to throw by the wayside and pretend a problem doesn't exist.

[Whistler888]

---

@johneric8 wrote:

The unfortunate truth of the matter is in regards to the Ionic the screen is likely to fail sooner than later.  There are people on this forum whom defend the IONIC and say people such as us whom have had up to 3 or 4 watches die within a 13 month period are in the minority.....

.....I'm sure the fitbit moderators aren't fond of us coming on here and discussing it to nauseam, but they need to understand is the only recourse we have is to try and help other fitbit users from suffering the same fate and be left with a dead $300 dollar watch on their hands at the 11 month mark.  I am so very upset right now that my Ionic doesn't work,  and I'm even more upset they thought it was okay to offer me a 40 % discount on a new on when the one I had as a replacement only made it 6 months.

The issue that you're talking about in terms of the screen going back is a sure sign of failure obviously and you are now another victim of a poor build.  Hopefully by people such as myself staying on these forums discussing things will get fitbit to take a serious look at the situation and possibly do the right thing with a refund at some point.....

.....I feel sorry for you and others whom are victims of this,  so lets keep active on the topic and see if fitbit is listening and have the means to make this right.

---

Yep.  The only way anything will change is if real unbiased users post their specific concerns on here.  That way the brand and public will become more aware and informed in a more “visible way”.

There is unfortunately a pervasive need for certain posts to be taken down.  Which happens on an ongoing basis.  But the fact is the problems and issues do not ever go away.  Until they understand that users should not have to endure defective devices in the first place.  They just might come to the conclusion they need to manufacture a better more reliable product that lasts and does not fall apart or brick.

Many posts discussing these types of matters are often quickly taken down -> so is best to take screenshots while you can.  In my situation my replacement actually is working ok.  So much different than most real users that post on here.  But seeing so many suffer with defective devices is painful so am inclined to help.  Interesting tho after researching the recall and EMF -> only now wear my device when Exercising due to potential health risks wearing all day.  Def am not prepared to be a test subject in any way.