Ionic screen went blank, wont turn on

[epoll]

Recently, my ionic screen stopped responding to touch and started flashing weird colors across the screen. After this, the screen went black and has been completely unresponsive since. I have spoken to customer support and tried to restart it several times with no luck. It sounds like it is broken and the only option I have been given is a discounted product since I have had it for a little over a year. I'm very disappointed because it was working perfectly until this happened, and I don't know what to do. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[pabloshep]

I tried this solution several times but didn't work. But then I did a slight variation, which did work. When I held the return button (on left) and top right button down, nothing happened. Still blank dark screen. I kept holding, nothing. On a lark, I continued to hold these two buttons down, and then held the third one down (bottom right). No vibrations, but the logo appeared! I was so shocked I didn't know what to do. I released all the buttons an waited about 30 seconds to see what the logo did. It ended up going to the home (regular) screen. Fixed! Right when I was about to give up. 

[carstenalberg]

My ionic watch is 2 and a half years and is gone dead. Nothing of the advice helps. I have pressed all bottoms in different ways and nothing helps. I am very disappointed. I can see that this is a problem for many customers and I do not understand why fitbit does not solve the problems. Very disappointing and I can certainly not recommend FITBIT after this experience.

[pabloshep]

You can try what I did yesterday for my Ionic when it went dead:  1) charge straight to wall with usb adapter, (making sure the contacts on back of ionic are clean...you need a toothpick to clean them and get a good connection.)  Wait a bit so you know you have a charge. I pressed lots of buttons and nothing worked for me, even following the advice that many said worked for them. What finally worked for me:  hold the "return" left button down along with the top right button down for 30 seconds. For me...nothing happened when I did this. Then I held the bottom right button down (so now I am holding all three buttons down.) Amazingly....this did something....I saw the logo come on screen. I was shocked, and after a couple of seconds I released all three buttons. Now everything seems back to normal. I did this on 4/21/2020. Give it a shot. Good luck. 

[mrc1984]

That is good news for you. We tired that and every other rick in the book including having it checked out by the Bestbuy Geek Squad ...epic fail.  Glad you got yours working though....keep on steppin!
--
Sent from myMail for Android

[carstenalberg]

I have tried to press all buttons - it still does not work

Sendt fra min iPad

[NonRapport]

I will try it!!I got nothing to lose..lol Appreciate the walk through

[BryanRic]

Unfortunately, Fitbit doesn't seem to care about this issue as it has been going on for 1.5 years.  When mine died I used the coupon they gave me and yesterday my screen was blank on my almost one year old one.  Surprisingly a reboot fixed the new one for now, but I'm sure in a few months it will brick like the last one.  Honestly this will be my last ionic when it dies and possibly last fitbit unless they step up and fix this before mine dies.

[CosmicCoffee]

Well, Google owns them now and they will either build them up to greatness or continue to destroy the product. I think if they add Android Wear into this company, they will do great. Until then, I'm back to wearing my Tudor and a G-shock when I hike. I'm done with Fitbit, until they make it right by about the ionic. They gave me a refurbished watch with no warranty. They only give warranty on the first one, which they know will break. 

[NHS12]

I ended up replacing my screen and it’s been fine ever since.

[JayDMD]

It is linked to the Firmware update. ALOT of customers suffering similar problems all after doing the update. Fitbit appears to not acknowledge this as offering customers a discount for a new product when they have caused the issues with current product is unlawful. I've yet to have a reply from support and have not seen Fitbit announcing issues with the software. 

[VollieFF]

Interesting thread, my Ionic that is 16 months old had the same issue. It runs out of charge daily, plugged it in to charge yesterday morning at 18%, it didn't charge, but instead completely died. My app told me the battery was "empty".

Researching whether a battery could be replaced, and lo and behold find that it can't. How stupid is that in today's day and age?

Came across this thread and tried the three button hold down. To my surprise the screen came alive and it is now charging, we'll see how that how goes and how long it lasts.

Definitely wouldn't purchase another one (did I mention that I went through two Fitbit bands in less than a year?). I'll spend the extra next time and get a real smartwatch.

[lilmissprincess]

i just got mine less than a week ago and already experiencing this issue.

[Roger-R]

Just a thought:  if you bought your Ionic with a credit card, check and see if the card offered an extra year's warranty (as many do).  They won't fix the watch, but they will refund your money.

[mrc1984]

Excellent sugestion, many dont realize that their credit card offers an automattic extended warranty option for all purchases made via that cc card.Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

[Corvettekid]

I have had the Ionic Firmware Update Notice for about 3 months....I have NOT updated for fear it will "brick" the Ionic.

Has anybody updated with the latest update ?

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[Carks]

not working for me.  Guess it is time to upgrade to an Apple Watch.  

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[Wladimirp]

Im suffering the same issue and Fitbit doesnt care.

Years ago I had a Surge and it had a similar Issue, but in that case, FitBit sent me a new one and I was very happy with the service.

Now for the Ionic I paid around AU $500 2 years ago.

We are paying more money, expecting a better service, but from last year, If we want to see all the data that the Ionic can collect, such sleeping behaviour, we need to pay a Premium fee, but Why?, when we pay a lot of money for a watch for its performace and features, so we shouldnt pay more.

All that, show us, that now, Fitbit only cares about money and if you really want to know the data collected by your watch (probably thats the reason why you got that watch) you need to pay more.

For next watch I ll go for another brand, I have given enough money to Fitbit.

By the way, all the tips recommended in this coonversation, they dont work.

Regards

[BwcaMan]

My Fitbit Ionic screen went blank also after about a 1 1/2 years of use. Watch was well cared for and suffered no trauma but suddenly and permanently the screen went blank in spite of following all suggestions from a Fitbit support rep to revive it. The rep finally gave up and offered a 25% discount on a replacement purchase. The watch internally continued to run and report tracking information to my account. It just wouldn't  show anything on the display other than to brighten slightly when one's wrist was rotated.

I expect much more of a $250 watch; something like many, 5 or more, years of service. After the support rep also explained that when the battery wears out you have to buy a whole new watch (no battery replacement option available), I decided Fitbit will get no more of my money. My Fitbit was already showing degradation of the battery function. You can buy a similarly functioned Letsfit watch off Amazon for $35 with a 1 yr warranty. One can buy 8 of those covering 8 years of use for the price of one Fitbit Ionic.

[mrc1984]

Think how we felt  and we paid twice that price when it first came out.  That is what we get for supporting Fitbit.Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

[Pepper7576]

I followed these steps and it did vibrate but the screen never came on.It seems to be black but I still feel the watch vibrate for reminders to get my steps. It looks like it might be the screen that went bad. Any other suggestions?