Black screen on Charge 4

[AnnaLexus]

A few hours ago, my Charge 4 went black. Reset does not work. When charged if I press the reset button it vibrates. Sometimes it shows the smiley. The app says : Looking ...

Any suggestions ?

[ManuFitbit]

Welcome to the Fitbit community @AnnaLexus.

Thank you for sharing the details regarding your Charge 4.

Please, try to sync in the Fitbit app by > tapping your profile picture and then > Fitbit device and then > Sync Now. 

Restart the device. If restarting doesn't resolve the issue, please change your clock face. If this fixes the issue, you can change your clock face back to the original clock face.

[AnnaLexus]

Thanks for your reply.
Unfortunately reset does not work.

I also cannot access the device that says Looking …

[Rikki7]

And me but no smiley face. Initially the clock was frozen but now blank screen. Have tried the 8 second reset and although charger vibrates that’s it.

[JDubois450]

I try all of these…

I reset the device, uninstall reinstall apps, reboot iPhone IOS 16.6.1, play with Bluetooth. 
Device screen is always black with a smiley appearing shortly on reboot. 
The Bluetooth tracker no more appears in the phone. 

[JonOxford]

I have the same problem with my Charge 4. I noticed it had started getting dimmer a few weeks ago and then over the course of one day the screen got darker and darker until it was completely black. I still get vibrations from it and it's communicating with my phone. Is this just what happens when they get old or could it be a firmware update issue? If the latter, is there any way to rewind the installed version of the firmware? It would have to be via the phone app or the dashboard on the fitbit website.

[Rikki7]

mine is exactly the same issue but have no clue as to whether anything can be done to fix it.

Sent from my iPhone

[Fisch1080]

I just got off the phone with customer service as well for this issue. Hard reset and I get a smile face but no fitbit logo. Still synced to my app and tracking steps, heartbeat, location. Tried changing clock screens and I get a status bar on my fitbit screen to show its trying. Phone app says completed but nothing appears on the screen. Green lights and flashing when taking off wrist to charger or visa versa. The only thing customer service said was watch your email as someone would contact me. Got the email for a discount off a new device. Absolutely no troubleshooting, no help, nothing. Email says to reply to the email to update my case. Doubt I will hear anything back from them. Terrible customer service.

[Rikki7]

Thanks for the update. Probably what I anticipated.

Sent from my iPhone

[AnnaLexus]

Same situation here, no solution, discount coupon for a new device. Time for a different brand ?

[JonOxford]

I was told the same - look out for an email. I was hoping it would have some proper trouble shooting advice, but it was the same old 35% off a new device offer. I certainly won't be getting one of the more expensive fitbit models, but an inspire 2 for around £32.49 would be tempting if it wasn't for the fact that £4 postage is added because the total falls below £40!

I wish fitbit cared more about this issue as it's clearly been around a long time, the boards are full of people complaining about blank/black screens in the Charge 3.

I'm going to think about it for a few more days. There are several options around - a new fitbit with this 35% discount, one of the cheaper Garmin models or, most intriguing of all, one of those outrageously cheap Chinese makes that sit on top of the Amazon bestsellers list - some of these have incredibly high ratings from the people who have bought them.

[nck724]

I have a Fitbit Charge 3.  Its screen has a design flaw.  Over time, it gets dimmer and dimmer, until I cannot read it any more even in a dark room.  Resetting it and changing clock face do not help.  At first, I planned to upgrade to Fitbit 4, but then I saw the same complaints in Community Forum.  My Fitbit Charge 2 is still working, showing bright letters and digits.  

[AnnaLexus]

It seems that more people deal with the Black screen issue on Charge 4. 

Are any other moderators that are able to help here ?

[SunsetRunner]

I have noticed that the display on my Charge 4 screen has dimmed over the last few months. I think it may be on its way to a full black out. For the price one pays one would expect better trouble shooting help and customer service. Also better longevity. From what I have read, they only seem to want us to buy a new device. 

I will contact customer service but I am thinking of changing to a different brand.

[geniot]

Unfortunately I have the same problem since a few weeks now. It shouldn't be a hardware issue... I can't believe so many people report about it at about the same time.

[Divvo]

Same problem with my charge 3

[EP-UK]

Similar issue - for the past few months the screen has been becoming harder to read on my charge 4 - to the point that I could only read it with the light off at night around a fortnight back.  This week I cannot even do that.  That and a dodgy strap holding clasp on the watch body have really reduced the fondness that I have for the products.

I do not expect these things to last forever, but this is my fourth or fifth personal fitbit and around the 10th I've purchased (wife, kids, etc).  One would hope that type of brand loyalty would be cherished rather than ignored. 

[SunsetRunner]

Yes it sounds like you're in a similar position. I had a Charge 3 and now a Charge 4. I have been reading some comments in other places and it seems that many people think these products are only designed to last 2 years approximately, forcing one to upgrade to the next product because the warranty has expired.

I contacted Support and they went through the motions of a reboot, changing the clock face etc Then I was advised I would get an email in a few hours after my warranty status had been checked. Within minutes I received an email offering me a discount on a new Fitbit. What was hilarious is that I received the email which should have arrived first, second! The other email which arrived a minute later advised me that my Fitbit was out of the warranty period and I would be receiving an email containing details of a discount!! This seems to indicate that these are standard emails that they send out.

Even with the discount it's quite a lot of money and I'm considering not buying another Fitbit and just saving my money. I'm doubtful as to whether they care about loyalty. :-((

[Rikki7]

Exactly the same. I’m afraid it’s gone in the bin and I will investigate another, perhaps cheaper option. End of my relationship with Fitbit 🤷🏼‍:female_sign:

Sent from my iPhone