Can’t read Fitbit Charge 3 display

[Eli3]

Hi,

I can barely read my Fitbit Charge 3 display in a dark room. It’s got progressively worse to the point the screen is near enough black constantly. I’ve tried going via the settings App to change the screen brightness but it’s made no difference. Is there anything else I can do? None of the discussion so far seem to have provided an answer and mine is at the point I can’t even read it indoors!

Moderator edit: format. 

[Odyssey13]

Hello and welcome to the forums @Eli3 

A moderator has been notified about your post and will be responding to it. Thanks for coming to the forums and listing what steps you've already taken.

[AlvaroFitbit]

@Eli3 Welcome! Thanks for being part of our Community! Sorry to hear that your Charge 3 display is too dim and thank you for troubleshooting this issue. You can try restarting it by following these instructions.

@Odyssey13 thank you for notifying me.

Let me know if the issue persist or if you need further assistance.

[Eli3]

Hi,

Thank you for the reply but unfortunately this hasn’t worked. I’ve also tried restarting it using the cable.

anymore help would be much appreciated!

[AlvaroFitbit]

@Eli3  thank you for the update. Since the issue persist the next step is letting our Support team know so they can further assist you. You will get an email from them.

Keep me posted.

[Banana.1244]

Have your tried rebooting your device? I normally find that this helps.

[bhamscot]

No change...

[AlvaroFitbit]

@bhamscot Welcome to the Community.

Let me help you with your Charge 3 display not working. Did you try the restart on your tracker? Have you check the display settings on the tracker itself (scroll up to settings on the tracker and there you will see the brightness options)? Could you share a picture of what you are seeing on your device?

I look forward to your reply.

[Binny1987]

I’m having the same problem. I can’t read mine at all during the day. Inside or outside. Switched the brightness to normal and is still the same. 
Any one have any suggestions, on how to fix it?

Ive had many problems with the Fitbit. They have already replaced this one of mine in January of this year. And I’m thinking they gave me a used one cause in March it started and now for the last month. It’s no use wearing it cause I can not read anything on it. 
it sucks. 
I think it’s time to switch to an Apple Watch. Very disappointing 👎

[bhamscot]

Yeah, mines actually getting worse. I can still read it indoors, but not as well as I could even when I wrote my original post...

Sent from my iPhone

[Woodsdweller]

Please have support contact me. I rebooted and my display is still barely visible, making this watch practically unusable. 

[Debo15]

I'm having the same issue as well.  The screen is very difficult to read.  It's like the lighting within it has burned out.  I have to go in a pitch dark room to see it and even then it is barely visable.  Is there any fix to this?

[AlvaroFitbit]

@Debo15 It's great to have you here! 

Let me help you with this. Make sure your tracker isn't in the Do not Disturb or Sleep modes by long pressing the button. Also as mention before check the brightness settings too. Finally you can restart your tracker.

Hope this helps.

[Debo15]

The issue is the bulbs or whatever it is that light the screen.  If I scroll a text message on it the top part is very dim while the bottom is clearly brighter on the screen.  

[Robert73]

Like the others in this thread, I can't read the screen outdoors at all and indoors only if the lighting is very subdued.  This started abruptly after a firmware update which is suspicious, but it could be coincidental.   Subsequent updates did not help.   My brightness setting was "auto" when this happened and the screen appeared black if any light was present.  I was able to change the setting to "normal" by going into my walk-in closet and turning off the light.  The screen was dim, but I was able to navigate to the settings.   I've kept it on "normal" ever since.  

I checked the forum at the time and saw that others were having the same problem.  I tried all the suggestions: Besides setting brightness to "normal", I verified Do Not Disturb and Sleep Mode were off and I rebooted the Charge 3.  It did not help.  FYI, I reboot the Fitbit every time I charge it.    I just now checked the forum to see if there was any progress on this issue and see that there hasn't been. Given that it's out of warranty and the Charge 4 is the current model, it would appear that my only option is to buy something else.  I'm getting active again after recovering from medical issues and the unreadable screen is a big issue now.  Looks like it's time to research the market and see what's best for me.

EDIT:  t just wanted to post an update.  My screen is now totally useless if there is any ambient light present at all.  It's not completely black, if I'm in a completely dark room with fully dark adapted vision I can barely make out text on the screen.  But it might as well be totally black.

I looked at the reviews of the Charge 4 and see many reports of the screen having the same darkening problem as the Charge 3.  I don't want to go down that road again so I decided to try the Versa 3.  It should be delivered in a couple of days. I don't intend to get Premium.  I don't need or want 99% of what it offers and it's too expensive to just unlock a few health stats.  If too much is locked up, I'll return it and look at others brands.  Hopefully, I won't need to do that.  

[ozlinie]

I have been having similar issues. It started getting duller, and then having to go in to a dark spot to see what settings I had. Tried reboots, and clock faces, but when there is nothing on the screen at all (definitely no smiley faces anywhere), it looks like there is a deeper fault. This is the second one I have had with same issue.

[Woodsdweller]

I was finally able to get the company to replace my fitbit as it became
completely unusable. It was a struggle though.

[AlvaroFitbit]

@Woodsdweller @ozlinie @Robert73 @Debo15 I hope you are doing fine.

Thank you for the ones who have troubleshooted this issue. Since the issue persists I suggest you contact our Support team for further assistance. The best way to get help for this problem is to chat with us online or give us a call. Click here to get connected.

@Woodsdweller glad to hear that Support replaced your device.

I'll be around.

[KAD112369]

My Charge 3 is a few years old. Recently it is hard to view it.

The brightness setting is on normal.

I have reset it numerous times.

I have tried switching the Clock face layout - no change.

I have tried switching the brightness to Auto. It will brighten up for 2-5 seconds and reverts right back, but it will only do this once I reset it.

I can't even view it on dim.

On a side note, I also do not get call or text notifications anymore either.

Hopefully someone can help me with this.

This is ridiculous that we spend this much money on what appears to be faulty products. I am not one to spend frivolously and if this is what happens after a period of time with the Fitbit, and is not fixable, maybe I need to look at other options.

[SEB2FIT]

Mine also has the same problem.

Barely seeing the display anymore.
Outside or when it's light unreadable.