Charge 2 no longer working

[SomewhereInLond]

Hello,

I've checked the options regarding the "limited warranty" for older devices and I don't think I have much in the form of options, so am hoping the community can make some suggestions.

The last time I charged my FitBit Charge 2, around a week and a half ago, the logo came on the screen, and that had never happened, as it usually just shows the battery icon to indicate it was charging. I ignored it.

Later upon disconnecting it from the charger, I found that the screen was just blank, but the underside green light sensor was still blinking as usual.

Soon after, the blinker was reduced to just the one light, and now its not blinking at all (probably because its run out of battery, but I can't tell right now).

Anyway, it seems as though my FitBit has finally "had it" and called it a day (or around ten years), but I was wanting to know if anyone has experienced something similar and what could be done to restore it for its originally intended use.

When fully charged, I did try holding the button for ten seconds+ and nothing happened, and did this while it was connected to the charger as well, with no result. At first, I figured maybe it was just the screen that had stopped working, so I decided to wear it for one day to see if any data would be generated. None had on the app dashboard, but I ought to try again after charging it.

To be fair, another can be purchased anyway from Ebay for £30 or so, but I hate discarding anything that may still be of use, so am hoping there is some invaluable suggestion that can help me use it again.

Thanks all.

[Julia_G]

Hi, @SomewhereInLond , as I expect you are aware, all rechargeable batteries have a limited lifespan.  If yours has lasted 10 years then you must have treated the battery very well.  I would say that it sounds as if your Charge 2 has finally come to the end of its useful life (though I would agree with your experiment of giving it a good charge - approx 2 hours I would say - and then wearing it for a day and see if it is still recording - sometimes the screen goes while the device is still functioning to some degree.

I would be extremely wary of purchasing a device as old as a Charge 2 on eBay.  Even if it is “new and in the box” the battery is likely to have deteriorated so much that it may be dead, or nearly dead, anyway.  

If you want to purchase one other than new from a Fitbit approved supplier I would strongly recommend going for a more recently discontinued device, such as an Inspire 2 where you are more likely to get a device with a useable battery.  There are also older Charge models available - although my experience is that the Charge 2 is the longest lasting model.  My own Charge 2 is still going, but my Charge 4 screen is nearly dead.  The Charge 5 seems pretty robust, but likely to cost more than £30, even second hand on eBay.

Alternatively, if you get in touch with Fitbit Customer Support on contact.fitbit.com and let them know about your Charge 2 they are likely to offer you a discount on a new device.  With a new device you will have a new warranty (two years in the UK).

Please do recycle your old Charge 2 in an approved electronic recycling place (e.g. local tip).

[SomewhereInLond]

Thanks for your prompt response Julia, I guess it would be an interesting project to see if I could source a new battery somehow (but that then leaves the potential matter of the screen!).

Appreciate the advice about used FitBit products on EBay.

[Julia_G]

I have a friend who several times replaced the battery on his Fitbit One, though I don’t know anyone who has tried it on the Charge series but here’s a how to video if you would like to try!  I think a new battery would also fix the screen issue.  

If you try it, let us know if you succeed!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYwEM7W19dg