Charge 3 blank screen and it only vibrates

[Darinscharge3]

I have a charge 3 and I can’t get it to do anything but vibrate when I push the button on the side of it. I plugged it up last night and it showed a smiley face.

Got it off the charger this morning and it continues to have a black screen but still vibrates when I push the side button. It used to flash a light on the underside when I would take it off. Now it doesn’t even do that ?  

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[D-GN]

It's quite weird, indeed, how they sell these Fitbits while they often don't function at all. In the beginning it worked a lot better for me. I am wondering if their automatic updates are too heavy for the Charge 3. If it could be replaced by the old, simpler, original software on these fitbit charge 3s, the screen might respond quicker, like it did in the beginning. Maybe synchronising more often would reduce memory usage... I'm quite curious why fitbit only focuses on new features and not on stability and duration of their products. 

[Kadiro]

My charge 3 screen blank... its only vibrate. Battery is @ 90% full. Initially there was a lining on screen, then completely blank

[Rachel1971]

I have tried restarting and changing the clock face and my Fitbit charge 3 is still blank but vibrating. Any other suggestions?

[RockinCowgirl]

Call customer service.

[maparicio1260]

I threw it away.

they are useless.  I threw my fitbit away and will never buy another.  So done.

Moderator edit: merged reply

[Valerama]

Both mine and my husband’s Fitbit charge 3 suddenly had no display today. His came back online after 15 minutes or so. Mine failed an hour later. My device successfully syncs when done manually, shows 100% charged, and vibrates when the button is pushed. I did the hard reset and got the smiley face, but alas still no other display. I also tried changing the clock settings, no joy there either. 

My sister’s charge 3 went offline within an hour of mine... on the other side of the country!

Since Fitbit (google) has been pushing app updates automatically, I can’t help but wonder if this wasn’t a firmware push gone bad. It can’t be a coincidence that devices are all having issues at once. 

[chickenm]

Me too. Did me no good to contact anyone

Sent from my iPhone

[Kimmie93]

I am having the same problem and I've tried putting it on the charger to restart nothing. And its not showing up in the app to change the clock face

[Valerama]

Mine shows up.

Have you tried restarting your phone? Turn it on airplane mode then back to
normal mode or at least toggle Bluetooth.
--

Moderator edit: personal info removed

[Kimmie93]

Did that and nothing. My fit bit doesn't have the lights on at the bottom

[Valerama]

Does it vibrate when you plug the charger in?
--

Moderator edit: personal info removed

[RockinCowgirl]

I got a replacement on mine

[Rmoore008]

Same thing totally randomly today.  Second one died within 8 months.  Now out of warranty.  Thanks Fitbit for the offer of 25% a new piece of crap.  NO THANKS!

[CurlyLadee]

So mine just did the same.thing wont sync tried  changeing clock faces but avian it qont sync.

 I got the Charge 3 in August  of 2018 got it replaced in June of 2019 now its July of 2020 and it's doing this. I'm not sure if I will go with Fitbit  again if this isnt fixed by Fitbit.

[Rachel1971]

I called Fitbit and since mine was purchased in April 2019 they couldn’t
replace it - offered $25 off. Nope. I’m looking for another brand.

Moderator Edit: Personal info removed

[Rupstey]

Having all the same issues. I’ve had multiple (5) Fitbits and ALL break within 12-15 months. The first one they replaced, but after that, all they want to do is give you a discount on another. Time to switch brands.

[RockinCowgirl]

I had my charge 2 for 3 years, upgraded to the charge 3. The charge 2
is still going strong

[Rupstey]

Yes, everyone needs to stop buying Fitbit products until they commit to making them last more than 12 months. They think that they are disposable items for the buyer. Very frustrated with their company model! 

[Valerama]

The devices aren't breaking on their own. They seem to be breaking when a FIRMWARE "upgrade" is pushed out. Based on the fact that this has been happening consistently for a few years, I wonder if it could be actual sabotage. Nobody needs to replace a working device. What possible reason could there be to update the firmware so often, especially when the device works. They should at least give folks the option.

Incidentally, their scales seem to always break within days or weeks of the one-year warranty expiring. Also connected to the internet.

Offering 25% off an inflated retail price isn't impressive. To replace my charge 3 from fitbit, less 25% it would cost about $112; I can walk in to Walmart or BestBuy and get one for $99.

[Rupstey]

Just wait. I’ve never had a Fitbit last longer than 2 years.

Sent from my iPhone