Charge 3 problems with brightness

[Wout.G]

Hi, I have purchased my Charge 3 four months ago. I had no problems with the screen and the brightness as I left it on auto, it has always been clear regardless of the surroundings. However, after 4 months, it is now very dim that I can barely see anything when there is some light in my surroundings.

I have tried to restarting my Charge 3 several times but the screen still remains dim. How do I fix it?

Moderator edit: subject for clarity

[SantoP]

Hello, I had the same issue and same procedure by fitbit support. Now I get 2 options: replacement for free of my charge 3 or 50%discount for a new fitbit. I'm in doubt to take the charge 4 ith 50% off hoping it has a better brightness! 

[JEAE]

I am having the same problem and have followed the instructions.  Still can't see the screen.

[ItsASamThing]

Me too! I've had my fitbit since 2019 and didn't have problems until 2020. Debating dumping it after being a fitbit fan for many years and switching to applewatch...

[JEAE]

I don't get the option of a replacement.  Out of warranty.

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I took it to Noel Leeming where I bought it (now out of warranty) and they have managed to get the brightness back when I flick my wrist.  But for how long......?

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I agree with you about higher quality.  The first Fitbit I had, the strap broke and they no longer made straps to fit, so had to purchase a new one, even though it was working fine.  The second one I hated from the start!  The numbers etc were so small, I couldn't read them.  So I took it back and this was when I got Charge 3.  Needless to say, it is out of warranty.  It works, but is not much use if you can't see the screen.

[katzilla2624]

Warning to Fitbit customers: my Fitbit has a technical issue with brightness which has been confirmed with Fitbit directly as all the trouble shooting did not work. My current Fitbit is a replacement Fitbit (less than 2 years old), from the original Fitbit I brought (more than 2 years ago), however they will not replace or repair this one. Posting this as a warning to others that this is a known issue in their products within the first 2 years of life, however, unless you make contact in that time you will not get any additional repairs/replacements. May want to consider more sustainable option prior to purchasing.

[WilsonFitbit]

Hello everyone. @katzilla2624, welcome to the community forums! 

Thank you very much for taking the time to provide your feedback and I'm very sorry for the experience!  Please note that our team is always working to enhance your experience and your feedback is a big part of that process. 

On a side note, our Support Team also confirmed that you have reached out to them and they have provided information. Since you have received information from them, I recommend updating your case if you have additional questions or inquiries. 

If you have questions about the warranty policy, I recommend visiting the following link. 

Have a great day! 

[D4V3F]

Hey everyone. Really interesting to read this as  got my Charge 3 in Sep 2019 and the display is only readable in dim lighting.  I cannot read it at all in bright daylight as the display is just too dim.  I have also tried resetting and restarting and playing about with the display brightness setting but none of that has helped.  Has there been a fix discovered or issued for this?

[WilsonFitbit]

Hello @D4V3F, it's great to see you around! 

Thank you for the information and the troubleshooting steps you've followed prior to posting! Since this inconvenience has persisted, the best way to get help is to contact our Support Team. You can reach out to them through chat or over the phone. Click here to get connected. 

Please make sure to mention the troubleshooting steps you've followed and the situation, this way our team will be able to continue assisting you and provide a prompt resolution. 

Have a great day! 

[Lahrony]

Hi wout, I'm having the exact same issues. Who did you contact for the replacement?

[D4V3F]

I had a live chat with a Fitbit agent who confirmed my Charge 3 was faulty.  I was offered a replacement or £150 credit towards a new Fitbit device.  I now have a Sense and it's brilliant.

[Nicsar]

Hi, I am having the same issue, can you please tell me what the fix was? Thank you.

[WilsonFitbit]

Hello @Lahrony @Nicsar. Welcome to the community forums! @D4V3F It's great to see you around and thanks for your input! 

@D4V3F I am also happy to hear that you now have a Fitbit Sense. @Lahrony @Nicsar If the inconvenience has persisted after following the suggested troubleshooting steps, my best recommendation is that you please reach out to our Support Team for further assistance. You can contact them through chat or over the phone. Click here to get connected. 

Make sure to explain the situation and the troubleshooting steps you've followed, this way they can assist you from there. 

See you around. 

[Nicsar]

Hi, thanks for the update.  I contacted Support last week and was told as the device is 42 days out of warranty, there was nothing they could do.  They did offer me 35% discount on a new Fitbit, but i managed to get one from Amazon cheaper than i could with the discount, so all good now thanks.

[Lahrony]

yeah. I had the same response which is lame. I mean i've only had mine for just over a year, and it's already faulty. It's a total strategy. Basically they want to make you buy a new one almost every year. Really disappointed honestly. And a 35% discount is not really a discount from MSRP compared to Amazon and other resellers. 

[WilsonFitbit]

@Nicsar @Nicsar Thank you very much for your reply. 

I'm sorry for this inconvenience and I also appreciate the time you've taken to provide your feedback. I'd like to let you know that our team is always working to enhance your experience  and your feedback is a big part of that process.

On a side note, our warranty provides replacement devices for products within the warranty period. If a product is out of the warranty period, a discount is offered. If you would like to get more information about our warranty, I recommend visiting the following link: 

https://www.fitbit.com/global/us/legal/returns-and-warranty 

See you around. 

[Scubabass]

• I have a similar problem. It was never that bright, but then the firmware was “upgraded” when I synced about. Week ago. I can barely see the screen now, it’s MUCH worse than it was. Dim is nearly invisible in all but a pitch dark room, normal or auto are very dim, and nothing can be seen outside at all. It’s completely useless.
• what can I do to get it brighter? It’s obviously a software issue, if a firmware update caused the dimness.

[WilsonFitbit]

Hello @Scubabass. Welcome to the community forums. 

I'm sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. Note that your feedback is very important and it helps to continue working on improvements to our services and products. 

On a side note, I'd like to let you know that there hasn't been any recent Firmware update for the Charge 3. The last version was 1.88.11 and it was released some time ago. Also, the only way to adjust the Brightness is from the Brightness setting on the tracker itself, there isn't an alternative option. 

Since the inconvenience has persisted despite following the recommended steps, I believe the best way to get help is to contact our Support Team. Note that you can contact them through chat or over the phone and you can click here to get connected. 

Please make sure you mention the troubleshooting steps you've followed, this way they can assist you from there. 

See you around. 

[Marielle_NL]

Hi Wout,

Fitbit is offering me a replacement as well (2 year warranty). Just wondering: is your replacement Charge 3 still working well? I am asking because I am a bit anxious the brightness issue I have with my current Charge 3, eventually will also occur with the replacement. Hope to hear from you.

[WilsonFitbit]

Hello @Marielle_NL. Welcome to the community forums. 

Thank you for letting us know that our Support Team is providing a replacement. I'd like to let you know that I managed to see your case and I was able to confirm that they provided you with an option for a replacement. If you still have additional questions or inquiries, I recommend replying back to your case and they will be glad to assist. 

Also, please note that your feedback is very appreciated and I hope the issue won't repeat itself with a new device. Also, I hope you can continue tracking towards your fitness goals. 

See you around. 

[Bfarr97]

Since there are more than 10,000 people affected by this issue on this watch, don’t you think it would be a good idea to make an update to correct the problem?!!!!