Charge 3 screen is getting dimmer

[greggsanders1]

My Charge 3 screen is dim. I called customer support, they walked me through checking the screen settings and restarting the device. Then I was told this is a known issue, and it would be fixed in the next software update. When I look at the online postings this has been going on for over 6 months. Some people got new devices, and now all we get is wait for a fix, that nobody can tell you when it is coming. This is my 3rd Fitbit, and probably my final Fitbit.

Moderator edit: subject for clarity

[cccme]

I have the exact same problem.  So frustrating!  All I have is a diagonal stripe of very dim light in the middle of my Fitbit.  I tried every single fix. Nada

[W.T.Lam]

Hello this is more than a year ago. So what is the solution? I cannot read the screen of my Charge 3 at all.

Can you elaborated a bit more? What worked? 

Moderator edit: merged reply

[EllCloud]

I am facing the same with my Charge 3 too! It started towards last quarter of last year. And now I could barely see anything in the screen.

[EllCloud]

I have the same problem and yes checked settings a few times to set it to normal. Still doesn't help. Now I could barely see anything on the screen.

[EllCloud]

Same with me. It's getting dimmer and dimmer.

[EllCloud]

Thanks for the recommendation. Maybe I should get a Mi band too.

[W.T.Lam]

For whoever may still be interested, here is the ONLY solution: I started a chat with support. She was very nice and. after trying the following:

1. Restart by connecting to the power then hold buttons for 8 seconds to restart. But no good as most of you already know.

2. Reset by doing above but continue for 13 seconds to reset. But no good...

3. Go to the app setting by tapping on the avatar, then select Charge 3, -> Clock faces, to select another face. then go back to do a "Sync Now"...

Of course none of those worked. Then she escalated. I then received an email stating since my watch was out of warranty theyy would offer 35% off to replace it with another model of my choice, with some exceptions. I selected the Charge 4. One thing I am not happy is that the 35% is applied to the original price. The Charge 4 was $149, but was already on sale for $129 or something. So I did not get 35% off the price it was selling. Other than that, the brightness was fixed for 100 some dollars... This is the only message you need to read because nothing else works. Trust me.

[Declan1967]

I thought I would add to this post for a different reason. My Charge 3 went gradually dimmer and dimmer and I did all the usual steps until Fitbit replaced it last year.....

then the replacement has gone the exact same way - dimmer and dimmer until you can’t read even indoors in the semi dark!! I have been taken through all the usual steps and then told the unit is not covered by warranty so no replacement.

this is unacceptable as this is clearly a known fault of the Charge 3. I have been a Fitbit user for around 6 years - but does anyone think I will buy another.....

yes you all guessed the right answer - Garmin coming next where I have never had any issues on my dedicated sports watches for running and golf !

poor experience from Fitbit and a lost customer due to a poor product and non existent support.

[jmlewis1953]

That took care of my problem.  Thank you for your very simple directions!

[Ilina]

Just had this problem this afternoon while doing some groceries. I suddenly couldn't see the screen because it was too dim! I compared it to my mum's Fitbit Charge 3 (newer compared to mine by 1 year) and boyyyy the difference is obvious. 

Moderator edit: format

[WilsonFitbit]

Hello everyone! @Ilina, welcome to the community forums! 

I'm very sorry for the experience! Make sure that Sleep mode isn't On. While Sleep mode is enabled, the screen's brightness is set to dim. Press and hold the button and swipe left on Charge 3 for a faster way to access certain settings. Tap a setting to turn it on or off. When you turn off the setting, the icon appears dim with a line through it. To adjust the brightness, go to the Settings App for your Charge 3 and look for the Brightness setting. 

If that doesn't help, I'd suggest performing a long restart. This is different from the basic restart suggested here. 

• Connect the device to the charging cable. 
• While the device is plugged into the charging cable, press and hold the button down for 15 seconds. 
• The device turns on and shows a battery icon. Two vibrations occur: first a short vibration, then a medium vibration. 
• The device turns off.
• The device turns on and shows a progress bar and short vibrations occur. The progress bar completes. Note: A total of 7 short vibrations occur. 
• Remove the device from the charging cable. The device shuts down.
• Important: Plug the device into the charging cable again. 

I also recommend changing the clock face to see if that makes any difference. Otherwise, the best way to get help is to contact our Support Team for further assistance. You can click here to get connected. 

Hope this helps! 

[Lauraleegili]

My Fitbit is getting dinner too. What is happening with this problem? 

[WilsonFitbit]

Hello @Lauraleegili. Welcome to the community forums. 

I was able to see that you have reached out to our Support Team and they are currently working on your case. If you still need further assistance or if you have any additional questions or comments, please make sure to update your case so our team can continue assisting you. 

See you around. 

[Lauraleegili]

Hello
No, i am currently fighting with the fitbit support team!
They willingly sell a product that they know will crap out.
The screen dimming is a problem that they knew about--sold it anyway.
Now its not vibrating either.
They offered me a discount on a new one--but I dont think thats right? I
get that its not under warranty but still--selling a product that they know
is defective doesnt seem right to me.
Why would I be buying a NEW one that will probably crap out after the
warranty is over too?
So nope..not resolved.

So I just found out from " customer support" that the 35 % they offered me is NOT applicable to on sale items.

So, let me get this straight:

Fitbit, knowingly sells products that they are FULL AWARE are defective and that some time after warranty ( conveniently) they crap out and they do not stand behind their product. 

Wow, thats great!

Having a gadget break is one thing. Thats normal. Thats life. Stuff breaks.

But to sell a gadget that you KNOW will break, is another.

They just lost a customer.

Which is a shame.... but oh well.

Lots of other fitness trackers on the market that I can choose from.

Moderator edit: merged reply

[SD-reciesue]

I have had my watch for 18 months. Is there a way to fix this issue? Seems like this issue has been a problem for 2 years. How do we fix it? 

[btsuperman]

I am responding to the 'Best Answer' by AlejandralFitbit 11-13-2019.  I don't understand why this is considered a 'BEST ANSWER'.  Three years later, this issue was never fixed on the existing Charge 3 units.  I purchased a new Charge 3 two years ago and have not had a problem with the new unit but, DON'T TELL PEOPLE YOU'RE 'WORKING TO RESOLVE IT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE'.  

This is misleading to anyone that reads your post.

[SD-reciesue]

I tried their solution and does not work

[Tabori]

There is no fix, they will try to palm you of saying wait for a firmware update.  I wrote to the asking where to return the piece of crap for disposal and they sent me an offer for a new one. Gl

[SD-reciesue]

I called yesterday and they told me to go to settings on the watch, could hardly see, change the brightness to normal. So I did it worked for less than 12 hrs. I should be able to tell the time, when pushing the button, regardless of weather I have lights on or not -- right. 

So did you get a new fitbit? 

[Lauraleegili]

No, they did nothing. Stopped answering my emails. I am appalled at their
audacity.

--------------------------------------

I have posted about this over and over, so annoying!

They offered me some silly 30 Percent discount on a new fitbit but I couldnt apply it to one that was on sale.

That makes sense! Sigh!!

Then they stopped answering my emails.

Appalling. 

Moderator Edit: Formatting