Charge 3 screen too dim

[747pilot]

My Charge 3 screen is excessively dim, even with a full charge.  I've tried restarting it with no result. It will occasionally come on bright but after a few seconds it's dim again and I can't get it back. This is indoors and is still difficult to read. Outside with any amount of sunlight, it's impossible to read.

Moderator edit: subject for clarity

[Jen2261]

Still not brighter. 
wasted money!

[MitchUSA]

My Charge 3 screen has been dim for months (and it has never counted stairs at all - 0 flights every day despite my walking to my third floor office most days) - I've only seen what I do through the phone app. Today, I decided to try and fix the brightness - with a full charge, I fired up my phone magnifying glass app and started looking for the settings. Every time I went to read the next step, the Fitbit screen would go to sleep, so I had to tap it to wake back up. I finally got to the brightness setting, pressed it, and the screen went completely dark! It's still on - the green sensor lights are blinking in the back. I'm trying the 8-second button reset, but no luck so far. If only the phone app would've included brightness settings! Oh well, I'll try customer service tomorrow...

[DavidInCanada]

If you go into a dark closet you may be able to see the screen well enough to get to settings and reset to normal which will still be dim but barely visible as opposed to dark screen. If you read back through the pages of this thread you are not alone.

[BusterG]

Good luck, if you are within warranty you need to push for a replacement,
if you are like me at 2 years, only 25% off the same product thst soon they
cannot sell! Mine still works fine, just cannot see anything on the face!

[RitaMarie]

Another Charge 3 FitBit user with dim screen.  Noticed it a few months ago.  Looked at my device while walking from office to car.  It was dim, I couldn't read it but didn't give it much thought.  Then weeks later, just sitting in house, I wanted to check time.  Display was dim, i could barely read display.  So I changed brightness to Normal, thinking I must have changed that somehow.  Still wasn't that bright but again, didn't think much of it.  Just a week ago, was looking at the display and thought...Wait a minute.  It used to be brighter; wth is wrong with this?! Well, today I googled and lo and behold found this message board with NUMEROUS people stating the same issue.  So I called CS.  Since I bought the device 12/30/2018, I'm past the 1 year warranty so what they offered to do was give me 25% of a new device; would not replace it. I guess they think I must be pretty **ahem** stupid to think I would use the coupon to spend ANOTHER $100+ on ANOTHER defective advice!  I would expect a $120-$140 electronic device to last longer than 13 MONTHS!   I'm so disappointed in the product and REALLY disappointed in CS.  Obviously with so many users having an issue with the brightness of the screen there is an issue with the device!  IT'S FAULTY OR DEFECTIVE AND I RECEIVED NO HELP BUT BASICALLY TOLD TO BUY A NEW ONE!  As if a $120 product is disposable within 12-15 month time frame.  I'm angry and disappointed.  This is my 3rd fitbit product and will also be my last!!

[RitaMarie]

I just talked to CS today. I'm just under 3 months out of warranty. I asked if the line was  being recorded. So glad that is was because I told CS rep... you or Fitbit must think I'm on crack if I'd spend another $100+ on a faulty or defective product. Why the hell would I purchase ANOTHER one, only to have IT fail. Obviously it's a problem, with all these users mentioning same issue. It cant be that we've ALL mistreated device in the same way to cause SAME problem! I'm angry, with having spent $130 for it to malfunction in less than 15 months. That's unacceptable. It's my 3rd device from fitbit and will be my last. And I am on a tirade to talk to everyone and disgrace these products.

[BusterG]

My third Fitbit too, same deal offered to me, and the same answer, why
would I buy another one!!!
Looking at a Samsung since my phone is awesome!

[PaulaM55]

Same here. We have purchased three and will definitely go to another brand
for our next purchase. They are losing customers for life due to their
refusal to address the Charge 3 dimming issues!

[stephanievogt]

So ironic.  Mine did the dim issue got them to replace it under warranty..3 months later ..can't read the new one again.  Other fit bits are fine.. done with fitbit 

[Marcove3]

Did anyone else's screen get even dimmer over time? when this issue started for me, the watch was visible indoors but not outdoors. Now it's impossible to read except inside a dark closet and after my eyes have adjusted to darkness. 

[PaulaM55]

Yes my Charge 3 did the exact same thing. It is a huge problem that Fitbit
refuses to address. Mine started at the top and within two or three weeks
went dark all the way to the bottom. Couldn't even see it in a totally
dark walk-in closet.

[TheGrumps]

Just out of interest, has anyone with this particular screen issue tried the latest firmware (1.84.5)?

[BusterG]

It will eventually go completely dark and is barely visible in total
darkness. Otherwise it works fine! Unless you need the time that is.

[Marcove3]

Or start/stop a workout

[NFDL]

Thats what mine did. I figured out that they do have an email address. <
https://contact.fitbit.com>
I sent them the history, and the log of phone conversations and chats that
I had, AND KEPT AFTER THEM ! They replaced the unit. Squeaky wheel people,
its a problem and they know it. Keep requesting a replacement !

[isreedhar]

Fitbit is not doing right process if they know they should replace to every one, I requested them to replace but they offer 25% for new device because my warranty got expired. They know the problem so they should replace to every one or recall defective products. 

[PaulaM55]

Great idea. I am usually a squeaky wheel person too but I didn't this
time. I' believe I have my chat printouts and may still send them in to
get a new one. My next one will b e an Apple. I recently noticed they now
have a Charge 4. I wonder how many bugs it will have that Fitbit will
refuse to address.

[JoeVegas]

Am I swiping on the Fitbit or in an app?My screen is too dim to see anything.

[ilikepavlova]

Yes. -there have been a few comments on this but FitBit don’t appear able to solve. It’s pretty hopeless. If you go outside ... you can’t use anything as it’s impossible to see. Can’t time a circuit, a run or walk. Can’t start and stop if doing laps and can’t tell the time ever outside. So almost everything for me it’s useless. It does tell me how many steps I do in a day which I could use a far cheaper odometer for and get to wear my more stylish watch which I can see outside. It does tell me how long I’ve slept. But my body usually tells me that anyway. Im sorry I bought this really - I’ve reset it. I’ve changed light settings which doesn’t do anything other than make it invisible inside. Sorry I bought it. Won’t be buying another one. People have posted on better watches To look for so if I want to throw my money away on another tracker it won’t be this brand

[jennyFTB249]

I've noticed this recently and wnder if its not related to a new release of  Charge 4... (to make us thik of buying a new one!???)