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

[TheGrumps]

I think it has the opposite effect. People are so cheesed (you can replace this with something stronger) off with the screen/display problems and Fitbit's attitude, that many are swapping brands.

[ilikepavlova]

I agree. I’m so disappointed- was quite a thing to buy a fitness tracker. Really so overrated, a total underperformer and overpriced ... would never buy another one. 

[PaulaM55]

Maybe. Mine darkened about five or six months ago. There are hundreds of
posts on different sites about this happening to the Charge 3.

[marktko]

Just come on to report the dimness of my Fitbit now. Just can’t see it outside at all.

just done a 3 hour walk and when checking my heart rate half way through accidentally paused it but couldn’t see Somi didn’t know.

Ive tried brightness at auto level and at normal which works for a bit and then just goes too dim on either setting. My wife’s which we got the same time is fine outside. Had them around 9 months.

im guessing there’s no firmware update coming to fix this ??

very annoying. Makes the device pointless outside 

[PaulaM55]

I guess Fitbit's solution was to develop the Charge 4 and give up on the
3. Within two weeks you most likely won't be able to read the face of your
3 even if you are standing in a windowless dark walk-in closet. Mine
started at the top of the screen and quickly worked its way down until the
entire screen was black. My next watch will be an Apple!

[ilikepavlova]

My screen hasn’t changed. Once it lost it’s ability to view outside it just stayed that way. I can see it inside which as a fitness tracker makes it not fit for purpose. This is long standing now so not sure it’s related to their new marketing. Certainly won’t hook me in. I’ve got a colleague with an Apple Watch - he loves it. My tastes are simple. See the time and use fir

outdoor fitness activity including swimming. Not even accurate with pool lengths unfortunately. 

[ilikepavlova]

Your should get onto it immediately. Being under 12 months you should get a replacement 

[jennyFTB249]

I was able to synchronize Fitbit with computer & then went into settings; found out that it was set to DIM! Better now!

Greetings from Jenny's iPhone
Peace...

[JoeVegas]

So you connected the charger to they computer? What steps after that?

[marktko]

Thanks for responses.

Just checked. It’s over 12 months just. Didn’t think as long as that.

i just don’t get it. Why don’t they update the firmware so it’s on normal brightness all the time if that’s what people want.

very very poor design.

have they never officially responded re this ?

[PaulaM55]

That is great. I hope it lasts for you.

[mmanley]

I have tried the settings.  Makes no change at all.

[mzCliff]

thanks! That worked!

[isreedhar]

Yes. I totally agree with you. Fitbit should be accountable for this issue.

Thank you.

[CWRudy]

My Charge 3 just joined the ranks of the myriad other Charge 3 owners with the dreaded "dim" display issue.

I tried all the usual resets etc. before calling Customer Service.  He had me do the same identical things all over again....just to tell me the unit is defective.

I was offered the usual 25% discount to buy another (probably defective) unit. 

No Thank you.

I am not a hard person to please.  I run a small business, and am quite aware of good vs. bad customers.

This ticks me.  There's a documented display issue with the Charge 3....and the best you can offer me is a 25% discount to buy another Charge 3?

I cannot recommend a Fitbit to anyone after this issue.  Fitbit, your lack of ownership due to  this (known and common) display issue, leaves a sour taste.....

[marktko]

Is yours over a year old?

The fact they haven't responded confirms they can't fix it. Defective? Must be a lot of them about....

Not right

[jennyFTB249]

Wow—I was able to fix it in settings after syncing it with my PC (I’ve really only done it with app for years). Saw that it was actually set to Dim...

Greetings from Jenny's iPhone
Peace...

[ilikepavlova]

Hi Jenny, OK - I synced to my computer and can't find any settings for the screen. Went back to my phone and the only two settings are auto and normal. I have it on normal - when I put it on auto, I can't see the screen inside either. Is your fitbit a Charge 3? On my fitbit settings on the computer I can't find anything related to screen settings. any assistance greatly appreciated since you seem to have found an answer. Many thanks

[mzCliff]

I just swiped right on the screen of my actual fitbit (yes charge 3) 3 times until I saw “settings.” I touched that and set my brightness to Auto. So far so good.

Sent from my iPhone

[CWRudy]

My watch only offers Dim, Normal and Auto.  There's no other way to adjust the brightness.

The issue is HARDWARE.  Check the web.  The Charge 3 has this as a chronic issue.  My wife has a Charge 2, and it's still bright.

I feel burned.  Like I said earlier....I'm not hard to please.  But when a company has a known issue...and then doesn't own it.....I'm wanting to move elsewhere.

Maybe it's time to get a Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch......?