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

[DavidInCanada]

Had to do the same thing and to see the numbers for pairing. What's interesting is that there is a brighter setting that occasionally flashes for a second or two. So it's firmware that keeps it dim. I sold mine and went back to my Charge 2 with the cracked screen. Then bought a Versa 2 in the post Christmas sales. After 4 days the Bluetooth failed. Fitbit we have problems with everything you make. Was in Best Buy and there was a Fitbit rep there. When I told her my tales of woe she just wanted to have the ground swallow her up and disappear, I think. What could she say? Poor woman.

[NFDL]

It’s apparent Fitbit engineering is incompetent or they just don’t care, or
worse yet, been directed by management to work on new flashy crap rather
than fix a known problem.

The thing that really P#@&(+) me off is that the Charge 3 is a current
model. So if I decide to replace it, the new one might develop the same
problem.

I really liked the features of the 3, but no way will I spend money on a
product where the support is so poor.

[DavidInCanada]

Fitbit could learn something from their developers. The Versa 2 has optional clock faces. I bought one for $2 but when the Versa 2 failed I couldn't figure out how to get the clock face back. Reached out to Kiezel the developer. Service from help desk was same day and on a Sunday. Solved my problem and again when I couldn't get weather showing. If I could give them more than 5 stars I would. And all for a $2 product!!

And by the way the screen on the Versa 2 is fantastic. Bright, legible, customizable. Love the product IF, IF, IF it will stay working. And on sale it's not that much more than the Charge 3.

[PaulaM55]

That is a real possibility for me too.

[Tam275]

I tried to this but can’t get to the brightness setting. It is above vibration and it won’t scroll up. After trying that, now it is completely dark. 

[Carolke]

Mine also

Sent from my iPad

[Crichton58]

Try tapping above the vibration button once where the button should be. I did the same thing and when it’s on dim my screen goes completely black. If I tap on it again I can barely see the screen.

Sent from my iPhone

[Crichton58]

And when you go outside in the sun you can’t see anything. I use mine when I swim, bike ride, walk etc. it’s worthless now!

Sent from my iPhone

[Akikotori]

I wonder why this "firmware issue" is not happening to everyone with the same firmware?

I bought charge 3 for my father and his firmware is up to date, but his tracker doesn't have the same issue

[TheGrumps]

If you look at other posts in this forum there are plenty (hundreds, maybe thousands) who have other screen issues such as black lines, white lines, grey lines, etc.

I suggest that this dim screen problem is another type of faulty display and not firmware at all.

My wife is on her 5th (or is it 6th) Charge 3. All replaced under warranty.

[SunsetRunner]

I bought mine straight from Fitbit site and they are completely refusing to honour my warranty for a replacement despite being in warranty period. They just keep saying they'll resolve it soon. They are pathetic at managing expectations... Obviously after getting bought out they dgaf anymore. 

[TheGrumps]

In the UK when buying direct from Fitbit, we are allowed to return a device (within 45 days I think) for any reason at all. If you bought another Charge 3...

If they dgaf, why should you.

[SunsetRunner]

Mine was over 5 months old before it went dim, but still within the 1 year warranty. How would they not caring affect me not caring? Such an obtuse response. 

[TheGrumps]

I made a suggestion about what you could do to get a working tracker.

If you think that they don't care about you and your issue, then why should you care about how to obtain satisfaction?

In which country did you purchase?

[Crichton58]

US

Sent from my iPhone

[TheGrumps]

And do you have a similar warranty and returns policy to that of the EU/UK? That is, a two year warranty and if you don't like it then you can return for a full refund (within a certain time limit).

[PaulaM55]

USA

[NFDL]

I have had the tracker for 10 months and Fitbit advised it was not covered
under warranty of 90 days.

[Gentlereiner]

That is complete BS. The warranty is one year, unless it's a reconditioned device.

[timmy1263]

I was told by Fitbit support when my charge 3 was under warranty that they were aware about f this issue and that it was software related and I had to wait for another firmware update.  It’s now been 6 months and my tracker is so dim I can hardly see it indoors no software updates and nothing from Fitbit other than a did you reboot.  This device is t bad but support of it sucks