Charge 3 unresponsive with blank screen

[kennedmh]

The other day I put my Charge 3 on the charger.  It charged to 40% and I put it on.  Later in the day I noticed it was "dead", completely unresponsive with no screen activity.  

I've tried putting it back on the charger, nothing.  I've tried squeezing the sides for 15 seconds to reset it, no success.  The fitbit will vibrate for around five seconds while on the charger when squeezed but nothing more ever happens.

Anyone have any other ideas of other things to try to revive my fitbit or do I have a boat anchor now?

Thanks!

Moderator edit: subject for clarity 

[LiliyaFitbit]

Welcome to the Fitbit Community, @kennedmh.

I am sorry to hear your Charge 3 became unresponsive with blank screen. Thanks for trying to resolve this, I appreciate the additional details and I am glad to help. I recommend trying the following:

1. Try the complete troubleshooting instructions at Why isn't my Fitbit device's battery charging?
2. Change a clock face: How do I change the clock face on my Fitbit device?
3. Confirm the steps to do a long restart:  

• 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.

Keep me posted on the outcome. I'll be around if you have any questions.

[kennedmh]

Hi Liliya,

Unfortunate none of those steps help.  It's kind of like the thing is bricked other than it will vibrate when squeezed.  I've tried the long reset but it doesn't go as described and the battery icon never appears neither does the progress bar.  When I squeeze it to try to get it to reset, it will vibrate anywhere from 2-7 seconds while being squeezed and then nothing more.  

Thanks!

[LiliyaFitbit]

Hi @kennedmh, thank you for your reply. 

I appreciate your efforts and the additional details. Since the issue persists, I've sent your information to the Customer Support team so they can get in touch with you and provide further assistance. You should be getting a reply soon. 

Let me know if you have any questions.

[Meeshmeesh1]

Any more info on this? I have the same issue. 

Almost half a year ago the screen stopped working all together, but it still synced with my phone so I could track my data... I got sick of wearing a watch with no clock so I stopped wearing it for a few months. I have started running again and like the exercise features and decided I could wear my Fitbit during the runs but I am experiencing the same thing as described. Screen still black (nothing new, it was passed warranty when this started so I never did anything about it), but now it won't sync to my phone either. When I press the sides the thing vibrates until I let go. I tried the reset thing as described and it didn't do anything. I've held for 15 seconds (the vibrating stops at around 😎 and nothing happens. I was thinking it might be doing it's thing (like I said, I know the screen doesn't turn on), but I squeeze and it just acts like I never held the sides in the first place. Really sucks. 😞 

[kennedmh]

I gave up and bought a new fitbit.  After contacting Fitbit to see if they could repair it, they confirmed that I was out of the warranty cycle and essentially told me I was on my own and I was best off buying a new tracker.  

[LiliyaFitbit]

It’s good to see you in the community, @Meeshmeesh1 and @kennedmh.

@Meeshmeesh1 Thank you for joining the thread and sharing that you're experiencing the same issue with your device. I understand how you are feeling and appreciate your troubleshooting efforts. If you've already tried doing a restart, I recommend getting in touch with our Support team so they can look deeper into the issue and discuss the options available to you. Click here to get connected with them via chat or phone.

@kennedmh I appreciate your participation in the Forums and sharing your experience. I am sure our Support team tried their best to help you, each case is reviewed individually and a solution that's being provided is based on the Fitbit Warranty. I appreciate your understanding and hope you continue enjoying the Fitbit experience with your new device. 

See you around.

[Niree]

Hi, I am having a similar issue with my charge 3 screen. I have tried the long restart mentioned above but it only displays a smile face then shots down. I don't get the 7 vibrations either.  This has happened quite a few times in the past when the screen is not displaying anything when the button is pressed. I just charged it and now it won't turn on at all. 

Do you have any other suggestions as I rely on my fitbit to be my daily watch! 

[LiliyaFitbit]

Welcome to the Fitbit Community, @Niree.

I am sorry that you are going through the same situation, I understand how you are feeling and appreciate your troubleshooting efforts. I recommend confirming if you've tried the following:

1. Restart the device: How do I restart my Fitbit device?
2. Change a clock face: How do I change the clock face on my Fitbit device? 

Additionally, I recommend checking if your Fitbit app is updated to the latest version as updates come with new features and bug fixes: How do I update the Fitbit app? 

Hope this helps. 

[Motleymommy]

I have the same issues and cannot get past the smiley face when resetting.   I have tried to install an update and to change to clock face. Nothing works as I think the device is off.   Help! 

[Niree]

Surprisingly, my watch came good at about 7:40 last night. Super strange
that it took all day to figure it's self out.
I hope your watch comes good soon too!

[aschmutt]

I seem to be having similar issues as others in this thread have been having. I have the blank black screen, and the Fitbit is nonrespnsive. I've tried to do the long restart, but I don't get the battery icon or smiley, or anything for that matter, to come up on the screen. I get a long pulse, and then short pulses every few seconds.  I've also tried going through the app to change the clock faces, but the app won't recognize my device. I did try leaving it plugged in to charge for about half an hour, and the watch got pretty hot, so I unplugged it.

I do get a vibration when I plug it into the charger, and it will vibrate approximately every 3-5 seconds when plugged in.

Is there anything else I can try? I am pretty disappointed, as the device is not even two years old, and definitely would expect it to hold up longer than that. Thanks for any advice!