Charge 3 vibrating and blinking randomly

[SunsetRunner]

At first the fit-bit charge 3 started vibrating, then the notification screen kept blinking. then it died.I manage to do an restart on it before it died.  I let it charge to the full. it lasted for an hour then it was dead again.It stayed non-responsive. It wouldn't charge. completely dead, so I thought.This morning (12/26/2018) I tried it again, it responded by blinking,vibrating and switching between screens again.

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[Aineog]

I’m experiencing this too. I’m convinced it’s the firmware upgrade that was pushed recently. The issue started for me yesterday with the HR dropping off, then the blinking from screen wake / notifications screen back to watch face. Unable to move through the screens. I tried the above and battery still draining and flicking too. I’m in ireland so this issue seems to be riddled throughout the charge 3s out there. I’ll not be asking for a replacement, I’m going to upgrade to the Verda I should have bought.

[Nfay695]

If you call Fitbit tho they will probably offer you either replacement or
50% off a different model. At least that is what they offered me.

[Briane3876]

Thanks for your feedback. The issue appears to be resolved. Day two and all appears to be okay.

Hopefully the issue was resolved. Day two and my Charge 3 appears to be working ok. Thanks for your feedback.

Sent from my iPad

Moderator edit: merged reply

[Aineog]

I went to the shop I bought it from and it turns out several have been returned, all from a particular time frame, all with this problem. I was offered a replacement immediately but opted instead to upgrade to the Versa. 

[CliffordJ]

An update:  The replacement Charge 3 arrived in 3 days.  It worked fine for a little over a week.  Yesterday, however, the battery started draining on me.  It lasted a little over a day.  Now it draining at a half day rate.  Soon, I see myself recharging this thing every couple of hours and I believe, like my original Charge 3, it soon won't take a charge at all.  The difference is that everything else works fine, unlike my original Charge 3.  This HAS to be because of the latest firmware update Fitbit pushed last month (1.63.5).  Everything was fine, if not perfect, before then.  A LOT of folks seem to be going through the same issue if you look at some of the other discussion threads on this forum.  Fitbit, for some reason can't, or won't, get this right. That's too bad because this device was instrumental in helping me to shed 51 pounds since December 2018.  When this thing dies, I'm going to try another Fitbit model.  If that fails, I'm going to try another brand.  I really liked Fitbit but this kills my trust and my health is too precious to play around with...

[DogTeeth]

My Charge 3 is doing the same thing.  It started with grey lines on the screen and a lack of sensitivity to swiping a few weeks ago.  I restarted it several times to no avail.  This weekend, it started vibrating and the screen was blinking constantly and randomly.  Then it went dead.  I charged it yesterday morning, wore it all day, and it died again overnight.  The battery is losing power as we speak.  I have tried the 15 second restart described above.  The unit never turns back on and does the 7 vibrations, etc.  It seems this is a regular problem with these devices?  

[Nfay695]

If you call them they should replace it if it is still under warranty or
they will offer you 25% or 50% off another model

[BalmyDay]

Call them; they will help.

My new one hasn’t arrived yet but I’ll post about it once it does. Wow! 51 pounds?! Congratulations! I would love to hear more about how you used your Fitbit to achieve such an amazing accomplishment, if you’re willing to share.

Moderator edit: merged reply

[CliffordJ]

@BalmyDay 

Hey, thanks for the compliment!  Yes, I'm willing to share.  Really, for me it's about the math; if calories in is less than calories out, you'll lose weight, period.  It may take longer for some than others but it WILL happen.  In my case, I wore my Fitbit 24/7 to get a baseline for how many calories I burn in a day, and then make sure I eat less than that (Some will say the Fitbit is not that accurate in counting calories, but it's good enough for a ballpark figure). I did count the calories I eat but the Fitbit app, along with MyFitnessPal, make it relatively easy to do so. I have a small portable digital scale to help measure my food when appropriate and I've gotten pretty decent at estimating the amounts I eat when I have to.  I also exercise about 30 minutes a day for 5 or 6 days a week with an old NordicTrack ski machine I have (I'm in my mid 50's and my knees won't hold up to the stress of jogging as I have a touch of arthritis in both of them).  I bought a bike and I hope to start using it this summer to ride to work 3 or 4 times a week to help break up the monotony of exercise. I don't have a special diet.  I still eat what I want, when I want.  I just don't eat as much as I used to.  I use the Fitbit as a motivator to keep me moving throughout the day and it has been most helpful.  The hardest part was just to get started; Fitbit proved to be the tool I needed to do that.  I promised my doctor that I would get healthier and this is the fulfillment of that promise. Also, I realize that I'm not getting any younger and I want to live to see my grand children grow up (that is, when my son finally decides to get married and have some ).  Hope this helps.  Let me know if you need anything else.

[BalmyDay]

Thanks Jogger! That’s really great advice and inspires me to think about how I can incorporate my Fitbit to reach some weight loss goals for which I can never seem to gain any traction. Keep up the amazing work!

[Cfrom2rks]

I've tried resetting my Fitbit several times according to your instructions and nothing works. My Fitbit 3 was purchased maybe two months ago. Very disappointed can someone help.

[SunsetRunner]

I am having the same problem for the last three days--frustrating!

[BalmyDay]

Hello, please call customer service at Fitbit. They were very helpful and ended up sending me a new unit which hasn’t had any problems. Best of luck to you.

[Cfrom2rks]

Thanks

[patriciamklein]

help. blinking and vibration of fitbit charge 3.

what is the phone number fot Fitbit

Moderator edit: merged reply

[CBA582]

877-623-4997

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

[Skm16521]

My Charge 3 has stopped vibrating for all notifications, alarms, & when I place on charger. I've tried all the steps outlined multiple times - reboot, clear data, remove app, add app, remove device, add device, check phone settings, check Fitbit settings. Nothing works. This just started out of the blue yesterday. Help!!!! I needed the notification vibrate to WORK!!!!!!

[Nfay695]

Call Fitbit they will have you try a restart but if that doesn't work and
it is within warranty they will replace it.

[nothappy83119]

Same exact thing is happening to me. I’ve had my charge 3 less than a year and I am extremely not happy. I did research on so many different fitness watches to do something nice for myself when I really shouldn’t have due to personal money situations...I took a chance on Fitbit and it’s screwed me at this point. I tried everything mentioned in this post and my watch is currently on the floor blinking cause I couldn’t stand having it on my wrist anymore. Sure seems like Fitbit has a slow time fixing recurring issues. Not a company I plan on investing my little money in to anymore at this point. 

[BalmyDay]

Hello,
My advice to you is to call their customer service department. I did and they were very supportive and sent me a brand new unit to replace the defective one. Since then I haven’t had one single problem. Perhaps there was a defective batch of Charge 3’s and we got “lucky” enough to get one. Seriously, though, you can find the number on the website-call them today! 🙂