Charge 4 screen won't turn on & vibrates continuously upon touching the side

[EvelynHiggins]

Same exact thing happened to by charge 4. Did you find a solution?

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Matt0409]

I have this same issue. Can't find a solution anywhere. Never buying fitbit again. My charge 4 is about a year and a half old.

[AnnaZmudzinska]

Go into the settings on your phone and try to change the clock display. This was the only thing that helped me with my :watch: 

[CragDRagon]

Trying this right now, but I will mention that I just returned from a trip to Vegas. When I had switched time zones my FitBit would NOT change time automatically. I did have to go into my phone settings and change auto time update. I also at the same time deleted the app, and then downloaded it again. The app then notified me of the updates for the Charge 4, and I accepted. After that, the blank screen, haptic buzz, smiley face as described above. So, Anna maybe onto something about the phone time settings????

[CragDRagon]

SO far no luck. Deleted the APP again, and reloaded. Tried to connect via bluetooth, phone can't find the charge 4. Went into the app and deleted the charge 4 from the devices. Tried to add new device. App can't find the charge four and asks if I am sure it is charging, only use the grey charger that came with the device (NOTE the product came with a black charger), and be patient. Nothing yet. Plugged charge 4 into it's cradle and then into a different USB charger. Haptic beeps, smiley face. We'll see.

[AnnaZmudzinska]

I open gallery folder and change the clock display. And after having black screen i managed to get it back to life. The only problem I'm having afterwards is the dead pixels but it is working so far 

[LissanTCM]

If you are reading this, you need to stop considering a replacement or repair of your Fitbit tracker. Don't waste your money on a product that is not durable, not cheap, and customer svc who don't really find a solution but to tell you to buy another one with a courtesy discount of 20% - 30%. 

After reading all similar issues with other users, I felt stupid for giving this company 2 chances, bought new ones with their stupid discount and end up with the same durability issues. Run far away from Fitibit!

[CragDRagon]

Ah! That is a good update. I see that you went into the info on the app for the Charge 4. Unfortunately, the app no longer recognizes my charge 4. This is because I deleted the device as part of my trouble shooting effort. Now it doesn't recognize my device. 

I tried different USB ports, a different charger (but also for a Charge 4 that my wife owns, that one came with her product), cleaned the ports and the back of the device connectors with alcohol, did the hard reset and got the smiley face, but still haptic buzzes only. Tried a different wall to USB converter as well. No reply. 

One thing I did notice is the connectors on the back of the device as I was cleaning it seem to have two small indentations where the pins would align from the charger. Does anyone else have this? 

Two small indentations where pins align from charger.

[Aroyal]

i agree with you....I have been with fitbit for quite some time and seems like they don't value our business enough to admit their updates have destroyed our trackers....I don't think I'll be staying loyal to them if they can't rectify the issue they caused.... a discount to a new device is unacceptable in my eyes...that would seem like a poor investment to me.

[Aroyal]

that didn't work for me...then the next step was to unpair and pair but since i couldn't see the code i couldn't enter it into my phone to pair so it'll forever be in limbo...but everything works and charges ...the display remains black and this all happened after an update 

[Aroyal]

the indents are just wear and tear from the charger...there are two prongs on charge cable that make the connection

[CragDRagon]

If your device doesn't restart with the restart method, they'll offer you the coupon for 35% off a new item. They know their products are defective, this is why there is only a one year warranty. 
If you try to respond to customer service that you do not like this solution, this is what they will reply to you:

"Thanks. We've checked your case and verified that our team already reviewed your available option. Please know that enforcing our policies is something we take seriously. Know that we're always working to improve the Fitbit experience and we hope with these new improvements, not only will they spark your interest in our newer products and features but most importantly, keep you in the Fitbit family."

Seriously, their products don't work great. Read the forums about how many swim proof watches stop working after swimming with them. Read the forums about blank screens after updates because the firmware is faulty. They don't need to do anything about it, because, we are just one against many. 

Moderator Edit: Formatting and word choice.

[Ruzz3ii]

My Fitbit Charge 4 quit working the same way. Blank screen, a smiley face when I plugged it in. Pressed the button for 8 seconds after a night of charging, eventually I got as far as the smiley face. Changed to the laptop usb and exactly the same.

I am giving up on Fitbit. Planned obsolescence. I cannot afford a new one every year or so. This one lasted two years. Nothing seems wrong outwardly. I have even replaced the battery in the past. I am sure it is a waste of time and money to repair this one.

[momblake]

I am having the same issue. I do what you suggested (several times) and the screen still won't turn on (but I see the smile icon, so I know that the screen works).  It also won't pair with my android phone. Very frustrating - I have had so many issues with my Fit Bits - I love them and have kept buying but unfortunately, this is last time.

[Cartref]

I am in a similar position.

Have connected Charge 4 to power and tried pushing the button the side, but no result.

Charge 4 was working fine 2 days ago, then the display was blank and remained so.

I tried an old hack that always worked that is I removed. The Charge 4 from my Account and then tried to reset it. Unfortunately, while my iPhone can find the Charge 4, because the display remains unresponsive I can’t see the code to use.

Before I reset the Charge 4, it was still syncing with my iPhone.

Any suggestions?

[Ruzz3ii]

I got another one for Christmas, a Charge 5. The old one did come back to life for a while, but only an hour or so and then the blank stare again. This was after I left it sit for a few weeks. Strava app and MyFitnessPal does most of what I want from Fitbit, except heart rate. Fitbit just seems like many workarounds, ultimately disappointment.

[Cartref]

Submitted content: Well, success after a fashion, Fitbit advised that it was still covered by there warranty and I was given two options:
1. Replace my Charge 4 with another charge 4
2. Get 50% off on another model.

Chose option one, anthem got an email saying that the model & colour were no longer available, so they were sending a Charge 5 in black.

My first real win with Fitbit in what must be 10 years of using them 😁

David Williams

[SailorJ]

Exact same problem! Happened Monday, synced and scree cam back on. 30 mins ago again synced and then screen went black. light flashes on bach and it vibrates constantly when trying the reset via charger. Get a smiley face then black again. Think it is time to give up entirely with Fitbit.