“Clock error. Go to Fitbit app and choose a different clock face” error on Charge 3

[Cyclowie]

Hi, I just purchased my Charge 3. I tried to update the clock face and it is now stuck in a perpetual loop. The face shows “clock error. Go to Fitbit app and choose a different clock face”. I go to the app and try to pick the original face. I get a message saying that there is another clock face install in progress. Please wait for it to install before installing a new one. I wait but it never installs. I then get a message saying.  Unable to install.  Install failed. Please try again later.  I have rebooted the device and this doesn’t fix the problem. Help please. BTW I have checked and do have the 1.49.45 version firmware. I have also waited and tried again later...not sure how long "later" is supposed to be.

Moderator edit: subject for clarity

[Tim00]

This is without a doubt the worst technology experience I have ever had. Brand new device out of the box 3 hours waste of time troubleshooting.... This is a watch and the clock doesn't work! Unbelievable. I have tried everything listed in this post and it still doesn't work. I'm taking it back tomorrow. 

[Cyclowie]

Although I was eventually able to reboot the device to get the clock face to update, the watch quit working all together last week. I was glad I had bought the store extra warranty or I would have had to deal directly with fitbit to return it...

When it quit working, the face went completely black and it stopped communicating with the app. I charged it fully but was unable to make it work.

I ended up exchanging it for another watch and so far I have not had problems. I have however, not tried to change the clock face from how it came.

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

[Vadafit]

Swiping to the left and going to settings fixed it for me

[Kathleen2007]

Many thanks. It works.

[CP588]

Can I ask what people mean when they say this: 

"I restarted by swiping left and going to settings. Scrolled down and restarted from there."

What are you swiping down to? Under settings I only see Brightness, Vibrations, Heart Rate, Notifications during sleep, About

How do you restart from this menu?

[Enoch84]

Go to about then scroll down and you can restart your fitbit from there. 

[butterfly4444]

When your Fitbit is on its clock face scroll right-you will see things like exercise and relax. Continue scrolling right until you see settings. Click on setting and scroll down until you see restart. Click and your Fitbit will restart.

[Cyclowie]

Tap on ‘About’ this brings up the Version, Regulatory Info, clear user data and reboot device. To see these 2 other options swipe to scroll.

Sent from my iPhone

[Hooch80]

Yes this has definitely been a nightmare....BUT....I finally got out of the issue by :

1. Getting the restart complete (I did it multiple times by attaching the cord and holding button for 8 seconds, and also through the actual watch interface) and then

2. I switched to the clock face OF THE ORIGINAL ONE THAT GAVE ME A PROBLEM

...it seemed to pick up where it left off, and it finished.  All other clock installs gave me continued problems!

[BarleyMan]

I’ve tried every other clock. Tried rebooting multiple times tried replacing my Charge 3 on my account but still clock error try another clock. This all started when my tracker started repeatedly alarming and I count stop it and tried every combination of re setting or replacing the clock.  Not impressed.

[SunsetRunner]

I got my unit also in the black friday deal.

I'm getting this error as well. When I go to my phone to select another clock, the Fitbit starts displaying a progress bar. Eventually, the phone loses the connection to the Fitbit and gives up.

The Fitbit progress bar stops. There is no way to reboot it without the charger.

I have tried to factory reset it also, but the fitbit always come back with the same "choose another clock face" error. It seems to me that the factory reset procedure doesn't actually work, or it wouldn't come back with this error.

I have unpaired the Fitbit from the app, and paired it again. No go. The fitbit always hangs when trying to change the clock face, and the phone loses the connection to it. The phone (Galaxy note 8 with Android 9) has no problems with any other bluetooth devices including headphones, cars, etc.

I am a software engineer with 30 years of experience. I have got to say this is a particularly awful consumer experience. Is there a resolution other than returning it to Amazon for a refund ?

[Maggieann1]

I have the same problem as many others - my Charge 3 is stuck in a perpetual cycle of clock error. Have tried a factory reset and every other suggestion several times but cannot clear it. Very annoying as the Fitbit is brand new!

[OlaU]

This isn't working. I have the clock error on my fitbit device screen. I've tried switching and keeps on saying it's installing. Can this be rectified as soon as possible please???? It's very frustrating.  Can someone from support address this?

[merc1928]

Hello

You have to click on about screen and it opens a sub menu that Includes Reboot device.

[OlaU]

Thanks. It finally works, I tried changing it back as I was charging at the same time and it worked.

[merc1928]

Hello Joel Correct email Merc1928Sent from my Samsung device

[JudeStewart13]

I am having EXACTLY the same problem...

[StephanJ1984]

I'm now having this same issue with my Charge 3. Last sync it says was Oct 4 2020. Got an android Fitbit app update today, but still not working. Can't find my tracker.

[framistat]

This.  Rebooted my Charge 4, connected it to the charger, turned on phone BT with no other devices active, then WiFi, let the app sync, then later'd out of the message (while the red bar Cylon display went on 👾), chose the new clock face again while the phone and Charge were within a foot of each other, and this time the red bar progressed properly and poof, it worked.  Thank you.

[bizwordz]

Yes, pressing and holding the button for 8 seconds while the Fitbit is charging is the solution. 
Thank you.