Cracked in half?!?

[Drubeus]

I sure was in for a surprise when my Charge HR started acting up the other day (half filled status bar on screen).  I peeled back the cover, since it was very loose already, and it turns out my Charge HR was literally cracked in half.  Somehow the electronic innards are holding the two halves together.  I have contacted Customer Service, but I'm sure my warranty has long since expired.  I've had this Charge HR since November of 2015.

[Mikri]

Before it was ever loose, did you knock it?

Let us know what customer service says.  Good luck.

[Drubeus]

I don't recall ever knocking it on anything, just the occasional scrape against a wall.  I also don't play any contact sports, so there haven't been any hard impacts.

The only thing I can think of, is repeated pressure from putting that arm under my pillow at night.  Maybe my head is full of rocks. 😛

[Drubeus · Accepted solution]

Just got an update from Customer Service. I still qualify for a free warranty replacement!!! Woohoo! 😄

[Mustangjami]

Same thing happened to me -- literally cracked in half. Wear it every day and did not treat it roughly (no contact sports, have an office-type job...). Mine was a gift in July 2015 so doubt there is a warranty.

[Drubeus]

Mine was still under warranty, so they sent me a replacement, which arrived a few days ago, yay! 😄

[LJW57]

Mine has done exactly the same and I have only had it since Sep 2016 - it was a gift so not sure if I still have receipt

[Drubeus]

I didn't have to provide a recept, as I had registered my FitBit when I first got it. The pictures were enough for them to send me a new one.

-Drew

[LJW57]

Thanks for reply - I have just posted a pic of mine and sent it to Customer support too - mine is just about 7 mths old

[Frieze83]

I have the same issue -- have contacted customer service and am waiting to hear back... I am also out of warranty, so we'll see. 😞

[LJW57]

Mine was all sorted got a branch new one


Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

[Drubeus]

Cool, glad to hear it! 🙂

[BitSili]

Mine cracked almost 3 years later (July, 2015 to June, 2018) and I cannot figure out how it happened.  Probably just by strapping it onto my wrist over time.  However, I had gotten a replacement due to the easily scratched screen about 2 1/2 years ago from customer service that I have kept as a spare, charging it regularly, continuing to mostly use the scratched one.  I will see how long the spare continues on before it is unusable.  Otherwise, 3 years of low impact usage would not be considered as a good deal.  If I can get another 3 years, then I will say the Charge HR was worth it.  Hope they are finding ways to strengthen the product for a full 10 years of heavy use.

[kthurber]

This happened to my Charge HR also after 3.5 years.  It started showing the half filled status bar at random times even though there was no software update.  I noticed that when I took it off and set it down on a table, it worked normally for several days.  I found this website

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Fitbit+Charge+HR+Battery+Replacement/66358

and followed through step 5.  I was able to use a very small regular screwdriver of exactly the right size rather than a torx screwdriver.   

I discovered that the front half of the case was cracked in half just below the screen, similar to your photo.  I superglued the front part of the case back together, let it dry, and then reassembled it.  Works so far (1 week).  I previously superglued the flexible strap back on the case, which has held well, so optimistic.