Fitbit Charge 4 display not working

[TOB9990]

Hi all

I have been using my charge 4 everyday and never really had any any issues with it, its a couple years old. Last night I took it off before I went to bed as I don't wear it through the night and it was working fine and it illuminated as it should. This morning picked it up put it on and its dead, at first I thought maybe the battery but I charged it yesterday and it was full. I put it on to charge this morning to be sure and and the little green sensor at the back was lighting up when i removed the charger but still no screen, i tried to reset it and I get the smiley face on the screen but after that nothing happens the screen is just black?

When I checked the app its still recording steps and activities that are auto recognized so I'm not sure what else I can do?

Anyone got any suggestions?

I have also tried to change the clock face and then sync which i did but hasnt made any difference.

Thanks in advance.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject/format/label 

[WilsonFitbit]

Hello @TOB9990, Welcome to the Fitbit Community! Thank you for the information you provided on your post about the issue with your Fitbit Charge 4 and for your the troubleshooting steps you tried. 

I've seen you have contacted our Support Team and they have already assisted you.  If you still need assistance or if you have have any questions/concerns regarding the outcome of your case, please feel free to contact our team so they can continue assisting you. 

[TOB9990]

Well the support i got was virtually nothing. I told you what i had done to try and rectify the problem and the customer service rep said you have tried all the things i could do and that was it basically as i no longer have the reciept for this as its a few years old so bin it or buy another one

This is clearly something Fitbit are aware of, its happening to alot of watches, every fitbit i have had has always ended up faulty, and i would rather buy an Apple watch as next, im not spending anymore money on Fitbit.

[TOB9990]

I have ordered an Apple watch. It doesnt matter which Fitbit you buy i can guarantee it will go faulty. I refuse to waste anymore money with Fitbit.

[momof3boysNJ]

I loved my Fitbit charge 4.

I had problems first with Charge 3 and then the 4.
This time it just suddenly went blank on me while away on vacation and is not syncing with my IPhone or displaying anything on the face. The green light on the back is dark. It also is not tracking. I tried leaving it overnight on the charger- nothing. I am ready to throw in the towel and cave in and get the Apple Watch, too.  Funny how as soon as the Fitbit is just past the warranty it fails. Every time.

[Aztek2013]

I have the exact same problem with my Charge 4! This is the second one in a row. I'm now fed up with the Fitbit products. I guess it's what they call planned obsolescence, built to only last for a specific amount of time and then breaks when the next model comes out. I am not buying another one! Great when they work but they don't last very long...

[Derrida]

I fear they do built in obsolescence since i too have had the exact same Fitbit Charge 4 display not working after less than 2 years use on 2 Fitbit.

[cmurphy252]

This is the exact same issue I have! This is the second Fitbit I’ve purchased that has “died”. What sucks is while I do have an Apple Watch that’s much more RELIABLE, I still must wear a Fitbit to participate in my employers Benefits Incentive program (earned PTO and cash at end of year)!

[AdeB]

My Fitbit Charge 4 screen has died. This is my second Fitbit Charge 'X' to die within a couple of years. 

Clearly, it would be preferable to have a tracker with a display that works and I wondered if anyone has had the same experience with a Charge 5, i.e. has short-term failure been built into that product?

[DavideFitbit · Accepted solution]

Hi everyone, thanks for confirming that you've been having the same problem with your Charge 4 display and that you already tried a few troubleshooting steps. 

If you haven't done so already, please make sure that you've tried all the steps listed here below: 

1. Complete the restart procedure. 
2. If it's still unresponsive, please try changing the clock face as well and check if you're able to see anything on the display. 
3. In case it's a problem related to the battery and the device is not charging, please follow these steps. 

[AdeB]

I've tried all of those and the tracker is working and fully charged. It is the display that has gone very dull/patchy. 

I assumed it was built in to ensure upgrades every couple of years but wanted to check if anyone had same experience with Charge 5?

[DavideFitbit]

@AdeB Thanks for your reply and for confirming the device is now working. 

Let me know in case you experience this inconvenience again. 

See you around. 

[AdeB]

@DavideFitbit I think something got lost in translation! 

Although I said the Fitbit is working, i.e. still tracking, and fully charged, the display is not.

I know some companies build short-term failure into products and I was trying to understand if the same shoddy practice had been applied to the Charge 5.

[tarnower]

I'm presuming the restart procedure is to hold down the side button for a while (I've held it for over a minute).

My Charge 4 has no display and the button doesn't have its normal tactile vibration.  The green sensor flashes.  It was working at 11AM, and had stopped at 12:45.

Any suggestions?

[Aztek2013]

It's probably not going to come back to life. I tried every suggestion that came from Fitbit and the Fitbit Community. The only one that seems to make sense is...toss it!

Get Outlook for Android<>

[KKH1]

I am also having the same problem ... everything works except for the display. I have had it for only 15 months and I have been through every suggestion to reactivate the display and nothing works. Very frustrating!! This will probably be my last fitbit.

[Aztek2013]

Yes, I've purchased my last Fitbit... Prices went up and quality went down.

Get Outlook for Android<>

[DavideFitbit]

Hi everyone, thanks for all the updates and for the information provided so far. I'm sorry to see that many of you are still having this problem. 

If you already tried all the steps suggested and you continue to have the same issue with the display, I do recommend that you get in touch with the Customer Support team for further assistance with this. They will let you know how to proceed. 

The best way to get help for this problem is to chat with us online or give us a call. You can click here to get connected. 

[willjoe]

When you charge for the first time, it might take up to 15 seconds for this to occur. Even if you see this the display might go blank if it times out. Make sure you follow the instructions to set everything up quickly enough. If it has timed out, take the Charge 4 off the charger some minutes and plug it back in.

Regards

Will

[DavideFitbit]

@willjoe Thanks for sharing this information! I'm sure it will be useful for other users as well.