My Charge 3 shows a blank screen

[E4-Fatboy]

Obviously, reading the posts in the community there appears to be an issue with the charge 3 screens.

Mine went into dim mode to begin with & stayed that way over a number of months but has now upgraded to a totally blank screen, on all its functions, except for the rebooted "final complete screen"(Having tried this & seen it numerous times) This produces a smilie face,  Just the tonic on a failed device & an up side on against its inferior compeditors that continue to work after 18 months.

So in general, I've tried resetting it, recharging it & a complete reboot. What's next in the tool box to get this working again.

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[EdsonFitbit]

Welcome to the Fitbit Community @E4-Fatboy.

I'm sorry to hear that you are having difficulties with your Fitbit Charge 3 screen. Thank you for the information provided and for trying to resolve the issue before contacting us.

In addition to the regular restart, please try a long restart by doing the following:

1. Connect the device to the charging cable. 
2. While the device is plugged into the charging cable, press and hold the button down for 15 seconds. 
3. The device turns on and shows a battery icon. Two vibrations occur: first a short vibration, then a medium vibration. 
4. The device turns off.
5. The device turns on and shows a progress bar and short vibrations occur. The progress bar completes. Note: A total of 7 short vibrations occur. 
6. Remove the device from the charging cable. The device shuts down.
7. Important: Plug the device into the charging cable again.

If this doesn't work, you can change the clock face as explained on this article.

Please let us know if you have any question.

[E4-Fatboy]

Hi Edson

Thank you for your reply.

Unfortunately, before posting my earlier request to the community, I had viewed other posts, to source some advice, in the hope of clearing the fault. All of it, much the same as your. I now can confirm that having attempted them & your subsequent instructions, I can report back, that they have been without much success.

However, I can verify that watch/tracker is still partly operational & continues to vibrate with notifications but apart from that, this unit is now, pretty much defuncted, showing no visable screen at all.

I hope a solution can be found for its repair or resetting, as I feel the failure of this devise after only 18 months is not what I should or would to expect of it.

Regards

E4-Fatboy

[E4-Fatboy]

Ok Edson,

What's our next move.?

[Cdownes757]

I’ve tried both the long and short restarts and my screen is still blank. I also changed the clock face.

any additional assistance is appreciated. Thank you. 
cathy D

[ab207]

Dear Edson,

This problem had been affecting me too. Before my screen went blank it had lines and was then glitching for a few days. I have tried all of the re-set options above and none of them have worked.

I also have my fitbit around the 18 month mark and would've expected it to last longer.

I look forward to a response.

AB

[mmarxen]

My charge 3 is at the 18month mark as well,...I've tried everything and the only screen I can get is the smiley face. I don't even get a battery icon or progress bar at the long restart. 

[AndHen4]

I am in the same boat as you. Only smiley face or a long line. 

[AndHen4]

Good morning, my Fitbit started this same thing last night. Now I only get a smiley face or a solid white line. I am around the 12-18 mark as well. 

[SunsetRunner]

This happened to my Warranty Replacement Charge 3. The first one had the lines on the screen issue that has been reported on other threads. That happened about 8 months after purchase. I had my replacement Charge 3 for approximately 6 months when it went dim, then screen turned off. Unfortunately, the customer "service" team said even though the replacement was only 6 months old, the warranty had expired. They offered a paltry 30% off a new device 🙄. This is their business model. Create cheap products, sell for a premium, have users buy new ones every year. I had issues with my original Charge HR (Battery no longer charging) I received 2 replacements (3 total) over the course of 20 months. I guess their warranty rules were more customer friendly then. The 3rd time it died, they were no longer making the original so they gave me a new Charge 2. I thought that was super nice and stuck with them. Guess what happened to my Charge 2? That's right, it went out too. After another warranty claim 7 months in(this time for the button not working) they sent me a new one. The new one lasted for another 9 months, then became inoperable. Tried to submit another warranty claim, but the rules changed and no longer covered from receipt of new device. I took the 30% off a new device because I was a sucker.

E4- Your next move is to take your Charge 3, chuck it into the garbage disposal, Export your personal data under settings, delete your account and go with any other tracker. I have had the Galaxy fit for almost a year now, still works great. Provides all the functions the Fitbit did-sleep stages, stress levels, steps, notifications (actually work way better too) it's truly the way to go.

[E4-Fatboy]

Thanks Brunasty, I understand your frustration. I am a bit old school at tend to stay with brand loyalty, however I must confess I am begining to wonder why.

I previously had the Charge 2 but was given the 3 as a gift, from a family member.I'm now wishing I hadn't, as I've had numerous issues with the screen in the short time I've owned it, the plus side is that on nearly all of those occasions, the screen has managed to corrected itself after some time but it has on this final instance, it finally given up the ghost and refuses to illumimate. 

I was hoping that I could get some advise on a permanent fix from fitbit themselves, rather than resort to trolling through the community pages looking for some ideas but alas it appears that they aren't intrested and customer loyalty means nothing in this day & age.

I wasn't planning on looking anywhere else for tracker, as the 3 is quite compact and doesn't scream tracker on my wrist but I'm am now having second thoughts and may have to revert to looking else where for a replacement is some kind. Which is a shame, as I said I tend to stick to brands I know & think I can trust. Perhaps a position I should re-evaluate.

Thanks for your input.

E4-Fatboy

[Mandy007]

A long restart doesn't even work for me. I only get 3 vibrations almost immediately after holding down the button when connected to the charger. Holding down the button for longer, even upto a minute doesn't do anything. I tried changing the clock face multiple times too and while I get a vibration indicating that the process is completed, the display remains blank.