Versa 3 went dark after swimming

[KathrynAnon]

Literally. 

I've used my fitbit for swimming in my pool many times before, always making sure it was in swim lock mode and thoroughly dry before charging. 

This weekend, I went swimming in my pool and while I was swimming (while the device was in swim mode) the screen went dark on me. I assumed battery ran out and my charger is at the office, so I waited to today to charge it-- definitely dry. But the screen stays black and does not show charging or charge percent.

Holding the button for 10 seconds does nothing. Tapping the screen does nothing. Charging does nothing.

Does anyone have any advice/ experience with this?

Moderator edit: edited title to clarity.

[CrisVillaFitbit]

Hi @KathrynAnon, welcome to the Fitbit Community.

I appreciate your communication related to your Versa 3 screen situation and I am thankful about the steps you followed in order to improve the situation.

Can you let me know if you see condensation in your Versa 3? Also, answer the following, please:

- Are the LED lights on the back on?
- How long did you charge it for?
- Does it vibrate when you plug your Fitbit device into the charging cable?
- Have you tried restarting your Fitbit device by following the steps in our support article How do I restart my Fitbit device? - Have you tried the steps in our support article Why isn't my Fitbit device's battery charging?

[Tigerlily0985]

I am having the same issue with my Versa 3 since mid day on 8/18/24. The screen was flashing and watch was vibrating a bunch and now there is nothing. I had been in the pool less than 5 minutes. I have tried to restart multiple times and have tried charging it using 2 different cords and blocks as well as straight into the computer. Right before the watch quit responding I did see a 'BUG' screen. I didn't push anything just set the watch down and went back to it after a bit and the watch now appears to be inoperable. The LED lights are not on in the back and the watch does not vibrate. The firmware version is 36.128.6/17. I'm not sure if that is for the watch or the phone. Thanks in advance for any other ideas you may have.

[KathrynAnon]

Hello Cris,

The LED on the back is not working and there is no (visible) moisture or condensation. I charged for about 5-10 minutes but as the device was becoming hot to the touch when I went to check the screen I opted to unplug it for safety. I did not vibrate and the screen did not light. I also tried restarting the device but it does not work (no vibration or response to attempted interaction with the button or screen).

I have tried the steps in the not charging help thread, however the watch remains unresponsive.

I would also like to note (after reading tigerlily's comment) that my watch also developed this problem on the 18th of August and is firmware 36.128.6.17, which might just be a very weird coincidence. 

Thank you,

Kathryn 

[Bill_F]

My Versa 3 is having the same issue.  Gets hot when I try to charge and also started putting out a high-pitched whine.  My laptop recognizes that something is attached to the USB port when I try it there, but it cannot recognize the device.

What happened to the online chat feature for help?  No LED lights or display.

[Bill_F]

And my Versa 3 has the same firmware.  It died on the 19th, though.