Fitbit Charge 3 & 4: How to Fix Black Screen (2 Easy Fixes!!!)

I show you two ways how to fix a black or blank screen on a Fitbit Charge 3 or Charge 4.

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[ataljapietersma]

You're a life saver! Fitbit support couldn't even help me. But after multiple tries of holding the button for approx 15 seconds I got the smiley face. 😄

[netman]

Thanks, man - this fixed my wife's FitBit Charge 3, and it was the changing of the clock face that did it. As a bonus, she liked the new clock face I selected, so it was a win-win! Thanks for this tip, really appreciated!

[jimmyg]

Same here with charge 3. Get smiley face after reboot, but goes back to black screen. Phone lost connection to watch so can’t try the clock fix. Device is 1.5 year old so they said no replacement, but give you a discount. Bought an Apple Watch instead. Horrible CS for a product that lasts just over a year with no way to recover from a software glitch. They need a class action lawsuit.

[eileenmacleod]

Tried both methods which did follow the pattern described on the video BUT the screen is still black. It still syncs with the phone app but I just cannot see the screen.

[astapasta]

I have had nothing but problems with my Fitbit 3. Has to be a nomination for Rubbish Product 2020!

[Somatik]

What helped for me: push side button once, swipe many times to the left (4 times for me, you can barely see anything on screen but should be settings), tap on top half of screen (settings), tap on top half of screen (brightness toggle). This should change the brightness from 'off?' to 'normal' to 'auto'. Auto seems the be the only usable setting for me.

[micpurple]

Thanks so much for your helpful advice! When I finally got a dim screen, I was able to go into settings and adjust the brightness to normal. I now have my fitbit working again!

[jonathantugman]

OK. I tried both methods, with no immediate luck. But I knew it was still recording even with a blank screen. So I kept it on. 24hrs after the smiley face, it magically fixed it self. So perhaps those reading this, just work a little patient / patience magic. Your little friend needs time to heal itself!

[alaskanbrookie]

Awesome! It finally worked. I’ve had problems ever since the original purchase from Fitbit regarding my charge 3. Within 30 days it died and no type of rebooting worked even with the help of tech support from Fitbit themselves. They immediately replaced it but every 5 months or so it goes dark. A forced reboot has always worked in the past until now. After your video of changing the clock face it was still dark but the app recognized the new clock face. Once that step was complete the full forced reboot worked and we are back in business. I have owned this same Fitbit for 22 months now.

[sb.yourstruly]

Wow I literally haD to to do the 2nd method 22 times...then it worked on my 4. Thanks I waS about to return it

[bethlondonart]

Thanks for the video. I tried both methods. The screen seems a little brighter, but still hard to read. Hopefully it will be better by tomorrow as one comment below stated happened for them. I'll be looking for a new tracker soon anyway as fitbit has sold out to google.

[alastairbuchanan]

Screen had been dimming over the course of a month. Tried resets before. Just get a very dim smiley face then back to black. This is my second charge 3 with essentially the same issue. the first one died just before the warranty expired so they (eventually and reluctantly) sent me a new one. That one died just after the warranty expired. Basically to know the true cost of a charge 3 divide by 12 and that is your monthly rental.

[fannyfreckle]

FIXED by changing the clock face! Thanks sooo much! I just got the Inspire HR 2 days ago. Bonus…the new face is better anyway! 👏❤️

[karenvotava]

Neither worked for me. I'm thinking the latest update screwed up my Charge 3 as it was fine before that.

[SIMARSONG]

Neither method worked for me unfortunately. I will keep trying since someone else here said she had to try over 20 times, then it finally fixed itself! I guess I can wear it like a bracelet. It still syncs with my phone even tho it has a black screen...frustrating tho.

[annaloasveinsdottir]

Thank you... after 12 times finally nr. 2 option worked and then the clock changed right after. Then I changed my brightness settings (some how was on dim) to normal but the visibility is low.. little more than dim settings. Any thougts how to brighten it up more? Can´t see in daylight... always have to got to dark area (like putting my head under jacket or something to see some).

[richardswallow]

The second approach worked - many thanks, I thought my Fitbit was dead

[anonymoususer]

Second method worked for me after about the 10th attempt. Thank you!

[guthry]

I've tried both methods. With the reset, I can see the pairing with my app break, and feel the fitbit vibrate, but I never get a smiley face and I still have just a black screen.

[ninanee]

Note to myself: Changing the clock style helped. I revisited this video before and still helps.