If you’re wondering why the Fitbit Charge 5 display not working, well, here’s the answer!
When your Fitbit tracker’s display randomly turns off to no avail, the first suspect is the charger as well as whether the tracker is charging well.
So, in this guide, we will unwrap this problem in its entirety and provide you with the best working solutions known to the Fitbit community!
To address a non-functional Fitbit Charge 5 display, check the charging status and equipment, clean the charging contacts, and perform a long reset if needed.
Let’s keep digging!
Why is Fitbit Charge 5 Screen Not Working?
The primary reason leading to the black screen on your Fitbit Charge 5 is problems with the charging.
The bullet list below will uncover all possible causes of the problem, in order to approach the issue effectively during the troubleshooting!
Here are the reasons why your Fitbit Charge 5’s display isn’t working:
- There’s a software or a hardware issue with the band.
- Corrupted data has been stored on the Fitbit Charge 5.
- There’s a problem with the charging port or charger.
- Frozen dust over the charging port is blocking the cable.
When is the Fitbit Charge 5 Turning On?
The Fitbit tracker has turned on whenever a smiley face appears on the display or the Fitbit logo shows up.
This is an indication that the tracker has recognized your attempt to turn it on and has enough battery to start up.
Note: Fitbit 5 trackers turn on the same way as the Charge series, Alta, Ace, or Inspire!
Fitbit Charge 5 Display Not Working – 7 Easy Solutions!
Important: Since you cannot interact with the Fitbit Charge 5 while the display is completely black and unresponsive, most of the solutions will be related to troubleshooting the charging!
1. Attempt the Normal & Long Fitbit Restart
The first thing to attempt when your Fitbit Charge 5’s display isn’t lighting up, is to both attempt a normal restart and a force restart (also known as ‘long restart’).
The method will not erase any data on the tracker so without any hesitation, proceed with both types of Fitbit restarts!
How to Perform a Normal Fitbit Restart?
- Connect the Fitbit tracker with the charging cord.
- Locate the Activity Button on the side panel.
- Press and hold the button for 10 seconds.
- Release the button if the Fitbit’s display turns on.
How to Perform a Long Fitbit Restart?
- Connect the Fitbit device with a charger.
- Press the side button 3 times at 1-second intervals.
- After that third press, unplug the Fitbit charger.
- Hold the side button for 10 seconds and test Fitbit.
Note: First attempt to start the Fitbit device in the normal way and then attempt the long restart.
2. Charge the Fitbit 5 Completely
To determine if the problem is battery-related, you should connect the Fitbit band to a charger and wait until it has fully regained its battery.
If the Fitbit device charges for long enough, the display may start working again, especially if the issue was with the battery in the first place.
- Simply connect the Fitbit Charge 5 with the provided charging equipment and wait for 10-15 minutes.
This is the optimal charging time the Fitbit tracker needs to refill the battery units necessary for optimal functionality.
In case the display doesn’t turn on, leave the Fitbit tracker charging for a few hours, after which you can exclude the possibility of a low battery charge…
Note: Verify that the power source for charging the Fitbit tracker is working by using a third-party device for testing.
3. Clean the Charging Contacts
The Fitbit Charge 5 may be refusing to charge, and the display will not turn on if the charging contacts are unclean or if there’s stuck debris blocking the adapter.
This method will teach you how to clean all debris from the charging contacts and resolve the issue in no time!
Follow these steps to clean the charging contacts of the Fitbit Charge 5:
- (Tip) Use a toothbrush with fresh water to clean the contacts.
- Apply water to the toothbrush and clean the charging contacts.
- Use a soft cloth to dry the Fitbit tracker after cleaning it.
- Connect the Fitbit tracker with a charger and test the charging.
Alert: Do not connect the Fitbit tracker with a charger until it has fully dried up!
4. Use a Different Charging Source!
A troubleshooting step worth testing is to charge the Fitbit band in an alternative power source. If there has been a problem with the charger’s power flow, no electricity will enter the Fitbit Charge 5 at its charging port.
Therefore, there will be no battery left for turning on the display.
- Simply test connecting the Fitbit Charge 5 to a different power source!
To test a power outlet, attempt to charge your phone there using its own charger and connect any electrical appliance.
If the charging source is working, then leave your Fitbit 5 tracker to charge to full (2 hours), and then test whether the display is turning on.
Note: Plug equipment directly into the wall outlet, without any extenders, strips, or plugs!
5. Deactivate the “Water Lock” Feature
The Fitbit Charge 5, as well as the Inspire 2 and Ace 3, come with the “Water Lock” feature. This feature will prevent the tracker from being used if water has entered the hardware of the device.
Attempting to turn on the tracker while water is in the hardware can damage the device!
- The notification for “Water Lock” is a water droplet icon at the bottom!
How to Deactivate Fitbit ‘Water Lock’?
Simply double-tap the Fitbit Charge 5 on the center of the screen to turn off the water lock.
If the feature has been successfully deactivated, you should see an “Unlocked” message appearing in the middle of the screen, meaning that the display is now working.
Note: Tap with more force if the device’s accelerometer didn’t identify the first taps!
6. Change the Face of the Charge 5
A frozen Fitbit screen could be due to a bug with the currently selected tracker face.
The Fitbit mobile application allows you to select a new face for the Fitbit Charge 5, without physically interacting with the device at all. So, changing the tracker’s face might unstick the display!
- If you don’t have the Fitbit app, download it from the Google Play or App Store!
Here’s how to select a new face for the Fitbit Charge 5:
- Open the Fitbit application on your host mobile device.
- Navigate to the “Today” dashboard from the home screen.
- Press on “Profile” and then select “Charge 5” from the list.
- Head over to Gallery > Clocks and wait for all faces to load.
- Choose a random face from the available options and test.
Note: Keep the tracker by your side to determine if the new face will appear on the display!
7. Inspect the Charging Equipment
A problem with the charging equipment of the tracker will prevent filling up the device’s battery to operational levels.
You should thoroughly examine the charging equipment of the tracker and try to spot any visual damages that could give away a hardware issue.
To recognize faulty charging equipment try to spot any bent connectors, burnt cables, or other faults that could give away the problem. In case nothing looks suspicious, continue reading!
Tip: Test with a Different Charging Adapter!
Fitbit Charge 5 trackers use a specific charging cable, but you can connect any type of adapter and charge the device.
Install a proven adapter into the charging cable of the Fitbit Charge 5 tracker and determine if the device is charging well and whether the screen will start working.
Need More Help?
In case the display of your Fitbit Charge 5 is not working, even after trying all of the solutions in this guide, it’s time to seek qualified help.
Simply check your warranty, and contact the local supplier for a repair or a replacement. Alternatively, contact Fitbit Customer Support for help!
Quick Recap:
Whenever the Fitbit Charge 5 display not working, first attempt the “long” restart on the tracker and examine the charging equipment for any issues.
If the display is still black, connect the trackers to another outlet and deactivate the “Water Lock” Fitbit feature! Follow our blog for more working technical solutions!
Read Next: Fitbit Charge 5 Not Receiving Text Messages? (Instant Fix!)
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.