In this article, we will show you how to fix Fitbit charge 5 black screen issue. The Fitbit Charge 5 is an excellent fitness tracker that tracks your activities and biometrics in real-time. It’s also one of the most advanced trackers on the market, with features like ECG, EDA scan, SpO2 monitoring, skin temperature tracking, 50m water resistance, and up to 20 exercise modes. But it isn’t without its fair share of problems.
The most common issue Charge 5 owners encounter is the screen either turns black or becomes unresponsive. It occurs more frequently than you’d expect, given most users wear their Charge 5s for extended periods at times.
Several possible factors contribute to this particular issue. The screen can freeze or go black because of low battery, software bugs, or faulty hardware. If you own a Charge 5 and are experiencing this exact problem, we’re here to help.
How to Fix Fitbit Charge 5 Black Screen Issue
This troubleshooting guide includes some common fixes you can try to fix the Fitbit Charge 5 black screen or screen not working error.
Fix #1: Charge your Fitbit Charge 5
Your Fitbit Charge 5 is probably low on battery, which explains why the screen is black and not turning on. Thus, take it off and keep it connected to the charging cable until the battery is full or close to 100%. Ensure your tracker’s pins line up with the charging prongs and are clear of dust and debris. Otherwise, the device won’t charge properly.
We recommend plugging the charging cable into the same USB wall charger you use with your phone. Plugging it into a power bank or USB hub can cause the battery to fill up slowly and inefficiently.
Once you fully charge your Fitbit Charge 5, try to wake the screen up and see if it responds to taps. If this doesn’t help, your solution may lie in the following fixes below.
Fix #2: Force Restart your Fitbit Charge 5
Another straightforward method to fix the black screen issue is to initiate a force restart. Since you won’t be able to access the Settings app when your Charge 5 screen isn’t working, you’ll need to perform the steps as follows:
- Hold the wide end of the charging cable to the back of your Charge 5 tracker until it snaps magnetically.
Confirm that the charging prongs align with the gold contact pads on the tracker. - Next, press the button on the other end of the cable thrice (3x), with a 1s gap between each press.
- Now, wait for 10s until the Fitbit logo appears on your Charge 5’s screen.
Force restarting the Charge 5 should hopefully resolve the problem. If it doesn’t, try out the other solutions below.
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Fix #3: Check if Water Lock is ON
The Fitbit Charge 5, along with the Ace 3, Inspire 2, and Luxe comes with a feature called water lock. Turning it on prevents the tracker’s screen from accidental wake-ups while you’re taking a swim or in the shower.
If you see a water droplet (?) icon at the bottom of the screen, you may have unintentionally enabled Water Lock, which is why the screen doesn’t register your taps. It’s worth noting that the feature turns on when you start a swim from the Exercise app.
To unlock your Charge 5, simply double-tap the center of the screen. If you don’t get the “Unlocked” text, tap with more force as the feature utilizes the device’s accelerometer to identify the taps.
Fix #4: Change your Charge 5’s Clock Face
Another workaround Fitbit users have found quite helpful in fixing the frozen screen issue is changing the clock face. It may sound somewhat weird, but it works for sure. Of course, you’ll need the Fitbit mobile app for this.
- Head over to the Today dashboard in the Fitbit app.
- Tap your Profile in the upper-left corner and select your Charge 5 from the list of linked devices.
- Now go to the Gallery > Clocks menu and wait for the clock faces to load up.
- Choose a random clock face from the list, then tap the + Install button.
Immediately after that, you should see the Fitbit logo on your Charge 5 screen with a progress bar at the bottom. Upon completion, your tracker will update to the new clock face, and the screen should start working as before.
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Wrapping Up
The above troubleshooting fixes should resolve your Fitbit Charge 5’s black screen issue. Also, if you have some case or screen protector for your Charge 5, it’s best to remove it. Either of them may be blocking the tracker’s ambient light sensor and dimming the screen brightness, which is why you probably can’t properly view the screen.
If none of the solutions work, it’s likely a defective or dead screen only Fitbit can repair or replace. Assuming your Charge 5 is still under warranty, reach out to Fitbit support for a free-of-cost replacement.