As a long-time user of the Fitbit Charge 4, I’ve relied on it to track my daily activity, heart rate and sleep.
However, recently I’ve encountered an issue where the screen of my device stays blank, but it still vibrates when receiving notifications or pressing buttons.
This was a frustrating experience as I could not see any information on the screen and use my device.
I immediately thought my device might have malfunctioned and I would have to replace it. But after doing some research, I found a few possible solutions.
So I decided to write this article to share my experience and the steps I took to resolve this issue, hoping that it will help others facing the same problem.
How to Fix Fitbit Charge 4 Blank Screen with Vibration Issue
Here are the steps to fix your Fitbit Charge 4.
Change Clock Face
While your Fitbit Charge 4 is entered into this problem, having a black screen and vibrating. So, you should try to configure the clock faces; because a clock face cannot support the device.
This can help to get the watch out of this situation; as the watch’s display is not working, you can use the Fitbit app to change the clock face.
Here are the steps to do this:
- Open the Fitbit app and log into your account.
- Tap on your profile from the top of the page.
- And then choose your Charge 4> locate watch face and tap on it.
- From the current clock face, tap on all available clocks.
- Tap on one of the other clocks’ faces to activate it, and you check if one of them removes the issue.
- And then, select the on-screen instruction to select the clock face.
Once you have tried all of them and the display still does not work, there will be another issue which we will discuss below.
Try Rebooting
Rebooting the watch will remove issues and refresh your Charge 4. This issue might be due to a software bug or glitch. Firstly you should ensure that the watch is turned on.
Press the power button once or twice; if it vibrates, the watch is powered on and has a display issue.
If the watch is turned on, you can reboot it by plugging it into the charger. Take the charging cable and put it into the cradle, ensuring the watch snugly snaps into place.
Long press the power button and don’t release it until you see the smiley face on the screen. You should try the method several times if the smiley does not appear.
Also, you can unplug and, after a minute, plug in again, then try rebooting the device. This should get the watch working back.
Check Software Updates
Software is a major part of the watch, which controls all features. If the watch software runs on an outdated version, it can cause malfunction.
So, check the software updates for your Charge 4 and ensure it runs on the latest version.
To do this, you will need to access the Fitbit app.
- Open the Fitbit app on your phone and log into the account.
- Then tap on your profile image from the top left corner.
- Scroll down and click on Help & support.
- And then select “Check for Charge 4 Update.”
- If the watch runs on an outdated version, you will see the latest update here. Which you can install on your watch. And then check if the update has fixed the watch.
Charge Fully
If the watch display is not lighting up and the watch vibrates, the reason can be a low battery. If the device runs on a low battery, it will not be able to turn the display on.
So, plug the device into the charger and let it fully charge, which can take approximately 4 hours. Once the battery is fully charged, the watch should work normally.
Check Power Supply
If the watch is still not working while you have plugged it in for about 4 hours, the charger. The problem is with the power supply, that’s why the watch is not fully charged.
You should ensure that the power outlet and charger are working properly. The electricity cannot be passed through if one of the components is faulty.
You can check the power outlet using another device, like a lamp. Plug the lamp into the power source; if it does not work, the power source is faulty.
You will need to fix your power outlet, or you can use another source which you know is working properly.
In the same way, check the charger, and inspect the wire carefully for any sign of damage. If the charger is defective, you should replace it.
And ensure to always use an original charger with your Fitbit Charger 4. Another common thing is checking that the circuit breaker is not turned off.
Completely Discharge Charge 4
If the watch is still in this problem, you may need to wait until the battery is completely drained. Once the battery drains, you should plug it in again.
When the watch is fully charged, turn it back on and check if the issue no longer persists.
Defective Battery
This issue is often caused by a faulty battery. If you have tried all the above solutions and the problem persists, the battery may be defective.
In this case, replacing the battery will likely be the solution to the problem.
However, it can be a technical process, so it is recommended that you contact an expert for assistance in replacing the battery.
Contact Customer Support
If none of the above solutions has helped, it is recommended that you contact Fitbit customer support for further assistance.
You can reach them by phone at (877) 623-4997 or through their live chat feature on their website.
It’s important to note that you should have your device serial number and proof of purchase handy when you contact them, as they may ask for this information to help troubleshoot the issue.
Suggested Readings:
How to Update Software on Fitbit Luxe (Answered)
Fitbit Luxe Not Charging (7 Ways to Fix)
Fitbit Versa 2 Not Syncing With iPhone
Fitbit Inspire 2 Is Not Charging
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