Why is my Fitbit screen not working

You wake up on a bright and sunny day, ready to tackle your to-do list and hit all your fitness goals at the same time. You clip on your trusty Fitbit strap, which has been your constant companion through countless workouts and daily steps. But to your dismay, as you glance at the screen, you see…………………..nothing, no Fitbit logo, just a black screen staring back at you.

At first, you try to convince yourself that it is just a glitch, a momentary hiccup in the fitness watch's system, but as the minutes tick by, your anxiety grows. “What if my beloved Fitbit is broken beyond repair?” you ask yourself. You hold down buttons, reset your device, and even try blowing on it like an old-school Nintendo game cartridge. Nothing seems to work, your once trusty watch was now just a useless, black screen on your wrist.

Do not despair though, before your mood grows darker and darker, don't let a blank watch screen get you down, Fitstraps are here to help you get you tracking your fitness data on the Fitbit app again with purpose and direction. If you are experiencing a blank screen on your Fitbit, you're not alone. In this post, we'll provide an overview of the common reasons that your Fitbit's screen might be unresponsive and how to fix them quickly and efficiently. We'll also offer tips for troubleshooting so you can get your device up and running in no time, so let’s jump right in and get your Fitbit’s blank screen black to optimal levels of screen brightness and firing on all cylinders again. 

The Fitbit Logo Appears, then disappears. What are the main reasons that my Fitbit’s screen could be blank? 

If your Fitbit screen isn't working correctly, it can be a really frustrating problem, users have been experiencing similar issues with Fitbit Smartwatches since the release of the Fitbit Ionic, their first smartwatch with a full screen back in 2017. Fortunately, there are some quick and easy-to-implement steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue and get your device up and running again in no time. Firstly, let’s start with the basics; the most common reason why a Fitbit's display screen might be blank is due to a dead or low battery. Battery problems are one of the biggest reasons for Fitbit screens not working, if your device's battery isn't holding a charge correctly, then it will be unable to power the display and will lead to you being left without a functioning screen. To check if this is the issue, try replacing your Fitbit's battery or inserting it into an external charger and see if the screen turns on. Each Fitbit model has slightly different charging requirements, you can find the right Fitbit charger here and be sure to check that your device is fully charged before moving on to the next stage. Additionally, if you find that the battery in your device is completely dead, you may need to perform a full restart or a hard reset of your Fitbit in order to bring it back to life. 

So let’s get on with restarting or resetting your Fitbit tracker, do this press and hold down the button on the side of your tracker for a full 10 seconds. This will restart the device, or if this doesn't reset your watch, you can reset the tracker by logging into your Fitbit app and navigating toward “Settings, then going to “About “then clicking “Reset Your Tracker. 

OK, so we’ve attempted to reset your device manually and via the settings app within the Fitbit App and that doesn't work, it may be a good idea to now check the Fitbit status page to see if there is an issue with the device's software. In some instances, this may just be down to Fitbit having technical difficulties and in this case, you'll just have to wait until they are fully resolved before your device works correctly again. If the problem persists even after resetting or restarting your Fitbit, then it could possibly be an underlying hardware issue. 

 Checking your Fitbit App to fix your Fitbit's blank screen 

Another potential reason why your Fitbit's screen could be blank is due to an issue with its firmware. For those not familiar with the term, firmware refers to software that has been permanently installed in a device by the manufacturer. If this is the case, you may need to perform a firmware update on your device in order to get it working properly again. Finally, software updates are an important part of keeping your Fitbit device running smoothly and if they haven't been installed correctly, then this could also cause screen display issues going forward. To avoid this, make sure to always download the latest Fitbit patch and install it correctly, if for any reason you are unable to download the update Contact Fitbit Support for assistance with this. 

Another common reason for Fitbit device screen display not working correctly can be interference from other devices. If there are other devices nearby that are producing radio waves, then they could interfere with the signal between your device and its host computer. In order to prevent this from occurring, look for any devices that could possibly be producing radio waves and try turning off the interfering devices or just move them out of range of your Fitbit. Worn-down cables or connectors within your device between your Fitbit and its host computer can also be a major cause of display problems. Over time, these connections have been known to wear down and prevent power from reaching the device's screen. If this is the issue, then consider either replacing or tightening the cables in order to resolve the issue. In addition to this, physical damage to a Fitbit device’s screen can also hinder its ability to function correctly. If your device has previously been dropped or otherwise damaged in a minor way, then even though this isn’t clearly visible on the front of the screen, there may be enough damage for the screen to stop functioning correctly. 

In summary, there are five main causes of a Fitbit screen not working: battery problems, interference from other devices, worn cables or connectors, physical damage to the device's display, and incorrect software updates. Knowing what could be causing your device to malfunction is important in helping to identify and fix the issue. If you're having trouble with your Fitbit's display, then try one of these solutions to help get it back up and running. No matter which problem you may be facing, there is sure to be a solution that can get your device working again. 

What preventative measures can I take to make sure my Fitbit's screen doesn't stop working? 

If you've invested in a Fitbit, to keep it performing at its best, it's essential to make sure your device remains in top condition. Your Fitbit watch was a large investment in your health and well-being, so you want to make sure that the screen stays in good condition for years to come. Fortunately, there are some easy steps you can take to ensure that your Fitbit's screen lasts as long as possible. To prevent your screen from failing, there are pre-emptive steps you can take. First, keep your Fitbit and it's wristband clean and free of dirt or dust build-up wiping the surface with a soft cloth every few days will stop pieces of micro dirt from gathering in and around the screen. These little pieces of dirt can interfere with the functionality of your device and can lead to damage over time. We would also recommend using a case or screen protector to ensure that these pieces of micro dirt are kept at bay. The screen protector in particular will do a great job of this without you even noticing you are wearing it. When cleaning your Fitbit watches screen always avoid using any harsh chemicals or detergents, always sick to just use your microfiber cloth, water and a small amount of very mild washing-up liquid. Anything harsher can damage the screen of your Fitbit, so it's best to avoid them altogether. Additionally, you should also avoid using any abrasive materials or tools when cleaning your Fitbit, as they can scratch the surface of the screen. Wherever possible, make sure the screen is protected from extreme temperatures, as too much heat or cold can cause it to malfunction. While many of the current Fitbit models are designed to be waterproof (ensure you use water lock mode if you do use it in water), they don't always do so well with prolonged exposure to heat in general. 

Additionally, using a tempered glass screen protector and an extra secure watch band from Fitstraps for extra protection against scratches and shocks is always a great idea. When charging your Fitbit watch, be sure to only use either the original charger that was included with your device or a high-quality replacement charger from Fitstraps and avoid overcharging it. Finally, make sure to handle your Fitbit trackers with care when wearing and taking them off. We know that you bought your device to stay on your wrist during the most taxing of workouts but you should still do your best to avoid any unnecessary dropping or bumping of your device that can cause damage to its screen, so it's important to be mindful when clipping on and taking off your Fitbit watch. By taking these preventative steps, you can ensure that your Fitbit's screen will remain in perfect condition for years to come. 

As you look down at your newly revived Fitbit screen, you feel a sense of triumph and accomplishment wash over yourself as you log back into the official Fitbit app and see that familiar Fitbit logo for the first time in days. You have conquered the dreaded black screen issue, and in doing so, you have proven to yourself that you are capable of anything you set your mind to and you dance a little jig of joy in the middle of the street. OK, so that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but at least you know that from this day forward, you can wear your Fitbit again without having to look down at that dreaded blank screen again. 

So don’t worry, a Fitbit screen not working is a common issue that can be fixed by taking all of the above steps. So before you rush out to purchase yourself that brand new expensive Fitness watch, make sure you have tried all of the above. You may be able to save yourself some pennies and stick with your trusty old Fitbit device and make it look great again by adding a fresh new Fitbit Wristband from Fitstraps.