Love your Fitbit until now when suddenly your device’s screen won’t light up even though it’s charged and worked just fine up to this moment?
If your Fitbit isn’t firing up, no matter what button you push or how long you charge it, we’ve got you covered with our top tips.
Many users discover that although their Fitbits appear unresponsive with dark screens that won’t display anything, the Fitbit device is actually still collecting data and syncing it with their Fitbit app and account!
Related reading
- Fitbit stuck on looking, searching, or device not found? Here is how to fix it
- How do I turn off and shut down my Fitbit?
- How to contact Fitbit customer support about problems and warranty info
- How do I get my Fitbit repaired or replaced under warranty?
- Need to restart or reset your Fitbit device? Learn the steps
- How to connect and sync your Fitbit to a Mac using Fitbit Connect
Contents
- 1 First, charge it up to 100%
- 2 Verify your Fitbit isn’t in water lock mode
- 3 Remove any case or screen protector
- 4 Clean your device AND its band
- 5 Check your display brightness settings
- 6 Try restarting
- 7 Change your Fitbit clock face to a standard face
- 8 Perform a reset
- 9 Seeing error code 001 on your Fitbit’s screen?
- 10 Is your Fitbit under warranty?
First, charge it up to 100%
If your Fitbit isn’t fully charged, first place it on its charger and wait for it to reach its full capacity.
It’s better to charge your Fitbit via a wall outlet than your computer’s USB ports–that’s due to some limitations on your computer port’s power. 
Once you fully charge your Fitbit, try seeing if the screen now shows up and is responsive.
If your Fitbit isn’t charging, check out this article: Fitbit Versa not charging? What to do if your Fitbit won’t charge
Verify your Fitbit isn’t in water lock mode 
Some Fitbits include a water lock mode, which disables the screen and button(s) from responding to touches and swipes.
To turn off the water lock, dry your Fitbit and then double-tap your screen (Inspire and Luxe) or long-press the side button (Sense and Versa 3) to turn off its water lock.
You may need to repeat this a few times to get it unlocked.
Remove any case or screen protector
It’s best to remove any case or screen protector, to ensure it’s not blocking the ambient light sensor.
Your Fitbit’s ambient light sensor looks like a black dot on the side of your Fitbit device. If that’s blocked, your screen usually dims automatically.
Clean your device AND its band 
There may be dirt, salts from sweat, lint, grease, or other grime interfering with your Fitbit’s charging contacts or even clogging your Fitbit’s button(s.) So give your Fitbit a good, old-fashioned cleaning!
- First, clean your Fitbit’s charging contacts (the bronze or gold pins on the back of your Fitbit) and clean the pins on your charging cable.
- Use a soft toothbrush or microfiber cloth with a little rubbing alcohol. Always add the rubbing alcohol to the toothbrush or cloth–do not put it directly on the Fitbit.
- Wait for it to fully dry before attempting to use it.
- Next, clean your Fitbit’s screen and button(s) with a lint-free cloth and a little rubbing alcohol. You can also use screen wipes, eyeglasses cleaners, or disinfecting wipes as long as it does not include bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
- Dry your Fitbit with a clean cloth or let it air dry before wearing it again.
- Finally, clean your band. We suggest removing the band to clean all of its surfaces. To clean the band, you can use a soft toothbrush, Q-Tip, or a microfiber cloth with a little water, rubbing alcohol, soap-free cleanser, or disinfectant.
- Dry your Fitbit’s band with a clean cloth before wearing it again.
Check your display brightness settings
Oftentimes, we need to adjust our Fitbit’s screen brightness. We suggest you go to a dark room or wait for nighttime and then take a look at your Fitbit.
If you can make out something on the screen, it’s likely your Fitbit is dimmed.
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap Screen Brightness and change to Max (if available) or Normal from the options or choose off for the Dim Screen option.
- Also, check that Sleep Mode is not turned on–this mode automatically dims the screen.
- Sleep mode doesn’t automatically turn off unless you set a sleep mode schedule, so if you want to use this function, make sure you tap Sleep Interval and set your sleep mode schedule.
- Go to Settings > Quiet Modes > Sleep Mode and turn it off or go to your Quick Settings and tap the half-moon icon to turn off Sleep Mode.
Make sure to have set Screen Wake to auto (automatic) 
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- Access your device’s Quick Settings.
- Ionic, Luxe, Versa, Versa Lite Edition, and Versa 2—Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the quick settings icon.
- Sense and Versa 3—swipe right from the clock face.
- Inspire Series, Charge Series, and Ace Series–press and hold the button or buttons and tap Screen Wake.
- Tap the icon that looks like a watch to enable Screen Wake.
- Access your device’s Quick Settings.
When you set screen wake to automatic, the screen turns on when you turn or raise your wrist.
If you instead set the screen wake to the manual setting, press the watch’s button or tap the screen to turn on its display.
Learn more about screen wake in this article: How to turn on or off raise or tap to wake screen on Fitbit Sense, Versa, Ionic, or Blaze.
Try restarting
If you see a black or blank screen on your Fitbit, the first thing to try is a restart or a forced restart (also called a long restart.)
Restarting your Fitbit forces it to reboot–and often fixes problems like a black, blank, or non-responsive device.
How you restart or force restart depends on your model, so it’s best to check your Fitbit’s user manual.
Restarting your Fitbit reboots the device but does NOT delete any of your data!
In general, restart smartwatches like the Fitbit Sense, Versa Series, Ionic, and Blaze 
- To restart your watch, press and hold the button (or the back and bottom buttons) for 10 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo on the screen. Then release the button.
- You may need to try this process a few times.
- If your device does not restart when following these instructions, remove any case or screen protector and then try again.
In general, restart Fitbit trackers like the Charge Series, Alta, Ace, or Inspire
- Attach your tracker to its charger, then press and hold the button on your tracker for 5-10 seconds until you see a smiley face on-screen or the Fitbit logo, then release.
- For the Luxe, press the button on the charger 3 times, pausing for 1 second between presses. Then wait about 10 seconds for it to restart.
- When you see that icon or logo and the Fitbit vibrates, the tracker restarted.
- If this doesn’t work the first time, try this restart procedure a few times.
- If your device does not restart when following these instructions, remove any case or screen protector and then try again.
For Fitbit Charge 2 or 3, try the following:
- Plug the device into its charger and hold the button down for 15 seconds, then release.
- Remove the device from the charging cable and pause for 5 seconds. Then, plug your Fitbit Charge back into its charger.
- Wait for the smiley face icon to appear on the screen.
Learn how to restart your exact Fitbit by the model in this article: Need to restart or reset your Fitbit device? Learn the steps
Change your Fitbit clock face to a standard face
If the Fitbit app appears to connect and communicate with your Fitbit, the fix might be as simple as changing your clock face to one of Fitbit’s standard clockfaces.
- Place your Fitbit near the mobile device or computer with the Fitbit app (or Fitbit Connect)
- Tap the Today tab > your profile picture or icon and select your device
- Tap Clock Faces
- Choose All Clocks from the top tabs
- Choose one of the standard Fitbit clock faces
- Tap Select to install it
- Choose Sync Now and see if your Fitbit screen activates and is responsive
Perform a reset
Still stuck with a blank screen after a restart? Try a reset, if possible. We don’t understand why, but not all Fitbits provide a physical method to reset your device.
And note that when you reset your Fitbit, you lose any data that wasn’t previously synced with the Fitbit app or Fitbit Connect.
How to reset smartwatches using just the buttons on the Fitbit
Fitbit Versa
- Hold all the Fitbit buttons for 10-15 seconds to initiate a hardware reboot
- Wait for the Fitbit logo to appear and then disappear. Only then release the bottom right button but continue holding the left and top right buttons until you feel a strong vibration
- Wait for the Fitbit logo to appear again and for your Fitbit to display Fitbit.com/setup
Fitbit Ionic
- Remove the Ionic from your account
- Delete the Bluetooth pairing
- Press and hold all buttons on the device until the Fitbit logo appears
- Wait until the Fitbit logo disappears, then release the bottom right button
- Wait until you feel a vibration, then release the other buttons
- Wait for the Fitbit logo to appear again and for your Fitbit to display Fitbit.com/setup
Learn more about resetting your Fitbit and the differences between restarting versus resetting in our article Need to restart or reset your Fitbit device? Learn the steps.
Seeing error code 001 on your Fitbit’s screen?
If your Fitbit shows error code 001, try a normal restart first if you can.
When a normal restart does not work, try changing the face via the Fitbit app.
If it’s still not working, let’s completely turn off the Fitbit (shutdown) or perform a long restart, if available for your device.
Since this error usually occurs on Fitbit Charge models, here’s the direction on how to long restart the Charge. Please follow these instructions step-by-step.
How to perform a long restart on a Fitbit Charge
- Plug the charging cable into your Fitbit and connect to power for charging
- Once you plug it in, press and hold the side button down for 15 seconds. We recommend you use a timer, like on your phone, to ensure a full 15 seconds pass
- After 15 seconds elapse, remove your finger from the button and remove the Fitbit from its charger. You should see a black screen and not the smiley face icon
- If you see the sad smiley face or error code 001 again, repeat steps 1-3
- Wait a few seconds and then plug the charging cable again into the Fitbit
- Wait for the happy smiley face icon to appear on the screen
Is your Fitbit under warranty? 
If you’ve tried restarting, resetting, or changing the clock face via the Fitbit app, but you can still not get your Fitbit to display anything on its screen, consider reaching out to Fitbit Support.
If you are still within your device’s warranty period (usually one year (for Americas) or two years (Europe) from purchase or receipt as a gift,) contacting Fitbit’s customer support for warranty assistance is your best option.
Once Fitbit support confirms your warranty coverage, they usually offer options to repair or replace your current malfunctioning unit.
Not covered by Fitbit’s warranty?
If your device is outside of the standard warranty period, you may still have some extended benefits if you purchased your Fitbit using a credit card that offers additional warranty coverage.
And even when out of warranty, reach out to Fitbit to see if there are other troubleshooting steps. And if nothing works, Fitbit will likely offer a new purchase discount when the Fitbit is out of warranty.
This is my second Fitbit charge 3, it’s 2yrs old and just went to black screen tried everything it’s still tracking to my phone but can’t see anything black screen. My first was charge 2 only lasted just over 1yr. Don’t know what to do next.
I have had my Fit Bit for a year this Christmas. And the screen is black it still works with my IPhone. I have tried to get the screen on to no luck I like my watch. Can you help me .
Hi Ida,
Sorry that your now one-year old Fitbit isn’t working as expected with a black screen.
Please let us know the model (i.e. Versa, Inspire, or so forth) and we’ll see if there are any other tips.
Additionally, although your Fitbit is likely out of warranty, contacting Fitbit Support often helps so we suggest you do that as well.
Same thing. Tried holding Iin my single button 30 second. Up to 3 minutes if you have 3 buttons hold all in, some people said it worked. Seems they the all last the year and few days…meaning meaning you have no warranty! So it makes me wonder are they shutting down the phone. They constantly asked me if I wanted buy premium products for my particle watch.
I was happy with what I had.
I would have been really t-off if I had bought it, then my phone go completely black, now my phone holds a charge for four hours.
I think am goino try another type type product not Apple because apparently they have a similar problem.
But then again all this stuff’s made in China they’re TRACKING US.
My fit bit is a tracker 3 . I can still get information from my cell phone.
Hi Ida,
Do you mean the Fitbit Charge 3? If so, let’s try this process on that device:
Plug your Fitbit into its charging cable and start charging it
With the Fitbit plugged in and charging, hold the side button down for 15 seconds, then release the button
Unplug your Fitbit from the charging cable, then immediately plug it in again
Wait for the smiley face icon to appear on the screen
Open the Fitbit app and change your Clock Face to something new
If this process doesn’t help, please contact Fitbit Support for further assistance and instructions.
Mine has also gone blank ans seems to be doing nothing … fitbit lite
The screen on my Fitbit Charge 2 has also gone black after 3 years. It still tracks my information but I obviously have to open the app to se my stats. I have tried the restart and reset to no avail. Is there anything left that can be done?
Hi Robert,
Try cleaning the contacts on the device and charger and then let it charge overnight. After that, try turning it on again. You may need to restart a few times in a row to get your screen to work.
I haven’t had my Fitbit flex 2 for even a yr and my screen went blank. Won’t show anything not even on my phone anymore.
My charge 3 is 2 years old.
No display and none of the suggested fixes work for me.
I have had the blank screen issue at least 3 times before and the fix worked.
It still syncs with the app but is useless as a watch.
Thanks for nothing, Google.
Fitbit Blaze has died. Charged it as usual. I was getting the sensor on the back but now that’s died too. Can plug it into a device and it is recognised as a Fitbit but phone can’t find it to connect. Reset doesn’t work.
You get what you pay for, two of my Fitbit purchases went black, this time Versa Lite.
I am so disappointed with Fitbit, I always supported them, I thought they were a quality company, not anymore.
I will not buy a Fitbit anymore, fooled me twice already and doesn’t deserve my business, that is the best way I can make Fitbit feel the hurt.
My Fitbit charge 3 has gone black. Tried the reset, got the smiley face then nothing. It is just under a year old.
Hi Lindsay,
If your Fitbit is just under a year old, please contact Fitbit Support asap–it should be under warranty and therefore Fitbit is obligated by that warranty to fix it or replace it.
But don’t wait to contact them. Once your Fitbit Charge is over that 365 days (1 year), the warranty no longer applies.
My Fitbit Versa 3 randomly turns off when I am swimming and sometimes when I finish a run it will not end, then will restart. Is there a fix, I am on my second Versa 3 as first one would not charge. Thanks Tamara
My fitibit watch versa lite that i boght two monthS Go only is showing a black screen. It is new 🙁 !
Please help me i’ve tried everything!
Hi Rushi,
We are very sorry to learn that your Fitbit Versa Lite is stuck on a black screen. Since you purchased it just two months ago and none of our troubleshooting tips worked, we suggest you contact Fitbit Support immediately as your Fitbit should be within the 1-year warranty period.
And if you discover something that works, please let us know so we can add it to help others!
Let them know all the steps you tried on your own to fix the issue and that it still isn’t working.
The first Versa 2, screen went blank and they gladly sent replacement. Now the replaced Versa 2 started with the screen not swiping. I called no warranty. A few days later it starts back working. About a month goes by and now there’s a black screen. I truly believe they can control things on their end. I will never purchase another. My next watch will be Samsung! Not to mention customer service sucked!
My Fitbit versa 2 is blank won’t turn on any suggestions? I’ve changed it pressed button on side no joy
I have a versa lite, black screen, no green lights but it vibrates every minute, but nothing on here helps. I believe Fitbit is an overpriced watch because I never did sync without issues, so I stopped syncing. Some of those suggestions don’t make sense if you can’t turn the FITBIT on. Itt doesn’t turn on.
Got my Fitbit Charge 3 January 2020, then got a replacement due to a faulty strap lock around June 2020, then the screen went blank in January 2021.
After countless resets, still not working.
Now Fitbit says that warranty only covers 1 year and mine no longer qualifies… YOU ONLY HAVE 1 YEAR (MINUS SHIPPING AND REPLACING TIME) TO USE IT
Absolutely the last Fitbit product for me! 2nd one that’s screen was kissed by the blackout death.
This is my third charge 3 that has had a black screen just over a year old and my wife has had two with the same problem.
Built-in redundancy I fear. Not going to buy any more have bought Apple Watch.
Worked perfectly. Thank You so much Fitbit Inspire.
My versa 2 Fitbit screen went fuzzy green then black and I can’t do anything to turn it on.
Theresa,
Is your Fitbit Versa 2 still covered under its warranty, i.e. purchased within the last year. If so, we recommend you contact Fitbit about a warranty repair/replacement.
Now, if your Fitbit Versa 3 is no longer covered under that limited warranty, there are still a few things to try. In particular, connect it to the charger so it’s charging and then try restarting it multiple times.
Open the Fitbit app and check if your Versa 2 still syncs. If it does sync, that means your Versa still tracks your metric but is having an issue with its display. Try changing your clock face to a different one and see if that works. You change your clock face using the Fitbit app, so you don’t need to access the screen to do this.
If nothing here helps, then it’s likely it’s a hardware problem. Contact Fitbit Support and see if they have any additional advice. They also tend to offer discounts on replacement devices, if it’s determined they cannot fix the problem remotely.
I saved for 8 months and finally bought a versa 2.
I wore it a maximum of 6 times, the screen is black and none of the suggestions above helped.
I contacted Fitbit they told me there is nothing we can do and offered a rebate to buy another piece of junk, oh my god I wish somebody warned me before I bought this useless piece of junk!
Hi Fatima,
We’re very sorry to hear that your Versa 2 isn’t turning on and the screen is black. Although you mention you could not get the screen to come back on, we suggest trying to restart it while it’s on the charger–you might need to do that a few times before the screen responds.
To restart your Versa, press and hold the side button for 10 seconds or more until you see the Fitbit logo on the screen, then release it. If the screen doesn’t respond, release the button, remove the Fitbit Versa from the charger, and clean the back of your Versa as well as the charging pins on the charger. Once clean, place it back on the charger and run through the steps again.
Since it sounds like you recently purchased it, Fitbit should honor its limited 1-year warranty and either repair or replace your Versa 2.
Before you contact Fitbit, have a copy of your sales receipt on-hand so you can prove your date of purchase. Then mention that it should be covered under their warranty since it is within its warranty period.
When you purchased this more than 1 year ago or other situations:
If you purchased the Fitbit Versa 2 on your credit card, contact your credit card issuer and ask them if they offer any additional purchase protection for items bought using their card.
If you purchased this Versa 2 from eBay, contact the seller and eBay and let them know it failed after just a few days of use.
you cant hold the side button down while its on the charger. The charger covers the side button
Screen gone black and not working. Tried everything. Now going to get rid off it as too many times
I received my fitbit versa2 as a Christmas gift 8 months ago and my screen went black and will not turn on. I have no receipt because as I said it was a gift. But I do still have the box it came in. What should I do??
Hi Shann,
Usually, Fitbit honors the date you received the Fitbit as a gift (Christmas in your case) so if you are unable to get it working on your own, contact Fitbit Support and let them know that it was gifted (as new) on Christmas and that you do not have a receipt for the Fitbit but you do have all the original packaging and can provide its serial number and any other label information.
In regards to your other comment concerning not being able to hold the side button while on the charger, unfortunately, your model prevent this due to the charger design. Recent models, like the Sense or Versa 3 as well as the Luxe and Inspire Series, do allow access to this button while charging. Sorry for the confusion!
Hi guys, I had the same problem, tried everything you mentionned unsuccessfully until my wife noticed that the strap attachment was dirty and cleaned it ! Now it is working as before ! Good luck!
Thank you so much. Your suggestion did the trick for my 2 month old inspire 2.
I have a charge 2 and it wAS WORKING AWESOME, I was changing the screen because it was broke and pulled the ribbon out now it won’t work. Did I damage the Lcd?
I had this for more than 3 years and it worked perfectly.
Hi Sandra,
Without actually seeing your Charge 2, it’s hard to diagnose what is wrong. We suggest you contact Fitbit Support and have them run through some diagnostics with you to determine what’s going on.
I received my Fitbit Versa watch as a gift.
Over the weekend I placed the watch on the charger to be charged. Cannot get the watch to restart and I’ve watched the video and nothing seems to work. Please advise me what needs to be done.
I agree with everyone else. My screen is dark and no matter what I do I can’t get it to work. And it’s been about 2 years since I bought it. My solution. Never buy a Fitbit again!!!!