Fitbit Charge 5 F24 Error Code Fix (Quick Guide)

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What This Error Means

F24 on a Fitbit Charge 5 = boot / firmware failure.

The tracker is powering on but failing its self-check, so it gets stuck before loading the normal Fitbit screen.

Usually this pops up after a bad firmware update, a battery dip in the middle of an update, dirty or corroded charging contacts, or an internal hardware fault on the main board.

The watch isn’t totally dead, but the software can’t finish starting, so it just loops or freezes on F24.

Official Fix

Fitbit doesn’t publish much about F24 specifically, but this is basically their playbook for a Charge 5 that boots with an error or won’t start cleanly.

  • 1. Put it on the original charger and leave it.
    • Clip the Charge 5 firmly into its charger so all gold pins line up tight.
    • Plug the USB into a known-good 5V source (phone brick is better than a weak laptop port).
    • Let it sit at least 30 minutes. A very low battery can throw random error codes.
  • 2. Do a standard restart.
    • If the screen still responds, swipe to Settings > Device Info > Restart Device, then confirm.
    • If it’s frozen on F24, keep it on the charger and press and hold the side sensor area for about 10–15 seconds, then release.
    • Watch for the Fitbit logo and a normal boot sequence.
  • 3. Force a sync and firmware check.
    • Open the Fitbit app on your phone.
    • Make sure Bluetooth is on and the Charge 5 is selected as your active device.
    • Pull down in the app to sync.
    • If the app offers a firmware update, run it and do not unplug the charger or walk away from Wi‑Fi until it finishes.
  • 4. Factory reset from the device (if you can reach menus).
    • On the Charge 5 go to: Settings > Device Info > Clear User Data or Factory Reset.
    • Confirm the reset. This wipes on-device data but not what’s already synced to your Fitbit account.
    • After it reboots, set it up again from the Fitbit app as a new device.
  • 5. Remove and re-add it in the Fitbit app.
    • In the app: tap your profile picture > your Charge 5 > scroll down > Remove This Device.
    • Close the app, reopen it, then tap Set Up a Device and add the Charge 5 back like it’s new.
  • 6. If F24 remains, contact Fitbit Support.
    • At this point they treat it as a hardware or deep firmware fault.
    • If you’re in warranty, they usually arrange a replacement.
    • If you’re out of warranty, they sometimes offer a discount on a new device.

The Technician’s Trick

When F24 won’t die after the official steps, this is the more hands-on approach a bench tech would try.

  • 1. Deep-clean the charging path.
    • Pop the bands off so you can get to the back of the tracker properly.
    • On the back of the Charge 5 and on the charger head, scrub the gold contacts with a cotton swab and 90%+ isopropyl alcohol.
    • If you see green or white crud, gently scrape it with a wooden toothpick, then wipe again with alcohol.
    • Let it dry 5–10 minutes. A flaky contact can starve the board for power during boot and trigger F24.
  • 2. Wall-brick hard charge.
    • Skip laptop ports and USB hubs. Plug the charger straight into a decent 5V phone wall adapter.
    • Clip the Charge 5 in and leave it alone for 60–90 minutes, even if the screen is stuck on F24 or stays black.
    • Plenty of “dead” trackers come back once they’ve had a real, stable full charge instead of a weak trickle.
  • 3. Long-press boot nudge.
    • While it’s still on the charger after that long charge, press and hold the side sensor area for 20–30 seconds.
    • Ignore any quick vibration or logo flash midway; keep holding until you’ve hit at least 20 seconds, then release.
    • Let it sit a full minute. Sometimes this longer brown-out style reset is what finally kicks it out of the F24 screen.
  • 4. Try a different USB source and cable combo.
    • Swap to a different USB wall adapter first.
    • If you can borrow another Charge 5 cable, test with that too.
    • A tired or off-brand cable can light the display but sag under load, which is exactly when firmware checks run and errors like F24 pop.
  • 5. Reality check: know when it’s dead.
    • If you’ve cleaned contacts, hard-charged, tried long-press resets, and it still shows F24 or won’t light up, the main board or flash memory is probably shot.
    • The Charge 5 shell is glued and sealed; board-level repair is not a sane home project.
    • At that stage you stop burning time on it and move to replacement options.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Still under warranty, or you fix it with cleaning, a new cable, or a proper charge and the battery life is otherwise good.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: Out of warranty, 2–3 years old, battery already fading, but Fitbit offers a discounted replacement deal through support.
  • ❌ Replace: Screen is cracked, battery dies in a few hours, or F24 survives every reset and power trick you try.

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