Fitbit Charge 5 F28 Fix: No‑Nonsense Error Code Guide

This is the clean, by-the-book way. No opening the tracker, no weird hacks.

1. Give it a proper charge first

• Clip the Charge 5 into the original charging cable. Make sure it snaps in flat and tight.
• Plug into a wall USB charger, not a laptop or power bank.
• Let it sit at least 30–60 minutes, even if the screen looks dead or stuck on F28.

If the battery is low or unstable, every other step is a waste of time.

2. Try a normal restart (if the screen still responds)

• From the clock screen (if you can see it at all), swipe down to find ‘Settings’.
• Go to ‘Device Info’ > ‘Restart Device’ (wording can vary slightly by firmware).
• Confirm and let it reboot while still on the charger.

If it comes back up clean without F28, you’re done. If F28 returns, keep going.

3. Force a clean update through the Fitbit app

• Leave the Charge 5 on the charger.
• On your phone, open the Fitbit app.
• Make sure Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi/mobile data are on and stable.
• Tap your profile icon > your Charge 5 > look for a firmware update banner or ‘Update’.
• Start the update and do not walk away: keep the phone close, screen on, and the tracker on the charger until it finishes.

If F28 showed up after a failed update, a clean redo can sometimes overwrite the bad firmware.

4. Factory reset from the menu (only if you can reach it)

• From the clock face, swipe to ‘Settings’.
• Go to ‘Device Info’ > ‘Clear User Data’ or ‘Factory Reset’.
• Confirm. The tracker will wipe itself and reboot.

This nukes your stored data on the device but can clear a software mess that triggers F28. Your past synced data in the app stays.

5. Remove and re‑add the device in the Fitbit app

• In the Fitbit app, tap your profile icon > your Charge 5 > the trash/remove option.
• Confirm removal.
• Close and reopen the app, then choose ‘Set up a device’ and add the Charge 5 again.

This forces a fresh pairing and can push a clean config and firmware handshake to the tracker.

6. If F28 is still there, this is a warranty job

• Check your purchase date. Standard Fitbit warranty is usually around 1 year, sometimes longer via retailer or credit card.
• Contact Fitbit Support and tell them the device is stuck on an F28 error after charging, restart, update, and factory reset attempts.
• Have photos of the error screen and proof of purchase ready. Most units with persistent boot errors get replaced, not repaired.

There is no official user‑serviceable repair for F28. If the firmware or main board is corrupt and the steps above don’t clear it, Fitbit’s own solution is ‘swap the device’.