Fitbit Charge 5 F38 Error Code Guide (Quick Fix)

Here is the stripped down version of what Fitbit support will ask you to do before they talk replacement.

• 1. Charge it hard.
  • Snap the Charge 5 into the charger until you see the battery or charging icon.
  • Use a 5V USB wall adapter, not a weak TV or laptop port.
  • Leave it on charge for at least 60 minutes, even if the F38 screen stays up.
• 2. Clean the contacts.
  • Wipe the gold pads on the back of the tracker and the charger pins with a dry lint free cloth.
  • If they look dirty, use a cotton swab with a little isopropyl alcohol, then let them dry and reconnect.
• 3. Soft restart from the menu (if the touch screen works).
  • On the tracker, swipe down > tap ‘Settings’ > find ‘Restart Device’ or ‘Restart’.
  • Confirm and wait for the Fitbit logo, then check if F38 is gone.
• 4. Remove and re add it in the Fitbit app.
  • In the Fitbit app: profile picture > your Charge 5 > ‘Remove This Device’.
  • Close and reopen the app, choose ‘Set Up a Device’, and add the Charge 5 back with it on the charger right next to the phone.
• 5. Force any pending firmware update.
  • On the Charge 5 page in the app, tap ‘Sync Now’.
  • If you see an ‘Update’ option, run it with the watch still on the charger and the phone nearby until it finishes.
• 6. Factory reset from the tracker (last official step).
  • On the Charge 5: swipe down > ‘Settings’ > ‘Device Info’ > ‘Clear User Data’ or ‘Factory Reset’.
  • Confirm. After it wipes and reboots, pair it again in the Fitbit app as a new device.
• 7. If F38 is still there, Fitbit treats it as a dead board.
  • Persistent F38 after a full reset usually means corrupted internal storage or firmware you cannot repair at home.
  • Contact Fitbit support with the steps you already tried and push for a warranty replacement or discount on a new unit.