Having an Apple Watch that refuses to charge can be stressful, especially if the device is currently dead. There are likely a few fixes you won’t be able to do since your device has no charge. So what are you supposed to do?
If your Apple Watch refuses to charge, inspect the charger for damage and make sure it’s plugged in correctly. Attempt to charge the device with a different charger, and make sure your charger is clean of dust. If none of this works, you may want to take it to a repair shop.
We understand that even mentioning the idea of having to go to a repair shop has some readers worried, but we still have a lot to go through before we get to that step. So let’s get into this topic in more detail to hopefully get your Apple Watch up and running again.
Why isn’t Your Apple Watch Charging?
If your Apple Watch isn’t charging, this could be due to a number of different reasons. For example, it could be a software issue like a corruption preventing your device from charging. However, more often than not, charging issues are more hardware-related.
The most common issues that cause an Apple Watch not to charge correctly are a broken charger, the user not charging the device correctly, or some obstruction keeping the watch and the charger from connecting properly.
On the other hand, sometimes rare events occur, and maybe your Apple Watch is not charging due to a software issue. If your device is currently dead, there may not be much you can do about a software issue without taking it to a professional.
However, if your device still has a little bit of battery left, there are a couple of steps you can take that may resolve this software issue.
How to Check to See if Your Apple Watch is Charging
Before you can say for sure that your Apple Watch is not charging properly, we need to know for sure. Thankfully, Apple has made it very easy to tell whether or not your Apple Watch is currently charging.
You often see a little lightning bolt icon on your Apple Watch’s home screen. This icon will appear in either one of two colors: red or green. This lightning bolt icon represents the different states of your Apple Watch’s battery, and the two colors are what lets you determine the exact state.
The red lightning bolt is likely the one you don’t want to see. This lightning bolt signifies your Apple Watch is either almost out of battery or currently out of battery.
On the other hand, the green lightning bolt is the one we’re going to spend our time trying to get to show up. This green lightning bolt signifies your Apple Watch is currently charging.
If you plug your Apple Watch into the charger and the green lightning bolt shows up, but the watch still refuses to charge, this is probably a battery problem, and you likely want to take your device to a professional.
How to Force Restart Your Apple Watch
If you are convinced your Apple Watch is not charging due to a software issue, this is the option for you. However, you cannot complete these steps without your watch having at least a little bit of battery.
When trying to fix any electronic device, one of the first pieces of advice you will always see is to try and turn the device off and back on again. This is because resetting your device will also reset any software running on it, hopefully fixing any software issues.
Thankfully, Apple has included a built-in restart command for the Apple Watch.
To activate this restart command:
- Hold down the crown on your Apple Watch’s screen while holding down the button on the side.
- Hold these buttons for long enough, and your screen should go black. Keep holding down the button until the Apple logo appears on your screen.
- After this is complete, plug in your Apple Watch and check to see if the green lightning bolt appears.
Hopefully, this successfully got the device to charge, but if it didn’t, we still have some other ideas that may fix your Apple Watch.
Checking the Cable/Charger
As we mentioned previously, one of the most common things that can lead to an Apple Watch not charging properly is a faulty charger. But how are you supposed to know if your charger is faulty?
Check for a Damaged Apple Watch Charge Cable
One of the most obvious ideas is to check your charging cable for any cuts or frays. Any damage signs may indicate that your charger should be swapped out for a new one. If you replace your charger, be sure to use one that’s actually produced by Apple (on Amazon).
If you have a family member or friend who also has an Apple Watch, you could potentially try seeing if your Apple Watch will charge with their charger.
Third-Party Chargers
Another common thing that can lead to your Apple Watch not charging is a third-party charger. Unfortunately, Apple devices are notoriously finicky when interacting with third-party chargers.
In this case, the answer is to try and see if you can get your hands on an official Apple brand Apple Watch charger and see if your device will charge properly.
Incorrect Placement
Your Apple Watch also might not be charging if you are not correctly placing the Apple Watch on the magnetic charger. This is a common mistake for new Apple Watch owners. They have either the watch or the charger upside down.
When you place your Apple Watch on the magnetic charger, the back of the Apple Watch should be making contact with the charger, not the screen.
Additionally, the two devices should be magnetically joined. If when you lift your Apple Watch, the charger does not come with it, then you likely have the charger upside down.
Dust Build-Up
Finally, another simple thing that most new Apple Watch owners don’t even think about is dust build-up on their chargers. Even a thin layer of dust on your Apple Watch magnetic charger can prevent the watch and the charger from properly connecting.
However, wipe off the dust, and your charger might begin working again.
When to Take Your Watch to a Professional
If none of the above steps have worked so far, there is still one last thing you should check before you take your Apple Watch to a professional. This final thing to check is whether or not you are still eligible for AppleCare+.
AppleCare+
AppleCare+ is Apple’s limited warranty service. Even if you don’t remember purchasing the warranty service, purchasing an Apple Watch through certain plans gets you it for no additional cost.
If it has been less than one year since you purchased your Apple Watch and the battery has lost more than 80% of its effectiveness, then you can claim your warranty. This may get your battery serviced and fixed free of charge.
Professionals
However, if you are not eligible for AppleCare+, none of the above stats worked. Unfortunately, it may be time for you to bring your device to a professional. These professionals can be found by Googling for tech repair near you.
Thankfully, many of these tech repair professionals will let you know if the cost of getting your Apple Watch fixed is more expensive than just purchasing a new Apple Watch. So be sure to check the reviews for the tech repair service you intend to use to ensure you are in the right hands.