How Do I Fix My Apple Watch That Won’t Charge?

Your Apple watch can hold a charge that will keep it going for about 18 hours of use, and it can recharge to full capacity in about two hours. But if you’re having issues with your Apple Watch not charging, those numbers don’t matter. Any number of minor problems or something more serious could be the reason your watch won’t charge. If you’ve determined that your Apple Watch won’t charge, walking through these troubleshooting steps might help.

Is My Apple Watch Charging?

The first problem that some people encounter is that they can’t tell if their watch is charging. The easiest way to tell is to watch when you plug your Apple Watch up to a charging station. Once the watch connects to the charger, a green lightning bolt will appear on the screen for a few seconds to let you know the watch is charging. If you don’t see this, your watch did not start charging, and you should follow the troubleshooting steps above. Also, make sure the cord between the power block and the charging disk is entirely and securely seated in the port on each end. If the cord isn’t plugged in correctly on either end, it can break the charging connection. If your Apple watch is unresponsive, you can force a restart by holding the side button and the digital crown until your watch powers off. Then wait a few minutes and press the side button to turn it back on again. Let it finish rebooting, and then try charging it again. If your Apple Watch displays a tiny red lightning bolt at the top of the screen while you’re wearing it or if a red lightning bolt appears when you connect the watch to a charging station, then the battery on your watch is very low. If it happens while the watch is on the charger, then your charger isn’t giving your watch any power.

Why Is My Apple Watch Not Charging?

If your Apple Watch won’t charge, it could be a software or hardware problem or something entirely different. The most common reason people find their Apple Watch won’t charge is an obstruction preventing the charger from connecting with the watch. It’s also possible there is a software issue, and once that’s cleared out, the watch will begin charging again. Or the problem with your watch could be a defect, in which case you’ll likely need to return the watch to Apple for a replacement or take it to a repair shop for a professional fix.

If Your Apple Watch Still Won’t Charge

If you try these troubleshooting steps and your Apple Watch still won’t charge, then it’s time to reach out to a professional repair person for help. If your watch is covered under Apple Care or is still under warranty, then an Apple Store appointment might help you get your watch working again or provide a replacement. Otherwise, a local electronics repair shop will be your next best option.