Apple Watch not charging? 7 Ways to fix it!


You love wearing your Apple Watch, as it’s a brilliant piece of tech with cool features. However, if it does not charge, you’re left with an expensive showpiece with no use. In this blog, I’ll provide you with some solutions to fix the issue of your Apple Watch not charging.

How to fix the Apple Watch not charging issue

1. Make sure you’re using the original Apple Watch charger

First of all, make sure you’re using the charging cable that came in the box.

Then check for an ill-fitting charging cable. Ensure it is plugged in properly. Adjust the device placement and check if it charges.

Next up, make sure the charging cords are not damaged. If the charging cable is burnt or cut, replace it with a genuine Apple Watch charger.

Make sure youre using the original charger

Third-party chargers may be affordable and easy to attain, but they might not be compatible with or provide optimal charging for your Apple Watch.

Those who have been using an Apple charger can directly move on to the next solution. Apple Watch charging times vary depending on the specific model and method of charging. If you’re wondering how long does Apple Watch take to charge, it’s important to note that the charging time can vary.

2. Remove your Apple Watch’s protective case

Do you use a protective case that covers the entire back of your Apple Watch? If yes, please remove it. There should be no obstruction between the rear of the watch and the charging connector.

If you have not peeled off the plastic wrap from both sides of the magnetic Apple Watch charger, please do it.

Additionally, ensure that dirt isn’t causing interference. To clean the rear portion of the watch and the charger, use a soft dry cloth and slowly wipe the surfaces.

Then, try charging your Apple Watch again. If this solution proves to be effective, try getting a better protective case for your Apple Watch.

3. Clean charging contact points

Over time, debris such as lint gets accumulated on charging contacts. The debris could reduce charging speed or prevent charging from happening. Get hold of an earbud and clean the contact.

Furthermore, clean the back and front of the Apple Watch. Consider using alcohol-based cleaners for stubborn dirt.

Clean charging contact points

Cleaning the charging points can help fix problems with your Apple Watch not charging properly.

4. Plug in the adapter properly

Make sure to plug in the adapter to a functional port. It may seem like a trivial solution, but it often does the trick.

Plug in the adapter properly

Make sure the pins are inserted firmly into the respective ports. If you are struggling to connect the adapter to the socket, check for any dirt or debris that may be blocking a proper connection.

5. Try a different Apple Watch charger and cable

If none of the above solutions have worked for you, you must consider trying out a new Apple Watch charger and cable. Sometimes, the issue lies with a faulty charger or cable.

By switching to another charger and cable, you can determine if the problem is with the charging equipment or the Watch.

While purchasing new Apple Watch accessories, ensure that they are MFi-certified, as third-party accessories may not be reliable. By taking these troubleshooting steps, you increase your chances of successfully resolving the charging issue on your Apple Watch.

6. Restart or hard reset your Apple Watch

By far, we’ve covered solutions focused on the condition of your Apple Watch. However, if everything seems fine, the problem must lie in the device. To rectify such software-based issues, I present two effective resolves:

  • The first troubleshooting step you can try is restarting your device. Restarting the Apple Watch can resolve various software glitches and temporarily fix charging problems.
    • To restart your Apple Watch, press and hold down the side button until the sliders appear → Tap the Power icon → Drag the Power off slider towards the right to switch off your watch.
  • Another alternative is to perform a hard reset. This resolve focuses on refreshing every app currently running on your device.
    • To hard reset your Apple Watch, press and hold the side button and the Digital Crown for 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

It’s important to note that these two procedures will not erase any of your settings or data; they simply reboot the device.

7. Erase your Apple Watch and set up again

Your Apple Watch isn’t charging despite following the above solutions and recommendations?

In such a case, fully erase the Apple Watch and set it up again. This will remove everything that is currently on your watch, including any custom settings.

  1. To erase the Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown to see all the apps.
  2. From here, tap the Settings app icon → GeneralReset.

    open settings tap on general then tap on reset on apple watch 1
  3. Now, tap Erase All Content and Settings Erase All.
  4. Enter the watch passcode and confirm.

    erase all content and settings on apple watch 1

Once your watch is successfully formatted, you will have to pair (set up) your Apple Watch again.

Confirm your selection and proceed with setting up the Apple Watch as new. Although this solution may seem drastic, it has proven successful for some users in addressing charging issues. Before you proceed, make sure to back up your data so you don’t lose your important files in the process.

Keep your Apple Watch ticking!

These are some of the ways to get your Apple Watch charging again successfully. In case this article did not work positively for you, contact Apple Support, and learn about your repair options.

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author avatar
Mahit
Mahit is an engineer by Education with a corporate stint to his name. He ditched the corporate boardroom wars in favor of the technology battleground. For the better part of a decade, he has worked for popular publishing outlets, including Dennis Publishing, BGR India, AppStorm, MakeUseOf, and iPhonehacks.

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