How to Revive Your Non-Responsive Apple Watch
If your Apple Watch is not functioning as it should, don't panic! This guide will walk you through the troubleshooting steps necessary to get your wearable functioning again. Check the battery charge status first, and then move on to resetting the device if needed.
1. Check the Battery Charge Status
One of the most common reasons for an Apple Watch not turning on or responding is a low battery. If the battery level is too low, the device may not activate. Therefore, the first step should be to fully charge your Apple Watch.
Charge the Battery: Connect your Apple Watch to its charger. Use the magnetic charging cable that comes with the device. Ensure that your iPhone is also charged and connected to Wi-Fi for the best experience.Once the watch is charging, check the battery percentage on the screen. It should reach 100% and the watch should turn on. If the watch still does not turn on, proceed to the next step.
2. Perform a Factory Reset
If charging the battery doesn’t help, you may need to perform a factory reset. A factory reset will erase all content and settings on the Apple Watch, returning it to its original state. This can help resolve issues that might be related to apps or system settings.
How to Perform a Factory Reset:
There are two ways to reset the Apple Watch: through the iPhone or directly on the watch itself.
Reset via iPhone: Open the iPhone app on your iPhone. Go to Watch > General > Reset. Tap Reset > Reset > Erase All Contents and Settings. Confirm the action with your Apple password. The process will take a few minutes. Your Apple Watch will be powered off, and then it will start the reset sequence. Reset via the Apple Watch: Press and hold the side button and the digital crown until the Apple Watch restarts. Once the Apple Watch has restarted, quick press (double-tap) the digital crown. This will open the Digital Crown menu. Slide the digital crown to the right to open the Settings > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the on-screen instructions. You will be prompted to confirm the reset and to enter your Apple password.During the reset process, your Apple Watch should be kept on the charger to ensure it has ample power.
3. Re-Pair to Your Phone
After the reset is complete, your Apple Watch needs to be re-paired to your iPhone.
Connect the Apple Watch to the charger and ensure that the watch and iPhone are both on and powered on. On your iPhone, go to the Watch > My Watch tab. Tap General > Reboot Watch. Follow the on-screen instructions to pair the watch again.If you encounter any issues during the pairing process, make sure that both devices are running the latest version of iOS and watchOS.
4. Contact Apple Support
If the above steps don't resolve the issue, there may be underlying hardware or software problems. In this case, consider taking your Apple Watch to an Apple Store or an Authorized Apple Service Center.
Troubleshooting Battery Life: If the Apple Watch still doesn't work after the reset, it might be due to a battery issue. Battery problems are not uncommon, especially as devices age. Replacing the battery can often solve the problem.
Conclusion: With these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and fix most issues with your non-responsive Apple Watch. If you need further assistance, Apple’s customer support or an authorized service center is always a reliable option.