Apple Watch not Charging and How to Fix it

As an Apple Watch user, you definitely understand how much of a headache it can be if the device is not charging. A dead Apple Watch can prove to be a major hindrance in your daily timetable, leaving you without important notifications, fitness tracking, and other features. With that said, let's review the common reasons your Apple Watch not charging, and let's see how we can offer you practical solutions to get your device back on track.

What signs indicate that my Apple Watch is charging properly?

But before we go into why your Apple Watch won't charge, let us first establish how you're going to know whether it is charging properly or not. There are a couple of indicators to check to be sure that, indeed, your Apple Watch is charging properly:

Charging screen: When you place your Apple Watch on the charger, the watch should display a green lightning bolt icon on the screen. This icon indicates that the watch is charging. If the icon is red or not visible, make sure the charger is properly connected and try repositioning the watch on the charger.

Charging chime: The sound plays if an Apple Watch is not in silent mode. It is what you hear if you place a watch on a charger. This sound informs you that the watch was connected to a charger and put on charge.

View your battery percentage: To view the watch face on your Apple Watch, press the digital crown and swipe up. The Control Center will be displayed. Look for a percentage reading of your battery. If it is increasing, your watch is charging fine.

Nightstand mode: Once this feature is enabled, it just allows the current time, date, and battery percentage to appear on the screen of your watch while it is placed by its side and attached to the charger. This way, you know very easily whether or not your watch is charging without actually interacting with the watch.

Check your charger and cable: Make sure you are using an original charger and cable for your Apple Watch, or a properly certified third-party accessory. Inspect the cable and charger for any visible damage or debris that might interfere with the charging process. If necessary, clean the charger and the back of your Apple Watch with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Update your Apple Watch: Make sure that your Apple Watch is up to date with the latest version of watchOS. Normally, software updates come with enhanced better fixes on the charging and battery performances.

Why Is My Apple Watch Not Charging?

There may be many reasons why your Apple Watch not charging. Here are some common ones with solutions:

Incorrect placement on a charger: Ensure that your Apple Watch is well-positioned on your charger. The back of the watch should directly be in contact with the charger, as the magnets in it will align to hold the watch in position. If not placed correctly, the watch may fail to charge properly or not charge at all.

Dirty or damaged charger: Examine the Apple Watch charger for dirt, debris, or damage. If dirt is noted, wipe it off gently with a clean soft, lint-free cloth. If there is visible damage to the charger or cable, such as fraying or exposed wires, stop using the charger and replace it immediately.

Dirty, Damaged Apple Watch Dirt/ Damage: Examine your Apple Watch for dirt or damage, in particular, around the charging area at the back. Clean the backside of the watch with a soft, lint-free cloth. If there is any pile up of debris or dirt in this area, use a soft-bristle brush or a toothpick to gently remove any of the material from the charging area.

Software Issues: There could be a problem with the software, and at times, software bugs do not allow the Apple Watch to charge properly. You can restart your watch by long-pressing the side button until you see the Apple logo. If it still doesn't work, make sure you have updated the device to the newest version of watchOS, as updates often solve most of the problems related to charging.

Use of a low power output adapter: If you are using a third-party power adapter to charge your Apple Watch, ensure it has enough power output. Apple recommends using a 5W USB power adapter or one with a higher capacity for the best charging performance.

Environmental conditions: Charging your Apple Watch will not be possible to the best of its ability under extreme temperatures. Do not charge your watch in direct sunlight or in environments below 32°F (0°C) and over 95°F (35°C).

Hardware issues: If none of the above work, your Apple Watch or its charger most likely has hardware issues. If the problem is from the accessory or from the watch itself, you will have to test if charging the watch with another charger or charging cable can change anything.

How do I repair my Apple Watch not charging?

Now that we understand the common reasons behind an Apple Watch not charging, let's explore some practical solutions to fix the issue:

Check the charger and cable

Check for any damage to the charger of the Apple Watch or its cable, including cracks, breaks, frays, or exposed wires. If these are found, then the charger or cable must be replaced.
Ensure that the charger and cable are clean and there is no debris on the charger or on the back of the Apple Watch. If necessary, lightly clean the charger and the back of your Apple Watch with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Try connecting with another Apple Watch charger or cable to test if the issue is with the accessory.

Ensuring proper charger placement

Now place the Apple Watch on the charger, making sure the back of the watch touches the charger.
Ensure that the magnets in the charger are in the right alignment with the watch and securely hold the watch in place.
Reposition the watch on the charger if it is not properly seated on the charger.

Reboot your Apple Watch

Press and hold the side button until the Power Off slider appears.
Now drag the slider to switch off your watch.
Once your watch powers off, again press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

Update your Apple Watch software

Your iPhone will need to be connected to Wi-Fi, and your Apple Watch will need to be sitting on the charger.
Open the Watch app on your iPhone. Tap on "General". Tap on "Software Update".
In case there is an available update, tap on "Download and Install" and follow the on-screen instructions.

Force Restart Your Apple Watch

When the Apple Watch is not charging, an attempt to force it to restart should be considered.
To restart, simply press and hold down the side button together with the Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds or until the Apple logo comes up.

Check for environmental factors

Do not charge your Apple Watch in extreme temperatures, whether it is extremely warm or cold. It is optimal to charge in temperatures that fall within 32 to 95 °F (0 to 35 °C).
Do not charge in sun light or near heating devices.

Contact Apple Support

In the event that none of the above steps fixes the issue of charging, it is then proper to seek the support of Apple by contacting them or visiting their store or Authorized Service Providers for checking the product.
This will enable them to diagnose the problem and further assist you, or repair services if need be.

How do you stop it from not charging the Apple Watch?

To prevent your Apple Watch from not charging, there are several proactive measures you can take to ensure optimal charging performance and maintain the overall health of your device:

Use official or certified chargers and cables

Use the original Apple Watch charger and cable, or purchase certified third-party accessories from reputable brands, like the usb c charger from UGREEN, to ensure safe and reliable charging.

Always keep away from counterfeit chargers and cables, as they are mostly substandard and will not give proper voltage or amperage, which might cause a problem in charging and even spoil your watch.

Take care of the charger and cable

Unplug the Apple Watch charger by pulling the plug from the power outlet or power source, not by pulling the cable, to avoid stress and strain on the wires that may lead to damage.
Do not excessively bend, twist, or crush the charger and cable, as this could cause internal damage and therefore problems with charging.

Keep the charging area clean

Rub the back of the Apple Watch and the charger surface using a soft, lint-free cloth to clean dirt, debris, or sweat residue that could otherwise interfere with the right charging process.
If the charger, or your watch's charging area, is excessively dirty, clean it with a small amount of damp cloth and allow it to dry thoroughly before trying to charge it again.

Charge the Apple Watch in a place of respect

Please charge in a cool, well-ventilated area, but not in sunlight or close to heat sources.
Do not charge your Apple Watch in extremely hot or cold environments, as temperature extremes can affect the charging efficiency and battery health.

Keep the batteries adequately charged

Maintain your Apple Watch battery at 30-80% for peak performance and a long lifespan.
Do not drain your watch battery completely or leave it fully charged for long periods, because in both ways the battery will be under stress and have a shortened life.

Keep your Apple Watch's software updated

Update the watchOS to its newest available version, mainly containing bug fixes, improvements to performance, as well as optimization in charging and battery management.
To update your Apple Watch, make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi, place your watch on its charger, and go to the Watch app on your iPhone. Tap General, then tap Software Update, and follow the onscreen instructions.

Protect your Apple Watch from physical damage

Wear a protective case or a screen protector to avoid scratches, dents, or any other physical damage that might affect the charging components.
But first, dry it properly if your Apple Watch has gotten wet, and then try to charge it, as wetness can cause a short circuit and charging problems.

Use a power bank

On the go? Bring along your power bank. A great power bank to charge your Apple Watch is offered by UGREEN.

Conclusion

Apple Watch not charging can be an irritating experience, but with the common causes expounded in this blog and practical solutions given, it's a guarantee you will be set to go. And remember to: Always use certified chargers and take preventative measures to keep your watch from charging problems. Your Apple Watch will be able to serve you well with a little care and maintenance.