"Always on Display" not working on the Apple Watch Series 5

I would recommend you check your settings and ensure you have the latest software update. See this article:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210428

Please, report back with specific details on what you’ve tried, if it is resolved, or what happened when you tried.

Exact same problem. Series 5 Stainless Steel Black 44mm WiFi/Cellular. Sometimes when I look at it's dim, but other times it's completely black. It's about 50/50. Rebooting doesn't fix it. Erased & restored as a brand new watch & it still doesn't work properly. Very disappointed.

Had this happen. Was told by support to exchange it for a new one. The new one does the same thing.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VrXBMNpX461-CBh4ho9aE9E0_9hKwTUq/view?usp=drivesdk

40mm Aluminum Cellular

My situation is the same as far as a sprint watch that I also replaced and am having the same results and tattoo on my wrist. I’ll play with it tomorrow and see if I can replicate the results on my other wrist which does not have tattoos.

Same Issue. I have a 40mm and 44mm. Both connected to iphone 7. iPhone 7s both have 13.1.3 and watches of 6.0.1. The 44mm always on works. The 40mm does not. We got he 40mm replaced. Replacement always on does not work, even after software update to 13.1.3.

I have a new Apple Watch Series 5 aluminum, 44mm, GPS only. It is current running Watch OS 6.1. I connect to an iPhone 11 Pro running iOS 13.2. Today, the screen on the watch no longer stays on, and won't even come on when I raise my wrist. I have to tap the screen, or press a button to get it to come on. Using the Work-out app, the screen goes dark when I lower my wrist and requires a tap to wake up.. I've tried different watch faces, but that didn't help. The Watch app's display setting is set to Always On.

I have the same exact model. 44mm silver aluminum WiFi and cellular. At least half the time when I look at my watch it’s just a black screen. It’s definitely not working like I expected.

Yup this has happened to me too. 40mm GPS only model.

agreed, I bet this could be fixed in a software update. Let users choose!

This is only for the Apple Watch Series 5, which shipped with Watch OS 6 and there is not a 6.1 update yet, hence the reason for these issues. Thank you.

6.0.1 had been released for a bit when I posted that, good luck

It's not just tattoos because I just got another replacement & it does the exact same thing & I have no tattoos. This is my 3rd Apple Series 5 Watch. This is getting ridiculous.

I had this problem, but found I had accidentally switched on Theater mode, which keeps the display off and silences alerts.