Is there a fix for this Apple Watch issue?

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Level 1

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Is there a fix for this Apple Watch issue?

3 days ago, my Apple watch SE stopped working. The screen turns black even though it spent 2 + hours on the charger, and when I hold down the Crown and side button for 20 seconds, nothing happens. When I try to charge it, the Apple logo appears temporarily, but then the screen goes black again, with no sign of the battery charging. I checked for software update while the watch is on the charger, the phone says, "Could not connect to Apple Watch", even though its not in airplane mode and is powered on. I just tried it again, and the MagSafe charging symbol came on. When I touch the watch while its on the charger, it feels warm to me. What else can I do to fix this issue?

Posted on Jul 10, 2026 3:33 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 13, 2026 8:19 AM in response to yeeb

Welcome and thank you for reaching out. 🤗

According to Apple:

If you connect your Apple Watch to its charging cable and you don't see a lightning bolt on your watch:

Make sure you're using the Apple Magnetic Charging Cable or USB-C Magnetic Fast Charging Cable that came with your watch.
Make sure to plug the charging cable all the way into the USB Power Adapter, then plug the adapter all the way into a power outlet.
Reposition the back of your watch on the charger. When the charger's magnets align correctly with your watch, a lightning bolt should appear on the watch face.
Make sure that the back of your watch and the magnetic charger are clean. Completely remove any plastic wrap from both sides of the charger.
Try a different Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable or USB-C Magnetic Fast Charging Cable and a different USB Power Adapter.
Leave your watch connected to its charger for a while. If your watch is out of power, you might need to wait up to 30 minutes for the lightning bolt to appear.
If your watch still won't charge, force it to restart: press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds or until the Apple logo appears.

If you use the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock or the Apple MagSafe Duo Charger with a larger Apple Watch model (44mm, 45mm, or 49mm), you might need to adjust the charger to a different angle or lay it completely flat, to make sure that its magnets align with the magnets in your watch. If you have Apple Watch Ultra or later and it won't connect reliably with these charging devices even when they're lying flat, try removing the watch's band before placing the watch on the charger. If you use a WPT-compliant charger purchased in China or Indonesia with an incompatible Apple Watch, you receive a message: "Unable to charge. This is a country-specific charger. It is incompatible with this Apple Watch." Learn more about WPT-compliant Apple Watch charging.

Learn more:

Find out what to do if the battery in your Apple Watch drains too quickly.
If your Apple Watch still isn't working, you might need to get service.

Contact Information:

United States: 1-800-APLCARE.
Contact Support.

Additional Support:

Thanks again for reaching out. 👍🏼

Good Luck! 👋🏼😉

Smiliñ 😎 Brian | Community Volunteer

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Answer 2

Jul 10, 2026 3:35 PM in response to yeeb

Visit an Apple store or Authorized Service Center.

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Answer 3

6x6

Level 7

23,315 points

Jul 10, 2026 4:46 PM in response to yeeb

One last thing you could try before visiting an Apple Store/Authorized Service Center would be to place the Apple Watch on the charging puck and force restart it (pressing simultaneously the crown and side button for up to 20 seconds).

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