Apple watch occasionally doesn't make sounds

Question

Level 1

22 points

Apple watch occasionally doesn't make sounds

My Apple Watch usually gives me alerts with full sound and haptic taps, but every so often I'll get an alert with no sound and the haptic taps are shorter.

At first I thought it was just me and I was missing the sound and taps, but it's happened often enough that I'm thinking something is wrong. And yes, I'm sure the watch isn't in silent mode when this happens.

My best guess is that it's water damage. I occasionally rinse the watch under water to clean it but I assumed this was safe since the device is water resistant. Plus, I don't submerge it and I'm careful to rinse it only under a gentle stream of water. Sometimes this causes the speaker on the watch to be blocked by small amounts of water, and blowing into it (with my breath) clears those droplets out and allows sounds to be heard again. But the watch is dry when I have the other problem with lack of sound/taps.

Has anyone else experienced this problem of sporadic non-sounding/shorter haptic alerts? Could there really be water damage to my watch from gentle cleaning?

Apple Watch, watchOS 4.0.1, Series 1

Posted on Oct 14, 2017 9:06 AM

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Answer 1

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Oct 14, 2017 10:21 AM in response to zfilm111

zfilm111 wrote:

.. I occasionally rinse the watch under water to clean it but I assumed this was safe since the device is water resistant. Plus, I don't submerge it and I'm careful to rinse it only under a gentle stream of water. Sometimes this causes the speaker on the watch to be blocked by small amounts of water, and blowing into it (with my breath) clears those droplets out and allows sounds to be heard again. ..

Hi

Whilst the Digital Crown mechanism can be run under lightly running, warm fresh tap water for 10-15 seconds if required in order to clean it and whilst Apple Watch Series 1 is splash and water resistant, the whole watch should not be rinsed under water.

The water resistance rating for Series 1 models means that you can, for example, wear and use your Apple Watch during exercise, in the rain and while washing your hands.

You should also never blow into the speaker port in order to clear it of water. This may damage the acoustic membrane and/or force water into your Apple Watch.

More information:

The following steps may help with your issue (check after each):

If you have not yet done so, update your iPhone and Apple Watch to the latest software, starting with your iPhone:

Restart both your iPhone and your Apple Watch, turning both off together, then restarting your iPhone first:

Unpair and re-pair your Apple Watch:

The Watch app on your iPhone takes a backup of your watch automatically when unpairing via the app.
Initially choose to Restore from Backup during set up (most data and settings will be restored, with some exceptions, such as Apple Pay cards, passcode).
If the issue persists, consider instead unpairing and setting it up as a new watch.
Unpair your Apple Watch and iPhone - Apple Support
Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support

If the issue persists, then I suggest that you contact Apple Support (mail-in service may be available, if required), make a Genius Bar reservation or visit an Apple Authorised Service Provider with a view to arranging for your Apple Watch to be inspected and, if required, serviced:

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Answer 2

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Oct 14, 2017 11:47 AM in response to zfilm111

zfilm111 wrote:

Thank you for your reply ..

.. I just found advice from Apple regarding this problem ..

You're welcome.

The advice that you referenced is included within the resources that I provided for you in my previous reply.

zfilm111 wrote:

.. (They should add "don't blow into it to drive the water out.") ..

Also as referenced within my previous reply, the Important handling information for Apple Watch includes "Don’t use .. compressed air when cleaning your Apple Watch".

If you would prefer this to be made clearer, then you may wish to submit feedback to Apple:

Feedback - Apple Watch - Apple

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Answer 3

zfilm111 Author

Level 1

22 points

Oct 14, 2017 11:36 AM in response to Jonathan UK

Thank you for your reply.

As I feared, It seems I have damaged my watch with water and potentially made it worse by blowing into the speaker. I assumed the water resistance was higher and I'm glad to know now what it really is. I knew not to swim with or submerge my Apple Watch, but I didn't know gently running water could potentially damage the device.

Hopefully others read this and learn from my mistake. If you have water in your speaker/microphone openings, let it evaporate. I just found advice from Apple regarding this problem and it says not to shake the watch to remove any water. (They should add "don't blow into it to drive the water out.") Also, charging the watch overnight will help the water evaporate.

Fortunately, the occasional lack of alert sounds isn't a constant issue for me. I will look into getting it repaired if the problem gets worse. (Software is up-to-date, and restarting and re-pairing have not fixed it.) But at least now I know to be much more careful when I clean my watch.

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