Apple Watch problems? Fix them yourself
Your Apple Watch is acting strangely. The screen is stuttering. The battery dies within two hours. Or it won't charge anymore . Your first thought: repair it or buy a new one right away. Understandable, since Apple repairs are notoriously expensive.
But here's the thing. You can easily fix most Apple Watch problems yourself . No tools. No technical expertise. No expensive repair service. Sounds too good to be true? I thought so too. Until I discovered that four of the most common problems can be solved with a few simple steps.
From a frozen screen to mysterious battery problems, it's often a matter of adjusting the right setting or performing a specific reset. In this article, I'll show you exactly how.
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The 4 most common Apple Watch problems solved
Your Apple Watch is more than just a watch. It's your workout buddy, your notification center, and your health monitor. So when something goes wrong, you want to fix it as quickly as possible. Fortunately, you can fix most problems yourself without having to visit a repair shop. Here, we'll cover the four most common problems and their solutions step by step.
1. Battery drains within a few hours
An Apple Watch battery should last at least 18 hours with normal use. If your battery drains within 4-5 hours, there's probably a software issue, not a hardware defect.
First step: check your settings
- Go to Settings > Battery on your Apple Watch
- See which apps use the most battery
- Disable background refresh for apps you rarely use
- Reduce screen brightness (Settings > Display & brightness)
- Turn off 'Always On' if you don't need it
Step 2: Force restart
Press and hold the Digital Crown and the side button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears. This takes about 10 seconds. A forced restart often fixes mysterious battery issues without losing any data.
Third step: software update
Outdated software is a common culprit. Open the Watch app on your iPhone and go to General > Software Update. Install any available updates. Apple regularly fixes battery issues with updates.
2. Apple Watch no longer charges
You put your watch on the charger, but nothing happens. No green lightning bolt, no charging sound. Before you panic, follow these steps.
Check the basics
- Remove the plastic protective film from both sides of the charger (you forget this more often than you think)
- Clean the back of your Apple Watch with a damp cloth
- Also clean the magnetic charger carefully
- Try a different outlet or USB port
Test with other cables
If possible, use a different Apple Watch charger. If it works, the problem is with your original cable. Don't have a spare charger? Then try a different adapter or power bank. The problem is often with the adapter, not the magnetic charger itself.
The ultimate reset trick
While your Apple Watch is on the charger, press and hold both buttons (Digital Crown and Side button) for at least 15 seconds. Keep holding until you see the Apple logo, even if the screen turns red first. This deep reset often resolves persistent charging issues.
3. Cracked or damaged screen
Unfortunately, you can't repair a cracked screen yourself. But before you immediately buy a new one or head to the repair shop, there are a few things to consider.
Assess the damage
- Is the touchscreen still working? Test all angles and functions.
- Are there only superficial scratches or is the glass actually cracked?
- Can you feel sharp edges? This can be dangerous during exercise.
Temporary solutions
For minor scratches, you can apply a screen protector. This prevents the damage from worsening and makes the screen smooth again. While this isn't a solution for deep cracks, it can extend the lifespan until you find a permanent solution.
Repair or replacement?
A screen repair often costs €200-€350, depending on the model. For older models (Series 3 or 4), a refurbished screen is sometimes cheaper than a repair. Always compare the costs before making a decision.
4. Problems after a software update
Your Apple Watch is acting strangely after the latest update. Apps are crashing, the watch is slow to respond, or features are no longer working. This happens more often than you think, especially with major iOS updates.
Soft reset as first aid
Restart your Apple Watch using the normal menu (hold the side button, swipe right on "Power Off"). If this doesn't solve the problem, continue with the next steps.
Reinstall apps
Completely remove and reinstall problematic apps. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, scroll to the app in question, and turn off "Show app on Apple Watch." Wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
Disconnect and reconnect
This is the nuclear option, but often very effective:
- Make a backup first (happens automatically when disconnecting)
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone
- Tap 'All Apple Watches' at the top
- Tap the info icon next to your watch
- Select 'Unpair Apple Watch'
- Then reconnect and restore from backup
When is professional help needed?
Some problems you can't solve yourself. Seek professional help for:
- Water damage (even if your Watch is water resistant)
- The Digital Crown no longer turns smoothly
- Heart rate or other sensors no longer work
- The watch becomes extremely hot during charging
- Pixels are dropping out or the screen is showing strange colors
Preventive tips for a longer lifespan
Prevention is better than cure. These tips will help you avoid many problems:
Daily maintenance
- Clean your watch weekly with a damp cloth
- Always dry it after exercising or swimming
- Charge at room temperature, out of direct sunlight
- Use only original or MFi-certified accessories
Software hygiene
- Install updates within a few weeks of release
- Restart your watch monthly for optimal performance.
- Delete apps you don't use
- Free up space regularly (at least 500 MB)
Conclusion
Most Apple Watch problems can be solved at home with a little patience and the right approach. Always start with the simplest solution: restarting, updating, and checking settings. Only if these basic steps don't work should you move on to more drastic measures like resetting or unpairing. With this knowledge, you'll save yourself not only money, but also time and frustration. You don't have to go to the store or repair shop for every problem. And if all else fails? Then you'll at least know you've tried everything before investing in a repair or replacement.
Conclusion
A malfunctioning Apple Watch doesn't necessarily mean an expensive repair or a new one. From battery problems to charging issues, you can fix most things yourself with the right approach. Start with the basics, like restarting and checking settings, then work your way up to more thorough resets.
If it really doesn't work, you can always opt for professional repair or a refurbished model . But chances are good that your watch will work like new again after these tips. No hassle, no high costs.
