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Osnivo Fix

Apple Watch won't charge or turn on

Apple: “Learn what to do if your Apple Watch screen shows a red lightning bolt or is blank.”

Watch · 7 steps, in Apple's order

Step of 7

Fixed at step

You've tried every step

  1. 1

    Give it up to 30 minutes

    Didn't fix it

    • If a red lightning bolt appears on your Apple Watch screen, it means your watch doesn't have enough battery power to turn on. When you connect your watch to its charging cable, the red lightning bolt changes to a red lightning bolt inside a ring.
    • If your screen stays blank even when you press the side button, or if the charging cable icon appears, you might need to charge your watch for up to 30 minutes before it will turn on.

    Apple: If your Apple Watch won't turn on or won't charge ↗

    Did this fix it?
  2. 2

    Use the watch's own cable

    Didn't fix it

    • 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.

    Apple: If your Apple Watch won't turn on or won't charge ↗

    Did this fix it?
  3. 3

    Reposition it and clean the back

    Didn't fix it

    • 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.

    Apple: If your Apple Watch won't turn on or won't charge ↗

    Did this fix it?
  4. 4

    Try a different cable and adapter

    Didn't fix it

    • 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.

    Apple: If your Apple Watch won't turn on or won't charge ↗

    Did this fix it?
  5. 5

    Force it to restart

    Didn't fix it

    • 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.

    Apple: If your Apple Watch won't turn on or won't charge ↗

    Did this fix it?
  6. 6

    Using a dock or MagSafe Duo?

    Didn't fix it

    • 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.

    Apple: If your Apple Watch won't turn on or won't charge ↗

    Did this fix it?

Glad it's fixed

We've added one to this step's “fixed it” count — anonymously, nothing about you or your device is stored. It helps the next reader start with what works.

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