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If your Apple Watch controls respond, try a normal restart first. If the watch is frozen and you cannot restart it normally, disconnect it from the charger and hold the side button and Digital Crown together for at least 10 seconds, until the Apple logo appears. For a blank screen or charging symbol, check the charger and allow up to 30 minutes for the charging indicator to appear.
The right fix depends on whether the watch is out of power, responding poorly, or stuck on the Apple logo. Follow the steps below in order, and seek service if it remains inoperative.
First, identify what the watch is doing
| What you see | What to try |
|---|---|
| The screen is blank, or a red lightning bolt or charging-cable symbol appears | Charge the watch and check the cable, adapter, alignment, and cleanliness |
| The display is on but taps or buttons do nothing | Try a normal restart if possible; otherwise force-restart it |
| The Apple logo remains on screen after restarting | Force-restart, then unpair and pair the watch again; check for an update |
1. Try a normal restart if the controls respond
Apple advises trying a normal restart first when possible. Do not restart the watch while it is charging.
- Remove the watch from its charger.
- Press and hold the side button until the sliders appear.
- Tap the power button and drag the Power Off slider.
- After the watch shuts down, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
If the controls do not respond or the problem persists, use the force-restart steps below.
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2. Force-restart a frozen Apple Watch
Force restart only when a normal restart is unavailable or has not resolved the problem. It is not the same as erasing the watch.
- Remove the watch from its charger.
- Press and hold the side button and Digital Crown at the same time.
- Continue holding both buttons for at least 10 seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
- Release the buttons and allow the watch time to restart.
3. Fix a blank screen or charging symbol
A blank screen may mean the watch needs power rather than a software fix. If the screen stays blank or a charging-cable icon appears, Apple says charging may take up to 30 minutes before an indicator appears. A red lightning bolt is also a reason to start with the charging steps.
- Connect the Apple Watch magnetic charging cable or USB-C magnetic fast charging cable to its USB power adapter.
- Make sure the adapter is connected to a working power source and the cable is fully connected.
- Position the watch so its back aligns with the charger.
- Clean the back of the watch and the charger, then leave the watch connected for up to 30 minutes.
- If it still does not charge, try another compatible Apple Watch magnetic charging cable and USB power adapter.
A different cable or adapter can help identify a charging problem; it is not a general fix for a software freeze. Confirm connector and model compatibility when choosing a replacement.
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4. If the Apple Watch is stuck on the Apple logo
First force-restart the watch. If the Apple logo remains, Apple recommends unpairing the watch from the iPhone and pairing it again.
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- Keep the Apple Watch and paired iPhone close together.
- Open the Apple Watch app on the iPhone.
- Tap My Watch, then All Watches.
- Tap the information button next to the affected watch.
- Choose Unpair Apple Watch and follow the prompts.
- Pair the watch with the iPhone again, then check for a watchOS update in the Apple Watch app.
The iPhone creates a backup during unpairing that can be used during setup. For a GPS + Cellular model, follow the prompts about whether to keep the mobile plan. If the watch remains stuck after pairing again and checking for an update, seek service.
5. Check for a watchOS update after recovery
When the watch can start and communicate with the iPhone, open the Apple Watch app and go to My Watch > General > Software Update. Install an available update if the watch and paired iPhone are eligible.
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If the watch is stuck on the Apple logo and cannot be operated, you may need to complete the restart and re-pairing steps before checking for an update.
6. Avoid erasing the watch as a first step
Erasing all content and settings removes data and settings from the watch. It is not the normal remedy for a one-time freeze. If unpairing, re-pairing, and an update do not resolve the problem, contact Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for guidance before taking a destructive step.
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Do not try physical-reset shortcuts
Do not insert a pin, SIM tool, paper clip, or other object into openings in the watch case. These are not reset points, and probing them can damage the watch.
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What to do if the side button does not work
Check whether a case or protective film is obstructing the side button, and remove it temporarily if needed. Do not force an object into the watch case.
If the button remains damaged or unreliable, a force restart may not be possible. Seek service rather than assuming a particular hardware cause.
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Contact Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider if the watch remains frozen after a force restart, stays on the Apple logo after unpairing and pairing again, will not charge after checking the setup and trying another cable and adapter, or has a damaged control.
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Service options depend on the watch and location. If the watch remains unusable after the troubleshooting steps, service is the appropriate next step.
Quick decision guide
- Blank screen, red lightning bolt, or charging-cable symbol: check the charger and allow up to 30 minutes for an indicator to appear.
- Controls respond: try a normal restart.
- Controls do not respond or normal restart fails: force-restart by holding the side button and Digital Crown together for at least 10 seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
- Apple logo remains: unpair and pair the watch again, then check for an update.
- Still inoperative or physically damaged: seek service.
FAQ
How do I force-restart an unresponsive Apple Watch?
Remove it from the charger, then hold the side button and Digital Crown together for at least 10 seconds, until the Apple logo appears. Release the buttons and allow the watch to restart.
What should I do if my Apple Watch screen is black and it will not turn on?
Connect it to its charger, check the cable and adapter connections and alignment, and allow up to 30 minutes for a charging indicator to appear. If it still does not charge, try another compatible magnetic charging cable and USB power adapter.
What should I do if my Apple Watch is stuck on the Apple logo?
Force-restart it first. If the logo remains, unpair the watch from the iPhone, pair it again, and check for a watchOS update. Seek service if it is still stuck.
Will I lose my data if I unpair my Apple Watch?
The iPhone creates a backup during unpairing that can be used when pairing the watch again. Follow the prompts during setup to restore from the available backup.
The Bottom Line
Try a normal restart when the controls respond; otherwise, force-restart by holding the side button and Digital Crown together for at least 10 seconds, until the Apple logo appears. For a blank screen or charging symbol, check the charger and allow up to 30 minutes for an indicator. If the Apple logo remains after re-pairing and checking for an update, or the watch will not charge, seek service.
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