Apple Watch Series 5 Not Charging? Here's Why & The Fix.
MAY 28, 2021
Your Apple Watch charger looks like it's set up normally, but for some reason it's not working. Despite your best efforts, your device continues to lose power. Today, I'll show you how to fix an Apple Watch Series 5 that won't charge.
Before The Real Work Starts
Before getting too far into your home repair process, it might help to make absolutely sure that your Apple Watch isn't currently charging. With the way the Apple Watch display works, it's surprisingly easy for a user to miss that an Apple Watch has successfully connected to its charger.
To check if your Apple Watch Series 5 is currently charging, swipe up from the bottom of your watch face. Then, select the percentage you see in the small options menu that appears.
This page displays how much battery your Apple Watch currently has. If your device has successfully linked to its charger, it should say the word "charging" underneath the battery measurement.
If you don't see "charging" on this page and you're sure your Apple Watch's charger is set up correctly, it's time to try some fixes.
How To Repair An Apple Watch That Won't Charge
6 Steps TotalCharge Your Apple Watch
A lot of the time, an Apple Watch will become unresponsive when it runs out of battery. If you prefer to watch than read, check out our video all about how to charge your Apple Watch!
How Do I Charge My Apple Watch?
- Plug your Apple Watch's magnetic charging cable into a power source.
- Place your Apple Watch directly on to the concave side of the cable's charging surface.
- The magnet in the charging cable will hold your Apple Watch in place.
Applies To: Apple Watch Series 3,Apple Watch Series 4,Apple Watch Series 5,Apple Watch Series 6,Apple Watch SE
View MoreHard Reset Your Apple Watch
When an Apple Watch malfunctions, sometimes a hard reset is all it takes to repair it. While this might not be a permanent solution, it's a quick and easy measure to take before getting too deep into the repair process.
How Do I Hard Reset My Apple Watch?
- Press and hold the Digital Crown and Side button simultaneously.
- Continue holding both buttons until the Apple logo appears, then let go.
Applies To: Apple Watch Series 3,Apple Watch Series 4,Apple Watch Series 5,Apple Watch Series 6,Apple Watch SE
View MoreTry Another Apple Watch Charger
It's possible your charger is the reason why your Apple Watch is not working. If your Apple Watch isn't working with any charger, there's probably a problem with your Apple Watch. If other chargers work, there's likely a problem with the charger, not your Apple Watch.
How Do I Try Another Apple Watch Charger?
- Try plugging your charging cable into a few different power sources. If you normally charge with a wall outlet, try plugging into your computer or car.
- Make a note if your Apple Watch begins charging when plugged into one power source and not another.
Applies To: Apple Watch Series 3,Apple Watch Series 4,Apple Watch Series 5,Apple Watch Series 6,Apple Watch SE
View MoreTry Another Apple Watch Charging Cable
Apple's magnetic charging cables can be pretty fragile. It's possible that a damaged Apple Watch cable could be the reason for the problems you're experiencing. Taking the time to test your charging cable a few different ways could save you some time and effort down the line.
There are a couple steps you'll want to take to fully troubleshoot your Apple Watch's charging cable:
- Clean any dirt or debris off of your Apple Watch and charging cable.
- Clean out the USB end of your magnetic charging cable with an anti-static brush.
If that doesn't work:
- Try using a different charging cable if you have access to one.
- If your Apple Watch charges with one cable and not another, you know that your original charging cable was causing the problem.
Applies To: Apple Watch Series 3,Apple Watch Series 4,Apple Watch Series 5,Apple Watch Series 6,Apple Watch SE
View MoreErase All Content And Settings On Your Apple Watch
We recommend this as a last resort for Apple Watch home repair. It's possible that a deeper software issue is what's causing the problem on your Apple Watch. By erasing all content and settings, we can erase the software problem completely.
How Do I Erase All Content And Settings On My Apple Watch?
- Open Settings on your Apple Watch.
- Tap General.
- Tap Reset.
- Tap Erase All Content And Settings.
- Enter your passcode when prompted.
- Tap Erase All to confirm.
- Pair your Apple Watch to your iPhone again.
Applies To: Apple Watch Series 3,Apple Watch Series 4,Apple Watch Series 5,Apple Watch Series 6,Apple Watch SE
View MoreRepair Your Apple Watch With Apple
If you've tried every other troubleshooting step and you still haven't been able to resolve the problem, the safest thing to do is go directly to Apple. Giving a professional the opportunity to diagnose and repair your device is your best option for keeping the problem from worsening.
How Do I Repair My Apple Watch With Apple?
There are a few way to get in touch with Apple about repairs. If you're willing to go out to an Apple Store:
- Set up an appointment at your local Genius Bar.
- Bring your Apple Watch in for a free diagnosis and repair quote!
If you'd prefer a mail-in repair service:
- Visit Apple's support website.
- Look in to Apple's mail-in repair servicing options.
Applies To: Apple Watch Series 3,Apple Watch Series 4,Apple Watch Series 5,Apple Watch Series 6,Apple Watch SE
View MoreTake Charge!
Charging issues are especially fickle for Apple Watches, since they don't even have a charging port to plug into. If your Apple Watch Series 5 is not charging, start with some basic troubleshooting and build to more significant repairs. The solution for you is out there, you'll find it before too long!
How To Repair An Apple Watch That Won't Charge
Applies To: Apple Watch Series 5
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