Apple Watch Not Charging? Complete Fix Guide

Pro Tip

Key Takeaways:

• Green snake = completely dead battery — Needs extended charging, not necessarily repair.
• Red lightning bolt = charging but very low — Leave on charger for 30+ minutes.
• Clean the charger and watch — Debris on charging surfaces is the #1 cause.
• Try a different charger — Charger cables fail more often than watches.
• Force restart after charging — Hold both buttons for 10 seconds.

You place your Apple Watch on the charger, expecting the familiar charging animation. Nothing. Or worse—a red lightning bolt or green snake icon that won't go away.

Before assuming your watch needs repair, let's troubleshoot. About 60% of "not charging" issues we see are fixable without repair.

Did You Know?

Apple Watch Charging Issues Diagnosed (2025)

• • 89 charging issues diagnosed
• • 38% were dirty charging surfaces — Fixed with cleaning
• • 22% were faulty chargers — Watch was fine
• • 18% were deeply discharged batteries — Extended charge fixed it
• • 14% needed charging coil repair
• • 8% required battery replacement

Data from celltech repair logs, January-December 2025

What the Charging Symbols Mean

Quick Fixes to Try First

1. Clean the Charging Surfaces

The magnetic charging puck and the back of your Apple Watch must make clean contact. Even a thin film of sweat residue or sunscreen can prevent charging.

• Wipe the back of your watch with a slightly damp lint-free cloth
• Clean the charging puck surface the same way
• Make sure both are completely dry before trying again

2. Check the Charger

• Try a different power adapter (use at least 5W)
• Try a different USB port or wall outlet
• If possible, try a different Apple Watch charger
• Check the cable for damage, especially near the ends

3. Remove the Case

Some thick watch cases or screen protectors can prevent proper magnetic alignment. Remove any case and try charging again.

4. Wait Longer

If your battery was completely drained:

• Leave it charging for at least 30 minutes
• For the green snake, it may take up to 2 hours
• Don't try to turn it on during this time

5. Force Restart

If your watch has some charge but seems frozen:

1. Place watch on charger
2. Hold both the side button and Digital Crown for 10-15 seconds
3. Release when you see the Apple logo

Still Not Charging? Hardware Issues

If none of the above works, your watch likely has a hardware problem:

Charging Coil Failure

The wireless charging coil inside the watch can fail, especially after impacts or water exposure. Symptoms:

• Watch doesn't recognise charger at all
• No charging animation ever appears
• Charger works fine with another Apple Watch

Repair cost: £49-79

Battery Failure

Sometimes a battery fails completely and won't accept charge:

• Watch showed battery warnings before dying
• Battery health was very low
• Watch is 3+ years old

Repair cost: £69-99 — See our battery replacement guide

Logic Board Issues

Less common, but charging circuitry on the main board can fail:

• Watch had liquid exposure
• Watch was dropped or impacted
• Other functions also not working

Repair may not be cost-effective for older models