Apple Watch Won't Turn On? Here's What to Do

Pro Tip

Key Takeaways:

• Dead battery is #1 cause — Try charging for 2+ hours before assuming it's broken.
• Force restart: Hold side button + Digital Crown for 10 seconds.
• Check for green snake icon — Means battery is depleted, not dead.
• Try a different charger — Charger failure is more common than watch failure.
• Black screen after impact — May indicate display or internal damage.

Your Apple Watch screen is completely black. You tap it. Nothing. You press buttons. Still nothing. It's natural to panic, but don't assume the worst yet.

Most "won't turn on" issues are actually depleted batteries, not dead watches. Let's troubleshoot step by step.

Did You Know?

"Won't Turn On" Issues Diagnosed (2025)

• • 67 "dead watch" cases diagnosed
• • 42% were completely discharged batteries — Fixed with extended charging
• • 19% were faulty chargers — New charger = working watch
• • 21% needed battery replacement — Battery wouldn't hold charge
• • 12% had display failure — Watch was on, screen wasn't
• • 6% had logic board issues — Required professional repair

Data from celltech repair logs, January-December 2025

Step 1: Charge for Extended Period

If your Apple Watch battery completely dies, it won't turn on immediately—even when placed on the charger. The battery needs minimum charge before the watch can boot.

1. Place watch on its charger
2. Ensure charger is connected to power (not just a laptop USB)
3. Leave it for at least 2 hours
4. Don't try to turn it on during this time

After 30 minutes, you might see the green snake icon or red lightning bolt—this means it's charging. Keep waiting.

Step 2: Force Restart

If charging for 2 hours doesn't help, try a force restart:

1. Keep watch on the charger
2. Press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown
3. Hold for at least 10 seconds
4. Release when you see the Apple logo

Warning

Important: You must hold BOTH buttons simultaneously. Just the side button won't force restart—it only accesses the power menu (which requires a working screen).

Step 3: Rule Out the Charger

Chargers fail more often than you'd think:

• Try a different power adapter — Use at least a 5W adapter
• Try a different outlet — Rule out outlet issues
• Borrow another Apple Watch charger — If available
• Check the cable — Look for damage, especially at connection points

Still Won't Turn On?

If your watch still shows no signs of life after all the above, you likely have a hardware issue:

Dead Battery

Batteries can fail completely and refuse to charge. More likely if:

• Watch is 2-3+ years old
• Battery health was declining
• Watch sat unused for months

Solution: Battery replacement (£69-99)

Display Failure

Sometimes the watch is actually on—you just can't see it. Signs:

• Watch makes sounds or vibrates when you try to use it
• Your iPhone shows the watch as connected
• Siri responds to "Hey Siri"

Solution: Screen repair (£89-199)

Logic Board Failure

The main board can fail due to:

• Water damage (even with "water resistant" rating)
• Severe impact
• Manufacturing defect
• Age and wear

Solution: Professional diagnosis needed. Repair may or may not be cost-effective depending on model and extent of damage.

When Repair Makes Sense