Tech Reference

'Why won't my Apple Watch turn on?': How to fix an Apple Watch that won't turn on or respond

Written by Steven John
smart watch apple watch
If your Apple Watch won't turn on, there are several ways to troubleshoot it. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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An Apple Watch that won't turn on is about as useful as a pen with no ink, the difference being that the smartwatch probably cost you $200 or more. 

But don't worry — there are many reasons why an Apple Watch screen might not be turning on, and most of them have a simple fix. 

Here we'll go through four of the most common reasons an Apple Watch won't turn on, and how to fix the problems. If none of these work, then you likely have a hardware issue that you won't be able to fix yourself, but that might be covered by your warranty. 

So even if none of these fixes get your Apple Watch turned on again, don't toss the thing out. Bring it to the Apple Store for a professional inspection.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Apple Watch Series 4 (From $399 at Best Buy)

Check the battery, and check your Apple Watch charger

apple watch charger
Attach your Apple Watch to its charger, and make sure the battery is still working. Abigail Abesamis/Business Insider

One common reason an Apple Watch won't turn on is simply that the battery is dead. Connect the Watch to its charger, and if that doesn't work, make sure you try a different charging cable and charger to see if your charger is faulty.

If your Apple Watch is still unresponsive after you try to power it with several different chargers, then move on to the next solution.

Perform a force restart

Apple Watch side view
Press and hold the two buttons on the side of your Watch to restart it. Apple

Your Apple Watch may be frozen. Forcing it to restart can unfreeze the operating system and get things working again.

Press and hold the two buttons (the larger, circular Digital Crown and the smaller oblong Side Button) simultaneously for 10 to 15 seconds. 

After the Apple logo appears, release the buttons and wait another few seconds. When the watch turns back on, it should work smoothly again.

Read more: How to turn your Apple Watch on and off, or force-restart it for troubleshooting

Turn off Power Reserve mode

apple watch power reserve
When your Watch is in Power Reserve mode, it will only display the time. Apple

Your Apple Watch has a Power Reserve setting that, as the name implies, saves power. In this mode, only the time will display, and the watch will not unlock. 

To exit this mode, press and hold the Side Button (thinner, oblong) for about 7 to 10 seconds. When the Apple logo appears, the watch is rebooting into its regular mode.

Turn off the Screen Curtain

Apple Watch
Screen Curtain forces you to perform all commands with your voice. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok

The Screen Curtain mode keeps your Apple Watch's face darkened even when it's operating normally, only allowing interaction via voice.

To turn off the Screen Curtain, open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, then go to the General tab. From there, tap "Accessibility," then go to "VoiceOver." Finally, toggle Screen Curtain off (the button will be on the left).

The Apple Watch should work normally again.

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Steven John
Steven John has been a freelance writer for more than a dozen years and has been a regular contributor to Business Insider since 2017. His work includes a focus on the tech world, covering companies including Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Google, and others. He also reviews restaurants, shares how-to cooking articles, and writes general interest pieces.Steven also writes for publications including Architectural Digest, The Daily Beast, Forbes, and more. In the past, he also wrote for New York Magazine, Mashed, U.S. News & World Report and other outlets. He runs his own outdoor lifestyle site, Dad Gear Review, and co-hosts the Fact Trekkers podcast with his son. He has had two novels published, Three A.M. and Outrider. He graduated from Emerson College with a degree in communications focused on filmmaking.He is an avid outdoorsman and can be frequently found in a kayak or on a mountain trail, often with his family along for the adventure.Expertise:Tech industryTech hardwareOutdoorsCookingRestaurantsDIYPopular articles:Microsoft: A history of the software giant co-founded by Bill Gates, its products and services, jobs, layoffs, and moreYouTube is a major entertainment force. Here's the platform's history, plus how to create a channel and upload videos.Inside the life and career of Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, billionaire, and philanthropistTim Cook net worth: How the Apple leader earns and spends his moneyBecoming an Amazon seller is a simple process. Here's what's involved, plus how you make money and get paid.