The Apple Watch line — including the Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 — remains one of the most popular and feature-rich collections of wearables available. Seamlessly pairing with your iPhone, an Apple Watch keeps you connected to everything from text messages and notifications to fitness tracking.

However, like any technology, Apple Watches can encounter glitches and bugs that affect the user experience. Whether you’re struggling to connect to your iPhone, missing notifications, or dealing with Apple Pay errors, we’ve compiled a list of common Apple Watch issues — and how to fix them.

Basic Troubleshooting Steps

Before diving into specific problems, start by performing two key steps that resolve many common issues:

1. Restart Your Apple Watch

Sometimes a simple reboot can solve the problem.

How to restart:

• Ensure your watch is not on its charger.
• Hold the side button until you see the Medical ID and Emergency SOS sliders.
• On watchOS 10 or newer, tap the Power button (top-right corner), then slide Power Off.
• On watchOS 8 or older, simply slide the Power Off option.
• Wait 10 seconds, then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

If your watch is frozen, force-restart it by pressing the side button and Digital Crown together for 10 seconds until you see the Apple logo.

2. Update Your Apple Watch Software

Outdated software can cause many bugs.

How to check for updates:

• On your watch: Open Settings > General > Software Update.
• On your iPhone: Open the Watch app > General > Software Update.

If an update is available, download and install it. Remember, updates require your watch to be connected to its charger and at least 50% charged.

Common Apple Watch Problems and Solutions

Apple Watch Won’t Update

If your Apple Watch won’t update:

• Restart both your watch and iPhone.
• If that fails, delete the existing update:
  • Open the Watch app on your iPhone > General > Storage.
  • Find the update file and delete it.
• Try downloading the update again.

Apple Watch Stuck in Power Reserve or Won’t Charge

If your watch isn’t charging:

• Use the original Apple charging cable and adapter.
• Clean the back of the watch and the charger with a Q-tip and isopropyl alcohol.
• Force-restart the watch.
• If the battery is extremely low, wait a few minutes for the green charging symbol to appear.

Apple Watch Repeatedly Asks for Passcode

To fix persistent passcode prompts:

• Open the Watch app on your iPhone > Passcode.
• Ensure Wrist Detection and Unlock with iPhone are enabled.
• Change your passcode.
• Make sure your watch fits snugly against your wrist.

Apple Watch Doesn’t Turn On When Wrist is Raised

If your watch doesn’t wake up when raising your wrist:

• Check if Wake on Wrist Raise is enabled (Settings > Display & Brightness).
• Ensure Theater Mode is disabled (look for the orange masks icon).
• Toggle Wake on Wrist Raise off and back on again if necessary.

Bluetooth Connection Problems

If Bluetooth won’t connect or frequently disconnects:

• Keep Bluetooth devices close to the Apple Watch.
• Try switching your watch to the same side as the device you’re connecting to.
• Turn Bluetooth off and back on via Settings > Bluetooth.
• Sync music playlists to the watch for smoother playback.

Apple Watch Isn’t Tracking Activity Properly

If your workouts aren’t being tracked accurately:

• Ensure the watch fits snugly during workouts.
• Restart both your iPhone and watch.
• Recalibrate fitness tracking:
  • Open the Watch app > Privacy > Reset Calibration Data.
• Update your Health details (height, weight, medications) in the Health app.
• Make sure Location Services are enabled and set to “While Using” with “Precise Location” on.

For running or walking workouts, use Outdoor Walk or Outdoor Run to enable GPS tracking.

Final Thoughts

The Apple Watch is a powerful tool, but occasional glitches are inevitable. Most problems can be resolved quickly with a restart, update, or small settings adjustment. For persistent hardware issues, don’t hesitate to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store.