Apple Watch 7 Not Charging (Randomly Stops Charging)
Last updated on January 26th, 2022 at 06:07 pm
Posted in Bug Fixes by Mike on November 8, 2021
Apple Watch 7 not charging
Is your Apple Watch 7 not charging properly? Does it randomly stop charging and when you pick it up from the MagSafe puck, instead of having a 100% battery load, you only get a couple of ticks higher on the battery status?
Apple Watch 7 Not Charging
We’ve experienced a similar issue last year, after the release of watchOS 7 and the Series 6. Many Apple Watch models would unexpectedly stop charging. The issue was fixed with a software update!
The Apple Watch 7 comes with fast charging. This new feature might not be fine tuned enough and could be the reason of the Series 7 charging problems!
Are you also experiencing the same issue? Help us determine how common it is by sharing your feedback in the comments section. Provide as many details as possible to help us pinpoint the triggering factor.
How To Fix Apple Watch 7 Not Charging
Until a permanent fix is provided by Apple, we’ve found some temporary workarounds that help:
Update (November 18): Apple has released watchOS 8.1.1 with a fix for the Apple Watch 7 charging bug! Please update and confirm the fix in the comments section!
Update 2 (December 21): The Apple Watch stops charing issue seems to have flared up again after the watchOS 8.3 update.
Update 3 (January 26): Apple has released watchOS 8.4 with a fix for the Apple Watch charging issues! Please update and let us know if it does fix your problems!
If the newest release doesn’t help you can apply the following troubleshooting steps:
1. Reattach MagSafe Puck
First, you should try to disconnect watch from charger and snap it back a couple of seconds later. This should force the Series 7 to resume charging. Does it?
2. Restart Apple Watch
If the devices refuses to charge, your next step is to reboot it. A force restart could flush this glitch and cause the AW 7 charge again.
How to: Simultaneously press & hold the Digital Crown and the Side Button until the screen goes black. Release and be patient while the watch reboots.
Tip: Try force restarting with the MagSafe puck attached to the charger!
3. Change Charger
Next, you have to focus your attention on the charger. If you have another MagSafe puck for Apple Watch available, or if you can borrow one, do it and see if it makes a difference.
Important: Try to use a genuine Apple Watch charger. Avoid third-part ones and let us know if it makes a difference.
Tip: If you’re using a third-party nightstand, detach the MagSafe puck from it and try to charge without using any third-party objects that might get in the way.
Fact: If you don’t find a secondary charger. You can quickly grab one from Amazon:
– Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable
– Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter (Recommended for fast charging)
Disclaimer: iPhoneTricks.org has an affiliate partnership with Amazon. If you purchase a product after clicking the above link, you will help us receive a small commission that allows us to cover website costs.
4. Turn Off Bluetooth
(Updated, December 21)
Shana reports that she managed to fix the Apple Watch not charging issue by disabling Bluetooth on the paired iPhone, before connecting the watch to the MagSafe puck.
You can try this too. Bluetooth on iPhone can be quickly turned off in Control Center. You can turn it back On after AW charging completes. Does it help? Use the comments section to report.
5. RePair Watch
If your Series 7 runs the most recent watchOS 8 version, your next option is to unpair Apple Watch. This will cause the device to reset. Finally, pair it back and restore from the most recent backup available:
- Open the Watch app on the paired iPhone and go for All Watches (top-left corner).
- Tap the ‘i’ icon next to the Apple Watch that you want to reset.
- Go for Unpair Apple Watch. A backup of your device will be automatically created on the iPhone.
- Bring your Series 7 near your iPhone to trigger the pairing process. When done, try to charge it. Does it still randomly stop?
Use Charging Reminders
While you troubleshoot Apple Watch 7 not charging make sure that the Charging Reminders are enabled. Your iPhone is able to inform your when the watch is fully charged.
Instead of babysitting your Series 7 while on the MagSafe charger, rely on this notifications. If the ‘Apple Watch is Fully Charged’ alert doesn’t get triggered it means that the problem persists.
How to: Enabled this feature in Watch (app on iPhone) -> Sleep -> Charging Reminders.
Have you managed to fix Apple Watch 7 not charging? Did any of the tips provided above help out? Do you have a better solution? Use the comments section to share your feedback.
Related: Other common Series 7 issues are:
– AW 7 full keyboard not available.
– Screen scratches very easy (use screen protector if you suffer from scratch-phobia)
I have 2 new Apple watch Series 7 watches, both are having charging problems and randomly will not charge unless I turn them off and put them on the charger.
Thanks for confirming Irwin. Have you tried to contact Apple support for help? or bring them back and ask for replacement units? Would appreciate a followup.
This is my first apple watch and I am so disappointed. I have had it for about a month and I noticed over the last week it is not holding the charge for the full day. Then, the day before yesterday, I noticed I had to fidget with it more than usual to get it to begin charging and it took longer than normal to notify me that it was completely charged. Yesterday and today I can’t get it to charge anywhere in the house. I have a brand new magnetic charger because I accidentally ordered two and the results are the same with both of the charging cords. I restarted the watch 3 times and now it seems to be charging but I am a busy person and I don’t want to keep messing with a device. On a side note, I love how my Fitbit automatically recognized and recorded exercises. I miss out on so many activities with this device.
Thanks for the feedback. Have you updated the watchOS version on your device? If your Apple Watch is new, it shipped with an older watchOS 8 version that might still have the charging bug, that occurred in the earlier versions of watchOS 8.
Open the Watch app on the paired iPhone, browse the ‘My Watch’ tab and go for General -> Software Update. Are you prompted to update to watchOS 8.6? Go ahead!
Yes, my new Series 7 watch is also randomly not charging. I have to turn it on and off and then it will charge again. This has happened twice now.
Thanks for confirming this Paul.
I have to restart the watch about a third of the days and then babysit the charging process. This is really annoying.
Thanks for the feedback Linda. This sounds terrible. Do you have another charger nearby from an older Apple Watch? Try to borrow one from a friend and see if you notice the same behavior.
Hello,
I have the same problem on my new Apple Watch Series 7 45 mm cellular on watchOS 8.1
I use the official Apple USB-C charger 20W.
Every 3 to 4 charges, my watch charge for a few seconds and crash (black screen and restart) and stop charging.
If I remove it from the charger and plug-in again again, problem appears again.
I must restart myself the watch and it charge normally.
I’ve contacted Apple today and I have to take it to an Apple store wednesday for a check.
I’ll try to charge with old charger (without quick charge) from my Apple Watch Series 4 to see if the problem appears again.
I was afraid that it was a problem with the watch but considering the testimonies on the internet, it seems to be a software problem that can be solved via an update.
Thanks for the extended feedback Virgile. Please get back to us and let us know if your watch charges normally with the old charger. We’re also suspecting that this might be a fast charging related issue.
P.S.: We’re also curious to find out what the guys from the Apple Store will tell you about the issue.
My husband is having the same problems with his Apple 7, and he has tried my charger for my Apple 6…he said it’s even worse than his charger. His watch also pings when charging, or in this case randomly charging.
Exact same behavior for my watch… I’m actually using an older charger form my husband’s 3rd gen watch so I’m not sure the issue is related to the fast charge puck. I’m wondering if I need to return this for a new one. My daughter has NOT had the issue with her identical series 7 watch.
Thanks for the report. Is she using the same charger?
Same issue here. Randomly stops charging after a minute or so 😖
Thanks for confirming. Does force restarting help?
Same exact problem. Works for a day then must two finger hard boot the Watch to get it to charge again. Nike Series 7 Watch. Problem is present with both a 20W official apple charger and the new fast charge puck as well as trying with an older 5W apple charger and original puck from my Series 6.
Thanks for clarifying that the issue occurs for both normal and fast charging procedures. This should be fixed with a software update. Let’s hope that it will come in watchOS 8.3 that’s currently beta tested.
Also experiencing this. 41mm Wi-Fi+cellular. Went to Apple Store, they could not diagnose. Got a replacement this week. It did the same thing last night. Very disappointing! Hope this gets fixed with software update
Thanks for the feedback. At least this proves that it’s a software related issue.
Same issue, my watch stopped charging on the 4th day, it charges for a minute when I put it on the charger and goes dead afterward. I’m disappointed with the new update.
Thanks for the feedback. This should be fixed in the upcoming watchOS 8.3 update. Until then force restart or power your Watch Off and back On to temporarily fix the issue.
Just had the same problem here for the first time. After switching it off and back on, it would now appear to be charging OK (fingers crossed). If I continue to have problems, I will be contacting Apple!
Thanks for the feedback. Inform us too if it happens again and especially if you get the chance to talk with Apple’s staff. I’m curious to find out what they say about it.
watchOS 8.1.1 has just been released and apparently solves the problem :)
Indeed: https://www.iphonetricks.org/watchos-8-1-1-fix-apple-watch-7-charging-bug/
Please confirm if it does fix it for you.
The bug didn’t reappear since I updated my watch.
I’ll wait a few more days to be 100% sure and I’ll be back to post by then.
Great. Thanks for the followup. Keep us posted.
I confirm, the bug didn’t occur again.
watchOS 8.1.1 fixed the problem for me.
Great. Thanks for the confirmation Virgile. Enjoy your Series 7!
Series 7 is my first Apple watch-I am over 65 so this is a learning charge for me! Very discouraging when it doesn’t work charging. It was on the fast charger for 5 hrs and didn’t move—your tip about resetting has helped. Hope the update comes soon as this could be a PAIN in the ^&* to do all athe time. Thank you
The update is here Carol. Update your Apple Watch to watchOS 8.1.1 from the My Watch app on iPhone as explained here: https://www.iphonetricks.org/watchos-8-1-1-fix-apple-watch-7-charging-bug/
Mine too! But I found the secret… I noticed that if I press and held the charger to my series 7, it kept charging. So I taped the wrist bands to my counter forcing a strong contact between the watch on top of the charger. It continued to charge until it was 100%. Now I have enough charge to update and install the fix (8.1.1) and hopefully the update will fix the problem. Keep you all posted
Thanks for the feedback Holly. This should help that have the battery percentage below 50% and can’t update to the watchOS 8.1.1 release that fixes this issue.
My Series 7 stopped charging after a few minutes when I had been wearing it only 10 days. The force restart worked. No further issues for almost a week now.
Thanks for the feedback Regina. You shouldn’t get any other issues if you updated to watchOS 8.1.1!
I have the iWatch 7 and also have charging issues the device does not 100% charge in the supposedly 45 minutes with the Apple wall charger.
Are you using the 20W power adapter?
I have a Series 7 and still having the issue, why? Because the 8.1.1 update is only for the GPS+ cellular and mine is GPS only… What sense does that make??? The issue affects ALL series 7 watches, so what about GPS only getting the fix???
Von thanks for the feedback. Apparently Apple has pinpointed the issue to the Apple Watch 7 GPS + Cellular. You’re amongst the first to report to us that the issue persists on a Series 7 GPS only. Thank you for that. If anyone else is in the same situation please comment and we will file a new bug report to Apple.
I have apple watch 7 GPS only and I have same charging issue. It charges unreally slow, 10% in 20 minutes, 100% in 3 hours.
I use original apple watch 20W Type C adapter.
I feel scammed by buying watch 7.
Also there is no update for us, GPS version only.
I am very sad and disappointed.
Thanks for the feedback Toss. Does it charge every time that slow? Or it’s occurring randomly? Have you tried to force restart the watch?
Apparently, Apple has narrowed the charging issue to the (GPS + Cellular) AW7 models and that’s why the watchOS 8.1.1 update is exclusive to that specific model.
Even AW6 that doesn’t come with fast charging, charges in less than 3 hours. Did you have this issue from the get go? You might have to bring your Watch back to an Apple Store and have them check for any hardware failures. Keep us posted please! Fingers crossed that you’ll manage to fix this!
My watch series 7 LTE got 3 hours to charge from 13% to 100% with charger 20W although it’s running watchOS 8.1.1 (I force reset some times but not improve). I contacted apple support and they said my watch still in perfect condition.
I really disappointed with this charging speed. (It slower than my friend’s watch – Apple SE) :(
I have the bug but don’t have enough charge to update, unpair,etc. I rebooted but it didn’t work. So frustrated with this. Miss my old watch. Do I have options?
Have you tried to reboot Apple Watch while the device is connected to the MagSafe puck?
I Just bought one and it charges only when it wants! Its very annoying, i should had gone with android. I scheduled an appointment for tomorrow. Hopefully they can fix it quickly.
Thanks for the feedback Juan. Have you updated to watchOS 8.1.1? It’s the release that fixes the charging bug. Howevr, it’s only available for the Apple Watch 7 GPS + Cellular models.
The apple engineers fix a bug on a watch that won’t charge with a update that requires the watch to be charged at 50% +. Whose bright idea was that? . My watch was at 10% and would not charge so could not get to 50% to update. Took to Genius Bar at Apple store which didn’t know about the bug until looking it up, but still they could do nothing about it b/c of the low charge so they sent it in to get replaced just today. Frustrating. I mean you have to charge it to get an update that fixes the ability to get a charge. What came first the chicken or the egg??!!!
Thanks for the feedback Matthew. Yes, that sounds annoying. However, if the OS would have allowed you to update at 10% your watch would have ended up to the Genius Bar too because most likely the device would have died during the update process and ended up a brick too.
That’s why the 50% limit is in place, to make sure that even old models have enough charge to go through a full update process.
Have you tried to connect the MagSafe puck to your notebook, instead of the wall charger and see if charging works?
I recently received my Apple Watch 7 (45mm GPS), I did not have a fast charge brick available at first so I used the same 3rd party puck that always charged my Series 3. When I drop it on the puck it would go into nightstand mode and show like it’s charging, then shortly after it would appear to cease charging and go to the password screen instead of nightstand mode. Watch is updated to WatchOS 8.3
Even though it’s a 3rd party charging puck it still works perfectly for my old Apple Watch Series 3 updated to the same WatchOS 8.3
Thanks for the feedback Jon. That’s strange indeed. It must be an issue related to fast charging, or even an intentional Apple bloc. Fast charging might require genuine Apple products to ensure safety. This is why Apple might constrain users to buy only genuine apple chargers, if not available.
Hello. I’m from iraq
I have th same problem here
But my watch is series 5…this Bug happened to me before 2 months (it was the first time) it stops charging after 10 minutes from connecting it to the magsafe puck and then start charging again after seconds…but after the new update (watchos8.3) it got so bad that it started to ignore charging (auto stop charging) every time it got 3 charge points and without resuming charging until I unplug it and replug it again
That means i have joined the watch babysitters group…
I tried to unpair and repair the watch and bug still appears and I changed the charger and still the same…does erasing all data and settings helps or not?
Thanks for the feedback Hussain. This is an annoying problem indeed.
Please try to turn Off Bluetooth on the paired iPhone before connecting Apple Watch to the MagSafe puck. Shana mentioned that this workaround helped her charge the Apple Watch. Let us know if it helps you too.
Nope, without avail…
I turned off the bluetooth from the iphone and the watch…this will make me destroy the watch
I will try to erase all data and settings.
Too bad. Thanks for the followup. Let us know if you make any breakthrough.
Have had my SE for 3 days. It charged once and now has the same issue of charging far a minute the stopping. Tried everything suggested with no resolution.
Using iOS 8.3.
It seems as if Apple has created a tremendous issue. If they think they fixed it at 8.1.1 then they don’t know the cause.
This is very frustrating experience after waiting 2 years to get this (now worthless) watch.
Thanks for the feedback. Yes, this must be annoying indeed. Not encountering it on Apple Watch 6 and 7 though. Have you tried to unpair and re-pair Watch?
I have the problem with my series 7 Apple watch not charging. I tried putting it back on the charger and it would charge a little and then begin to discharge again. Finally I forced the phone off. When I started it again it did finally charged. I see that the problem is a recurring one. What good is my watch if I can’t count on it being charged in the morning?
Is Apple trying to fix the problem? What am I supposed to do in the meantime.
Thanks for reporting this Inez. You mean that the Watch charged normally only after you turned the paired iPhone Off?
P.S.: This is a known issue and Apple is working to fix it in an upcoming update. It affects Series 6 and older models too.
Same issue with series 7. Starts to charge then stops have to keep checking. Running on OS 8.3. Tried new and old charger still the same issue. Also rebooted and repaired. Nothing works.
Thanks for the feedback. Yes, it’s an annoying bug that should be addressed ASAP.
I have a 45mm 7 series apple watch, it charges at 88/91% and it does not go beyond that, I still have problems with ios 8.3. Claim apple support because I have it under warranty. They connected to my watch, they took the report and detected that there were 100% charges but I never saw 100% on my watch since I bought it, it has 20 days of use
Have you tried to unpair it and re-pair? Let us know if this fixes your issue.
Hello, I tried to unlink it, restore it, restart it, everything and nothing solves my problem
Sorry to hear this. You’re using the original Apple charger, correct? Try to reboot with Bluetooth off and Watch connected to MagSafe charger.
My series 7 is also not charging. It works if I hard reset it but that is a nuisance. I suppose I will try to get in touch with Apple and get a replacement. This whole thing has been such a hassle I’m definitely not buying another Apple Watch.
Thanks for the feedback. Apple has just released watchOS 8.4 with a fix for the Apple Watch charging bug. Try to update if possible and let us know if it helps.
Finally I forced the phone off. When I started it again it did finally charged. I see that the problem is a recurring one. What good is my watch if I can’t count on it being charged in the morning?
Is Apple trying to fix the problem? What am I supposed to do in the meantime.
Thanks for sharing. Can you please let us know what OS versions you’re running on both devices?
watchOS 8.4 has been released with a fix for the AW charging bug! Update if possible and let us know if it helps.
i have 45mm Series 7. Updated iOS and watchOS. Watch charges fine on the “fast charge” (gray) charger but won’t continuously charge on my old Series 6 charger (all white). It cycles through. Starts charging, then flips to watch face, ask for code, then flips back to charging, then rinse and repeat. Annoying ding every time. :)
Had charging issues in the last few weeks and have read that there will be this latest update that will fix it. It finally came… However, since it is charging on and off although connected to the original Apple Watch charger, it refuses to update. I’m not using the USB C charger that came with watch 7 because I don’t have a plug with USB C!. When I can reuse the old plug, Apple gave me lots. But when I cannot reuse the old plug, they say they will stop giving the plug to save the environment, but I have to buy one. Lol.
I am having the same intermittent charging issue when using any USB-A cable.
I attach the magnetic puck to the back of the watch and charging begins but after a few minutes, the charging stops and the regular watch face appears. At times the charge will begin again and stop again. Other times the charging process stops until I remove the puck from the watch and reattach it.
. I have apple watch 7 with 8.4.1. When using a USB-C cable there is no problem even when using a USB-C female to USB male adaptor.
I tried all of the suggestions that were made in this forum, including force restarting, turning off Bluetooth, trying different types of chargers, cleaning the back of the watch. The only thing I did not do was unpair and repair the watch. I’m not comfortable in doing that
I am still having intermittent charging issues with my Apple Watch series 7 running 8.4.2 (build 19S553). I will say right upfront I have been using genuine Apple chargers, but they have been the chargers that I was using with my previous Apple Watch that I just upgraded (Apple Watch Series 3). I have the new usb-c charger but do not have an adapter yet that allows me to use it. Has Apple said anything about if past chargers may be an issue? It’s frustrating to throw the watch on the charger when I go to bed only to wake up to it still at 12% in the morning.
I have had no problems with the apple charger on my Apple Watch 7 (nike). However, I bought an egear charger (3 in 1) to reclaim some real estate on my nightstand. My watch will not charge on anything other than the charger that came with the watch…even after 8.4.2
My Apple Watch 7 needs h to o be hard reset a number of times to get it to charge!!!
I’ve loaded the newest Apple Watch software update and my series 7 still randomly stops charging. So the “fix” for the charging issue isn’t working.
I also have a problem with my Apple Watch 7. It will not charge and is draining the battery very fast.
I have sent the watch for repair to Apple. They could not find a problem with the watch.
I still have my watch 6 and it works perfect. So I think Apple have a problem with Series 7 that they not will
tell us. Flemming
Thanks for the feedback. watchOS 8.6 has just been released. If you update, let us know if you notice any improvements regarding these issues.
I just bought mine 6 weeks ago and it does this too. It charged the last couple of days, but not today. I didn’t use it for a month because the original puck or watch didn’t work.
Thanks for the feedback Brent. Have you updated Apple Watch to the latest watchOS version available?
If this persists, reboot Apple Watch and try again. Let us know if it makes any difference.