How To Fix Apple Watch Snake Screen Error (Snake Of Death)
Last updated on June 8th, 2023 at 04:12 pm
Posted in TILs by Mike on June 21, 2022
Apple Watch snake screen error
Getting the Apple Watch snake screen error? Does your watchOS device display a charging cable the starts with an encircled lightning symbol? The device refuses to turn On? This issues is known as the Apple Watch Snake of Death!
The Apple Watch snake error screen is displayed when the devices battery is so low that it can’t even display the current time in Power Reserve mode. It happens if the device hasn’t been charged since a long time, or if it’s brand new and has no charge at all.
How To Fix Apple Watch Snake Screen Error
Here are the most common troubleshooting options for this issue:
1. Charge Apple Watch via USB
Obviously, the first thing that you should do is attach the watch to its MagSafe charger that’s plugged into a power source. This is the moment when the snake screen is also displayed on the watch!
Important: The snake of death might linger on for a long time. There have been reports of users having to wait up to four (4) hours until the Apple Watch snake screen disappeared and the device powered On.
Tip: Be patient and allow the watch to stay connected to a power source as long as needed. Of course, if it’s taking too long, check the watch for overheating. If the battery is actually damaged you might have to unplug it to prevent melting or any other unwanted accidents.
Fact: If the lightning symbol is colored red it means that there’s no charge flowing into the Apple Watch. If the symbol is green it tells you that juice is passing through and you have to be patient.
(Update, June 8, 2023)
The Apple Watch snake screen can be fixed by plugging the device into a computer (Mac or Windows PC)!
If you get the green snake of death for too long, disconnect the MagSafe cable from the brick and connect it to a notebook or desktop computer! Apple Watch should boot normally!
Did this help? confirm it in the comments please.
Credits: Thanks Josh for your contribution!
(Update, December 9, 2022)
Extra Fix For Apple Watch Snake Error
Blake111 suggests that you have to deplete the Apple Watch battery completely and then attempt to trickle charge them with a slow cheap charger. Here is a quote:
“…the trick is to let it die all the way, once you think it’s dad sit it in a drawer for a week or so…then try charging it with the lowest rated charger you can find. A really cheap car charger works well. It works like a trickle charger and for some reason it fires them back up and get them back to life.”
2. Change Charging Cable
You should also double-check the MagSafe charger. If your cat or dog got a hang of it, it might be damaged and not be able to provide juice to the Watch.
If you have another Watch nearby connect it to the same charger and check if it’s working.
Important: We recommend you to use genuine Apple products.
Tip: If the Apple Watch charger is the culprit you can quickly purchase a new one from Amazon.com:
- Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable
More: You need the Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter to complete your fast charging package. - Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable (to USB) – it’s the regular charger shipped with Apple Watch Series 6 and earlier.
More: Pair it with the Apple 12W USB Power Adapter.
or
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.
3. Get A Replacement Unit
If you reached this point and the Apple Watch snake screen error is still not solved you should consider bringing your device to an Apple Store and have it checked out.
The battery could be permanently damaged and you might need a replacement unit!
Apple Watch Snake Screen Causes
As mentioned above the main reason for getting the charging cable displayed on the screen is a severely depleted battery that isn’t strong enough to boot watchOS. The reasons for this are:
- 1. Apple Watch has been inactive for a very long time!
Fact: Even when the device shuts down, the internal battery still has enough charge to keep the current time and date. However, if the device isn’t charged the battery will continue to deplete to a level that requires an initial charge until it can power up the device.
- 2. Apple Watch is brand new and the battery is completely dead because it’s been in the store for a long time until you purchased it.
- 3. Apple Watch might have been exposed in the sun for a prolonged period of time. This could have caused battery overheating to such an extend that it’s not able to take store charge anymore and it requires a replacement.
Have you managed to fix the Apple Watch snake of death error? What was the outcome in your case? Do you have a better suggestion? Use the comments.
Related: Is your Apple Watch charging slow or very slow? Here is why and how to fix it!
I have purchased several Apple Watches for “parts”.. just let them die completely, and find the lowest rated charger you can find.. it will slow charge and 90% of the time it will come on, I’ve probably purchased over 20 watches and only a couple haven’t worked using this method.. the trick is to let it die all the way, once you think it’s dad sit it in a drawer for a week or so.. trust me it’ll help a lot of you
once you have set it in a drawer for a week or so then tried charging it with the lowest rated charger you can find.. a really cheap car charger works well… make sure it is all the way dead before you try to charge it again, it works like a trickle charger and for some reason it fires them back up and get them back to life..
Thanks for the feedback. I will add your info in the main content of the article. Let’s see if it will help others.
SOLVED I had that Green Snake of Death on a charger for at least 8 hr, and nothing changed, then I plugged it into my PC, and Watch rebooted. Back to normal. You’re welcome.
Thanks for that. I appreciate your contribution. Adding it now to the main content of the article.
The computer trick worked for me when nothing else did! Thanks!!
Great. Thanks for confirming.
Thank you for this information, it helped, I had a brand new apple watch series 8 that showed the green snake of death, I collected it to my Macbook Pro via the charger for about 5 minutes and then pressed the side button for about 10 seconds and then it came on. Thank you so much for the info, I’ve been stressed not knowing what to do.
Thanks for confirming the fix. Glad it helped.
Hi ,
I purchased an apple SE Nike apple watch but red snake of death appears on screen. After plugging in it turns into green and after few minutes apple logo blinking starts. After removing charger after some time apple logo blinking stops and again red snake appears on screen and nothing else appear on screen. I waiting for complete drainage of battery , will it helpful??
Regards
Let’s hope it will. Please follow up and let us know if it helped.
I’m having same issue… did this work?
I’m having the same issue how long will it take to fully go dead