The Apple Watch is a great wearable device and probably the best smartwatch on the market. It has all the features that you can ask for. The ability to send messages, receive calls, make use of Siri, install various apps and even control your music playback.
While the device is super useful, there are times when the simplest of things can get annoying. One of the prominent problems that a number of Apple Watch users face is when the Apple watch keeps on restarting or rebooting itself. In this guide, we will be taking a look at the various troubleshooting fixes that you can follow to fix Apple Watch that keeps restarting.
Methods to Fix Apple Watch Keep Restarting
Now, there are many reasons why your Apple Watch keeps turning off. It could be because of a software glitch, third-party apps causing an issue, or probably that the power button of your watch keeps getting accidentally pressed while you are wearing it. Whatever the reason may be for the Apple Watch to restart itself, there are a number of troubleshooting methods that can be applied if you are someone that uses an Apple watch and facing a similar rebooting issue.
Method 1: Adjust Watch on Wrist
If you notice that your Apple watch is rebooting itself while you are wearing it, chances are high that the Digital Crown is getting pressed by your wrist. If this is the case with you, it is advisable to adjust your watch position as well as wear the watch a bit higher on your arm. In this way, the digital crown will be prevented from accidental presses and thus stop rebooting or restarting itself randomly. However, if you have noticed your watch rebooting itself even when it isn’t being worn, you might have to try the other troubleshooting methods mentioned below.
Method 2: Check for Device Updates
One other reason why your Apple Watch might be restarting is probably because of a software bug. In this case, it is better to check for any available updates and install them right away. There are two ways that you can follow to update your Apple Watch.
Update using Apple iPhone
- Ensure that your iPhone is updated to the latest available software.
- Now, launch the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
- In the app, tap on the My Watch tab.
- Now, tap on General followed by Software Update.
- If there is any update available, download the update.
- You might have to enter your Apple Watch or iPhoneโs passcode.
- The download will start. Ensure that the Apple Watch is plugged into its power source.
- The Apple Watch will restart itself once the update process is completed.
Update using Apple Watch
If the Apple Watch that you own is running on WatchOS 6 or newer, you will be able to update its software just by using the watch itself. Here is how.
- Turn on your Watch and plug it into the power source.
- Now, you also need to ensure that your watch is connected to the wifi network.
- Tap on General, followed by Software Update.
- The watch should now check for any updates if available.
- If any update is found, the watch will download and install it.
- When the update process will be completed, the watch should restart.
Now that your Apple Watch has been updated to the latest available software, it should fix Apple Watch keeps turning off. But, if you still seem to be having this issue after updating or found that there are no updates available for this device, you can try the next method.
Method 3: Restart Apple Watch and iPhone
The idea here is to restart your iPhone as well as your Apple Watch at the same time. This helps in a way so that both devices can reconnect to each other after a fresh reboot and it could help the watch not restart itself. Follow these steps to restart your Apple iPhone and your Apple Watch.
Restart Apple iPhone X and newer
- Press and hold the volume and power button at the same time.
- You will see the power slider displayed on the screen.
- Drag the slider to restart your iPhone.
Restart Apple iPhones with the Home button
- Press and hold the power button.
- Drag the slider on the screen to restart your Apple iPhone.
Restart Your Apple Watch
- On the side of your watch, press and hold the power button.
- Slide the Power Off slider on the screen.
- Now, with your Apple Watch switched off, press and hold the button again till you see the Apple logo on your screen.
Force Restart Apple Watch
This method can be used to forcefully restart your Apple Watch. All you need to do is press the side button and the digital crown for 10 seconds. You can release the buttons when the Apple logo gets displayed. Even after restarting and forcefully restarting the Apple watch you are still facing this issue, you can move on to the next steps.
Method 4: Unpair and Re-pair Apple Watch with iPhone
The other way to fix this issue is by unpairing and re-pairing these devices to each other. Follow these steps to unpair and pair them again.
Unpair Apple Watch
- Switch on both devices and keep them next to each other.
- Launch the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
- Tap on the My Watch tab and select All Watches.
- You will now see your watch on the screen. Tap on the little icon that has the lowercase i on it.
- An option to Unpair Watch will be displayed. Tap on it.
Pair Apple Watch
- Install the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Also, ensure that iPhone is running on the latest available software.
- Turn On Bluetooth and WiFi on your iPhone.
- Now, switch your Apple Watch on and keep it close to your iPhone. Your iPhone will now detect the Apple Watch.
- You can tap on Confirm on the message that appears on your iPhone.
- Now, the iPhone will ask to pair with the Apple Watch. Simply place the iPhone’s camera viewfinder over the Apple Watch.
- In a few moments, the Apple Watch will now be paired to your iPhone.
- You can choose to set it up as a new watch or choose to restore it from any available backups.
- Finally, sign in with your Apple ID and choose the settings, features, and other adjustments you would like to make.
Now that you have set up your Apple Watch with your iPhone, it should no longer be having issues such as restarting itself. If the issue still persists, you might have to reset your Apple Watch.
Method 5: Reset Apple Watch
If none of the above steps have helped in resolving the Apple Watch restart issue, it is time to reset the Apple Watch. Here are the steps that you need to follow to reset your Apple Watch. You can reset or erase your Apple Watch without using your iPhone.
- Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch and tap on General.
- Select Reset, followed by Erase all Content and Settings.
- The watch will ask you to enter the password.
- It will now ask you if you wish to erase all the data. Tap on Erase All.
- The watch will erase all data and will begin to reset.
- You can pair the watch again by following the steps that have been mentioned above.
Method 6: Uninstall Third-Party Apps
Sometimes, it could be a few third-party apps that you installed on your Apple Watch that could be causing your watch to reboot itself. Here is how you can uninstall apps from your Apple Watch.
- Press the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch.
- All installed apps will now be displayed on your watchโs screen.
- If your apps are displayed in grid view, tap and hold the app.
- The app icons will enter jiggle mode.
- Now, tap on the X icon on the app that you wish to delete.
- Choose Delete App to uninstall it from your Apple Watch.
- If the apps are displayed in a list view, all you need to do is to swipe left on the app that you wish to delete.
- Tap on the delete button and the app is now deleted from your Apple Watch.
Method 7: Switch back to the default Watch Face
If you are using a watch face with too many options enabled on it, there is a possibility that it could be causing the device to use too many resources and at the same time cause your Apple watch to restart. Sometimes, third-party watch faces could also be the cause of such problems. So, follow these steps to switch back to the default watch face on your Apple Watch.
- Press the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch.
- You will now be seeing the current watch face that has been set up.
- Now, simply swipe left or swipe right to choose the watch face that is either default or a watch face that has little to nothing going on the screen.
- Once you have found the right watch face, tap on it. It will now be set up as the watch face for your Apple Watch right away.
Method 8: Reset iPhone
Now, even if after performing all the above troubleshooting steps you still have an issue it could be possible that your iPhone might be a problem. So, the best you can do is perform an iPhone reset. Here is how you can do it.
- Take a backup of your data before the reset process.
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on General.
- Next, you need to select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Now, choose to Erase All Content and Settings.
- The reset process will now begin and all data from your iPhone will now be erased.
- Once the iPhone restarts, you can set it up and then pair your Apple Watch to it.
And this is how you can solve the issue of the Apple Watch that keeps restarting. Even after you have performed all the above steps your Apple Watch continues to behave the same, it might be best to take it to the Apple Service Center and have it inspected. Better yet, if you have a warranty or Apple Care, you would be eligible to get a new device or get it serviced for free at no additional cost.
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