Like any device, Apple Watch can also overheat due to several reasons which further results in failure to operate. Sometimes it may turn off if it gets extremely overheated.
The main reason behind Apple Watch’s overheating problem, it doesn’t have a built-in fan to cool down its operating system. However, it is worth noting, Apple Watch is designed to operate within its operating temperature for safety reasons when handling it and prevent performance failure.
Before listing quick fixes solutions for Apple Watch overheating problem, it is would be helpful to understand the reasons behind Apple Watch overheating problem before fixing it.
What Causes your Apple Watch to Overheat?
Your Apple Watch can overheat due to the following reasons:
- It lacks a built-in fan to help it cool down its operating system.
- It has a tiny operating system that cannot handle many background apps.
- If it is not mated properly with the charger while recharging its battery.
- Use your Apple Watch while it is still charging.
- Leaving your Apple Watch directly exposed to sunlight for long periods.
- Leaving in the car unattended on hot days.
- Running cellular in an area/location with a weak cellular signal.
- Running many backgrounds while cellular/GPS is turned on.
- The battery is worn out.
What Happens When your Apple Watch Overheats?
When your Apple Watch overheats its operating system will stop working and you will notice several signs, including:
- You may not be able to receive or make calls.
- Normal cellular functionalities will stop immediately.
- The cellular button in Control Center will appear red.
- The battery will stop charging or the charging time may increase.
- The data transfer may slow down or pause.
- The screen display will turn off automatically or go dim.
What is the Max Operating Temperature of the Apple Watch?
Since Apple Watch is designed to operate effectively under optimal temperature range, it is advisable to avoid using it when you notice it starts to overheat.
It is, therefore, recommended to keep your Apple Watch within its acceptable operating temperatures to help you handle your device safely. This is to avoid experiencing Apple Watch functionalities failures, draining battery power, shortening its battery life, and skin damage if it is in contact with your skin.
The acceptable operating temperatures for your Apple Watch are between 32° to 95° F (0° and 35° C) which is the ambient temperature at your Apple watch works the best. When you want to store ensure the temperature is between -4° and 113° F (-20° and 45° C).
If you adhere to temperatures ranges while charging, storing, or using your Apple Watch will improve its battery life and functionality performance.
6 Tips On How To Fix Apple Watch Overheating Problem
If your Apple Watch is overheating, we strongly recommend using the following quick fixes to cool it down. They include;
Observing Apple’s Acceptable Operating Temperatures
When using or charging make sure the temperature of the Apple Watch should not exceed 35° C, instead keep it running between 0° and 35° C (-4° and 113° F).
If it overheats while using it, stop using it and let it cool down for about 20-30 minutes. If you are not using it make sure the temperature is between -20° and 45° C (-4° and 113° F).
Secondly, do not leave it unattended in the car on a hot day or in direct sunlight for extended periods. Overheating under direct sunlight or in the car is natural or normal because your watch is made of metal components that absorb heat.
Remove Apple Watch from its Charger
The Apple Watch is designed to turn off automatically when it detects if the temperature exceeds its ambient operating temperatures. Most of the time it will be a thermometer indicating in red for a few seconds and then your watch will automatically turn off to cool down.
However, if your Apple Watch overheats while is in the process of charging it won’t turn off automatically.
Therefore, when you notice the red thermometer displaying on your watch while it is charging, immediately remove it from its charger and let it cool down automatically by itself.
Nonetheless, while recharging your watch make sure the Apple Watch Magnetic charging cable stays in a well-ventilated area and is not covered. Secondly, make sure you mate properly your Apple Watch with a magnetic charger by realigning them to prevent overheating.
Change the Battery
How will know your Apple Watch battery is worn out? Well, that is easy because a worn-out battery has a low battery life and takes longer to recharge.
Thus, causing it to overheat when is in the charging process. If it comes to your attention that your battery life is degrading, then it is advisable to have it replaced. We recommend visiting an Authorized Apple Store where you can get a genuine battery replacement.
Restart your Apple Watch
As mentioned in your Apple Watch overheating problem could be because there are a lot of running apps in the background. If that is the case, restarting your Apple Watch would be your best shot to help you fix overheating issue as it closes and refreshes.
To restart your Apple Watch follow the guide below:
- Press the Side button located just on the right side below the Digital Crown.
- Then, wait for the “Power Off” Command to display and swipe from left to right to Power Off your Apple Watch.
- After it’s turned off, wait for about two minutes, press the side button to “Power On” your watch.
- Let it completely restart.
Do Not Use Your Watch While Charging
Do not use your Apple Watch while it is still connected to its charger because you will be overworking its operating system. Thus causing it to overheat in the due process of maintaining its functionality while recharging. Let your watch completely recharge and then remove it from its charger if you want to use it to avoid overheating problems.
Disable/Turn Off Cellular Functionality
Turning on your Apple Watch GPS or Cellular function can also make your watch overheat because it will turn on background apps to run. This will automatically cause your watch to overheat because it overworks the operating system and drains a lot of battery power.
Nevertheless, if you are in a location with a weak cellular signal it will drain lots of power from the battery and thus causing it to overheat.
Therefore, immediately you notice your watch is overheating while still using the cellular network, disable it and let your watch cool down. Or, do not use a cellular network if the signal is weak or move to a location with a stronger signal.
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