Why won’t my Apple Watch Turn off water mode?

Answered by Randy McIntyre

There can be several reasons why your Apple Watch won’t turn off water mode. Here are some possible explanations:

1. Water Lock Activation: The most common reason for your Apple Watch being stuck in water mode is that it has been activated intentionally or unintentionally. Water Lock is a feature designed to prevent accidental touches or interactions with the screen while swimming or in wet environments. When water lock mode is enabled, the screen becomes less sensitive to touch. To disable water lock mode, you need to follow a specific process.

2. Wet or Moisture Detection: Apple Watch Series 2 and later models have a built-in feature that detects moisture or water on the device. If your watch detects moisture, it automatically activates water lock mode to protect the internal components. In this case, you will need to dry the watch thoroughly before attempting to disable water lock mode.

3. Software Glitch: Sometimes, a software glitch or bug can cause the water lock mode to get stuck. If this is the case, a simple restart or resetting your Apple Watch may resolve the issue.

Now, let’s go through the steps to disable water lock mode on your Apple Watch:

1. Make sure you are in a dry environment: It’s crucial to remove your Apple Watch from any wet or humid environment before attempting to disable water lock mode. This will prevent any further damage to the device.

2. Dry the watch: If your watch has been exposed to water, wipe it gently with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove any moisture on the surface. Pay attention to the speaker and microphone openings to ensure they are dry.

3. Spin the digital crown: To disable water lock mode, quickly spin the digital crown on your Apple Watch. You will notice a series of droplet icons and a water lock mode display on the screen. Keep spinning the crown until the display disappears, indicating that water lock mode has been deactivated.

If the above steps don’t resolve the issue and your Apple Watch is still stuck in water lock mode, you can try the following additional troubleshooting steps:

1. Restart your Apple Watch: Press and hold the side button until the power off slider appears. Slide the power off slider to turn off your watch. Once it’s off, press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears, indicating that the watch is restarting.

2. Reset your Apple Watch: If a simple restart doesn’t work, you can try resetting your Apple Watch. To do this, go to the Settings app on your watch, then tap on General, followed by Reset. Select the option to Erase All Content and Settings. Please note that this will erase all data on your watch, so make sure to have a recent backup before proceeding.

If you have tried all the above steps and your Apple Watch is still not turning off water mode, it may be a hardware issue. In this case, it’s recommended to contact Apple Support or visit an authorized service center for further assistance.

Remember, it’s always important to take proper care of your Apple Watch and avoid exposing it to excessive water or moisture. Regularly cleaning and drying your watch can help prevent issues like water lock mode getting stuck in the first place.