A frozen or glitching smartwatch can almost always be revived without a trip to the repair counter. The fix comes in two stages: first, a force restart (a button-combo reboot that keeps all your data), and only if that fails, a factory reset using hardware buttons — which works even when the touchscreen is completely unresponsive. Below are the exact button sequences for Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Garmin, Fitbit, and other Wear OS models, based on each manufacturer’s official documentation.
- A force restart fixes most freezes and deletes nothing — always try it first
- A factory reset erases everything on the watch, so back up via the phone app if possible
- Every major brand offers a button-only reset path that works with a dead touchscreen
- Charge the watch for 30+ minutes before resetting — a drained battery mimics a frozen one
Step 1: Rule out a dead battery
A watch with a fully drained battery looks identical to a frozen one: black screen, no response to taps or button presses. Before assuming the worst, place the watch on its charger for at least 30 minutes, then check for a charging indicator. Bent charging pins, debris on the contacts, or a worn cable can all prevent charging, so try a second cable or power source if nothing appears. If the watch drains unusually fast even when it works, see our guide on how to improve smartwatch battery life.
Step 2: Force restart (keeps your data)
A force restart cuts power at the hardware level and reboots the operating system. It does not delete watch faces, health data, or settings, and it resolves the vast majority of freezes, boot loops, and touchscreen glitches. The button combination varies by brand:
- Apple Watch: Press and hold the side button and the Digital Crown together for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch: Press and hold the Home key (upper button) and the Back key together for more than 7 seconds until the watch reboots.
- Garmin: Hold the power/light button (top-left on most models) for 15–30 seconds until the screen goes black, then press it again to power on.
- Fitbit (Versa/Sense): Press and hold the button for about 10 seconds until the logo appears, then release.
- Google Pixel Watch and most Wear OS watches: Press and hold the crown/power button for roughly 10–15 seconds until the device restarts.
Step 3: Factory reset a frozen smartwatch (button-only method)
If the watch freezes on the logo, boot-loops, or the screen ignores every touch, a factory reset from the hardware recovery menu is the last resort. This wipes all data and returns the watch to its out-of-box state.
Apple Watch
- Place the watch on its charger and keep it connected.
- Press and hold the side button until the power options appear (on watchOS 9 and later, this is the screen with the power icon).
- Press and hold the Digital Crown until “Erase all content and settings” appears, then confirm.
- If the screen is fully unresponsive, erase it remotely instead: open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, go to General > Reset, or use Find My to erase the watch.
After the reset, you’ll set it up like new — our walkthrough on how to set up an Apple Watch covers pairing and restoring a backup.
Samsung Galaxy Watch
- Press and hold the Home key until “Rebooting” appears on screen.
- Immediately begin short-pressing the Home key repeatedly until the boot menu appears.
- Use short presses of the Home key to move the selector to Recovery, then long-press to confirm.
- From recovery, select the reset/wipe option the same way (short press to scroll, long press to select) and confirm.
Garmin
- Power the watch off by holding the light button.
- Hold the top-right button (START/STOP on most models), then press and release the light button to power on while still holding the top-right button.
- Release when the reset prompt appears and confirm. Exact combos vary slightly by model, so check the manual for yours on Garmin’s support site.
Fitbit and Google Pixel Watch
- On Fitbit watches with a working screen, use Settings > About > Factory Reset. If frozen, Google’s official guidance is to force restart first; some models offer a button-hold reset (holding the button through two vibration cycles on certain trackers).
- On Pixel Watch, hold the crown to reach the power menu; if unresponsive, hold the crown and side button to enter the bootloader, then scroll with the crown to select recovery and factory reset.
After the reset: re-pair and restore
A factory-reset watch must be paired again through its companion app (Apple Watch, Galaxy Wearable, Garmin Connect, Fitbit, or Google Pixel Watch app). Most brands restore health history from the cloud or your phone during setup. If the watch won’t reconnect during pairing, our guide to fixing smartwatch Bluetooth connection problems walks through the nine most effective fixes.
Frequently asked questions
Will a force restart delete my data?
No. A force restart is just a hard reboot — apps, watch faces, settings, and health data all remain intact. Only a factory reset erases the watch, which is why manufacturers recommend trying a restart first.
Can I factory reset a smartwatch if the touchscreen doesn’t work at all?
Yes, on most watches. Apple Watch can be erased remotely from the paired iPhone, Galaxy Watch has a button-driven recovery menu, and Garmin and Pixel Watch support button-combination resets. The one thing you generally can’t bypass is the account lock that reappears after the reset.
Why does my smartwatch keep freezing?
Common causes reported by manufacturers and users include outdated firmware, a misbehaving third-party watch face or app, storage that’s nearly full, and — less often — failing hardware. Keeping the watch OS and companion app updated prevents most recurring freezes.
Does a factory reset remove Activation Lock or Reactivation Lock?
No. Apple’s Activation Lock and Samsung’s Reactivation Lock survive a factory reset by design. The watch will demand the original owner’s Apple ID or Samsung account password during setup, which protects stolen devices but means you should always buy used watches with the lock already removed.