iPhone Tricks > TILs
Posted in TILs by Miika 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.
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How To Fix Apple Watch Snake Screen Error
Here are the most common troubleshooting options for this issue:
1. Charge Apple Watch
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.
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:
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!