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Apple Launches Repair Program for Apple Watch Series 6 Blank Screen Issue

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Apple today launched a repair program for the Apple Watch Series 6 to address an issue that can cause a small percentage of the devices to exhibit a permanently blank screen.

apple-watch-6s-202009.jpeg

This problem impacts the 40mm Apple Watch Series 6, and affected devices were manufactured between April 2021 and September 2021. Apple says that Apple Watch Series 6 owners can use the serial number checker on the website to determine whether their devices are eligible for the repair program.

Devices that have been impacted by this issue will be repaired free of charge by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

The program covers eligible Apple Watch Series 6 models for two years after the first retail sale of the unit.

Article Link: Apple Launches Repair Program for Apple Watch Series 6 Blank Screen Issue
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/04/22/apple-watch-series-6-repair-program/
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Remember your watches can’t be damaged, and they aren’t repaired at all. Watches aren’t replaced in store, either. Watches are mailed out to an offsite repair facility and replaced.

Your watch needs to exhibit the issue in the quality program for this to work.
 
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My wife’s SE kept doing this, it would go blank suddenly and would not work until it was charged again. This would happen when the battery was definitely not dead, as she confirmed it was between 40-60% several times right before it stopped responding. We took it in for service and Apple replaced the watch under warranty, but the issue was not fixed. I ended up just buying her a Series 7 since we needed her watch to work reliably.
 
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It is annoying that Apple can not admit that defective Apple Watches were sent out and in addition are downplaying the issue like it does not matter to the users who experienced this problem. In addition is Apple going to refund users who paid for repairs for this issue?
 
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ouimetnick said:
But no repair program for all the failed original HomePods...?
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I had one under AppleCare+ that bricked itself. I could live without that particular one in a pinch (I have others and a couple of Echo Dots) but wanted it fixed before the AppleCare+ expired. No problem; made an appointment, took it in, they confirmed that it wouldn't reset. Got the message to pick up the replacement a couple of days later. No problem removing the old and adding the new although it promptly updated itself, which took a long time. I think I then turned OFF auto updates - I have 3 big ones and 2 Minis, and given bricking possibility, I prefer to do one at a time a few days after other people have been the guinea pigs.
 
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rlhamil said:
I had one under AppleCare+ that bricked itself. I could live without that particular one in a pinch (I have others and a couple of Echo Dots) but wanted it fixed before the AppleCare+ expired. No problem; made an appointment, took it in, they confirmed that it wouldn't reset. Got the message to pick up the replacement a couple of days later. No problem removing the old and adding the new although it promptly updated itself, which took a long time. I think I then turned OFF auto updates - I have 3 big ones and 2 Minis, and given bricking possibility, I prefer to do one at a time a few days after other people have been the guinea pigs.
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You’re one of the lucky ones that have Apple Care. But most people don’t, as HomePods would be “low risk” devices (won’t be carried around after initial placement). The fact that the “premium” speaker will eventually fail in the short to mid term is definitely disappointing, and not what should be expected from a product of its caliber.
 
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Why is it that Apple never give actual details what the cause would be? I mean is this a one-off thing from a specific batch, or an actual design flaw (like the butterfly keyboard)? And when people got theirs repaired/replaced, would they be safe from the issue altogether, or will it return?

Also, it's petty for Apple only covering this for 2 years. That means Apple themselves have no confidence that the fix will last longer than 2 years. It's like saying "we want you to buy a new one after 2 years." The least they should've done is to set the program as long as the watch is still supported software wise. That would only be fair for customers.
 
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I got my 40 mm Series 6 in June last year. Entered the serial number and got this:

The serial number you entered is not eligible under this program due to one of the following reasons:
- It's not in the affected serial number range.

- Our records show that your device has already been serviced as part of this Program.
- Our records show your device is no longer eligible for a free service under this Program.
Click to expand...
 
twocents said:
Do repairs in this case involve fixing the watch hardware itself, or exchange for one that is ‘new’?
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So in order of fashion, Apple typically will replace the watch itself if they have enough available units to do so -versus- make the repair. However, if Apple has no available stock of refurbished (‘Like new’) units to replace the watch with, then they schedule a repair, which the turn-around time is usually two weeks.

It’s a fairly seamless process, you keep your current watch band, they send you just the watch itself as a replacement, you ship the same watch back to them in the same box, and then they take the credit hold off your account. They also update everything for you with the serial number/AppleCare, etc.

[The point of just issuing a replacement watch is far more economical and convenient, because it doesn’t require resources for Apple to make the repair and the customer is only briefly inconvenienced while a new watch is being shipped to them.]
 
Apple fan from Korea said:
Apple rarely fixes the watch itself. When my watch had a defect they replaced it with a new unit
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Apple never fixes customers watches, they’re always sent in broken and then refurbished or destroyed. Watches, iPads, iPods are all entirely replaced.

Source: I work at an AASP
 
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Sydnxt said:
Apple never fixes customers watches
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I don’t think your statement is entirely accurate.

When the first generation Apple Watch launched, there was a plethora of watches that actually had faulty ‘taptic engines’ (Known issue, plenty of empirical research on this topic), and they didn’t have a replacement watch for me at that time, because the Apple Watch was so incredibly popular, they had no new units to replace mine, so they made a repair on the taptic engine, which I even had repair notes indicating what was serviced.
 
RabidMacFan said:
I have a 44mm Apple Watch series 6 bought on launch day that has this problem. Wonder why it’s not included.
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If it was me, I would still personally call Apple and see if they can make an exception to your case, (As long as they can identify your problem matches specifically to this repair program), they might make an exception for you, but there’s no guarantees. I’d say it’s largely based on who you talk to.
 
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