Help with sticky crown!! [MERGED]

[Arran]

I understand the need to get to the root cause. Enquiring minds need to know.

But unless you're prepared to dismantle your watch under a microscope, or mail it out to some of us so we can experience your issue, I'm not sure what else any of us can tell you here: We're even further removed from your watch than you are.

Personally, I've experienced something like you described in three months of ownership. Washed it, and it was fine in 2 seconds.

 

[Recognition]

Uh, yeah. They were all Apple Watches as I have said. Same model. If dust/debris/sweat were the problem, EVERY Apple Watch will eventually suffer from the sticky crown. Not just every watch I have owned, but virtually ALL Apple Watches sold. But that is not the case.

Washing it out will not prove or disprove anything. Turning my crown a few times fixes the problem temporarily. That doesn't mean turning the crown is a fix. You are mistaking correlation for a cause. Many people that have the problem have observed empirically that washing does not fix their problem, or does so temporarily.

Surely washing it out not fixing the problem means it's not dirt/debris?

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

Surely washing it out not fixing the problem means it's not dirt/debris?

If I turn my crown a few times, it fixes the problem temporarily. Is that a fix?

To answer your question seriously: no. If the stick is being caused by a degradation of the o-ring, where superficial layers of the rubber/polymer are wearing down from use and becoming sticky, then washing it is only a temporary fix (as many have reported) where you wash away those superficial sticky layers, only to have them return after more wear.

Why don't I think it is dust/debris? Because if it were dust/debris, you would get a much more sporadic sticking problem that recurs after the initial turn of the wheel.

I'm not sure why people refuse to analyze the problem logically. If a small piece of dirt got into your crown, you would get a much different pattern of stickiness: not just one that happens initially when you begin to turn the crown, and which goes away after 1/3-1/2 a turn and doesn't come back for several hours.

What my pattern suggests is that it starts to stick after some time of non-use, where components are non-mobile and in contact with each other. Where some type of adhesive is given time to adhere to two different components. Which is why I asked my question: for those suffering from the problem, what is the problem like?

Instead of answering it or thinking about it at all, they've parroted back Apple's quick patch: wash your watch.

I suppose this type of stickiness would also indicate something sticky like coke spilling into the crown's crevices, but I haven't spilled anything in there.

Of several Apple Watches I have owned, this is the only one that has done this. The only unusual thing I did the day before this happened was spend an hour or two outside with the watch in hot weather, in the bright sunshine. Again, this supports the degradation of rubber components theory.

I also own a pair of sunglasses, which have rubber ear pieces. Normally, they feel smooth to the touch, and almost like hard plastic. However, one day I left them in my glove compartment on a 90+ day in the CA sun, and when I took them inside, they were really sticky like the heat had degraded them.

And to answer the question of: "Well why don't you just wash your watch and see." I am in the return period for the watch, and I can just buy another one (hopefully without the problem like the other apple watches I have owned). If I wash it, and it fixes it temporarily (only for it to come back later) then I will be stuck with the watch, and either washing it all the time or trying to get an exchange through Apple.

To bring up the sunrise/sunset problem, and Apple's recommended fix: unpair, and repair your watch...some people have actually spent the time thinking through the problem, or actually trying out different solutions rather than repair their watch. One person came up with a solution that helped me greatly, as I was able to fix my sunrise/sunset problem without repairing (which saves a lot of time). The ultimate problem is in the code, but that will take Apple a much longer time to sort through.

If people are complacent with ineffective patches that do not target the root cause, those problems will never be fixed correctly.

 

[Arran]

Quite fitting that the sticky crown threads got stuck together

 

[Recognition]

If I turn my crown a few times, it fixes the problem temporarily. Is that a fix?

To answer your question seriously: no. If the stick is being caused by a degradation of the o-ring, where superficial layers of the rubber/polymer are wearing down from use and becoming sticky, then washing it is only a temporary fix (as many have reported) where you wash away those superficial sticky layers, only to have them return after more wear.

Why don't I think it is dust/debris? Because if it were dust/debris, you would get a much more sporadic sticking problem that recurs after the initial turn of the wheel.

I'm not sure why people refuse to analyze the problem logically. If a small piece of dirt got into your crown, you would get a much different pattern of stickiness: not just one that happens initially when you begin to turn the crown, and which goes away after 1/3-1/2 a turn and doesn't come back for several hours.

What my pattern suggests is that it starts to stick after some time of non-use, where components are non-mobile and in contact with each other. Where some type of adhesive is given time to adhere to two different components. Which is why I asked my question: for those suffering from the problem, what is the problem like?

Instead of answering it or thinking about it at all, they've parroted back Apple's quick patch: wash your watch.

I suppose this type of stickiness would also indicate something sticky like coke spilling into the crown's crevices, but I haven't spilled anything in there.

Of several Apple Watches I have owned, this is the only one that has done this. The only unusual thing I did the day before this happened was spend an hour or two outside with the watch in hot weather, in the bright sunshine. Again, this supports the degradation of rubber components theory.

I also own a pair of sunglasses, which have rubber ear pieces. Normally, they feel smooth to the touch, and almost like hard plastic. However, one day I left them in my glove compartment on a 90+ day in the CA sun, and when I took them inside, they were really sticky like the heat had degraded them.

And to answer the question of: "Well why don't you just wash your watch and see." I am in the return period for the watch, and I can just buy another one (hopefully without the problem like the other apple watches I have owned). If I wash it, and it fixes it temporarily (only for it to come back later) then I will be stuck with the watch, and either washing it all the time or trying to get an exchange through Apple.

Ok cool,
I agree with what you're saying based in the symptoms you've described.

It just seemed to me that you didn't want to try washing it as you had already decided it wasn't dirt causing the stickiness.
My point (and others) was to just try Apples 'fix' to rule it out then you can state it's definitely not dirt as it re-occurs after washing and leaving to dry.
If you opened with that statement we could of skipped all this to'ing and fro'ing!

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

Quite fitting that the sticky crown threads got stuck together

lol. I'm going to toss my laptop in the washing machine for good measure.

 

[Arran]

lol. I'm going to toss my laptop in the washing machine for good measure.

I don't think we have a thread on that topic yet.

Is it sticky?

 

[Newtons Apple]

The problem is that no one has an answer for you. No one knows the "root cause" except maybe Apple.

Just return your watch like you did the others. Maybe you should just get your money back until the "root cause" is fixed sometime in the future.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

And to answer the question of: "Well why don't you just wash your watch and see." I am in the return period for the watch, and I can just buy another one (hopefully without the problem like the other apple watches I have owned). If I wash it, and it fixes it temporarily (only for it to come back later) then I will be stuck with the watch, and either washing it all the time or trying to get an exchange through Apple.

Can't hurt to wash it while you're in the return period and see if it doesn't come back. Some members have experienced it only once in a three month ownership and rinsing it once solved the problem. You're being unnecessarily difficult by refusing to use Apple's recommended solution and if you return it, you just become a repeat return offender (unless you already are).

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

The problem is that no one has an answer for you. No one knows the "root cause" except maybe Apple.

Just return your watch like you did the others. Maybe you should just get your money back until the "root cause" is fixed sometime in the future.

I didn't ask people for what the root cause is.

I asked what they are personally experiencing with the sticky crown, in terms of behavior. Consistent stick, or only initially like in my experience. Does it go away with a few turns, or is it persistent?

Do you understand the difference between the two questions? I am not asking anyone for an absolute answer. I am asking what they are experiencing.

You keep repeating yourself, and trying to diminish my legitimate question. I'm glad you enjoy washing your watch. You should keep on enjoying that. I have no problem with how you personally use your device.

However, it has no bearing on my question, solving the problem, or contributing to this thread at all.

And to correct you on several misstatements in this and other threads: Apple's warranty does not cover the watch for water-related defects. Yes, it was over-engineered with an IPX7 rating, is "water-resistant", and has been used by a few in harsh circumstances like swimming and showering: but no where does Apple recommend showering or swimming with it, and no where does their warranty back those activities.

Glad you have Applecare+, but not everyone does, so you should stop giving bad advice about what Apple covers.

Also, washing your leather loop in the same way just demonstrates how ridiculously obsessed you are with washing Apple Watch products and accessories. Good for you, but definitely not recommended by anyone else.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Boy you are really going this morning! LOL!

Like I said, ENJOY!

 

[Newtons Apple]

Oh and thanks, you just reminded me to wash my Leather loop AGAIN!

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

Boy you are really going this morning! LOL!

Like I said, ENJOY!

I like how you are pretending like you don't care, but how you keep coming back to reply and try to diminish my legit question, and go back liking every post that recommends washing the watch or disagreeing with me.

Someone who really meant "hey enjoy whatever you want to do" would probably move on with their day. But here you are. And it's been several weeks given that you are still pushing people to wash their watches after your initial reply to this thread and others.

"Enjoy" doesn't even make sense given that I asked a question. I am not recommending any type of use like you are.

I've been "going at it" this morning because I just started to have this problem. You've been going at it for weeks now....why?

 

[gsmornot]

lol. So you guys are under the impression that in order to have a normally functioning crown, I MUST wash it under water?

I've been threw a few watches, all returned for various defects (scratches out of the box, etc.) but this is the only one with this problem. All used the same way. Never had a sticky crown, and never washed any of them.

If any of you bothered to read my original post, I didn't ask for what the recommended solution is. I already know that the recommended solution by Apple is to wash it under water.

What I want to know is how the sticky crown actually behaves, to better understand what the problem actually is. I do not believe it is dust/debris based on the way it sticks, and releases after a 1/3 to 1/2 rotation consistently. dust/debris would be sporadic, and would recur when you keep turning the crown.

You need to wash your crown under warm/hot water for about 10 seconds. Turn and push the crown while you're washing it. If I go a week (sometimes less) without a rinse my crown will stick on initial turn then become free spinning. I have gotten into the habit of just washing it after a workout and/or at bedtime if I didn't wash it earlier. This is daily unless I get lazy then its up to a week or less depending on feel.

I don't think it's dust/debris exactly, not like sand anyhow. Its more like the way something feels after its been in high humidity. Just sort of sticky but not so much as if I had syrup on the crown. I hope that makes sense. Anyhow, the fix has always been rinse the watch in almost hot water before setting it down for the day and it will remain smooth. Mechanical watches don't need this because they don't use the crown on a regular basis like the Apple Watch. My wife just holds hers under the running shower for a minute before jumping in. I think this will be addressed in a future release. Apple had to go back to their documents and add the washing step. I'm sure they have it in mind to remove that but they need a solution first. Maybe a virtual crown? It feels like it moves but doesn't. Not sure. The original iPod were an issue too with the spinning wheel which was replaced later by a touch wheel. Much less trouble because everything was sealed.

Anyhow, wash the crown. If this sounds like something you would not bring yourself to do or want to do on a regular basis, return the watch and wait until a different design is available. This just happens to be the way it is with the current design.

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

You need to wash your crown under warm/hot water for about 10 seconds. Turn and push the crown while you're washing it. If I go a week (sometimes less) without a rinse my crown will stick on initial turn then become free spinning. I have gotten into the habit of just washing it after a workout and/or at bedtime if I didn't wash it earlier. This is daily unless I get lazy then its up to a week or less depending on feel.

I don't think it's dust/debris exactly, not like sand anyhow. Its more like the way something feels after its been in high humidity. Just sort of sticky but not so much as if I had syrup on the crown. I hope that makes sense. Anyhow, the fix has always been rinse the watch in almost hot water before setting it down for the day and it will remain smooth. Mechanical watches don't need this because they don't use the crown on a regular basis like the Apple Watch. My wife just holds hers under the running shower for a minute before jumping in. I think this will be addressed in a future release. Apple had to go back to their documents and add the washing step. I'm sure they have it in mind to remove that but they need a solution first. Maybe a virtual crown? It feels like it moves but doesn't. Not sure. The original iPod were an issue too with the spinning wheel which was replaced later by a touch wheel. Much less trouble because everything was sealed.

Anyhow, wash the crown. If this sounds like something you would not bring yourself to do or want to do on a regular basis, return the watch and wait until a different design is available. This just happens to be the way it is with the current design.

Thanks for actually describing what you are experiencing. And noting that the problem comes back even after washing.

I definitely agree with you that it doesn't feel like sand/debris, but something sticking like coke got in there. I know that no coke has gotten into my watch, so I am really leaning towards the theory that high heat degrades some component in there that causes some things to stick. I have not worn it during any workouts, so no sweat got in there either. I did spend a day in the sun and in 90 degree weather. So maybe that was it.

 

[gsmornot]

Thanks for actually describing what you are experiencing. And noting that the problem comes back even after washing.

I definitely agree with you that it doesn't feel like sand/debris, but something sticking like coke got in there. I know that no coke has gotten into my watch, so I am really leaning towards the theory that high heat degrades some component in there that causes some things to stick. I have not worn it during any workouts, so no sweat got in there either. I did spend a day in the sun and in 90 degree weather. So maybe that was it.

I may have a day where I just sit around the house in the cool air and not break out in a sweat but I'm still losing moisture because if I didn't my skin would dry out and crack. You don't have to have sweat pouring off yourself to "sweat". The little bit that you evaporate off will build up behind the crown but not as fast as if you ran 6 miles in the heat. I don't drive my car in the ocean but it still gets covered in salt because I am in the area and its in the air. Quick run through the wash cleans it fine.

Coke would be a good example of the feel. Happens to everyone I know with the watch. We all rinse-wear-repeat.

 

[friedmud]

The first time my crown got sticky (a week or so after owning it) I was worried something was wrong with it. Then I found the rinsing procedure and it cleared it right up and it was fine... for about a week... then it started to stick again. (where "stick" means that if I left the crown alone for a while the first time to turn it would be a bit more difficult then it would be fine after a turn or two).

After a few weeks I quickly realized that the crown getting sticky correlated pretty directly to my more strenuous workouts. I'm not a sweaty guy at all (rarely even sweat much during workouts) so this surprised me. However, after carefully paying attention to what was going on it was pretty obvious that days where I sweat more were more likely to make the crown sticky the next day.

From that point on I just started rinsing off my Watch (the whole thing) and turning and clicking the crown under warm water after every workout session. Since starting that I haven't had a sticky crown again (plus my Watch and bands are staying nice and clean

While I, of course, wish this wasn't an issue at all... it's not a big deal to just keep the Watch clean...

 

[Newtons Apple]

The first time my crown got sticky (a week or so after owning it) I was worried something was wrong with it. Then I found the rinsing procedure and it cleared it right up and it was fine... for about a week... then it started to stick again. (where "stick" means that if I left the crown alone for a while the first time to turn it would be a bit more difficult then it would be fine after a turn or two).

After a few weeks I quickly realized that the crown getting sticky correlated pretty directly to my more strenuous workouts. I'm not a sweaty guy at all (rarely even sweat much during workouts) so this surprised me. However, after carefully paying attention to what was going on it was pretty obvious that days where I sweat more were more likely to make the crown sticky the next day.

From that point on I just started rinsing off my Watch (the whole thing) and turning and clicking the crown under warm water after every workout session. Since starting that I haven't had a sticky crown again (plus my Watch and bands are staying nice and clean

While I, of course, wish this wasn't an issue at all... it's not a big deal to just keep the Watch clean...

Some here do not want to hear how to get rid of the sticky crown they want to know why it is getting sticky. I agree with you it is not a big deal, just maintenance.

 

[redman042]

Based on my experience I'm going to agree that sweat is the most likely culprit. I've noticed the same correlation with mine (hot day or strenuous activity = sticky crown the next day). I wish this didn't happen so often but it's not hard to resolve.

I have read a few isolated cases of trulyl defective o-rings, but I don't think that's the most likely reason for most of these cases.

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

I set my watch down for 8 hours without touching it in a cool room. The stick is completely gone for now. I haven't done anything to it (no washing, no cleaning, etc.).

Thus, at least for my problem, it would not make sense that something is in there (sweat, debris, dust).

Also, this does not mean the solution is to simply let your watch sit for 8 hours. That would be mistaking correlation for cause, like many others are doing.

And it's creepy that you started to follow me, Newton's Apple. Your obsession with this topic is disturbing.

 

[AndrewR23]

Just another reason why I returned mine. The Apple watch S should fix this issue.

on an unrelated but interesting iphone note-
Just like the 4S fixed the 4 antenna problem
5S fixed the chipping problem on the 5
6S will fix the bending problem on the 6

Always get the S lol.