I'm having charging issues on a new SE

[Errk!]

I'm having an issue with charging my brand new SE and I haven't seen it mentioned elsewhere as far as I've been able to find.

Almost every time I charge (using the original charging cable it came with) the battery percentage actually goes down after letting it sit and charge for a while. Sometimes after maybe 15-20 minutes or so it will finally start to charge and the percentage goes up, but not after initially going down a few percentage points first. Many times, though not every time, it also gets very hot. I need to soft reset the watch when this happens - if I don't the battery drains very fast.

Is this a known issue? If not, is it more likely a bad charging cable or a bad battery? Is there anything I can do short of exchanging one of them?

 

[jz0309]

I'm having an issue with charging my brand new SE and I haven't seen it mentioned elsewhere as far as I've been able to find.

Almost every time I charge (using the original charging cable it came with) the battery percentage actually goes down after letting it sit and charge for a while. Sometimes after maybe 15-20 minutes or so it will finally start to charge and the percentage goes up, but not after initially going down a few percentage points first. Many times, though not every time, it also gets very hot. I need to soft reset the watch when this happens - if I don't the battery drains very fast.

Is this a known issue? If not, is it more likely a bad charging cable or a bad battery? Is there anything I can do short of exchanging one of them?

IF you have another power brick/cable I would give that a try, otherwise I would return it for exchange. definitely not normal behavior

 

[Apple_Robert]

@jz0309 is right. You may have a faulty charger. I would definitely return and get a new one.

 

[MacCheetah3]

I assume, you don't have a spare AW "puck" charging cable, but if you do and different power "brick" adapter.

With that said... Your problem seems similar to when a wireless charger is not properly aligning or oddly sensitive to a misalignment. Just to clarify/verify... Does the heat issue happen while charging or (regular) usage? I ask because a misaligned wireless charger does create more heat as well.

You shouldn't need to, but for the sake of troubleshooting, I'd also suggest ensuring the charging pad/puck alignment manually the next couple of charges. Either lay the pad on a hard, flat surface, place the watch atop and adjust so the screen is as level as possible or lay the watch on its side, place the pad/puck on the back of the watch and center it the best you can.

 

[Errk!]

IF you have another power brick/cable I would give that a try, otherwise I would return it for exchange. definitely not normal behavior

I do - I'll give that a shot. I do use this power brick (an Apple power brick) to charge my phone and have no issues, but I'll try it with something different and see. Thanks.

I assume, you don't have a spare AW "puck" charging cable, but if you do and different power "brick" adapter.

With that said... Your problem seems similar to when a wireless charger is not properly aligning or oddly sensitive to a misalignment. Just to clarify/verify... Does the heat issue happen while charging or (regular) usage? I ask because a misaligned wireless charger does create more heat as well.

You shouldn't need to, but for the sake of troubleshooting, I'd also suggest ensuring the charging pad/puck alignment manually the next couple of charges. Either lay the pad on a hard, flat surface, place the watch atop and adjust so the screen is as level as possible or lay the watch on its side, place the pad/puck on the back of the watch and center it the best you can.

Nope, just the one puck cable that came with it. I can try a different adapter.

The heating issue does not happen with regular usage, when I'm wearing it. Only when I put it on the charger.

I'll try what you suggested - thanks.

 

[SisterBlue22]

This might sound really dumb, but is your charging puck possibly upside down? Does it "snap" magnetically on to the back of the watch properly when you put it on?

 

[Errk!]

This might sound really dumb, but is your charging puck possibly upside down? Does it "snap" magnetically on to the back of the watch properly when you put it on?

I'm positive that I have the puck aligned correctly. It does "snap" into place when I put it on.

 

[Errk!]

I always hate when people don't follow up with solutions to questions they ask so here's me following up

I assume, you don't have a spare AW "puck" charging cable, but if you do and different power "brick" adapter.

With that said... Your problem seems similar to when a wireless charger is not properly aligning or oddly sensitive to a misalignment. Just to clarify/verify... Does the heat issue happen while charging or (regular) usage? I ask because a misaligned wireless charger does create more heat as well.

You shouldn't need to, but for the sake of troubleshooting, I'd also suggest ensuring the charging pad/puck alignment manually the next couple of charges. Either lay the pad on a hard, flat surface, place the watch atop and adjust so the screen is as level as possible or lay the watch on its side, place the pad/puck on the back of the watch and center it the best you can.

This was basically my issue.
I stopped charging with the band on so that the puck could sit flat on the table while charging and the overheating stopped. It seems that having the band on was preventing it from aligning properly. Since I've started removing the band and ensuring the puck is flat I have had zero problems. The charge rate seems normal and all seems right.
So thanks, MacCheetah3 - looks like I've got it all sorted out now.