Upgrade to OS 7.4.1 bricked my Series 4 Watch

[ibuttworm]

I just upgraded my Series 4 Watch to OS 7.4.1, and it never started up properly.

When it boots, the screen turns to full bright.

I've tried restarting the watch, but it goes to full bright immediately when the screen turns on.

Wondering if anyone else has encountered this.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Have you tried to reset/erase all contents and settings on the watch app on the phone? Pretty sure if that doesn't work you might need to send it to Apple for repair..

 

[ibuttworm]

I tried to reset it, but it didn't work. The watch is not accessible from my phone any more. At the end of the upgrade, the watch booted into OS 7.4.1 with the screen at full bright, and I have not had access to it from my phone. My Apple Care for the watch is expired, and Apple is telling me ~$370 to repair it. The support rep said that the upgrade could have caused a latent issue that was already present in the watch. Am I wrong to think that this is nonsense?!

 

[TiggrToo]

I tried to reset it, but it didn't work. The watch is not accessible from my phone any more. At the end of the upgrade, the watch booted into OS 7.4.1 with the screen at full bright, and I have not had access to it from my phone. My Apple Care for the watch is expired, and Apple is telling me ~$370 to repair it. The support rep said that the upgrade could have caused a latent issue that was already present in the watch. Am I wrong to think that this is nonsense?!

It may have some truth but that doesn’t necessarily excuse them either.

Trouble is it’s damn hard to prove either way.

It is feasible (albeit somewhat unlikely) that perhaps the watch heated up enough to cause a longer term issue to manifest itself. So yes, in that possibility, I could see where Apple are going.

Again though, I’m not excusing them either, merely stating what the possibilities are.

For example our Electric oven died once - during a Self Clean cycle.

I suspect that the clean was the straw that broke the camels back with it and all we did was speed up it’s demise.

Granted it’s not an Apple Watch, but sometimes cause and effect are connected!

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I tried to reset it, but it didn't work. The watch is not accessible from my phone any more. At the end of the upgrade, the watch booted into OS 7.4.1 with the screen at full bright, and I have not had access to it from my phone. My Apple Care for the watch is expired, and Apple is telling me ~$370 to repair it. The support rep said that the upgrade could have caused a latent issue that was already present in the watch. Am I wrong to think that this is nonsense?!

I guess anything is possible but I assume the watch was working perfectly before the update? Although it may just be a coincidence and possibly the watch failed because of an existing condition, it's also equally possible the update itself caused the issue your having.

 

[ibuttworm]

The watch was as good as new before the update. I've never had issues, or even hints of issues.

 

[axantas]

could have caused a latent issue

Generally the keyword is "could". But difficult to prove anything...
So, the watch is just sitting there and acting as some kind of headlight and not going off?

 

[BugeyeSTI]

The watch was as good as new before the update. I've never had issues, or even hints of issues.

I suggest you keep trying as you'll eventually get a rep that will see things your way. Or ask if you can escalate to issue with a higher level. If all else fails you can try to contact tcook@apple.com

 

[ibuttworm]

Thank you everyone in this thread for your feedback and advice. I'm happy to say that I have received a replacement watch from Apple. They eventually took it in for inspection, and the following was the only email I received until they notified me that the watch is ready for me to pick up.