When you bought your Apple Watch for over $200, you may have thought such a pricey gadget would be nifty and easy to use. And it is; after all, it’s like a personal assistant always by your side (or maybe we should say wrist).
But what makes the Apple Watch stand out is its well-documented life-saving capabilities. More than being a fitness partner, it has, on several occasions, saved human lives.
Like any other gadget, though, this wearable from Apple isn’t without flaws. An example of a problem you might face is your Apple Watch microphone not working.
Luckily, some of the culprits behind this issue are easy to fix. Keep reading, as we’ll tell you how to resolve them.
Restart Apple Watch
Many common Apple Watch and iPhone problems are due to software issues and lags. A reboot often fixes these issues, just like with computers.
So, the first thing to do when your Watch’s mic isn’t working is to restart it and the iPhone paired to it.
To restart your wearable, press its side button for a few seconds until you see the Power Off slider on the screen. Tap and drag this to the right.
If your Watch doesn’t respond, you can force restart it. Hold the Digital Crown and side button together for ten seconds until you see the Apple logo.
After your Watch shuts down, wait for at least ten seconds before turning it back on. To do this, press the side button until you see the Apple logo.
To restart a paired iPhone with Face ID, hold the side and one of the volume buttons together. Keep pressing them until the Power Off slider appears. Tap and drag the switch to the right.
If your iPhone doesn’t have Face ID, turn it off by holding the top or side button until the slider appears. Then, drag it to the right to turn it off.
Again, wait ten seconds before turning the paired iPhone back on. To switch it back on, hold down the top or side button until the Apple logo comes up.
Once both devices are back on, test your Watch’s mic quickly by using it to call someone or to talk to Siri.
Clean Your Apple Watch
You may not notice it, but you shed about 30,000 to 40,000 dead skin cells every minute. These, as well as skin oils, dirt, dust, and other debris, can enter your Apple Watch’s openings. The latter includes the tiny hole for the microphone, which should be on the side of the display screen.
If the microphone hole gets clogged, the mic itself may not work correctly. So, if a restart doesn’t fix your non-working Apple Watch mic, check this hole for debris build-up.
If it’s dirty, grab a couple of soft, clean, and lint-free cloths dampened with clean water. You can also use disinfecting wipes containing 70% isopropyl or ethyl alcohol. Apple says these are safe cleaning agents for its smartwatch.
Wash your hands and power off your Watch before cleaning it. If it’s charging, remove it from the charger. Take off the protective screen and bands, too.
Next, gently wipe the surfaces of your Watch, paying particular attention to the mic hole. Then, dry it off with a fresh piece of lint-free cloth.
Once you’ve finished cleaning your Watch, put it on properly (on your wrist, and not too tight or loose). Try calling someone to see if the mic now works as it should.
Use the Water Lock Feature
Apple Watches are water-resistant, but they have an extra feature called Water Lock. When on, it temporarily locks the Watch’s face to keep it from responding to touches. This helps prevent accidental input when swimming, sweating out, or in the rain.
If you forget to turn it on during the above situations, it won’t affect the Watch’s water resistance. However, it may mean that water can enter your device.
Fortunately, Water Lock also helps eject any remaining water in the speakers. Since your Watch’s speakers work hand in hand with its mic, a problem with the former can also affect the latter.
So, if your Watch’s mic isn’t working, try using the Water Lock to eject water that may be in it.
First, test your Watch’s face by tapping it; if it doesn’t react, the Water Lock feature is likely on. To turn it off, press the Digital Crown on the side until your Watch’s face says Unlocked. If your device runs on watchOS 8 or earlier, rotate the Digital Crown instead of pushing it down.
After that, you should hear tones play as Water Lock clears any remaining water. Once done, you should be able to use your Watch’s face as usual. Test your mic now.
Look for an Available Software Update
Regularly delaying or not updating software is one of the habits that ruin tech devices. That’s because it can lead to syncing problems, incompatibilities, and even security issues.
An outdated watchOS and iOS may also be behind your Watch’s mic not working. This is all the more reason to keep all your gadgets’ software up-to-date.
To check if there’s a watchOS update available, go to your Apple Watch Settings app. Tap General, then Software Update. An available update should appear here; tap Install Now or Download and Install.
To update your iPhone, launch its Settings app, then go to General and Software Update. As with your Watch, you should see an available update here. You can then either tap Install Now or Download and Install.
Once both devices are on the latest OS version, try your Watch’s mic again.
Use These Tips for an Apple Watch Microphone Not Working
A restart, a good cleaning, or using the Water Lock is often enough to fix an Apple Watch microphone not working. Updating your watchOS and iOS may also help.
But if none of those work, it may be time for professional Apple Watch repair.
At Fruit Fixed, our experienced technicians can help fix your Apple Watch. We also have quick turnaround times, usually half an hour!
So, check our service page now. There, you’ll find our contact details and store locations so you can visit us for help!
