Sticky Digital Crown issues on Apple Watch: How to fix

Apple has issued a fix to resolve sticky Digital Crown issues on the Apple watch.

The Digital Crown when enabled allows navigating nimbly and precisely, without obstructing the view. It allows zooming in and out of photos as well as quick scroll through lists and input data. It can also be pressed like a button to return to the Home screen on the Watch.

The Apple Support Communities has been swamped with complaints from users about the Digital Crown getting stuck.

One user said: "Just noticed the same thing with my watch this morning after sitting idle overnight. I went on a six-mile run with mine yesterday and all was fine afterwards. I'm wondering if something got in those internal mechanics of the digital crown and caused it to freeze up overnight while sitting.

"The problem is definitely worse after it sits for a while. I can work the crown back and forth for a while and it becomes a little easier but returns to "stuck" shortly after I stop this.

"Genius bar apt. scheduled for this evening. I'm wondering if they'll have any to replace on spot or if they'll have to do a send and return. iPhones always replaced on the spot so I'm not sure."

Apple has published a document "Get Help with the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch" following which you can solve the Digital Crown stickiness issues.

Check for debris and wipe Apple Watch

The Digital Crown gets stuck and does not move due to dirt or, debris. In such situations when you find substances like dust or, lotion around the Digital Crown, perform the following steps.

• Turn off your Apple Watch and remove it from the charger.

• If you have a leather band, remove it from Apple Watch.

• Hold the Digital Crown under lightly running, warm, fresh water from a faucet for 10 to 15 seconds. Soaps and other cleaning products shouldn't be used.

• Continuously turn and press the Digital Crown as water runs over the small gap between the crown and the housing.

• Dry your Apple Watch with a non-abrasive, lint-free cleaning cloth.

Press and rotate the crown but Apple Watch does not respond

• Turn off your Apple Watch and turn it on again

• If you can't turn off the device, or if your Apple Watch isn't responding, then you can force restart the devices as a last resort: Press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple Logo.

If this fails to resolve the issue, head over to Contact Apple Support for more help.

[Source: Apple]