Galaxy Watch frozen? Restart and reset your Samsung watch step by step
A frozen Galaxy Watch usually comes back to life after a force restart. If the problem is the connection to your phone, check the Galaxy Wearable app.
- Most common cause
- a software bug, low battery or battery optimization on the phone
- Time
- 5–15 minutes
- Repair shop, if nothing helps
- 270–820 zł for a battery or screen replacement
A factory reset deletes data and settings from the watch. Before you do it, make sure the watch has synced with your phone, and make a backup in the Galaxy Wearable app. A normal restart does not delete data.
Step by step
Charge the watch
Put it on the charger and wait until it reaches at least 30 percent. A low battery causes freezing.
Turn the watch off and on the normal way
Hold the button, choose Power off and confirm. If the watch doesn't respond, move on to a force restart.
Force restart
Hold the Home and Back buttons together for at least 7 seconds, until the screen goes dark and the watch restarts.
Update the watch software
You can find updates in the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone. The watch should have a charged battery.
Check the connection in the Galaxy Wearable app
Open the app and check whether the watch shows as connected. Turn on Bluetooth, bring the watch close to the phone and restart both devices.
Turn off battery optimization for the app
Go to your phone's Settings → Apps → Galaxy Wearable → Battery and choose Unrestricted. Battery saver mode often disconnects Bluetooth in the background.
Warning: remove the watch and pair it again, or reset it
This deletes the watch's data and settings. First sync it and make a backup in Galaxy Wearable. Remove the watch from the app and from the Bluetooth list on your phone, then pair it again. You can find the factory reset in the watch settings or in the app. The path depends on the model and system version, so search for “reset”.
- The watch doesn't respond to a force restart and doesn't charge.
- The screen is cracked or touch doesn't work.
- The case is bulging (swollen battery).
- The watch won't pair with any phone.
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Watch battery replacement | 270–610 zł |
| Screen / glass replacement | 340–1100 zł |
| Water damage repair | 270–820 zł |
| Diagnosis | 70–200 zł |
Typical prices at independent repair shops in Poland, October 2026. Authorised service centres and big cities can be more expensive.
Repair or buy new?
Restarting, updating and pairing again cost nothing and are often enough. Replacing the battery in a newer Galaxy Watch usually pays off, but not always in an old watch. Check it in the calculator.
Check if repairing your watch is worth it
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Open the calculator →FAQ
How do I force restart a Galaxy Watch?
Hold the Home and Back buttons together for at least 7 seconds, until the screen goes dark.
Why does the watch keep disconnecting from the phone?
Most often battery optimization on the phone is to blame. Set the Galaxy Wearable app to Unrestricted.
Will resetting the watch delete data from my phone?
No, but the watch will lose its own data and settings. That's why you should make a backup first.