Some Apple Watch Digital Crowns Have Become “Sticky,” Company Offers a Simple Quick Fix

With the release of any new Apple product often comes the inevitable influx of complaints about hardware hiccups or software shortcomings — prompting the company to provide users with a do-it-yourself solution, or, in the case of the latter, a subsequent firmware update to address the issue.

And, as we’ve seen before, even the company’s new and highly acclaimed wearable, the Apple Watch, is susceptible to the same types of issues. This time around, as reports have continued to surface of a quote unquote, “sticky digital crown” — coined as such because the primary input method,the devices’ Digital Crown, becomes “stuck’. Because of this, the company is offering up a somewhat unorthodox, but viable fix.

As several users on Apple’s own support forums have reported in recent months, there appears to be an issue with some Digital Crowns getting “stuck” when they try to twist it as they normally would. Some say that the Digital Crown persists to feel stuck even after great force is applied to boot.

For example, one such user states, “I’m experiencing light stickiness every time I go to turn the crown, but it smoothens out shortly after. And this repeats itself after the crown isn’t touched for a few seconds. It wasn’t like this on day one. Mine doesn’t take considerable pressure to turn though, you just feel that it’s sticky at first as if there was a bit too much friction.”

While some users have speculated about how and why the issue has manifested in the first place — for example, as there result of sweat getting caught in the hardware during exercise — some users have reported the same issue materializing even without having ever used their Apple Watch at the gym.

The good news, however, (as strange as it may seem), is that Apple has released an updated version of the Apple Watch support document, wherein the company suggests that a quick rinse of the device with water could potentially solve the issue. According to the company, if the Digital Crown gets stuck and won’t move, it could possibly mean that dust or debris has accumulated underneath, and that, by rinsing the device under fresh water for 10 to 15 seconds, the issue could (potentially) be rectified.

If the Digital Crown gets stuck or won’t move, it might be because of dirt or debris.

If you find substances like dust or lotion around the Digital Crown, follow these steps to clean, and repeat as needed.

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

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

3. 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.

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

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

So far, the results have been mixed, however — with some users reporting success, some reporting dissatisfaction with having to rinse their Apple Watch, and others reporting that the issue persists even after a rinse — Apple has nevertheless been cooperative and helpful.

If the issue persists after a quick rinse, according to the company, the device should be taken into your nearest Apple store, at which point either a replacement will be issued or a repair will be made — with wait times for either scenario estimated at up to one week.

Have you experienced trouble with your Apple Watch’s Digital Crown? Has the suggested “quick rinse” solution provided any relief?

Learn More: 5 Tricks You Didn’t Know Your Apple Watch Could Do