Apple Watch Display Remains Black After Battery & Screen Replacement

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Apple Watch - Series 7

Apple's seventh-generation smartwatch, with optional cellular connectivity, released October 15, 2021.

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Helios @helios77463

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Posted: Mar 31, 2025

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Apple Watch Display Remains Black After Battery & Screen Replacement

Hi everyone,

I’m experiencing an issue with my Apple Watch after performing a repair. I’ve replaced both the battery and the screen, and while my iPhone still displays a battery percentage (around 50-60%), the watch itself remains completely unresponsive. There’s no vibration, sound, or any sign of activity when I attempt a forced restart using the buttons.

I’ve inspected the flex connector for the screen, and everything appears to be correctly connected, with no visible damage or misalignment. Despite this, the screen stays black.

Has anyone encountered a similar issue? Could the watch be effectively “off” even though the iPhone shows battery information, or might there be a problem with the new screen, the flex connector, or even the logic board? I’d appreciate any insights or suggestions for further troubleshooting.

Thanks in advance!

Before the repair, the watch’s display had intermittent issues. Sometimes, it would turn off completely and then turn back on by itself after a while. The touch functionality was also unreliable, occasionally failing to respond properly. Eventually, the screen stopped working altogether and remained black. That’s why I decided to replace the display. I also replaced the battery because it was old and inexpensive, and since I was already opening the watch, I thought it was worth changing both components.

Regarding the flex connectors, I initially left the latch open, but I have now repeated the process completely. I removed the battery, reconnected it, and this time made sure to properly close the latch on the flex connector. After that, I connected the display, ensuring the correct order (battery first, then display). Despite this, the screen remains unresponsive.

What could be the next possible cause? Could the issue be with the new display itself, or could it be something else on the logic board?

Answer this question I have this problem too

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What happened to the watch before you started the repair? Why did you replace both the battery and the display crystal?

It does appear from the image the ZIF connectors have not had their latches closed so the ribbon cables are compressed by the connectors.

Mar 31, 2025 by DanJ

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What happened to the watch before you started the repair? Why did you replace both the battery and the display crystal?

It does appear from the image the ZIF connectors have not had their latches closed so the ribbon cables are compressed by the connectors. — DanJ

DanJ @danj Rep: 502.4k Self employed contract worker 35 347 977 · Answer 1 · 2025-03-31T07:33:35-07:00

DanJ @danj

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The issue you had faced with a winking out display could have been deeper within the SIP module. Assuming the display crystal part was good that’s what I would suspect.

Does the watch respond at all when placed on the charging Puck? If you hear a ping then you know the battery and SIP are working, if not you’ll need to carefully test the battery to make sure it’s offering power if it does then its likely the SIP has issues.

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When I place the Apple Watch on the charger, it doesn’t make any sound or vibration. However, my iPhone does show that the watch is charging, indicating that it’s receiving power.

Additionally, when I use the “Find My Apple Watch” feature from my iPhone, the watch does emit a sound, so it seems to be functioning in some capacity. I’m not sure if this is the same as the “ping” sound you mentioned, but it does respond in this way.

Mar 31, 2025 by Helios

@helios77463 - My Watch always sounds off a small ping and the display becomes active. I have a Series 6 currently, maybe your series is different.

At this point I think you need to find some local help.

Mar 31, 2025 by DanJ

@helios77463 same as in opened up to replace battery and then screen went blank from there. subsequently i bought a preown same watch at affordable price and i thought since new battery is around and decide to open up again and tried battery switch. i not convinced that the first watch screen is faulty and i swapped the screen to new acquired watch and same blank issue. how did you eventually resolve it? is it the sip issue?

Aug 8, 2026 by Ang Chung Yang Anthony

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