Samsung smart watch is frozen, slow, or not responding

If the watch screen is slow to respond, frozen, or not responding at all the issue could be caused by outdated software, a third party app, or even the watch's physical condition. Unclean hands, optional accessories, gloves, and sharp objects can also prevent the screen from responding properly.
A Galaxy smartwatch showing a colorful watch face with widgets.
A Galaxy smartwatch showing a colorful watch face with widgets.

Samsung smart watch is frozen, slow, or not responding

Checkpoint

Restart and update the watch

1
Charge the watch.
Charge the watch using the charging dock that came with it. If the battery is dead the watch may vibrate when you try to turn it on, but the screen will remain blank.
2
Force the watch to reboot.
Press and hold both buttons on the watch until the screen displays "Rebooting..."
3
Update the watch software.
Software updates include improvements to stability and reliability. Keep your watch updated for the best performance.
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Uninstall apps from your Samsung smart watch

Note
Apps cannot be uninstalled from a Galaxy Fit.
1
Uninstall apps using the connected phone

If you prefer using the connected phone or cannot use your watch for whatever reason (like a broken button), you can uninstall apps through the Galaxy Wearable app.

  1. First, make sure your phone and watch are connected.
  2. From your phone, open the Galaxy Wearable app, and then tap Apps or Apps screen. Depending on the connected watch, it may be necessary to tap the SETTINGS tab.
  3. On Wear OS models, touch and hold the app you want to remove. On older models, tap Manage apps.
  4. Tap Uninstall or tap the Delete icon (the minus sign) next to the app you'd like to uninstall. On Wear OS, tap Uninstall again to confirm. When finished, tap Save. Remember, some preloaded apps cannot be uninstalled. If you do not see the uninstall or delete option, the app cannot be removed.
2
Uninstall apps using the watch
  1. Press the Home key (Power key) on the watch to wake the screen, and then navigate to your apps.
  2. On the Wear OS models, touch and hold the app you'd like to uninstall. On holder models, touch and hold the Apps screen.
  3. On the Galaxy Watch4 series, tap Uninstall on the pop-up window, and then tap OK. Remember, some preloaded apps cannot be uninstalled.
    On older models, tap the Delete icon (the minus sign) next to the app, and tap the check mark to confirm.
    Uninstall option displayed above an app
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Factory reset your Samsung smart watch

Important
Performing a reset restores your watch to its default settings. Make sure to back up your data using the Galaxy Wearable app before performing a reset. Samsung is not responsible for any lost data.
1
Unpair the watch from your phone.
Note
To factory reset the Galaxy Fit, continue to Step 4.

Be sure to unpair the current Bluetooth connection between your watch and phone to avoid problems.

Navigate to and open Settings on your phone. Tap Connections, and then tap Bluetooth. From the "Paired devices" list, tap the Settings (gear) icon next to your watch name, and then tap Unpair.

2
Enter the watch's Reboot Mode menu.

Power off the watch, and then power it back on. While the watch is powering on, press and hold the Power key until "Rebooting..." is displayed. If you are using the Galaxy Watch3, press and hold both the Power key and Back key simultaneously.

Release the key(s), and then immediately press and release the Power key repeatedly to enter the Reboot Mode menu.

3
Factory reset the watch.
Continue to press and release the Power key until Recovery is highlighted. Press and hold the Power key to select Recovery, and then release the Power key when the screen goes dark.
4
Reconnect your watch to a phone.

After the Factory reset is complete, the watch will reboot. Once the Welcome screen appears, connect the watch to a phone with the Galaxy Wearable app, and then check if there's an available software update for the watch.

If you have a LTE smartwatch that was activated with a QR code, a new one will be required to reactivate service for the watch. Please contact your carrier to obtain a new QR code.

5
Request service.
If you are still experiencing issues with your watch, please visit a Samsung walk-in service center or you can schedule a repair service online.
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Update the software for your Samsung smart watch

Note
The available menu options and settings will vary by the smart watch and software version.
1
A network connection is required to update your watch software. Your watch must be connected to a phone via Bluetooth.
2
Navigate to the Update software menu in the Galaxy Wearable app.
  1. From your phone, open the Galaxy Wearable app.
  2. Depending on your watch, you may need to tap the SETTINGS tab.
  3. Tap About watch or About band. For a Gear Fit2 Pro or Gear Fit2, tap About Gear.
  4. Tap Update watch software or Update band software. For a Gear Fit2 Pro or Gear Fit2, tap Update Gear software.
3
Check for available software update to your watch.
  1. Tap Update now or Download updates manually. If desired, you can choose to automatically update the software by turning on Auto update or Download updates automatically.
  2. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install the newest software version for your watch.
  3. The software update may take several minutes to complete. The watch will disconnect during this time and the screen may display an exclamation mark or the progress percentage.
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