Water Lock on the Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) is a feature, not a fault, and it confuses people because it makes the screen stop responding to touch. When you start a swim or surf workout the watch turns on Water Lock automatically, and a swimming watch stays locked until you turn the Digital Crown to unlock it, which also pushes water out of the speaker with a series of tones. You can also turn Water Lock on yourself from Control Center, with the water-drop icon, for a shower or a pool. The SE 2 is water resistant to 50 meters, which suits swimming, but not diving or high-speed water sports.
If the touch screen seems dead, check the water-drop icon at the top; turn the Digital Crown until the screen shows Unlock Complete. If the speaker sounds muffled after water, run Water Lock's eject again. Water Lock does not turn itself off when you leave the pool, so many owners find the screen dead on the wrist hours later. The fix takes a few seconds: look for the water-drop icon, and turn the Digital Crown. Fresh water rinses are best after the sea or a chlorinated pool, and the band should be dried.
Differential
Likely causes of “Apple Watch SE water lock, swimming or water exposure is not working correctly”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Water Lock is on
What separates it The screen does not respond to touch
How to confirm Turn the Digital Crown until Unlock Complete
- 2
A swim workout is running
What separates it The watch locked itself
How to confirm End the workout, then unlock
- 3
Water in the speaker
What separates it Sound is muffled
How to confirm Turn on Water Lock and unlock it to eject water
- 4
A wet watch on the charger
What separates it Charging fails
How to confirm Dry the watch and the charger fully
- 5
A damaged seal
What separates it Moisture appears under the screen
How to confirm Contact Apple Support
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the water-drop icon is on
- Whether a swim workout is active
- Whether the speaker sounds muffled
- Whether the watch was dropped or exposed to chemicals
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedLook for the water-drop icon
ReversibleAt the top of the watch face; if it is there, Water Lock is on.
Unlock with the Digital Crown
ReversibleTurn it until the display says Unlock Complete and the watch plays tones to push out water.
Turn Water Lock on manually
ReversibleOpen Control Center and tap the water-drop icon before a shower or swim.
Dry the watch
ReversibleWipe it with a lint-free cloth and rinse it with fresh water after chlorine or salt water.
Do not charge it wet
ReversibleDry the watch and the charger first.
End a swim workout
ReversibleFinish the workout in the Workout app.
Rinse after salt or chlorine
ReversibleUse fresh water, then pat the watch and band dry.
Unlock before you check messages
ReversibleThe touch screen is off until you turn the Digital Crown.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Water Lock is by design
- It stops water droplets being read as taps.
- Rinse after salt water
- Salt and chlorine can irritate skin and damage seals over time.
- 50 meters
- Suitable for swimming, not diving.
- Bands
- Fluoroelastomer bands handle water best; leather does not.
- Tones
- The unlocking tones are normal and not a sign of damage.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the watch fogs under the screen, contact Apple Support
- !If the speaker stays muffled after several ejects, ask Apple
- !If the screen stays dead after unlocking, restart the watch
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why won't my Apple Watch screen respond?+
Water Lock is probably on.
How do I turn Water Lock off?+
Turn the Digital Crown.
How water resistant is the SE 2?+
To 50 meters.
What are the tones when I unlock?+
They push water out of the speaker.
Are leather bands waterproof?+
No.