Apple Watch Series 6 with blank screen issue eligible for free repair
Apple has launched a free repair program for certain Series 6 devices that are plagued with a permanently blank screen issue.
The company has these kind of initiatives from time to time when its devices experience known problems. Apple says the blank screen issue effects only a tiny percentage of 40m Series 6 watches. And that it is only those that were manufactured between April 2021 and September 2021. This would indicate there’s some type of hardware problem or a design flaw.
What happens is, the watch goes blank suddenly and stops responding. You may be able to get it working if you place it on the charger but this is a temporary solution. Users have reported that it is nothing to do with the battery as they experience this even when the watch is 40%-60% full.
How to apply
You can check on this page whether you are eligible to take up Apple on its offer by entering the Series Number of your watch on the form. Click on Submit and you’ll immediately be informed whether you can get your device repaired for free.
Finding the serial number can be a bit tricky if you don’t know where to look. The easiest way to do this is to open the Settings app on your Apple Watch. Tap General/About and scroll down until you see it. The alternative is to do this in the Apple Watch smartphone app. Once again the info can be found in the General/About section.
If you are not eligible for the repair program you will get this message.
However if the search form indicates that you are eligible, there are several ways to proceed. You can find an Authorised Apple Service Provider, make an appointment at an Apple Retail Store or Contact Apple Support to access their mail-in service.
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Most likely, Apple will simply replace your device rather than actually repairing it. This is the route the company typically takes.
There are also reports of the 44mm Apple Watch Series 6 experiencing the blank screen issue. However, for now the company is not including that model in the repair programme.
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