Apple Watch brightness won't increase

Hi,

If your Apple Watch brightness won't increase, you can troubleshoot and fix the issue using the following steps:

Common Fixes

• Adjust Brightness Settings: Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch, tap Display & Brightness, and turn the Digital Crown or tap the brightness buttons to raise it. You can also make this change on your paired iPhone via the Apple Watch app under My Watch > Display & Brightness.
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• Check Minimum Brightness (watchOS 10.4 and later): Go to Settings > Accessibility on your watch and check for the Minimum Brightness setting, which can affect screen levels in darker settings.
• Restart the Watch: Press and hold both the Digital Crown and the Side button together for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
• Check Ambient Light Sensor: The Apple Watch automatically adjusts brightness based on surrounding light. If you are indoors or in a dark room, point a flashlight toward the screen or step into direct sunlight to test if the sensor responds.
• Turn Off Theater Mode: Ensure Theater Mode (the masks icon) is turned off in Control Center, as it keeps the screen dark until you tap or press a button.
• Update Software: Check for and install the latest updates for your watchOS and iOS via the paired iPhone.
• Unpair and Re-pair: If the problem continues, unpair your watch from your iPhone (which automatically backs up your data) and set it up again as new.

If none of these steps work, the ambient light sensor or display hardware may be damaged and require service from Apple Support.