If your Apple Watch updated to watchOS 7.3.1 this week is experiencing charging problems, don't worry. Apple will repair the smartwatch for free.

According to Apple, a "very small number" of Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch SE users running watchOS 7.2 or 7.3 are experiencing problems with their smartwatches not charging when they enter the battery-saving "power reserve" mode The update to watchOS 7.3.1 fixes this issue, but the problem still remains for some users.

If you notice that your Apple Watch is not charging properly, the first action you should take is to make sure you have the latest version of watchOS on your smartwatch.

To check this, simply go into the "General" menu in Settings and tap "Software Update" to see what version of watchOS your Apple Watch is running.

If that does not resolve the issue, Apple has some simple steps you can take to see if your watch is affected by the power reserve mode issue.

To check if your Apple Watch is affected by this issue, place your watch on the charger you normally use and wait at least 30 minutes. If your Apple Watch still won't charge, contact Apple Support and request a free repair by mail. We will inspect your watch prior to repair to see if it qualifies for a free repair.

Charging glitches can be one of the most frustrating things, especially in modern technology where removable and replaceable batteries are increasingly a thing of the past, but it's good to see Apple stepping up and offering a free repair.

To get more out of Apple's wearable, check out our guide to using the Apple Watch for a variety of tips.