Fix iPhone Widgets Not Working or Updating

If your iPhone widgets are frozen, showing stale data, or won’t update, the fix usually involves refreshing the widget, restarting the app, or toggling Background App Refresh. This article walks you through the most effective solutions, from quick refreshes to deeper settings changes, so you can get your widgets working again.

Why Widgets Stop Working or Updating

Widgets rely on a combination of your iPhone’s software, the host app, and system settings to fetch and display fresh information. When any part of that chain breaks, widgets can appear stuck, show old data, or refuse to load entirely. Common culprits include:

App crashes or bugs – The app that powers the widget may have crashed or be in a bad state.
Background App Refresh disabled – Widgets can’t update in the background if this setting is off for the app.
Low Power Mode – This reduces background activity, which can pause widget updates.
iOS glitches – Occasionally, the widget system itself gets stuck and needs a nudge.
Network issues – Widgets that fetch data from the internet (weather, news, stocks) will fail if there’s no connection.

Quick Fix: Refresh the Widget

The simplest fix is to manually refresh the widget. This forces the widget to re-fetch its content without restarting anything.

Press and hold the widget on your Home Screen or Today View.
Tap Edit Widget (or Edit Home Screen if you want to remove it).
Tap anywhere outside the menu to dismiss it – this often triggers a refresh.
If that doesn’t work, remove the widget by tapping the minus (–) button in the edit mode, then add it back from the widget gallery.

Restart the App That Owns the Widget

If refreshing doesn’t help, the underlying app might be stuck. Force-closing and reopening the app can reset its connection to the widget.

Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or double-click the Home button on older models) to open the App Switcher.
Find the app that corresponds to the widget (e.g., Weather, Calendar, or a third-party app).
Swipe up on that app’s preview to close it.
Reopen the app from the Home Screen. This often forces the widget to update.

Check Background App Refresh

Widgets need Background App Refresh to update with new data when you’re not actively using the app. If it’s off, widgets will only update when you open the app.

Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
Make sure the toggle is on for the app that powers your widget. You can also turn on Background App Refresh entirely (set to Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi & Cellular).
Note: Low Power Mode automatically disables background refresh. If you have it on, widgets may not update until you turn it off.

Restart Your iPhone

A simple restart can clear temporary glitches in iOS that affect widgets. This is a classic fix that often resolves stubborn issues.

Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power slider appears.
Drag the slider to power off.
Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears.

Update iOS and the App

Outdated software can cause compatibility issues between widgets and iOS. Make sure both your iPhone and the app are up to date.

Update iOS: Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.
Update the app: Open the App Store, tap your profile icon, then scroll to see pending updates. Tap Update next to the relevant app, or tap Update All.

Remove and Re-add the Widget

If the widget still isn’t working, removing it and adding it back can reset its configuration and force a fresh start.

Press and hold the widget until the menu appears.
Tap Remove Widget (or Edit Home Screen and tap the minus sign).
Press and hold an empty area of the Home Screen until the apps jiggle.
Tap the + button in the top-left corner.
Search for the app, choose the widget size you want, and tap Add Widget.

Reset All Settings (Last Resort)

If none of the above works, resetting all settings can fix deeper system configuration issues. This won’t delete your data, but it will reset Wi-Fi passwords, wallpapers, and other preferences.

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Tap Reset > Reset All Settings.
Enter your passcode and confirm. Your iPhone will restart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my widgets only update when I open the app?

This is usually because Background App Refresh is disabled for that app, or Low Power Mode is on. Check Settings > General > Background App Refresh and make sure it’s enabled for the app. Also, if you’re on Low Power Mode, widgets will update less frequently.

Do widgets update in real time?

No, widgets don’t update in real time. iOS decides when to refresh them based on your usage patterns and system resources. Most widgets update every few minutes or when you unlock your phone, but some (like weather) may update less often to save battery.

Can a widget drain my battery?

Widgets can have a minor impact on battery life, especially if they update frequently or use location services. To reduce drain, choose smaller widgets, limit the number of widgets, and disable Background App Refresh for apps you don’t need to update constantly.

Why is my widget showing a placeholder or “No Data”?

This typically means the app hasn’t loaded its data yet. Try opening the app once to let it fetch data, then check the widget again. If it persists, re-add the widget or restart your iPhone.

Will resetting all settings delete my apps?

No, resetting all settings does not delete your apps or personal data. It only resets system settings like Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth connections, and display settings. Your apps and their data remain intact.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →