AirPods no longer charge: What you can do now

Posted by "OneEarPod" on

You want to go and your AirPods aren't charging? That's annoying. But no need to worry. In this article, you'll learn the most common reasons for charging problems and how you can quickly fix them. 

The 8 most common reasons for charging problems (with solutions)

Production errors occur inApple very rarely. Therefore, it is much more likely that external factors are causing the charging problems. Here are the most common reasons: 

  1. connection problems
  2. Battery level of the charging case is too low
  3. Battery level of the charging case is 0
  4. The charging cable does not work
  5. The power source is not working
  6. Dust and residue in the USB port, cable or charging plug
  7. software problems
  8. technical defect

1. Connection problems

If your AirPods stop charging and you connection problems the following steps may be helpful:

Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled on your device. Make sure the AirPods are visible in your device's Bluetooth menu. If necessary, unpair and re-pair them.

Make sure the AirPods are within range of your device and there are no interfering radio frequencies nearby.

2. Battery level of the charging case is too low

If the battery level of the charging case is low, the AirPods will not be able to charge properly. If you have charging problems, the first thing you should do is check the battery level of your charging case. Here's what you can do:

  1. Place the Airpods in the charging case and open the charging case lid
  2. Make sure your AirPods are connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth
  3. Hold the AirPods near your iPhone and wait a moment

A message with the current charge level should now appear on your iPhone screen. This shows the charge level of the charging case and also of your AirPods. Here you can now see whether the charging problem is due to the battery level of the charging case.

3. Battery level of the charging case is 0

If you have followed the process from point 1 above and the charge level is not displayed on the iPhone screen, the battery level is probably at zero. In this case, you need to charge the charging case. Also check whether your charging case is working properly. To do this, plug the charging cable into the charging case and check whether it lights up. If it lights up, it is working properly. 

4. The charging cable does not work

If the light does not come on, your charging cable may be defective. Carefully inspect the charging cable for visible damage, such as kinked areas or exposed wires.

Now try a different charging cable (please use aApple If charging works now, the cause was a faulty charging cable. Replace it with a new one to solve the problem. 

5. The power source is not working

If your AirPods still won't charge, the power source could be the problem. It's important to make sure the power source, be it the USB power adapter or a Qi charger, is working properly.Check that the power adapter is properly connected to a working power outlet.

When using a wireless charger (Qi charger), make sure that the Qi station is correctly connected to a power source and that the charging case is correctly placed on it. 

6. Dust and residue in the USB port, cable or charging plug

Is charging still not working? Sometimes dust, dirt or residue in the USB port of the charging case, on the cable or on the charging plug can affect the charging ability. These particles can disrupt the connection between the contacts and cause the AirPods to no longer charge properly.

If you see any dirt, gently remove it with a soft, dry cloth or cotton swab. Be careful not to use liquids to avoid damage. After cleaning, a better connection should be established and the AirPods should charge normally again.

An even more detailed cleaning guide can be found here.

7. Software problems

Update the software, reset the AirPods and check if the problem occurs on other devices. 

8. Technical defect

If you have checked all other possible causes and the AirPods still do not charge, an internal technical defect may be the reason.

In case of technical defects, it is advisable to seek professional assistance from an authorizedApple service provider to obtain an accurate diagnosis and repair.

In some cases, it may also be useful to get individual AirPods replacement parts at this point. This is particularly useful if:

  • only one of the AirPods has problems
  • the warranty of your AirPods has expired
  • the technical defect is serious and the repair is too expensive and therefore new AirPods or spare parts are more worthwhile

The manufacturer does not allow you to buy individual components of a bundle. For example, if only your right AirPod is defective and no longer charges, you would have to buy a completely new bundle. That is expensive and not really worth it.

In our online shop you can also buy AirPods individually and save money. We purchase original bundles and disassemble them into their individual parts. This ensures that you receive the full manufacturer's warranty even if you only buy a replacement part.

You can also find the charging case as a spare part available separately. Our range includes second and third generation devices as well as the AirPods Pro.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to do if the AirPods no longer charge?

If your AirPods stop charging, follow these steps:

  1. Check the charging cable and adapter
  2. Clean the connections carefully
  3. Reset the charging case
  4. Update the software of your devices
  5. Try charging the AirPods using a different power source
  6. Reset and reconnect the AirPods
  7. Restart the device you are connecting the AirPods to
  8. Make sure the charging contacts are clean
  9. Enable wireless charging if you have a wireless charging case
  10. Check the warranty and contact theApple Support

Why isn't my charging case charging?

If your charging case is not charging, there could be the following reasons:

  • Defective cable or adapter
  • Dirty connections
  • Faulty charging contacts
  • Software problem, update AirPod software
  • Battery problem or battery level too low
  • Technical defects 

What if the AirPods no longer light up?

If the AirPods no longer light up, the following reasons could be behind it:

  1. Empty battery: The AirPods might be empty. Try charging them.
  2. Connection lost: If they are not connected to a device, they may not light up.
  3. Technical problem: Internal problems could affect the LED indicators.
  4. Defective AirPods: If the AirPods are damaged, the LEDs may stop working.
  5. charging contact: Check that the AirPods are properly seated in the charging case and that the contacts are clean.

How do I restart my AirPods?

For Airpods 2nd generation or Pro:

Press and hold the button on the back of the charging case until the LED indicator flashes white. The AirPods will restart and can then be paired again.

For 1st generation AirPods:

Press and hold the Multi-function button on each AirPod until the LED indicator turns orange and then flashes white. The AirPods will restart and are ready to reconnect.

Can you charge AirPods without a charging case?

AirPods cannot be charged without the charging case. The AirPods themselves have no way of being charged directly via a lightning cable. They must be placed in the charging case to be charged. The charging case acts as an intermediary between the power source and the AirPods. 

Why are AirPods charged differently

AirPods may be charged differently because:

  1. usage patterns: AirPods usage may be uneven.The left or right AirPod may have been used more, resulting in different charge levels.
  1. Connection to the device: If you only use one AirPod while the other remains in the charging case, the AirPod you are using may drain faster.
  1. charging contact: If the charging contacts in the charging case are not properly clean or intact, this could lead to different charging states.
  1. Age and battery condition: The batteries in AirPods age over time, which can also lead to differences in battery life.

How can I see if my AirPods are charged?

You can check the charge level of your AirPods in 3 different ways:

  1. Charging case LED: Open the charging case near your paired iOS device. The LED indicator on the front of the charging case shows the charging status of the AirPods.
  1. iOS device: If your AirPods are paired with an iOS device, you can also check the charge level on your device: Open the charging case near the iOS device. A pop-up will show the charge level of the AirPods and the charging case.
  1. Battery widget: You can use the battery widget on your iOS device to view the charge level of your AirPods and charging case as long as they are near your device.

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