How To Troubleshoot One AirPod Not Charging? If one of your AirPods isn’t charging, follow this guide to resolve the issue! This is a common occurrence among AirPod users, and it is extremely inconvenient. Finding out that one of your AirPods isn’t charging can ruin your listening experience and put a halt to your day’s plans.
To make matters worse, AirPods aren’t the cheapest wireless headphones on the market, so having problems with them is even more aggravating. Imagine spending all of your money on these headphones only to have them taken away from you so quickly.
Fortunately, there are several solutions you can try to get this sorted out, and we’ve compiled them all here. If you want this problem solved, read through this one-stop solutions guide.
So, How To Fix One AirPod Not Charging?
Your AirPods may be charging properly because it doesn’t have full contact with the charging port. Luckily, the simple action of reinserting your AirPod may solve this issue. AirPod accessories can also get in the way of proper charging.
WHY IS ONE OF YOUR AIRPODS NOT CHARGING?
Before you can move on to solutions, you must first understand the problem. It’s a necessary step if you want to comprehend the reasoning behind the solutions. To give you some context, the Apple AirPods have a 93 milliwatt battery.
According to Apple, a 15-minute charge will provide up to 3 hours of listening time or up to 2 hours of talk time. The AirPods can last up to 24 hours with the charging case. The Apple AirPods come in two varieties (2nd Generation).
They both come with a charging case. The charging case of one variant, however, has wireless charging while the other does not. Your AirPods are charged solely by the charging case, not by the power source. So, if an AirPod isn’t charging, the issue is most likely with the case.
HOW TO FIX ONE AIRPOD NOT CHARGING?
As mentioned, the charging case is almost always to blame whenever one AirPod is not charging. That’s why it’s just right to have the solutions focused on this part.
Below are some suggestions on how you can get that other AirPod up and charging again.
1. Make Sure The Charging Case Has More Than 10% Battery
Basically, if your charging case’s battery is less than 10% charged, it won’t be able to charge the AirPods. People, in my experience, forget to charge their cases because the battery lasts so long. So, for good measure, set aside 15-20 minutes every day to charge it.
- Bring your case containing the AirPods closer to your phone.
- Remove the lid.
- Your battery status should appear on the screen automatically.
2. Remove and reinsert the Airpods
Your AirPods may be charging properly because they are not fully inserted into the charging port. Fortunately, simply reinserting your AirPod may resolve this issue.
AirPod accessories can also obstruct proper charging. If an accessory is not properly fitted, it may prevent your AirPod from fully contacting the charging port.
- Remove any extraneous items.
- Remove any AirPods that aren’t charging.
- Replace it and check to see if your phone is charging.
3. Clean The Airpods Tail And Charging Case
Dirty AirPods are not only unsanitary, but they can also interfere with charging. Dirt and grime can get into the charging ports and prevent the AirPods from properly contacting and maintaining contact with the charging case.
Not to mention that if dirt accumulates on the mesh screen of your AirPods, it can muffle the audio and cause further damage once grime seeps in. Every 72 hours of listening time, you should clean your AirPods.
That means that if you use your AirPods for 8 hours a day, you should clean them at least three times a month. To avoid more dirt getting on your AirPods, make sure to clean your ears on a regular basis.
If one AirPod is not charging, you should focus on cleaning the tail and the charging case. Proper cleaning is key here, so here’s how you can do it:
External Cleaning
- Dip a cotton swab in 70% isopropyl alcohol and rub the dirty areas of the charging case.
- Use a clean toothpick to pick off any remaining dirt along the case’s lines.
- Dry the case with a clean paper towel or tissue paper.
Internal Cleaning
- Clean the charging port with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Use a dry lint-free fabric and clean the tail of the AirPods.
- Clean the internal contact points by using a periodontal brush.
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4. Reset the Airpods
When something isn’t working properly with your AirPods, there’s always the possibility of a firmware issue. This includes issues with the battery and charging.
A reset will return your AirPods to their factory settings, potentially repairing any underlying issues. Here’s how to go about it:
- Navigate to Settings, tap the I button, and then select Forget This Device.
- Hold the pairing button and wait until the status light turns amber to reset your AirPods.
- Re-pair your AirPods with your phone by opening the case’s lid while the device is close by.
5. Check Charging Case Battery Level
When one AirPod stops charging, the Charging Case is frequently to blame. In general, if the charge is less than 10%, the case does not have enough juice to charge both AirPods. To check the battery level of your Charging Case, place the AirPods inside and close the lid.
Bring the case closer to your iPhone and then lift the lid. An AirPods card should appear on the iPhone’s screen, displaying the battery level of the Charging Case and both AirPods.
You can also check the charge status of your AirPods using the Batteries widget in your iPhone’s Today View, which you can access by swiping right on the Lock screen or the first screen of apps on your Home screen.
If the Charging Case’s battery level is sufficient but one AirPod is still not charging (i.e. there is no “lightning bolt” charging icon next to it), proceed to the next step in this article. If a low battery in the Charging Case was the source of your issue, you now know how to charge it with a Lightning cable.
Because the Charging Case’s battery lasts so long on a single charge, it’s easy to forget to plug it in, so make a habit of charging it every day or every other day, even if it’s only for 15 minutes. You’ll never be without a battery for your AirPods when you’re on the go this way.
6. Update AirPod firmware
Apple’s AirPods’ firmware is constantly being updated. Consider firmware to be your headphones’ operating system. Updates to this “operating system” include fixes for newly discovered issues as well as some enhancements.
AirPods receive firmware updates automatically; unlike your iPhone, you cannot update by pressing a button. However, you should still ensure that your AirPods are running the most recent version.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Then, choose Bluetooth.
- Select the information icon next to your AirPods.
- Scroll down until you reach Version.
If you think your AirPods are out of date simply put your AirPods in their case, plug your AirPod case into its charger and make sure your iPhone is nearby. This should force an update.
7. Replace one AirPod
Now it’s time to face the unfortunate reality that for a very small percentage of you, your attempts to fix your charging problem will result in the need for a replacement.
Even though many AirPods owners can repair their earbuds, there are some of us who simply do not have that kind of luck. But, before you go out and buy a new set of AirPods, you should:
- Bring your AirPods to an Apple Store and have your warranty checked!
- You don’t have to buy the entire set if one of the earbuds breaks.
- If you have had your AirPods for less than a year, your warranty will cover the cost of a repair or replacement!
If it’s been more than a year, you can buy a replacement on the Apple website. The cost of a single earbud is about $70 for standard AirPods and $90 for the AirPods Pro. It’s not exactly a cheap solution, but it is way better than having to buy a brand new set of AirPods.
8. Contact Apple Support
If none of the above fixes the problem of one AirPod not charging, it’s time to contact Apple Support, as Apple’s team will be able to determine whether your AirPod or Charging Case needs to be repaired or replaced.
Alternative Video: Left/Right Airpod Not Working/Charging
UNDERSTANDING AIRPODS’ STATUS LIGHT
The status light is how your AirPods communicate with you. The status light indicates the state of the battery in your AirPods or charging case. If your AirPods are inside when you open the lid, the light will reflect the battery of your AirPods.
If your AirPods are not plugged in, the status light will display the battery level of your charging case. Green indicates that the AirPods or charging case are either fully charged or have a significant amount of charge remaining.
If the light turns amber, it means there are only a few hours left, so charge up. The AirPods wireless charging variant also has a different status light color — white. This indicates that the AirPods are ready for pairing.
The status light can also be used to tell the difference between genuine and counterfeit AirPods. Authentic wireless charging AirPods only have a status light on the charging case’s front. If you have the non-wireless charging variant, the status light is located between the spaces for your AirPods. If your AirPods have a status light in any other location, they are a knockoff.
WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, CONSULT A GENIUS
DIY solutions, such as the ones mentioned above, can only go so far. There have been reports of one AirPod still not charging after attempting everything listed above and more. This isn’t a reason to give up just yet.
When all else fails, the best thing to do is visit your local Apple Store and speak with a ‘Apple Genius.’ A Genius would know what to do next, and they would be able to tell you whether your AirPods should be repaired or replaced.
Of course, we prefer the latter. After all, who wouldn’t want a brand new pair of AirPods for almost nothing? So, if you want to do that, here are some tricks you should know:
- Free Replacement for Subpar Units – AirPods that are less than a year old and do not last 5 hours of listening time will be replaced for free.
- AppleCare+ Warranty – A two-year warranty for your AirPods is available for $29 from Apple. This includes a free battery replacement within the specified time frame.
- “Battery Service” – If your AirPods are out of warranty, saying this term to a Genius will open up three options for a discounted replacement. They will replace one of the AirPods or the charging case for $49 each.
DOES THE AIRPOD CHARGING CASE LIGHT COME ON?
When you first plug in or place your AirPods on the wireless charging pad, the status light on the charging case should illuminate. If it doesn’t, it’s a good bet the issue isn’t with the AirPods, but with the charging case (or elsewhere). Check out our troubleshooting tips for the AirPod case.
1. Try Charging Them Overnight
On rare occasions, but especially when the earbuds are completely depleted, charging them takes longer than expected.
In fact, they won’t start charging normally for a few hours in some cases. Charge the AirPods overnight by plugging them in. Check back in the morning to see if they have finally started charging normally.
2. Use Apple Certified Charging Cables
Apple adores their walled-garden of products, which includes chargers, cables, and a variety of other pricey connections. I completely understand the desire to spend half the price on a charging cable or wireless charging dock for your AirPods; however, make sure it is Apple certified!
If you buy a third-party cable from Amazon or a mall store, chances are it’s poorly made or even a counterfeit. What you pay for is exactly what you get.
Apple’s own support page has a section dedicated to warning customers about counterfeit parts, which pose a safety risk to you and your Apple products. If you’re charging your AirPods with a cheap charging cable, it’s possible that this is what’s causing one of them to not fully charge.
Spend the extra $10-$15 to get the proper cable. If you’re not convinced that this is the source of your charging issues, borrow a genuine AirPod charger from a friend!
CONCLUSION on One AirPod Not Charging
On a bright Saturday morning, you get up to prepare for your morning run. You put on your running shoes, your clothes, and your AirPods before heading out. After a few minutes of jogging, your left Airpod stops working, so you check your phone, only to discover that the earphone’s battery is completely depleted.
The thing is, your other AirPod is perfectly functional. You postpone your run for a few minutes to experiment with the above-mentioned do-it-yourself solutions. It’s effective! You go out again to continue your jog, this time uninterrupted and completely immersed in your music.
Which solution was most effective for you? Did you do anything different to get one of your AirPods to charge again? Let us know in the comments!
FAQs About One AirPod Not Charging
Why would one AirPod not be charged?
When one AirPod stops charging, the Charging Case is frequently to blame. In general, if the charge is less than 10%, the case does not have enough juice to charge both AirPods. To check the battery level of your Charging Case, place the AirPods inside and close the lid.
Why is only one of my AirPods functioning?
For at least 15 seconds, press and hold the button on the back of the case. If you use a non-wireless second-generation AirPods charging case, the internal light between the AirPods will flash white and then amber, indicating that the AirPods have reset.
How do you know if your AirPods are broken?
It has a single alert light under the lid that is used for both pair and charge status: If there is no light, your AirPods and case are dead and need to be charged. If you see an amber light and your AirPods are in their case, it means that they are charging.
What is the best way to tell if my AirPod case is charging?
If you put your AirPods in the case and see a red or amber light, the case is charging them. When you open the case, the light will be green, indicating that they are fully charged. When you plug in your AirPods case or place it on a wireless charger, the front light turns amber.
How do I test my AirPod Batteries?
Open your case lid with your AirPods inside and hold your case close to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Wait a few seconds to see the charge status of your AirPods. You can also check the charge status of your AirPods with the Batteries widget on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.