Prepare AirPods and AirPods Pro Some of the best true wireless earbuds you can get are a no-brainer if you have Apple devices. Fast connections, easy access to information, seamless cross-device use between iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and of course, excellent sound quality are what make AirPods so popular. However, like any technology, it comes with its own set of limitations. AirPods are not without problems. Even worse, when you put on a pair only to find they aren't charging. If you remembered to plug in your earbuds, the lack of charging could be due to something else. Here's what to do if your AirPods and AirPod cases aren't charging.
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If your AirPods case isn't charging, check the charging cable or wireless charging mat. You should also clean the inside of the case, the charging port, and the contacts on the AirPods to ensure that dirt or debris isn't blocking the connection. Try updating the AirPods firmware or resetting the connection. If all else fails, you can get a replacement AirPods case.
Why isn't my AirPod case charging?
There are many reasons why your AirPods and AirPod cases might not be charging. The good news is that most of the time, the problem is caused by something simple and easily fixable. Dirt or any obstruction around the connection point will prevent the earbuds from charging in the case, or they may have been misplaced. Dirt or debris around the charging port of the AirPod case, faulty charging cables or wireless charging pads, and random software glitches can also be the culprits.
You may also experience charging issues if the case or AirPods are damaged, exposed to water, or the batteries are dead. In these cases, your only option is to opt for a replacement.
How to fix AirPods that won't charge in the case
Check the battery level of the case.
If your AirPods won't charge in the case, it may be because they don't have any battery life left. If the case doesn't have any battery life, you won't be able to charge the earbuds either. There are several ways to check the battery life of your AirPods case.
If your AirPods are in their case, open the lid and hold it near your iPhone or iPad. A pop-up window will appear on the screen showing the remaining battery for the individual AirPods and the case. While wearing your AirPods, open the Widgets screen on your iPhone or iPad. The Batteries widget will display the battery levels for the individual AirPods and the charging case. On your Mac, go to Control Center, click the Bluetooth icon, and hover over your AirPods name to see the battery levels.
You can get a simple indication of the charging case's battery level without your devices. When your AirPods are in the case, look for the charge level indicator on the case. A green light indicates a full charge, while an orange light shows that the case has less than one full charge remaining. If you don't see a light on your AirPods or AirPods Pro case, the case doesn't have any charge left.
Cleaning AirPods and the inside of the charging case
Dirt and debris around the contact point will prevent your AirPods from charging in the case. Check out our guide on How to Clean AirPods and AirPods Pro To ensure nothing is obstructing the charging point on the earbuds, it would be best if you also cleaned the inside of the AirPods case.
Also, keep in mind that your AirPods won't charge in the case if the earbuds aren't seated correctly. They generally snap into place without issue, but there may be instances where the earbuds don't fit quite right. Take your AirPods out, place them back in the charging case, wait a few minutes, and see if they're charging.
Update or reset AirPods firmware
Apple releases firmware updates for AirPods to fix bugs and improve performance. These updates are usually automatic and occur behind the scenes when you connect your AirPods to your iPhone or iPad. However, if you haven't used your AirPods in a while, a lack of firmware updates can also cause charging issues.
Check out our guide on how to update your AirPods firmware to ensure you have the latest version. Keep in mind that you'll need an iPhone, iPad, or Mac previously connected to your earbuds to complete the manual update.
If cleaning your AirPods and charging case, checking the position of the earbuds, and updating the firmware don't work, you may need to Reset AirPods And start over.
How to fix AirPods that won't charge in the case
The only way to charge your AirPods is with the case, so it's a big problem if the case itself isn't charging. Check the case's battery level using the steps above, and don't forget to Clean the inside, outside, and charging port of the case to ensure that dirt and debris do not cause charging issues.You can also try updating the firmware or resetting your AirPods. But there are a few more steps to follow if your AirPods case won't charge.
Check the charging cable or wireless charging pad.
This is to check the charging cable or wireless charging pad. Every AirPods case has a Lightning charging port, and a faulty cable can cause problems. Check for rips or frayed cables, and connect other devices to see if the issue is with the cable itself.
If you have new AirPods or AirPods Pro, you can also use a wireless charging pad to charge your case. However, compatibility or alignment issues may cause problems when charging the case wirelessly. Make sure you use a MagSafe charger Wirelessly charge your AirPods case, a Qi-certified charger, or an Apple Watch charging dock. Place your AirPods case in the center of the pad with the status light facing up. You've placed your case correctly if you see the status light illuminate for several seconds.
Get a replacement AirPods case
If none of the above steps work, your only option is to contact Apple customer service and get a replacement AirPods case. The good news is that you can easily replace your AirPods case. The bad news is that Apple may not cover a replacement even if you have AppleCare Plus. Depending on the model, you'll have to pay between $59 and $89 for a new charging case.
