Learn what to do if your AirPods and charging case aren’t charging properly.
The case included in the box is the only way to charge AirPods or AirPods Pro. If your AirPods charging case is having battery issues and isn’t charging, here are some solutions to fix it. This tutorial applies to all AirPods cases, including those that support wireless or MagSafe charging.
Also see: How to see battery percentage of AirPods and its case on any device
Wait for 5-10 minutes
It may take a while for the status light to start glowing and confirm that the case is charging. This is especially true if your AirPods case is fully discharged or has been left unused for several days.
Restart your AirPods
Put your AirPods in the charging case and close the lid. Now, wait for at least 10 seconds before taking them out. Once you’ve done this, put your case on your charger.
Check the wired connection
Make sure the USB-C or Lightning end of the charging cable is connected properly to your AirPods case and the other end to the power adapter.
Place it properly on the wireless charger
You usually don’t have to worry about this if you’re using a MagSafe charger, as the magnets handle the alignment. However, if you’re using a regular Qi-certified wireless charger, place the AirPods case properly with the status light facing up. Reposition the case on the charging pad if needed.
Use a different charging cable
If the AirPods case fails to charge with your USB-C or Lightning cable, borrow one from a family member or friend and try using that. Also, use the same cable to charge your iPhone to confirm whether the cable works.
Use another power adapter
Sometimes the issue lies with the Apple or third-party power adapter. Try a different one, or plug the AirPods charging case into a computer. If it’s a MacBook or another laptop, make sure the lid is open and the device is awake.
Note: Devices may not charge properly with low-quality power banks or certain power sources like airplane sockets.
Make sure the power source is working
Check the wall outlet by plugging in another device to confirm it’s functioning correctly.
Clean the charging port
Use a soft brush, dry toothbrush, or non-metal pick to clean dirt and debris from the USB-C or Lightning port of your AirPods charging case. If you’re using wireless charging, wipe the case with a dry cloth.
Remove the AirPods cover
Some thick and unusual AirPods cases can block wireless charging or interfere with cable insertion. Remove the case and try charging again, either wirelessly or with a cable.
Make sure you’re using your charging case
Both AirPods are paired with their original charging case, MagSafe Charging Case, or Wireless Charging Case. You can’t charge AirPods with a random case, and if you try to do so, you’ll see an “AirPods Mismatch” alert. When this happens, you won’t be able to see the battery percentage of the case or the individual earbuds. So, find their original charging case, and everything should work fine like before.
Update the AirPods
Your AirPods receive firmware updates to fix such issues. Your iPhone updates your AirPods automatically without you doing anything. But since you’re facing charging issues, make sure you follow this guide to learn more about updating AirPods.
Unpair and pair your AirPods again
Before moving to the final solution, unpair and re-pair the AirPods. Some users have found success with this solution.
Reset AirPods to factory settings
Finally, if nothing else helps, follow these steps to return your AirPods to factory settings. If the charging problem isn’t caused by hardware issues, this should solve the problem.
After you’ve successfully reset the AirPods to factory settings, bring it near your iPhone with Bluetooth enabled and connect it again.
Take AirPods to an Apple Store
If your AirPods or their charging case aren’t charging due to glitches or bugs, the solutions above should have helped. However, only an Apple Store or authorized service center can fix the issue if:
- You dropped your charging case, which caused hardware issues
- The AirPods case is old with a degraded battery
- It’s a defective unit with a battery that can’t hold a charge
- The case has suffered unnoticeable damage in the USB-C or Lightning port or its internals
Take your AirPods case to the nearest Apple Store and have it inspected. You may need to purchase a new charging case, which costs between $59 to $89, depending on your model. If you get a replacement, the Apple Store staff will link your existing AirPods to work with the new case.
Also, check out: The best AirPods deals you can get right now