What To Do When Only One of Your AirPods Charges

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Troubleshoot your AirPod battery issues with our guide

Co-authored by Hunter Rising Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: November 4, 2024 Fact Checked

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Fixes

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Causes

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FAQ

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Tips

If one of your AirPods didn’t charge while it was in the case, it can be frustrating if you need to use them. Luckily, charging issues with AirPods are temporary and can be fixed with simple solutions at home. We spoke to James Bell, a phone repair specialist, to learn more about what could cause the issue and best practices for repairs.

Best Ways to Fix One AirPod Not Charging

Take your AirPod out of the case and reinsert it firmly.
Wipe the bottom of your AirPod with a cloth to remove debris from the connector.
Plug in the case when your AirPods are inside of it.
Unpair your AirPods and reconnect them to your device.
Reset your AirPods to factory settings to completely refresh them.

Section 1 of 3:

How to Fix One AirPod Not Charging

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If your AirPod isn’t fully connected to the case, it won’t charge. Pull your AirPod out and quickly place it back in. Make sure it sits firmly in place and doesn’t move around.
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Clean your AirPod and the charging case. Check the charging connector on the bottom of your AirPod for any visible debris. Use a slightly damp lint-free cloth to wipe the AirPod clean, and then dry it off with a towel. If the case is dirty, shake out any debris from inside the charging ports before putting your AirPods back in.^{[1]
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- For stubborn debris, clean your AirPods with isopropyl alcohol to get more cleaning power.
- Apple recommends avoiding putting anything inside the charging ports, including toothpicks or Q-tips, to prevent damage.
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Use the cord that came with your AirPods case for the best results. Plug the cord into the port on the bottom of the case and connect the other end to a wall adapter. Leave your AirPods for 5-10 minutes to see if they charge.^{[2]
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Place your AirPods in their case. Open Settings and select Bluetooth from the list. Find your AirPods on your connected devices and tap the info button next to their name. Select Forget This Device and confirm to disconnect your AirPods.^{[3]
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Research source} To pair your AirPods, just open the case and hold it near your device.^{[4]
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EXPERT TIP

James Bell
Phone Repair Specialist
James Bell is a Phone Repair Specialist at Phone Techs in Winchester, California. With over seven years of experience, he specializes in cell phone, tablet, game console, and PC repairs. Phone Techs is an Akko Partner.

James Bell
Phone Repair Specialist

Fully charge your AirPods before you pair them again with your device. It's always good to charge AirPods completely after you unpair them because one or both can be dead, or the case may have no charge. Charge them up and then re-pair them to the phone.
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Try turning off Optimized Battery Charging. Optimized Battery Charging normally slows the charger down to prevent wear on the batteries, but some users have had issues with a glitch in the settings. To turn off the feature:^{[5]
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- Open Settings and select Bluetooth.
- Tap on the info button next to your AirPods.
- Deselect Optimized Battery Charging.
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Update your AirPods’ firmware. If your firmware is out of date, it may cause charging issues. Put your AirPods in their case and keep them near a device that’s connected to wifi. The firmware will update automatically if a new version is available.^{[6]
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- To check the firmware on your AirPods, go to Settings, select Bluetooth, and tap the info button next to your AirPods. Scroll to the About section to see the firmware version you’re using.
- The latest firmware versions for AirPods are:
  - AirPods Pro 2: 7A305
  - AirPods Pro 1, AirPods 2 & 3: 6A326
  - AirPods 4: 7A304
  - AirPods 1: 6.8.8
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Reset your AirPods. Start by putting your AirPods in their case and leaving them for at least 30 seconds. Go into your device's Bluetooth settings and unpair your AirPods so they’re disconnected. How you reset your AirPods depends on which variety you have. After you fully reset your AirPods, just open the case near your device to reconnect them.^{[7]
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- AirPods 1, 2, and 3, or AirPods Pro: Open the lid and hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then white.
- AirPods 4: Open the lid and double-tap the button on the front of the case 3 times. A status light will flash amber and then white if you reset your AirPods correctly.
Open the Settings app on your device and select General from the list. Then, tap on Software Update to see if there are any available. If your device is outdated, let the updates run and install completely before trying to use your AirPods again.
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Contact Apple support or visit an Apple Store. If none of the fixes work for your AirPods, there may be an issue with the hardware or the internal pieces. Contact your local Apple Store or an authorized provider to let them know your issues. They may be able to repair damage, or they may be able to order a replacement.
- If your AirPods are covered by AppleCare or AppleCare+, then repairs or replacements only cost a small incident fee of around $29 USD.

Section 2 of 3:

Why is one AirPod not charging?

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The metal pieces at the end of each AirPod sit in the bottom of the case and make contact with the charging ports. If there’s any debris or mess on either piece, then the loose connection can prevent the battery from charging.
The case usually has enough battery to provide a few full charges for your AirPods, but they may not charge at all if the battery is low. Putting your AirPods in an uncharged case will keep them protected, but they won’t gain any more battery life. Charge the case regularly so it can recharge your AirPods.
Apple regularly rolls out new firmware updates for AirPods and software updates for devices to correct glitches and known problems. If you’re using an outdated device or AirPods, then it’s more likely to cause issues with charging or listening.
James Bell, a phone repair specialist, notes that the internal components of AirPods are really simple and easily damaged. He says, “The battery is a very common failure…and the battery can fail in one but not the other.”

Section 3 of 3:

AirPods Charging FAQs

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How do you charge AirPods quickly? Plug your case into a wall adapter or computer for the fastest charging. After about 5-15 minutes, your AirPods should have enough battery to last you for a couple of hours.
- If you have Optimized Battery Charging on, it may hold your AirPods at 80% charge to prevent battery wear. Try turning this setting off to ensure your AirPods fully charge when you want to use them.
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How do you check the charge status on your AirPods? When your AirPods are plugged in and connected to your phone, keep the case closed and hold it near your device. Your AirPods will appear with the current battery levels.^{[8]
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- Alternatively, add the Batteries widget to your home screen to easily glance at the battery levels.
- If you don’t see a lightning bolt icon underneath your AirPods, they aren’t properly charging. Take them out and try one of the fixes listed above.
If you chat on the phone or if you have “Hey Siri” turned on, the microphone in your AirPod may drain the battery more quickly. Even though both AirPods have microphones, only one is used at a time, so it may drain more quickly on one side.^{[9]
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The charging port on your AirPods case may be dirty or damaged. Try using an Apple-branded cord or the one that came with your AirPods to charge. Use a dry toothbrush to get rid of any debris that may be caught inside the port.^{[10]
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Bell states that even though AirPods are well-designed, they’re not meant to last more than 2-3 years before the amplifier inside starts to go out or until a piece gets damaged.

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Tips

Bell says that while some places won’t fix AirPods, some repair places offer insurance to replace faulty or damaged pieces. As long as you pay a small insurance charge, there are no additional costs.

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