AirPod case not charging? Here's how to fix it

AirPods are some of the best true wireless earbuds you can get and are an absolute no-brainer if you have Apple devices. However, like any tech, AirPods aren’t without their occasional problems. It’s the worst when you put on a pair only to find them without a charge. Here’s what to do if your AirPods and AirPods case are not charging.

This guide applies to all AirPods and AirPods Pro models, not AirPods Max headphones.

Why is my AirPod case not charging?

There are many reasons why your AirPods and AirPod case may not be charging. But the good news is that, more often than not, the issue is because of something simple and easily fixable. Dirt or any blockage around the contact points will stop the earbuds from charging in the case, or they might simply not have been appropriately placed. Dirt or debris around the AirPod case’s charging port, faulty charging cables or wireless charging pads, and random software glitches may also be the culprit.

However, you might also face charging issues if the case or AirPods have been damaged, exposed to water, or have dead batteries. In these cases, your only option will be to pick up a replacement.

How to fix AirPods not charging in the case

Check the case’s battery level

If your AirPods aren’t charging in the case, it could be because it doesn’t have any battery life remaining. If the case has no battery life, you won’t be able to charge the earbuds either. There are a few ways to check the battery life of the AirPods case.

If the AirPods are in the case, open the lid and hold it close to your iPhone or iPad. A window will pop up on the screen showing the remaining battery of the individual AirPods and the case. While wearing the AirPods, open the Widgets screen on the iPhone or iPad. The Batteries widget will show the battery levels of the individual earbuds and the charging case.

On a Mac, go to the Control Center, click on the Bluetooth icon, and hover the mouse over the name of your AirPods to see their battery levels.

You can get a simple indication of the battery level of the charging case without your devices. When the AirPods are in the case, look at the charging level indicator on the case. A green light indicates a full charge, while an orange light shows that the case has less than a complete charge cycle remaining. If you see no light on the AirPods or AirPods Pro case, the case has no charge remaining.

Clean the AirPods and the inside of the charging case

Dirt and debris around the contact point will block the AirPods from charging in the case. Ensure that nothing is blocking the charging point on the earbuds. It would be best if you also cleaned the inside of the AirPods case.

Also, remember that the AirPods won’t charge in the case if the earbuds aren’t placed properly. They generally slot into place without issue, but there may be instances where the earbud doesn’t sit quite right. Take out the AirPods, place them in the charging case again, wait a few minutes, and see if they are charging.

Update the AirPods firmware or reset it

Apple rolls out firmware updates for the AirPods to fix bugs and improve performance. These updates are usually automatic and occur behind the scenes when you connect the AirPods to your iPhone or iPad. However, if you haven’t used the AirPods in a while, the lack of firmware updates might also cause charging issues.

Again, these updates are meant to happen automatically, so you can’t manually trigger them. You can, however, set things up so that the update is likely to occur. Updates will take place while the AirPods are charging, within Bluetooth range of your device, and this device is connected to Wi-Fi. Meet all those requirements, and your AirPods should get upgraded soon.

If cleaning the AirPods and charging case, checking the placement of the earbuds, and updating the firmware don’t work, you might have to reset the AirPods and start over.

How to fix the AirPods case not charging

The only way to charge the AirPods is by using the case, so it’s a massive problem if the case itself isn’t charging. Check the case’s battery level using the steps mentioned above, and don’t forget to clean the inside, outside, and charging port of the case to ensure that dirt and debris aren’t causing charging issues. You can also try updating the firmware or resetting the AirPods. But there are a couple more steps to go through if the AirPods case is not charging.

Check the charging cable or wireless charging pad

You should also check the charging cable or wireless charging pad. Whether you’re using Lightning or USB-C, a faulty cable might cause issues. And Apple Lightning cables are especially known for being faulty. Check whether the cable is torn or frayed, and plug in other devices to see if the problem is with the cable itself.

If you have newer AirPods or AirPods Pro, you can also use a wireless charging pad to charge the case. However, compatibility or alignment issues might cause problems when charging the case wirelessly. Ensure you’re using a MagSafe wireless charger, Qi-certified charger, or Apple Watch charging mat. Place the AirPods case on the center of the pad with the status light facing up. You’ve placed the case correctly if you see the status light turn on for several seconds.

Don’t forget to case’s check the port!

You have no idea what type of stuff I’ve found inside charging ports. I never thought so much lint could fit in a Lightning or USB-C port! Go ahead and check your AirPods case’s port. Try to clean it with compressed air or a brush, and make sure to get everything out of there.

A dirty port can cause obstructions between the charging contacts, which will obviously affect charging.

Also, check your outlet

Sometimes outlets stop working for many reasons. It could be broken, or the breaker may have flipped off in that section of the house. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to check if the outlet is the culprit here. Doing this is simple; all you have to do is plug something else into that outlet and see if it properly provides power to other devices. You should check your breakers or fix the outlet if it doesn’t.

In this situation, the only real solution to charge your AirPods case is to try another working outlet. Also, keep an eye out for the type of power source you are using. If you’re trying to charge your AirPods case with a laptop USB cable, a weak charger, or another USB port, there is a chance it doesn’t provide enough power for certain products. Try a good charger and cable, and use them with a working outlet.

Get a replacement AirPods case

If none of the steps above work, your only option is to contact Apple customer care 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. Depending on the model, you will have to pay between $59 and $99 to get a new charging case.