One AirPod Not Charging? Here’s What You Need to Do

One AirPod not charging is a frustrating but common issue many AirPod users have faced. Luckily, it is easily fixable, so try the methods below before making any rash decisions, like returning your AirPods.

What to Do if Only One AirPod Is Charging?

1. Make Sure Your Charging Case Has Battery

If only one AirPod won’t charge, it is likely because the charging case is running out of battery. As a rule of thumb, the case should have at least 10% battery to be able to charge the AirPods.

Although the case has a relatively long battery life, it is best to charge it daily to avoid running out of battery while you are on the go.

Follow these steps to check the battery level of your AirPod charging case:

1. Place the AirPods inside the charging case and close the lid.
2. Bring the case next to your iPhone and open the lid.
3. A pop-up window will appear on your iPhone’s screen showing the battery levels of both the charging case and the AirPods.

Image credit: support.apple.com

Alternatively, you can also check the battery level of your case from the Batteries widget in your iPhone’s Today View. Simply enable your iPhone’s Bluetooth and swipe right on the lock screen, and you will be able to see the battery percentage of both your AirPods and the charging case.

If the case has less than 10% battery, it means it doesn’t have enough power to charge the AirPods. Use a Lighting cable to recharge it, and it should fix the issue of your right or left AirPod not charging.

2. Reinsert the AirPod

Sometimes the most effective solution is to try again. Namely, if your case has enough power, but only one AirPod is charging, it could be because the other one isn’t inserted correctly inside the case.

Strip the AirPod of any accessories, such as foam ear tips, and reinsert it into the case to ensure it is in proper contact with the charging port at the base. Then, check your iPhone to see if the AirPod is now charging.

3. Factory Reset the AirPods

Resetting the AirPods to return them to their default factory settings could resolve any issue you are having with them, including when one AirPod is not charging.

Follow these steps to reset your AirPods:

1. Put the AirPods inside their charging case, close the lid, and reopen it in a few seconds.
2. Go to your iPhone’s Settings, open Bluetooth, and tap the “More Info” button (the circled “i” icon) next to your AirPods.
3. Tap Forget This Device and confirm.
4. Hold down the pairing button on your charging case until the status light turns an amber color.

Quick note: If you charge your case over a wired connection, look for the status light inside the case between the AirPods. Alternatively, if your case charges wirelessly or you own AirPods Pro, the status light should be outside the case.

      5. Bring the charging case close to your iPhone with the lid open and pair the two devices again.

Needless to say, if you factory reset your AirPods, you will have to reconnect them to all of your other devices, including your Mac.

4. Clean the AirPods and Charging Case

Not cleaning your AirPods is not only very unsanitary but can also cause various performance issues, like your AirPods not charging evenly. That is because the dirt and earwax build-up can block contact between the metal ring on the bottom of the AirPods and the charging ports.

Cleaning your AirPods and charging case will resolve this issue. Here are the items you will need:

• Lint-free cloth
• A cotton swab
• 70% isopropyl alcohol

Using the lint-free cloth, thoroughly wipe down the stem of the AirPods, focusing especially on the metal contact rings on the end. For more sensitive spots, like the speakers’ mesh screen and the microphone, use a dry cotton swab.

To clean the charging case, also use a soft, lint-free cloth. If there is too much grime build-up, take a cotton swab and moisten it with water or isopropyl alcohol and gently dab the cotton swab over the dirty area. However, make sure no liquid gets inside the charging ports.

Even if the charging problem persists, make cleaning your AirPods a habit, as it will avoid other performance issues along the line.

5. Use an Official Apple Charging Cable

When charging your AirPods case, make sure to use Apple’s official Lightning-to-USB cable. Unfortunately, there are many counterfeit or uncertified Apple cables on the market, and while you may think they perform the same, they can cause various issues with all your Apple devices, including your AirPods.

The Lighting cable should be included in the box with your AirPods, but if you currently don’t have one, you can purchase one easily online or in-store. It will cost you more than a cheap copy, but it is worthwhile as you will avoid your Apple devices getting damaged or not charging properly.

6. Update the AirPods Firmware

Apple periodically releases firmware updates for its AirPods and AirPods Pro wireless earbuds to improve performance and patch bugs.

Firmware updates are typically delivered automatically when your AirPods are charging or connected to your iPhone. However, a faulty firmware update could cause you to miss out on certain features or face issues like your left or right AirPod not charging.

Here is how to check if your AirPods are up to date:

1. Go to your iPhone’s Settings.
2. Tap Bluetooth.
3. Tap the More Info button next to your AirPods.
4. Scroll down to Version to see the latest firmware update.

If the numbers don’t match the latest firmware update released by Apple, follow these steps:

1. First, insert your AirPods in their charging case.
2. Then, connect the case to a power source, whether a Lighting cable or a wireless charging mat.
3. Bring the case next to the iOS device that your AirPods are paired with and ensure the device is connected to the internet.
4. Wait 30 seconds, and any available firmware updates will download and install automatically.

7. Contact Apple Customer Support

When all else fails, it is best to contact Apple’s customer support, as Apple’s team of experts should help you resolve the issue of one AirPod not charging in the case.

However, if the AirPod is damaged beyond repair, you may need to get a replacement. The good news is that if you’ve owned the AirPods for less than a year, the warranty should fully cover the cost of repair or replacement.

Bottom Line

One of your AirPods not charging can be a real nuisance, but trying these DIY solutions should help you resolve it in most cases. Most likely, the solution is as simple as charging the case or resetting your AirPods, but if the issue persists, contact Apple’s customer support, and you will know what to do from there.