Do you have a pair of Bluetooth headphones that will not charge? Don't get rid of them just yet. Check out these fixes to get them back up and running! You've taken out your headphones to listen to some music, only to discover that they won't turn on.
Not only that, but when you plug them in to charge, the charging light does not illuminate. When it's an expensive pair of headphones in which you've invested a lot of money, this problem becomes even more concerning. The last thing you want to do is throw them away and spend another couple hundred dollars on a new pair.
Luckily, there are some fixes you can try yourself before looking at your other options. Today, we’ll cover the reasons why your headphones won’t charge and how you can go about getting them back up and running again.
Bluetooth Earbuds Not Charging: How to Fix it? (Easy Steps)
WHY YOUR BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES WON’T CHARGE?
There are various possible reasons why your headphones may not be charging. Let’s take a look at a few of the most common of them.
1. Headset has a faulty a battery
The batteries inside your wireless headphones degrade over time, with most lasting two to four years before performance begins to suffer. This may not be your fault, as all electronic devices have a natural lifespan.
This is because, over time, batteries develop an internal crystalline buildup. After some time–usually 2-4 years–these crystals increase electrical resistance and gradually reduce the amount of charge that the battery can hold.
However, this is dependent on how frequently you use your headphones and how well you care for them. However, if you've only had them for a few weeks, they could have been defective from the start. The headphones haven't been charged in quite some time.
Batteries that have been left uncharged for an extended period of time may cease to function. This is due to being ‘over discharged.' The majority of headphone batteries are Li-Ion (also known as Lithium-Ion) and contain copper components.
If you leave your headphones drained for several weeks without charging, the copper may dissolve, resulting in unwanted chemical reactions. These typically result in dendrites, which can cause a short circuit within the battery.
To cut a long story short, discharging your headphones too quickly is just as bad as overcharging them. If a battery has been overcharged, there is a slim chance that it can be recharged.
2. The charging cable is faulty
Charging cables are an essential accessory for your headphones. They are, however, very weak and susceptible to damage over time. With continued use, the delicate wires inside the cable can become faulty.
This is usually caused by constant pulling and twisting, which causes tension and damage to the wires inside. Fortunately, in most cases, they are very cheap to replace and widely available.
3. There may be a problem with the charging port
It's possible that your headphones aren't charging because the charging port isn't working properly. This could be due to corrosion, faulty connectors, or foreign objects obstructing the port. All of these issues may prevent your charging cable from fully connecting with your charging port and transferring the required power for charging.
To ensure that this isn't the result of a dirty charging port, it's a good idea to clean your headphones' charging port on a regular basis.
TIPS ON WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES WON’T CHARGE
Just as there are numerous reasons why your Bluetooth headphones aren't charging, there are numerous solutions. In fact, some headphone brands necessitate novel approaches to addressing this issue. But, before we get into some brand-specific solutions, here are some general solutions you can try.
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1. Charge using a power outlet rather than a USB hub
While USB hubs are useful, they are frequently insufficient for charging your headphones. This could be due to a faulty USB hub or because the USB hub is unable to provide enough power to charge the headphones sufficiently. Before proceeding, try plugging your headphone charger directly into a power outlet.
2. See if there are any debris in the port
Debris in the charging port can prevent the proper charging connection from being made. Cleaning the port is usually a simple task that can be completed quickly. A cloth, some rubbing alcohol, and a can of compressed air are all you'll need. Here's how to clean the charging port on your headphones:
- Using rubbing alcohol, lightly dampen the cloth.
- Clean the area around the charging port and as much as possible inside.
- To clear out the rest of the debris inside the port, use the compressed air can to push any remaining debris out.
3. Try a different charging cable
As previously stated, charging cables contain very delicate wires that can break if subjected to excessive strain. It's difficult to tell if a cable is broken because the majority of the time the damage is internal.
To rule out the possibility that the charging cable is the source of the problem, try charging the headphones with a different cable.
If the cable has visible damage, such as exposed wires, you can attempt to repair it yourself. These solutions are simple to implement and can help you save money.
4. Check if the charging port is loose or damaged
A loose charging port, like a loose headphone jack, can cause a slew of inconvenient problems. Inspect your headphones' charging port for any damage, such as bent connectors or bent metal.
Also, check to see if the port itself isn't loose when you touch it, as this could indicate that the connectors have come loose from the headset.
5. Connect the headphones to the charger for a few hours.
If you haven't charged the headphones in a long time, try leaving them plugged in for a few hours. Even if the battery isn't fully charged when you remove them, they should have received a sufficient charge during that time.
6. Make sure they’re properly seated on the charging stand or case
Some headphones are charged indirectly, rather than directly, via a cable connected to a stand or case. If this is the case for you, ensure that your headphones are properly positioned so that they can accept a proper charge.
7. Perform a hard reset
A hard reset can solve a variety of issues, including headphones that aren't charging. The actual process for performing a hard reset varies by model, but you can read our full guide on how to reset your headphones to get it done quickly.
HOW TO FIX BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES CHARGING ISSUES ACCORDING TO BRAND?
Because each brand's headphones are unique, solutions for each brand will also be unique. If you weren't successful with the previous solutions, let's move on to more specific solutions for your situation.
Check to see if your headphones are still under warranty before proceeding. If so, you may be able to contact the manufacturer to discuss repairs or replacement.
1. For Logitech
A faulty micro USB connector is the most common cause of Logitech charging issues. The action of plugging in and removing the charging cable will gradually weaken the 5-pins inside the charging port.
Fixing this problem at home can be difficult because the speaker piece must be removed and dismantled. As a result, it is strongly advised that you seek the assistance of a professional in order to avoid further damage. However, if you are confident in your ability to repair the problem yourself, watch this video for instructions.
2. For Beats
Beats headphones are powered by Lithium-ion batteries. Because of their high energy density, these batteries are very popular. This means that, despite their small size, they can hold a significant amount of charge.
These batteries can only be charged a certain number of times. The amount of charge the battery can hold decreases over time as they are charged more. This means that older headphones are more prone to a burned-out battery, which causes the headphones to either not hold a charge or not charge at all.
You can resolve this by replacing the battery in your headphones. To do so, take the following steps:
- Remove the casing outside of the speaker to expose the battery.
- Gently remove the connection for the battery.
- Use a prying tool to remove the battery.
- Remove the sticker from the back of the battery and place it back into position.
- Place the new battery on the adhesive sticker and reconnect the battery.
- Snap the casing for the speaker back into place.
3. For AirPods
For charging, AirPods rely on their case. The headphones will not charge if debris prevents them from making contact with the charging pins inside the case. Clean your AirPods on a regular basis to avoid this.
Follow these steps to properly clean your AirPods and case:
- To begin, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the charging port so that the case itself can be charged.
- To clean the AirPods, use a microfiber cloth.
- Then, using a cotton swab, gently clean away any debris found at the bottom of the case where the AirPods are housed and charged.
4. For Bose
If your Bose headphones aren't charging properly, there are a few solutions you can try to fix the problem. Each solution should be completed in the correct order. Only try the last one if the first two haven't worked for you.
To get started, try the following steps:
- Hold the power button for 30 seconds while your headphones are turned on and unplugged until the headphones are turned off.
- Plug the headphones back in using the USB charging cable and wait 5 seconds.
- After a minute, remove the cable and turn on the headphones.
- Reconnect the headphones and check to see if they begin to charge.
If the above steps didn’t work for you, try updating the firmware of the headphones:
- Download the Bose Software Updater to your PC.
- Plug your headphones into the PC and follow the prompts given by the Bose Software Updater.
If neither of the above solutions worked for you, it's time to get a little more hands-on and replace the charging port on the headphones. This solution will necessitate some technical knowledge and may necessitate the assistance of a professional. If you want to give it a shot, watch this video guide for a step-by-step walkthrough.
5. Sony's case
To resolve a problem with your Bluetooth wireless Sony headphones, simply remove the battery and re-plug it. If this does not work, you can replace the battery entirely.
Try the following steps to troubleshoot the battery in your Sony headphones:
- Remove the earpad from the right side with care. Then, take off the small cover that's on top of the speaker.
- Remove the four screws that are located around the speaker.
- Remove the back cover of the headphones by flipping them over. Take out the touch panel.
- Remove the sticker from the battery and the cable that connects it to the headphones.
- Pry the battery from its casing.
- Insert and connect the new battery.
- Reconnect all necessary components in the order in which they were disconnected, and then seal the headphones.
6. For Jabra
If your Jabra earbuds won't charge or won't hold a charge, there could be a problem with your charging case. You can solve the problem by resetting the case.
To reset the charging case, perform the following steps:
- Place the earbuds in the case and plug it in to fully charge. It can take up to two and a half hours for them to fully charge.
- Once the case has been fully charged, remove the earbuds and replace them in the case. When each earbud is inserted, make sure it flashes red.
- Connect the case to a power source while the lid is open.
- After the battery level LED light shows after 3 to 5 seconds, close the lid and allow the earbuds and the case to charge for another to 2 hours.
7. For Sennheiser
Sennheiser headphones may occasionally experience a glitch in which the LED indicator light flashes or remains illuminated even after charging. This problem usually goes away after a few charging cycles, so it's best to keep using your headphones until the light synchronizes with the battery.
If the headphones don't work and won't charge, try replacing the battery inside the headphones. This can be a fairly technical process, so watch this video guide for a more in-depth walkthrough.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES’ BATTERIES?
There are proactive steps you can take to ensure the batteries in your headphones remain healthy and avoid charging issues.
1. Avoid charging too much
Believe it or not, wearing your headphones at full volume all the time can be harmful to your health. In general, headphones require only two to three hours to charge fully.
Anything beyond this is excessive. Keep the battery percentage within the “magic ratio” of 20% to 80% as a general rule of thumb. Anything above or below this can shorten your battery's life.
2. Keep your True Wireless Earbuds in the charging case when not in use
When not in use, keep your earbuds in their case. If they're just sitting around, they're wasting battery power. Make it a habit to put them back in their case when you're done with them. This also helps to keep them together so you don't lose either of them.
3. Keep away from extremes of heat and cold
Although it is not often considered, batteries have a preferred operating temperature. A battery should not be exposed to temperatures higher than 25°C or lower than 0°C in order to perform optimally. Anything outside of this range can have an impact on how well the battery powers the headphones.
4. Be gentle on the USB charging cables
It's time to put an end to your bad habit of yanking the cable from your headphones. “Pull the plug, not the cord,” is a good rule to remember. Pulling on the cord can cause damage to the delicate wires inside the cable.
Furthermore, if the cable is removed with too much force, it can damage the pins inside the charging port. If you take care of your charging cable, it will last much longer. Avoid bending it or applying too much tension to it, and wrap it properly before storing it.
HEADPHONE’S MICRO USB CHARGING PORT IS BROKEN
If you've checked all of the descriptions and points/steps above and your wireless headphone is still not charging, you should definitely check the Micro USB charging port and fix it as follows:
- The micro USB miniature connectors are most likely broken or have a crack in their solder, resulting in a disconnection with the circuit board and, as a result, no ability to charge the Bluetooth headset battery. (Please see the image below to see the micro USB from the board side inside the headphone.)
- To repair this, disassemble the headset by removing the cushion pad and opening all screws to expose the circuit board, as shown in the image above, and solder the connecting 5 pins back (or simply use the soldering tool to melt the existing pins solder, which will reconnect the pins to the board and close the crack).
CONCLUSION on Bluetooth Headphones Charging Issues
Just because your headphones aren't charging anymore doesn't mean they're dead. You can breathe new life into your otherwise lifeless headphones with a few tweaks and possibly a new battery. You'll be able to stream music, watch movies, and listen to podcasts again now that they're back up and running.
Did you find any of the solutions in this article to be useful? We'd be interested in hearing about your experience! Please let us know in the comments section below.
FAQs on Bluetooth Earbuds not Charging
Why is my Bluetooth earbuds not charging?
The wireless earbuds' battery may be defective – Bluetooth earbuds use rechargeable batteries, and if they become defective, they may stop charging. Some batteries may have manufacturing flaws and will not charge the first time they are used.
How do you repair a pair of wireless headphones that won't turn on?
You may need to perform a hard reset. Connect your headphones to a powered USB charger or port. Hold the volume – and multifunction button (this is the power button) simultaneously while it is plugged in. Your headphones should be reset as a result.
How do I clean a charging port?
Turn off your device and use the can of compressed air or the bulb syringe to clean out the charging port. Blast a few short bursts and see if any dust falls out. If using compressed air, make sure you're holding the can upright to avoid getting water inside the port.
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