Check the charging case battery first

The most common reason AirPods stop charging is that the case itself is dead. The case holds the power — your AirPods can only charge when the case has battery left. If the case LED is not lighting up when you open it, the case battery is empty and needs to charge before your AirPods can charge.

Plug the case into a USB-C or Lightning cable (depending on your AirPods model) and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. The LED should turn amber while charging and green when full. If the LED never lights up, move to the next section.

Key Takeaways

  • An empty charging case is the most common reason AirPods won't charge — the case must have battery before it can charge the earbuds.
  • Check the LED light on your case: no light means the case is dead, amber means it is charging, and green means it is full.
  • Dirt or debris in the charging contacts on both the case and the AirPods can block the electrical connection and stop charging.
  • If your AirPods are more than three to four years old, the battery inside them may have worn out and no longer holds a charge.
  • A reset using the Settings app or the physical button on the case can fix software problems that prevent charging from working.

Clean the charging contacts on the case and AirPods

Dirt, lint, and earwax buildup on the charging contacts block the electrical connection between your AirPods and the case. The contacts are small gold or silver dots on the bottom of each earbud and inside the case where they sit. Over time, these get grimy and stop making contact.

Use a dry cotton swab or a soft, lint-free cloth to gently wipe the contacts on both the AirPods and inside the case. Do not use water, alcohol, or cleaning solutions — moisture can damage the electronics. Wipe the contacts on the bottom of each earbud and the three small dots inside the case where the earbuds rest. After cleaning, place the AirPods back in the case and wait a few minutes to see if charging starts.

Make sure you are using the correct cable and power adapter

AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and AirPods Max charge with USB-C, while older AirPods Pro and AirPods (3rd generation) use Lightning. Using the wrong cable type will not charge your case at all. Check which model you own by going to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad, tapping the information icon next to your AirPods, and looking at the model name.

Also check that your power adapter actually works. Plug your iPhone or another device into the same cable and adapter to confirm power is flowing. A broken adapter or frayed cable will look normal but deliver no power. If the cable or adapter is damaged, replace it with an Apple-certified version or a third-party option rated for your AirPods model.

Reset your AirPods through Settings or the physical button

Software glitches can prevent your AirPods from charging even when the hardware is fine. A reset clears out these problems and restores the connection between your AirPods and the case.

On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, tap the information icon, and select "Forget This Device." Then hold the setup button on the back of your charging case for 15 seconds until the LED flashes amber and white. Place your AirPods back in the case and hold them near your iPhone to set them up again. This process erases all pairing data and forces a fresh start. If you cannot access Settings, you can also reset by holding the setup button for 15 seconds without forgetting the device first — this works but is less reliable. After a reset, your AirPods should charge normally and reconnect to your devices.

Check if your AirPods battery has worn out

AirPods batteries degrade over time and eventually stop holding a charge. Most AirPods last three to four years before the battery becomes noticeably weaker. If your AirPods are older than this and will not charge even after cleaning the contacts and trying a different cable, the battery inside them has likely failed.

You can check the battery health of your AirPods by opening the case near your iPhone and looking at the battery percentage in the AirPods widget on your lock screen or in Control Center. If the percentage stays at zero or very low even after hours of charging, the battery is dead. Apple does not repair individual AirPods — you would need to replace the entire pair or the case if the case battery has failed.

Try a different power outlet or charger

Sometimes the problem is not your AirPods or case, but the power source itself. A wall outlet that is not working, a USB port that is damaged, or a power bank that is empty will all prevent charging.

Plug your charging cable into a different wall outlet in another room. If you were using a computer USB port, try a wall adapter instead. If you were using a power bank, try charging it first and then use it again. Test with a device you know charges normally — your iPhone or another pair of earbuds — to confirm the outlet or port actually works. Once you find a working power source, charge your AirPods case for at least 30 minutes.

Contact Apple if nothing works

If you have cleaned the contacts, tried multiple cables and outlets, reset your AirPods, and they still will not charge, the case or the AirPods themselves have a hardware problem that you cannot fix at home. Visit an Apple Store or contact Apple Support through their website to discuss repair or replacement options.

Bring your case and AirPods with you if you go in person, and have your proof of purchase ready if your AirPods are still under warranty. Apple can run diagnostics to determine whether the battery, charging circuit, or another component has failed, and they can tell you what your options are for getting a working pair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the LED on my case stay red?

A red LED means the case battery is very low — below 10 percent. Plug the case in and let it charge for at least 15 minutes. The LED should turn green when the case is full. If it stays red after charging for an hour, the case battery may be damaged.

Can I charge my AirPods without the case?

No. AirPods can only charge inside their case. The case is the only charger they have. If your case is broken, you cannot charge your AirPods at all, even if the case battery is full.

How long should it take for AirPods to charge?

A full charge from empty takes about one hour for most AirPods models. If your AirPods are still at zero percent after two hours of charging, the battery may be failing or the contacts may not be making a good connection.

Will my AirPods charge if the case is turned off?

AirPods cases do not have an off switch. They charge whenever they are plugged in and have power, regardless of whether the AirPods are paired to a device. If the case is plugged in and the LED is green, it is ready to charge your AirPods.

What if only one AirPod charges?

Clean the charging contact on the earbud that is not charging and the corresponding spot inside the case. If one earbud charges but the other does not after cleaning, that earbud's battery may have failed and the earbud may need to be replaced.