AirPods are one of the best wireless headphones. While they usually work without any issues or problems, some people find that one of their AirPods suddenly stops charging.

If your AirPod is not charging, it’s usually because of a problem with the battery level or the charging case. Simple fixes include cleaning the case and charging the AirPods to higher than 10%. 

We will go over all these fixes in more detail to make sure you can get your headphones up and running again. 

Check the Charging Case

If your charging case has less than 10% battery, it will not be able to charge the AirPods. Since the AirPods have battery life that lasts for a long time, many people forget to charge the case. 

To prevent this from happening in the future, aim to charge your case for 15-20 minutes at the end of every day. 

To check the charging case’s battery, follow these steps:

  • Bring your case with the AirPods inside close to your phone. Open the lid of the case. The battery status should show as a pop-up on your phone screen.

If the level is below 10%, it probably did not have enough power to charge both Airpods so one might not be working. 

Remove and Reinsert Your Airpods 

One of your AirPods might have failed to charge if you did not insert them into the case correctly. 

The bottom of the headphone needs to be in complete contact with the charging plate at the bottom of the case. Usually, removing them and reinserting them can easily fix this issue. 

Follow these steps:

  • Remove any accessories from your case. Take out the AirPod that is not charging or not working. Reinsert it and check your phone to make sure the headphone is charging.

If the AirPod is now charging, it should work perfectly once it has reached enough battery level to start playing.  

Clean the Charging Case 

A dirty case is another issue that can cause the AirPod not to charge. Dirty cases can also lead to dirty AirPods which can cause major problems with the internal components of the headphones. 

They might even cause ear infections if you fail to clean them as they can start to collect dirt, lint, and bacteria. 

Remember to clean the stem of the headphones as well as the tail that plugs into the case. You also need to clean the bottom of the charging case itself. 

When the tail of the AirPod and the bottom of the charging case get dirty, it can cause the AirPod to not be able to charge. 

If you take your AirPods to the Apple Store complaining of a charging problem, the first thing they will do is check the case and stem of the headphone for dirt. 

Luckily, you can clean them yourself at home. 

Make sure to have the following items before getting started:

Now, let’s take a look at the steps for cleaning.

Steps for Cleaning 

Once you have gathered the supplies, you can follow the steps for cleaning.

They are as follows:

  • Dip one of the Q tips into the 70% isopropyl alcohol Rub the dirty areas of the case with the Q tip gently Use a clean toothpick to pick off any dirt left on the lines of the cases Dry the case with a clean paper towelClean the charging port with the soft toothbrush Use the microfiber cloth to clean the tail of the headphones Use the periodontal brush to clean the small parts of the case where the stem of the headphones connects to the charging base

Cleaning almost always fixes the problem as your headphones will be able to connect to the charging base better without any dirt in the way. 

If none of the above solutions work, you can reset the AirPods. 

Reset the AirPods 

Resetting the AirPods is a sure way to fix most problems because it makes the headphones go back to their factory settings. 

Here’s how to do it:

  • Go to Settings. Tap the “i.”Click Forget This Device. Reset the AirPods by holding the pairing button. Wait until the status color is amber. Pair the AirPods again by opening the lid of the AirPods when holding it close to the phone.

Now you know how to fix your AirPods when they aren’t charging.

Final Thoughts 

If one of your AirPods is not charging, you need to ensure the battery case has 10% battery or more. 

You should also clean the headphones and the case to make sure they can connect to the charging port well. Factory resetting the AirPods usually works but should be done last.