The most common reason one AirPod won't charge is a dirty charging contact
When one AirPod stops charging while the other works fine, the problem is usually not the AirPod itself but the connection between the AirPod and the case. Each AirPod has two small metal contacts on its stem that touch matching contacts inside the charging case. If those contacts are dirty, corroded, or misaligned, the AirPod won't charge even though the case has power.
The second most common cause is that the AirPod is not seated properly in the case. AirPods need to sit in a specific position for the contacts to align. If the AirPod is tilted, twisted, or not pushed all the way in, charging won't happen. This is especially true if the case itself is damaged or the rubber ear tips have shifted.
Less often, the problem is a dead battery in the case itself, a faulty charging port on the case, or a defective AirPod. But before you assume the hardware is broken, the contact issue is worth ruling out first because it is the easiest to fix.
Key Takeaways
- Clean the metal charging contacts on both the AirPod stem and inside the case with a dry, lint-free cloth to restore the connection.
- Make sure the AirPod is pushed all the way into the case and seated straight, not tilted or twisted.
- Check whether the case itself is charging by looking at the LED light on the front — if it does not light up or blink, the case battery may be dead.
- If cleaning and reseating do not work, try charging the case with a different USB-C or Lightning cable, since the cable itself can fail.
- If one AirPod still will not charge after these steps, the AirPod or case may have a hardware fault that requires replacement.
How to clean the charging contacts
Turn off the AirPod that is not charging and remove it from the case. Look at the stem of the AirPod where it meets the white body — you will see two small gold or copper-colored dots. These are the charging contacts. Do the same for the case: open it and look inside at the two small metal spots where the AirPod sits. Both the AirPod contacts and the case contacts need to be clean.
Use a dry, lint-free cloth — a microfiber cloth works best, or the cloth that came with your glasses. Do not use water, alcohol, or any liquid. Gently rub each contact on the AirPod stem for a few seconds, then do the same for the matching contacts inside the case. The goal is to remove any dust, lint, or oxidation that might be blocking the connection. If the contacts look visibly corroded or discolored, rub a bit harder, but do not scratch them.
After cleaning, place the AirPod back in the case and close the lid. Wait a few seconds and then open the case again. Look at the LED light on the front of the case. If the AirPod is now charging, the light should be amber (orange) or white depending on the case battery level. If the light does not change, move to the next step.
Check that the AirPod is seated correctly in the case
AirPods are designed to sit in a specific spot inside the case, and they will only charge when the contacts are perfectly aligned. Open the case and look at where the non-charging AirPod sits. The stem should point downward and slightly forward, and the AirPod should be flush against the case with no gaps.
Remove the AirPod and reinsert it slowly, pushing straight down until you hear or feel a small click. The AirPod should not rock or move side to side. If it does, the case may be damaged, or the rubber ear tip may be loose or shifted. Try removing the ear tip, cleaning it, and reattaching it to make sure it is not throwing off the fit.
If the case itself is cracked, warped, or has visible damage, the AirPod may not seat properly no matter how carefully you place it. In that case, the case itself may need to be replaced.
Verify that the case is charging
Before you assume the AirPod is broken, make sure the case itself has power. Open the case and look at the small LED light on the front. If you just plugged in the case, the light should turn on. If the case battery is low, the light will be amber. If the case is fully charged, the light will be white. If the light does not turn on at all, the case battery is dead or the charging port is not working.
Plug the case into a different USB-C or Lightning cable and charger — not the same one you have been using. Sometimes the cable is the problem, not the case. Leave the case plugged in for at least 15 minutes and check the LED again. If the light still does not turn on, the case charging port or battery may be faulty.
If the case is charging but the AirPod still will not charge after cleaning and reseating, the problem is likely with that specific AirPod.
Try a hard reset of the AirPods
A hard reset can sometimes fix charging issues caused by software glitches rather than hardware problems. Place both AirPods in the case and close the lid. Wait 30 seconds. Open the case and look at the LED light on the back of the case — not the front. Press and hold the button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the LED flashes amber and then white. This erases the pairing and resets the AirPods to factory settings.
After the reset, the LED should flash white, which means the AirPods are ready to pair again. Open the Bluetooth settings on your phone or device and look for your AirPods in the list of available devices. Tap to pair them. Once they are paired, check whether both AirPods are now charging in the case.
A hard reset does not fix physical damage or contact problems, but it can resolve issues where the AirPods are not communicating properly with the case.
When to replace the AirPod or case
If you have cleaned the contacts, reseated the AirPod, confirmed the case is charging, and done a hard reset, and one AirPod still will not charge, the AirPod itself or the case charging circuit is likely faulty. At this point, replacement is usually the only option.
Apple offers a mail-in repair service for AirPods and cases, though it typically costs money if the device is out of warranty. You can also buy a replacement AirPod or case directly from Apple or an authorized retailer. If your AirPods are still under the one-year limited warranty and the problem is not physical damage, Apple may replace them at no cost — contact Apple Support to check your coverage.
Some third-party retailers and repair shops also offer AirPod repairs, though Apple does not officially support third-party repairs. If you choose that route, make sure the shop has experience with AirPods and can may provide the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use rubbing alcohol to clean the charging contacts?
No. Rubbing alcohol can damage the contacts or leave a residue that interferes with charging. Use only a dry, lint-free cloth. If the contacts are heavily corroded, a very slightly damp cloth with distilled water is acceptable, but let the AirPod dry completely before putting it back in the case.
Why does one AirPod charge but the other does not when both are in the case?
The most likely reason is that the non-charging AirPod's contacts are dirty or the AirPod is not seated properly. It is also possible that the charging circuit inside the case for that specific slot is faulty, which would require case replacement.
Does the case need to be plugged in for the AirPods to charge?
Yes. The case is a battery that charges the AirPods. If the case battery is dead, the AirPods will not charge even if the case is plugged in, because the case needs to have stored power to transfer to the AirPods. Plug the case in and let it charge for at least 30 minutes before trying again.
What does it mean if the LED light flashes amber when I open the case?
An amber LED means the case battery is low but not empty. The case can still charge the AirPods, but not fully. Plug the case in to charge it. If the LED stays amber after 30 minutes of charging, the case charging port or battery may be faulty.
Can I charge one AirPod without the case?
No. AirPods can only charge inside the case. There is no other charging method. If the case is broken or lost, you will need to buy a replacement case to charge the AirPods.