One AirPod stops charging when the charging contacts are dirty, the case battery is dead, or one earbud has a hardware problem

When only one AirPod charges inside the case, the problem is almost always one of three things: the metal charging contacts on either the earbud or the case are blocked by dirt or debris, the case itself has no battery left, or the earbud has an internal fault. Start by checking the simplest cause first — dirty contacts — because that fixes the problem in most cases and takes two minutes.

The charging contacts on your AirPods are tiny gold or silver dots on the bottom of each earbud. When dust, lint, or dried sweat covers them, the case cannot send power to that earbud. The case also has matching contacts inside the charging slots. If either set of contacts is blocked, charging fails.

Key Takeaways

  • Dirty charging contacts on the earbud or inside the case are the most common reason one AirPod will not charge — clean them with a dry cotton swab or soft cloth.
  • If the case battery is completely dead, neither earbud will charge, so plug the case in for at least 15 minutes before troubleshooting the individual earbud.
  • Swap the working AirPod into the slot where the broken one sits to determine whether the problem is the earbud itself or the case slot.
  • If the earbud still will not charge in a different slot, the earbud has a hardware problem and may need replacement through Apple.

Clean the charging contacts on both the earbud and the case

Take the AirPod that is not charging and look at the bottom. You will see two small metal dots — these are the charging contacts. Wipe them gently with a dry cotton swab or the corner of a soft, lint-free cloth. Do not use water, saliva, or any liquid. Rub in small circles for about 10 seconds per earbud.

Now clean the inside of the case. Open the lid and look into the two charging slots. You will see matching metal contacts at the bottom of each slot. Use a dry cotton swab to clean these as well, working carefully into each slot. If you see visible lint or debris, a dry toothpick can help dislodge it, but do not force anything into the slot.

After cleaning, place the AirPod back in its slot and close the case. Wait 30 seconds, then open the lid and check the LED light on the front of the case. If the light is amber or red, the earbud is now charging. If it stays white or off, move to the next step.

Make sure the case itself has battery power

If the case battery is completely dead, neither earbud will charge no matter how long you wait. Plug the case into a USB-C or Lightning cable (depending on your AirPods model) and leave it connected for at least 15 minutes. The LED light on the front should turn amber, then green as the case charges.

While the case is charging, do not put the AirPods inside it. Let the case build up its own battery first. After 15 minutes, unplug the case and try placing the non-charging AirPod back in its slot. Close the lid and wait 10 seconds, then open it and check the LED light again.

If you see an amber light, the earbud is charging. If the light is white or off, the case has power but that specific earbud is not making contact with the charging pins. This points to either dirty contacts you missed or a problem with the earbud itself.

Test the earbud in the other charging slot

Take the AirPod that will not charge and place it in the opposite slot — if it normally sits on the right, put it in the left slot instead. Close the case and wait 10 seconds, then open the lid and check the LED light. If the light turns amber, the earbud is fine and the original slot has a problem. If the light stays white or off, the earbud itself is the problem.

If the slot was the problem, try cleaning the contacts in that slot again more thoroughly. Sometimes debris sits deeper than a single pass with a swab can reach. If cleaning does not work, the case may have a hardware fault in that charging slot, and you may need to contact Apple for a replacement case.

If the earbud still will not charge in the other slot, the earbud has an internal fault. This could be a broken charging circuit, a damaged battery, or a loose connection inside the earbud. At this point, the earbud cannot be fixed at home.

What to do if the earbud has a hardware problem

If you have confirmed that the earbud will not charge in either slot and the case battery is full, the earbud needs replacement. Contact Apple Support through the Apple Support app, the Apple website, or by visiting an Apple Store. Have your AirPods serial number ready — you can find it in the Settings app under Bluetooth, then tap the information icon next to your AirPods name.

Apple will ask when you bought the AirPods and whether they are still under the one-year limited warranty. If they are within warranty and the problem is a manufacturing defect, Apple will replace the earbud at no cost. If they are out of warranty, Apple offers replacement AirPods at a set price, which varies depending on your model.

While you wait for a replacement, you can still use the working AirPod alone. Put it in your ear and leave the case closed. It will stay connected to your device and play audio in mono. The battery will drain faster than normal because the earbud is working without the case to manage power, so charge it more often.

Prevent charging problems in the future

Clean your AirPods and case every two weeks, especially if you wear them during exercise or in dusty environments. Use a dry cotton swab and wipe the charging contacts on both the earbud and the case. This takes 60 seconds and prevents most charging issues before they start.

Store your AirPods in the case when you are not using them, and keep the case in a clean, dry pocket or bag. Avoid exposing them to sweat for long periods — if you wear them during a workout, wipe them down with a dry cloth before putting them back in the case. Do not leave the case in direct sunlight or in a hot car, as heat can damage the battery.

If you notice one AirPod is not holding a charge as long as it used to, that is a sign the battery inside is aging. This is normal after two to three years of daily use. When both AirPods start losing battery life at the same time, the case battery is also aging, and you may want to plan for replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the LED light stay white when I put the AirPod in the case?

A white LED usually means the case has power but the earbud is not making contact with the charging pins. Clean the contacts on both the earbud and the case slot with a dry cotton swab. If the light stays white after cleaning, try the earbud in the other slot to see if the problem is the earbud or the case.

Can I charge one AirPod while the other one is in use?

Yes. Put the AirPod you want to charge in the case and close the lid. The other AirPod will stay connected to your device and keep playing audio. The case will charge the earbud inside while you use the other one. When the first earbud is fully charged, swap them and charge the second one.

What if both AirPods will not charge?

The case battery is likely dead. Plug the case into power for at least 30 minutes without the AirPods inside. The LED light should turn amber, then green. If the light does not turn on at all after 30 minutes of charging, the case may have a hardware fault and needs replacement.

Does water damage prevent an AirPod from charging?

Yes. If an AirPod got wet, the charging contacts may be corroded or the internal circuitry may be damaged. Let it dry completely in a warm, dry place for 24 to 48 hours before trying to charge it again. If it still will not charge after drying, water damage is likely and the earbud will need replacement.

How long does it take for a dead AirPod to start charging?

A completely dead AirPod should show an amber LED light within 10 to 15 seconds of being placed in a charged case. If you do not see the amber light after 30 seconds, the contacts are probably dirty or the earbud has a fault.