AirPods are one of the best wireless earbuds available in the market today. Moreover, if you’re an Apple fan and have already invested in the ecosystem, AirPods Pro is hands down your best accessory. You can instantly pair it with your Apple gear and enjoy music or answer important calls without taking them off. That said, unlike any other accessory, Apple AirPods or AirPods Pro aren’t immune to problems. And, one of the most commonly reported AirPods issues is uneven charging or one AirPod not charging.
We completely understand how frustrating it is when you’re all set for a solo bus trip in the morning or have got binge-watching plans for the night, and your one AirPod just refuses to charge. Moreover, when it happens with your just-bought AirPods Pro, it is not only annoying but worrisome too. Fortunately, these problems can be fixed at your end. So, before you plan to reach out to Apple support, make sure to spare a few minutes and try the hacks mentioned in this troubleshooting guide.
Based on our experiences, we’ve mentioned 7 tried & tested ways to fix AirPods not charging problems. Whether your one AirPod is not charging in the case or your left AirPod Pro won’t charge at all, we’ve mentioned a suitable fix for every situation. Additionally, we’ve listed some of the most common reasons why your 2nd gen AirPods Pro won’t charge evenly. It will help you understand the cause
so you know what needs to be modified at your end.
It’s worth mentioning that the steps mentioned in this guide will work for:
- Original (1st Gen) AirPods,
- AirPods 2,
- AirPods 3,
- AirPods Pro,and\AirPods Pro 2nd gen.
So, without any further ado, let’s get started with this troubleshooting guide.
Why are my AirPods charging unevenly?
1. Dirty charging case or AirPods
A dirty charging case or AirPods stem, or both are one of the most common reasons why your AirPods Pro is charging unevenly in the case. Over time, dirt, dust, wax from your ear, lint from your pocket, and other unwanted particles might get accumulated on your AirPods or the charging case. When this happens, you might face charging-related issues like one AirPod not charging in case.
To avoid any complications, you must clean your AirPods and charging case regularly (once a week is good).
2. Using cheap third-party charging accessories
This might come as a surprise, but using cheap third-party accessories can cause your AirPods Pro to charge unevenly. We have heard people sharing their stories about how a non-Apple cable caused uneven charging problems on AirPods 3. Therefore, we always recommend using either official or verified charging accessories from trusted leading brands.
3. Broken or faulty charging case
Let’s face it, most people don’t care about the charging case as much as they do about those cute-little AirPod stems. Once our AirPods are charged, we’ll take them out, and drop the case on the nearest surface. Well, it isn’t what we should do. Exposure to alcohol, water, or any other liquid can damage the charging case. The fluid can get inside the electrical components and damage them. And, we all know that a faulty or damaged case is one of the most common reasons why your AirPods 2 won’t charge evenly.
To make sure you don’t land in any trouble, never drop the charging case on any hard surface or expose them to any kind of liquid or even environments with high moisture. Even when you are cleaning your AirPods, make sure you don’t spray the cleaning alcohol or water directly into the case or earbuds.
4. Different usage
Some people prefer to use only one AirPod rather than a pair. If you use your left or right AirPod only for a long time, the used AirPod will obviously have less juice. As a result, your one AirPod will charge differently than the other and you might feel that your AirPods are charging unevenly.
5. Software glitches
Software glitches and bugs are another reason why your left AirPod Pro is not charging. It could be due to outdated firmware or corrupted software settings. In such cases, the only way to fix Apple AirPods not charging evenly problems is to factory reset your AirPods.
6. Damaged AirPod
If your one AirPod is not charging in the case, it can be possible that the earbud is damaged. This usually happens when you accidentally drop your AirPods on a very hard surface or expose them to water directly. Therefore, if your one AirPod is charging and the other is not, even if you’ve tried a different charging case, it’s likely that the AirPod is damaged. In such a case, you should visit an Apple store and get those pairs diagnosed.
Also Read: How to find lost AirPods using FindMy App
Disclaimer: Proceed at your own risk, TechieTechTech will not be responsible if anything goes wrong with your device.
How to fix the AirPods charging unevenly problem
Method 1: Check the charge status of the AirPods case
Most of the time, when your left AirPod is not charging or your brand-new AirPods Pro 2nd-gen is not charging evenly, the culprit is the charging case. It’s worth mentioning that if the battery of the charging case goes below 10%, it doesn’t have ample juice to charge both the AirPods. In such a case, your AirPods 3 won’t charge evenly. Therefore, before you get annoyed and keep thinking why are my AirPods not charging fully, make sure to check the battery level of the charging case. Here’s how to do that:
How to check the battery level of your AirPods/AirPods Pro:
1. Put your AirPods inside the case and close the lid.
2. Hold the AirPods closer to your iPhone or iPad and open the lid.
3. You should now see the battery level of the charging case as well as both the AirPods.
4. If the case is sufficiently charged and one of your AirPods is still not charging, move to the next step.
5. If the charging case has a low battery level, you’ve got the reason why your AirPods 2nd gen is not charging evenly. To fix this, revive the charging case using an official/MFi certified Lightning cable. Let it charge uninterruptedly for 10 to 15 minutes. To make sure the case is charging, open the lid, and hold it close to your iOS device. You should see a charging icon next to the battery icon under your AirPods.
Method 2: Check your cable and adapter
We usually don’t blame the charger when our AirPods Pro is not charging evenly. In such cases, we often think the charging case is the culprit. If not, there’s something wrong with one earbud and that is why my left AirPod is not charging with the case. If you’re also thinking the same, my friend, you need to check your charging accessories as well. We are saying this because using cheap, faulty, or incompatible accessories can cause no, slow, or uneven charging problems on your brand-new AirPods Pro 2nd gen. Some users have shared their experiences where their left or right AirPod won’t charge when they use a non-verified charging cable or adapter. Fortunately, switching to official/verified accessories fixed this issue in no time.
This isn’t the case with AirPods only. In fact, an iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Galaxy smartphone, Android tablet, or any other device can throw charging or even battery-related issues when you use cheap accessories. So, always make sure to pair reliable charging accessories with your devices.
Here are some tips to verify if you’re using the right charger for your AirPods/AirPods Pro:
- Always use the official charging cable that comes in the box with your AirPods. If you want to buy an additional cable for your office or travel, make sure to go for Apple accessories or verified cables from trusted brands.
- Since none of the Apple products ship with an adapter, you’ll have to buy one separately or you can use the one from your iPhone. When you’re out to buy a power adapter for your AirPods, always look for official or MFi-certified adapters.
- Stay away from super old charging cables and adapters as they can cause severe battery-related issues in the long run.
- Always check your cables for signs of damage like bends, broken ends, exposed wires, etc. Also, make sure the adapter is in good condition, don’t use the ones with loose or broken prongs. If the accessories seem to be faulty, immediately replace them.
Also Read: Best Wireless & MagSafe Chargers for iPhone 14 Series
Method 3: Re-insert the AirPod into the case
There can be situations when you’re using the right accessories or there’s plenty of charge in the case but your one AirPod still won’t charge. It can be possible that your earbud isn’t sitting properly in the charging case & doesn’t have proper contact with the charging pins. When this happens, your 2nd gen AirPods Pro won’t charge evenly no matter if the case is fully charged. To avoid such issues, you must take out your AirPods from the case and insert them again properly. Also, bring your iPhone close to your AirPods and see if the charging icon appears.
If your left AirPod is still not charging, the charging case or the AirPod stem might be dirty. You must clean them properly to fix Apple AirPods not charging evenly problems. To know how to clean them, move to the next step.
Method 4: Clean your AirPods & charging case
One of the most common reasons why your one AirPod won’t charge in a case or AirPods Pro not charging evenly is because the charging contacts are dirty. There could be dirt, dust, and other unwanted particles accumulated on the AirPods stem, the charging case, or both. It’s worth knowing that your AirPods can collect dirt & wax from your ears and debris, and transfer it inside the case. Also, the charging case itself might collect wax, dirt, or lint from your pockets, purse, or backpack. This hampers the stable transmission of the electric charge. As a result, you might face left AirPod Pro not charging in a case or AirPods 2nd gen not charging evenly problems. To avoid such problems, you must keep your AirPods and the charging case clean. If you don’t know how to clean your AirPods or AirPods Pro safely, keep reading.
Our Recommendation: If you use your AirPods or AirPods Pro regularly, you should clean them every week to ensure proper contact between the earbuds and the charging case.
You’ll need the following to clean your AirPods and the charging case:
- A clean & dry microfiber or lint-free cloth
- Straw cleaner, periodontal brush, soft-bristled brush, or Q-tip
- 70 percent isopropyl alcohol (optional)
How to clean your AirPods?
- Using a dry microfiber or lint-free cloth, clean the stem of the AirPods. Gently clean the silver contacts at the end.
- Make sure you don’t run your AirPods or AirPods Pro models under the water or in an environment with high moisture levels. If the liquid gets inside the openings, it can damage your AirPods.
How to clean the charging case for AirPods?
- Clean the charging case with a clean & dry microfiber cloth.
- Using a dry, clean, soft-bristled brush or Q-tip, remove any debris around the Lightning connector and internal contact points in each AirPod slot inside the Charging Case. If you see any stubborn debris, you can slightly dampen the Q-tip with some isopropyl alcohol. Don’t spray alcohol directly on the Lightning connector or contact points.
- Again, don’t run the charging case underwater as it can damage the Lightning connector.
Also Read: Best Accessories for AirPods 3
Method 5: Charge your AirPods overnight
On some rare occasions, your AirPods might take extremely longer than usual to get fully charged. This usually happens when you haven’t used your earbuds for a long time or they are completely drained. You might sometimes get stuck in situations when your 3rd gen AirPods won’t start charging evenly for a few hours. To escape such situations and fix 2nd gen AirPods Pro not charging evenly problems, you should insert the earbuds in the case and try charging them overnight. Again, make sure your AirPods & charging case is clean and you’re using
official (or certified) charging accessories.
Once you get up in the morning, check if both your AirPods are fully charged or not. If you still end up with one AirPod not charging in the case, move to the next step.
Method 6: Reset your AirPods
If you’ve tried everything but one of your AirPods is still not charging or your left AirPods Pro won’t charge at all, it can be due to a complex firmware glitch. In such a case, the best thing you can do is to factory reset your AirPods. It will wipe off any software glitches or bugs that might be interfering with the normal charging process of your AirPods. It’s worth knowing that when you reset your AirPods or AirPods Pro, it will erase any saved settings and you’ll have to re-pair your AirPods to your devices. That said, it is also one of the best fixes for situations where your one AirPod won’t charge or your AirPods Pro 2nd gen is not charging evenly.
Please note that the original AirPods, AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Pro 2nd gen, all models have a reset function that restores them to the factory settings.
Disclaimer: When you reset your AirPods/AirPods Pro, all the settings will be restored to their defaults. Also, they won’t recognize any of your devices linked to your iCloud account.
Here’s how to reset your AirPods or AirPods Pro when they won’t charge evenly:
1. Insert your AirPods in the case and close the lid.
2. Wait for 30 seconds and then open the lid.
3. Put the AirPods in your ears.
4. On your iOS device, open Settings > [your AirPods]
5. Alternatively, go to Settings > Bluetooth. If your AirPods are shown as connected, tap the “i” icon present next to your AirPods name.
6. Tap Forget This Device
7. Confirm your decision.
8. Then, put your AirPods back in the charging case and keep the lid open.
9. Press and hold the setup button (at the back of your AirPods case) for about 15 seconds until the status light on the front flashes amber, and then white.
10. Lastly, with the AirPods in the case and the lid opened, place them close to your iPhone or iPad, and follow the on-screen instructions to reconnect your AirPods. You’ll have to set up your AirPods, just like when you used them for the very first time.
Method 7: Contact Apple Support
If none of the troubleshooting steps helped you fix AirPods Pro charging unevenly problems, we recommend reaching out to Apple Support. There might be some hardware-related issue with your AirPod or the charging case and that’s why your 2nd gen AirPods won’t charge on one side. The best thing to do in such situations is to head straight to the Apple store and get your AirPods diagnosed. Don’t forget to make an online appointment at the Genius Bar to cut the waiting time. We strongly recommend you avoid any DIYs or cheaper alternatives as they can leave your AirPods Pro beyond repair.
Also Read: How to fix AirPods not connecting to MacBook problems
Quick FAQs
1. Why do my AirPods charge differently?
If you use one AirPod for a long time and the other is in the charging case, your AirPods will charge differently. There are many instances when we use one AirPods rather than two. For example, when you attend calls while driving, watch
Instagram Reels on your iPhone, want to hear some voice notes on WhatsApp, and more. In such situations, one of your AirPods will have less juice than the other. As a result, both your AirPods will have different charging points and will charge differently.
2. How to clean AirPods?
The best way to clean your AirPods or AirPods Pro is to use a clean & dry soft-bristled brush or a Q-tip. If there is any stubborn gunk, you can spray some isopropyl alcohol on the cotton swab, brush, or Q-tip, and then clean your AirPods. Make sure you don’t spray the isopropyl alcohol directly on the earbuds or dip your AirPods in the water. Also, ensure your AirPods are completely dry before putting them in the charging case. We’ve explicitly mentioned it because doing this can damage the charging case and cause charging-related issues.
3. How many hours do AirPods last?
The AirPods 2nd gen and AirPods Pro are designed to offer at least 4.5 hours of listening time and 3 hours of talk time on a single charge. When paired with the included charging case, you get a total listening time of up to 24 hours and a talk time of 18 hours. Talking about the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2nd gen, they offer a listening time of up to 6 hours which can go up to 30 hours when paired with the charging case.
4. Do I have to update the firmware on my AirPods?
No, you don’t have to update the firmware on your AirPods. When your AirPods/AirPods Pro is charging and in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, the firmware updates are delivered automatically to your AirPods and AirPods Pro. So, you don’t have to do it manually.
5. Can you replace the AirPods battery?
Unfortunately, you can’t replace the AirPods batteries. Once they stop working, you’ll have to buy a new pair of AirPods or AirPods Pro.
Also Read: How to delete multiple messages on an iPhone
That was all from our side on how to fix AirPods not charging evenly problems. We hope this troubleshooting guide helped you fix escape those annoying situations and that your AirPods are charging properly now.
Which trick worked for you? Don’t forget to share your views in the comments below.
