The only thing which makes my morning commute bearable is podcasts. I love to pop in the latest episode while I make my 30-minute drive. But lately, I am not able to enjoy my podcasts as I usually do. The reason? My left AirPod refuses to charge. It’s annoying to have to listen to podcasts with just one AirPod in.
However, I do not want to spend a fortune in replacing my faulty AirPod. To avoid that, I decided to turn to the internet for help. After reading through tech blogs, and Reddit forums and watching YouTube videos, I figured out a solution. Here’s how I fixed it:
If your left AirPod is not charging, clean your AirPods and the case using Water or Isopropyl Alcohol and a microfiber cloth. Remove dust and grime to get uninterrupted electrical contact so your left AirPod can charge.
Clean your AirPods

As an item used daily, AirPods and their charging cases accumulate a fair amount of dirt and grime. This gunk can deposit on the charging connections or enter inside your AirPods and affect their functioning.
It is, therefore, extremely important to keep your AirPods and charging cases clean. You can use a microfiber cloth or a Q-tip to clean your AirPods.

Remove any visible dirt or debris, especially around the charging connections in the AirPods and charging cases. You can use water or isopropyl alcohol, to remove any stubborn dirt particles. However, remember to never spray the water or alcohol directly on the case or AirPods. Instead, wet your microfiber cloth or Q-tip with it before cleaning.
Check the Charging Case

It’s often easy to forget about the charging case. It lasts for a long time on a single charge and is merely the medium for charging the AirPods. However, the charging case itself requires charging.
A battery level of less than 10% in the charging case means it cannot effectively recharge your AirPods. So in case an AirPod is not charging, the first step is to check the battery level of the charging case.
To do so:
- Place the AirPods in the charging case and place it close to your iPhone. Open the case and your AirPods should now be visible on your iPhone. Check the battery levels of both your AirPods and charging case, and charge if required.
- Alternatively, you can view your charging case information in the Batteries widget of your iPhone which is found in the Today View.
Check your AirPods’ Connection
If your charging case is sufficiently charged and yet your AirPod doesn’t have enough battery, check if the AirPod is correctly placed in the charging case. Improper AirPod placement over the metal battery connections can prevent it from charging.
Check if there is a charging symbol appearing next to your left AirPod in your iPhone. If there is no charging icon, it means your AirPod is incorrectly placed. Remove any external accessories and replace the AirPod in the charging case. Ensure that you hear the metallic snap of the AirPod connecting, and let it charge for some time.
Reboot your AirPods
There can be some minor software glitches in your AirPods which can prevent them from charging. One fix for this is to unpair your AirPods from your phone. This will soft reboot your AirPods and should fix any minor errors.
To unpair your AirPods from your phone:
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth
- Select your AirPods from the list of devices

- Select ‘Forget this Device’
- Leave your AirPods for 30 seconds before re-pairing them with your phone.
Correctly Charge your AirPods
Charging hygiene is important for improving the longevity of your AirPods while also ensuring their proper functioning. Ensure that you charge your AirPods for a sufficient amount of time to maximise their usage.
If your AirPods are completely drained of battery, it is suggested that they be charged overnight. After a complete discharge, it takes a while for AirPods to return to their normal functioning. Therefore, giving them a few hours of charging time can allow the AirPods to charge as usual and prevent any charging problems.
Additionally, while it is tempting to charge the AirPods for just a few minutes, it may hamper their battery life in the long run. Waiting for AirPods to charge completely is a great way for improving their longevity, while also acting as a preventative measure for any potential battery issues.
Use Official Charging Cables
Apart from following charging hygiene, it is also important to use the correct charging accessories. Official Apple products can be quite expensive, and it might be tempting to use cheaper third-party alternatives.
However, these alternatives while providing basic functionality are not exactly compatible with your device’s needs. Therefore, it is necessary to use official products wherever possible.
Even in the case of AirPods, switching to the official Apple charging cable can rectify any minor issues with the product. So in case of any charging case issues or with your left AirPod not charging, it is recommended to switch to the official Apple cable.
Update your AirPods
Like any other smart device, AirPods require constant software updates. Outdated software can cause glitches and prevent you from using your AirPods. Always keep your AirPods up-to-date and regularly check for any software downloads.
To check for software updates for your AirPods:
- Place your AirPods in their charging case and connect them to your phone
- Select Settings > General > About
- Select your AirPods > Firmware version
- There should be an option to update your AirPods if there is a download available
Factory Reset your AirPods
If all else fails, you can try restoring your AirPods to their default settings. This can resolve any software glitches that the AirPods may be experiencing and fix the left AirPod charging issue.
To factory reset your AirPods:
- Place your AirPods in their charging case and connect them to your phone
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth
- Select your AirPods from the list of devices
- Select ‘Forget this Device’

- Press the button on your charging case for 30 seconds
- Once the status light changes to amber, reconnect the AirPods to your phone
Contact Apple Support
In case of any water damage or breakage in your AirPods, it is best to contact the Apple Support team. The fixes for any severe damage require technical expertise and official repair outlets are the best recourse.
Depending on your warranty terms and conditions, Apple may offer you a free replacement or repair for your damaged AirPods.
Both my Airpods work!
Now that both my AirPods are charging again, I can go back to listening to my podcasts in peace. It can be quite annoying to have one AirPod not work. However, the fix for it is usually quick or simple.
Often, the problem lies with the charging case. So, completely charging the case, using official Apple products or cleaning the case regularly can rectify the problem. In other cases, reinserting the AirPod or charging the AirPod overnight can fix any charging issues that you might encounter.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What do the status lights on my AirPods indicate?
Green lights indicate a fully charged status. On the other hand, amber lights mean your AirPods or charging case is running low on battery and need to be recharged. In the case of wireless charging AirPods, white light means that the AirPods can be paired now.
Can you buy/replace a single AirPod?
Yes, it is possible to buy or replace a single AirPod. To do so, you can contact your local Apple store or an authorised reseller. Depending on any applicable warranty, they will come back to you with a relevant quote.