AirPods 2nd Generation Not Charging
AirPods 2nd generation (March 2019) are now 6+ years old. The most common charging failures at this age are dirty charging contacts and a severely degraded battery. Here's every fix — from cleaning to knowing when it's time to replace.
⚡ Fix Your Charging Issues
Try These First (Often Works!):
• 20W Fast Charger ($25)
• MFi Certified Cable ($16)
• Wireless Charger ($30)
Port Needs Repair?
► Charging Port Kit
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⚡ Try Cleaning Before Paying for Repair
Lint and dust cause most charging issues. These tools fix it for $10.
Lint and dust cause 60% of charging issues — fix free
Original Apple-rated power for proper charging
Microfiber + brush + alcohol wipes
64 bits, pro-grade — for serious DIY repair only
🛠️ Tools You'll Need
- AirPods Cleaning Kit (precision picks + brush)
- 99% Isopropyl Alcohol
- Apple MFi Lightning/USB-C Cable
- Wireless Charging Pad (test)
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📋 Difficulty & Time
🔧 Fix AirPods Won't Charge: Step by Step
Step 1: Clean the Charging Contacts
Dirty contacts are the #1 cause. Look at the bottom of each AirPod stem and inside the case at the magnetic charge points. You'll see small gold pins.
- Remove AirPods from case
- Wipe each charging contact (on stems AND inside case) with a dry microfiber cloth
- For stuck-on residue, use a cotton swab very lightly damp with 99% isopropyl alcohol
- Let air-dry 1 minute, then place AirPods back in case
Step 2: Try a Different Cable + Adapter
Cheap or counterfeit cables fail more than the case. Use a known-good Apple-branded MFi cable. Test in 2 different outlets.
Step 3: Test Wireless Charging (if compatible)
If your case supports wireless charging (most do): place on a Qi pad. If wireless works but wired doesn't, your case's port is dead — replacement case is $99 from Apple.
Step 4: Forget + Re-Pair on iPhone
Sometimes the firmware gets stuck. Settings → Bluetooth → tap (i) next to AirPods → Forget This Device. Then place case near iPhone with lid open and re-pair.
Step 5: Check Case Battery LED
Open the case lid. Look at the small LED. Amber when charging, green when full. If no LED at all: the case battery is fully dead and might have failed entirely. Try charging for 30 minutes and re-check.
Step 6: Update AirPods Firmware
Settings → Bluetooth → tap (i) next to AirPods. If a firmware version number doesn't appear, plug case into power, place near iPhone, and wait 30 min — Apple pushes firmware automatically.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a wet (not damp) cotton swab — drips into the case, destroys the battery
- Skipping the cleaning step (60% of cases solved by cleaning alone)
- Buying a 'replacement battery' that doesn't exist for AirPods (not user-replaceable)
🏥 When to Call a Pro
If cleaning + cable test + re-pair don't work, you need a replacement case ($99 Apple, $29 with AppleCare+) or replacement set. Apple doesn't repair AirPods cases — they swap them.
📖 Related Buying Guides
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't my AirPods 2 charge in the case?
Dirty charging contacts are the most common cause — lint and residue on the gold pins at the bottom of each AirPod stem or inside the case block the connection. Wipe the contacts with a dry microfiber cloth, use a cotton swab lightly dampened with 99% isopropyl alcohol for stuck-on residue, let it air-dry a minute, and re-seat the AirPods. Cleaning alone solves roughly 60% of charging problems.
How do I know if my AirPods 2 case battery is dead?
Open the lid and watch the small LED: amber means charging and green means full. If no LED lights at all, the case battery is fully drained or may have failed entirely — plug it in for 30 minutes and check again. AirPods 2nd gen launched in March 2019, so at 6+ years old a severely degraded battery is one of the most common failures.
Can the battery in AirPods 2 be replaced?
No — AirPods batteries are not user-replaceable, and 'replacement battery' kits sold online don't genuinely exist for them. Apple doesn't repair AirPods cases either; they swap them. A replacement charging case costs $99 from Apple, or $29 if you have AppleCare+.
My AirPods case charges wirelessly but not with a cable — what's wrong?
If the case charges on a Qi wireless pad but not through the cable, the case's charging port is dead. There's no port repair option for AirPods cases — the fix is a replacement case, which costs $99 from Apple. Before concluding that, rule out the cable by testing a known-good Apple or MFi cable in two different outlets, since cheap cables fail more often than the case.