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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.
Cheap or counterfeit cables fail more than the case. Use a known-good Apple-branded MFi cable. Test in 2 different outlets.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
AirPods repair vs replace guide — one side not working, battery dead, case broken. When to repair and when to just buy new AirPods.
AirPods have a dirty secret: they're nearly impossible to repair. Apple's tight integration and glued construction means most "repairs" are really replacements. Here's what you need to know.
Unlike iPhones, AirPods can't be easily disassembled. Apple and most repair shops handle AirPods issues through replacement, not repair. Here's what the options look like:
| Issue | Apple Out-of-Warranty | Third-Party | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| One AirPod replacement | $69–$89 per bud | Limited options | Buy from Apple |
| Charging case replacement | $59–$99 | $30–$60 | Compare prices |
| Both AirPods dead | $138–$178 | N/A | Buy new set |
| Battery degraded | $49/bud service | N/A | Buy new if old |
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