Right Airpod Not Charging – How to Fix?
By Robert Jones · 2021-11-16
Right, your AirPod's playing up again, isn't it? Specifically, the right one refusing to charge. I've seen this a hundred times – let's get it sorted.
Right then, if you're reading this, chances are your beloved AirPods are playing up. Specifically, it's that blasted right one that just won't take a charge, isn't it? Happens all the time. I've seen countless bits of kit come through my workshop here in Bristol, from monster PAs to dinky little in-ears, and this AirPod charging faff is a recurring headache for a lot of folks. Don't fret, though; most of the time, it's not the end of the world. Let's get stuck in and sort it out. **Quick Verdict: Most right AirPod charging issues are down to simple fixes – a good clean or a full reset usually does the trick before you need to think about calling Apple.** I've been tinkering with audio gear for well over two decades now. You pick up a fair bit of wisdom, and a good few war stories, about what makes kit tick, and more importantly, what makes it conk out. AirPods, bless 'em, are a marvel of modern tech – incredibly convenient, sound decent enough for a commute, and you can barely feel 'em in your ears. But like any small, everyday bit of electronics that gets shoved in pockets, bags, or dropped down the side of the sofa, they have their temperamental moments. And for some reason, it's almost always the right one that decides to throw a wobbler when it comes to charging. I reckon it's because most of us are right-handed. That right earbud gets more handling, more fiddling, more being taken out and put back in. More chance for a bit of fluff, or a drop of sweat, or a bit of earwax to get where it shouldn't. Don't laugh, it's true! Or maybe it's just sod's law. Whatever the root cause, it's incredibly frustrating to pull out your earbuds, ready for some tunes or a podcast, only to find one's flat as a pancake. But before you start looking up replacement costs, let's go through the steps. Proper, methodical troubleshooting, just like we do in the workshop. ### Who it's for: * Anyone with AirPods (or AirPods Pro) where the right earbud is refusing to charge up properly. * Those who fancy a bit of DIY and want to save a few quid before splashing out on a repair or a brand new pair. * Folks who are a bit particular about their gadgets and want to understand the nitty-gritty of why things sometimes go wrong. * Anyone who uses their AirPods daily and can't bear to be without them for long. ### Who should skip it: * If your AirPods have had a proper ding – dropped them in the loo, stepped on them, or they've had a close encounter with the washing machine – these tips probably won't bring them back from the dead. Visible damage is usually a goner. * If you've already run through *every single one* of these steps, multiple times, and you're convinced it's a deep-seated hardware fault, then it might be time to bite the bullet and contact Apple Support. * People who honestly prefer the reliability and sound quality of wired headphones (and fair play to you, there's a lot to be said for a good old wired connection). * If you're someone who always buys the latest model anyway and sees this as an excuse to upgrade.  *Right Airpod Not Charging – How to Fix? — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* ## The Usual Suspects: Why Your Right AirPod Is Being Difficult Before we start poking about with magnifying glasses and screwdrivers (please, for the love of sound, don't do that!), let's talk common sense. Nine times out of ten, a charging issue isn't some catastrophic internal failure. It's usually something simple, something you can fix yourself with a bit of patience and perhaps a cotton bud. Over my twenty-odd years in this game, I've learnt that the most obvious answer is often the right one. Let's break down what usually goes wrong. ### 1. Grime, Gunk, and General Filth Honestly, this is the biggest culprit. Your AirPods live in your ears, in your pockets, rattling around in your bag. They pick up earwax, skin oils, lint, dust, and all sorts. These little bits of crud can easily get lodged in the charging contacts – those tiny metal points on the bottom of each AirPod and inside the charging case. If those contacts can't connect properly, no juice gets through. Simple as that. * **The Fix:** Get yourself a dry cotton bud, a soft-bristled toothbrush (a clean one, obviously, not the one you use for your teeth!), or even a wooden toothpick. *Gently* clean the metal charging contacts on the bottom of the AirPod. Don't press too hard, you don't want to damage anything. Then, and this is crucial, clean the corresponding contacts *inside* the charging case. Take your time. You might be surprised what comes out. I've seen some proper horrors come out of people's earbud cases. A blast of compressed air (the kind for electronics, not a tyre inflator!) can help too, but be careful not to force debris further in. I usually avoid anything wet or abrasive here. Keep it dry. ### 2. The Case Itself Is Running Low Sounds daft, doesn't it? But how often have you just assumed the case had enough power? Your AirPods charge *from* the case, and the case has its own battery. If the case is dead, or nearly dead, it can't pass on much power, even if it's plugged into the wall itself. It might trickle charge one AirPod, but not the other, or seem to be charging but barely make a dent. * **The Fix:** Plug your AirPod case into a charger for at least an hour, with both AirPods *inside*. Make sure the charging light on the case comes on. Give it a proper, decent charge. Sometimes, the right AirPod just needs a strong, consistent power source from the case to kickstart its charging circuit. ### 3. Software Glitches – The Old "Turn It Off and On Again" Ah, the age-old IT support mantra. And honestly, it works for more things than you'd think. Your AirPods have firmware, and sometimes that firmware gets a bit muddled. A simple reset can often clear up any communication errors between the AirPod, the case, and your phone. * **The Fix:** This is a full factory reset. Pop both AirPods into their case. Close the lid for about 30 seconds. Open the lid. On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, and tap the "i" next to them. Then tap "Forget This Device". Confirm it. Now, with the lid open, press and hold the setup button on the back of the AirPod case for about 15-20 seconds. The light on the front should flash amber, then white. This means they've reset. Now, bring the open case near your iPhone and follow the on-screen prompts to reconnect them. It's a bit of a faff, but it often sorts out a multitude of sins. ### 4. Poor Seating in the Case This goes back to the first point about dirt, but sometimes it's just a physical misalignment. If the AirPod isn't sitting perfectly in its little cradle, those charging contacts won't make firm contact. You might think it's in, but it's just slightly off. * **The Fix:** Open the case, take out the right AirPod, and then carefully re-seat it. Give it a gentle wiggle to make sure it drops in properly. Look closely. Does it sit flush? Does the lid close without resistance? Sometimes a slight obstruction (like a tiny bit of fluff you missed) can prevent it from settling correctly. Ensure the magnets pull it into place firmly. ### 5. Charging Cable or Power Adapter Issues While less likely to affect just one AirPod, it's worth considering. A dodgy cable or a weak power adapter might not be supplying enough consistent power to the case, which then struggles to charge both earbuds efficiently. If your case is charging really slowly, or seems to drop connection, this could be it. * **The Fix:** Try a different Lightning cable and a different USB power adapter. Make sure they're known good ones, preferably official Apple ones or MFi certified. Don't use those super-cheap ones from the pound shop; they can be utterly rubbish. ### 6. Battery Degradation (The Unavoidable Truth) Alright, let's face it, these things don't last forever. AirPods have tiny lithium-ion batteries, and all lithium-ion batteries degrade over time and with charge cycles. After a year or two, or three, you'll notice they don't hold a charge as long. It's possible that the battery in your right AirPod has degraded faster than the left, perhaps due to it being used more or experiencing more heat cycles. This might manifest as it taking forever to charge, or simply not holding much charge even when it *says* it's full. * **The Fix:** Unfortunately, there's no real DIY fix for a degraded battery in an AirPod. They're not designed to be user-serviceable. If you've tried everything else and the right AirPod just doesn't hold a charge like the left, you're probably looking at a replacement earbud from Apple, or a whole new set. It's a shame, but that's the nature of tiny, sealed electronics. ## Advanced Troubleshooting (When the Basics Don't Cut It) If you've systematically gone through all the above and your right AirPod is still being stubborn, then we need to dig a little deeper. These are less common issues, but they do crop up. ### A. Check for Firmware Updates Apple regularly releases firmware updates for AirPods. These often fix bugs and improve performance, including charging. Your AirPods usually update automatically when connected to your iPhone and the case is charging, but sometimes they get stuck. * **How to Check:** Put your AirPods in the case, connect the case to power, and place it near your iPhone. Make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi. Leave them for a while (even overnight). To check the firmware version, go to Settings > General > About > AirPods (when they're connected). Compare the version number to the latest one Apple has released (a quick Google search will tell you). If it's old, try leaving them connected and charging for longer. ### B. Try a Different Device Rule out your phone as the problem. It's unlikely, but sometimes a specific Bluetooth connection on one device can cause weird issues. * **The Fix:** If you have an iPad, a friend's iPhone, or another Apple device, try pairing your AirPods with that and see if the charging issue persists for the right AirPod. If it charges fine on another device, then the problem might lie with your primary iPhone's Bluetooth or software. ### C. Environmental Factors Extreme temperatures aren't good for batteries. Leaving your AirPods in a very hot car or a very cold garage can impact their ability to charge or hold a charge. * **The Fix:** Make sure your AirPods and their case are at a reasonable room temperature before attempting to charge them. If they've been subjected to extremes, let them normalise for an hour or so before trying again. ## When to Wave the White Flag (and Call Apple) Look, I'm all for fixing things yourself. It's in my nature. But there comes a point where you've done everything you can. If you've cleaned them meticulously, reset them half a dozen times, tried different cables and chargers, updated firmware, and the right AirPod is *still* refusing to charge, or charges but dies within minutes, then it's probably a hardware fault beyond a simple DIY fix. This is when you contact Apple Support. They have specialist diagnostic tools and can determine if it's a faulty battery, a charging circuit issue, or something else. Be prepared to explain all the troubleshooting you've already done – it'll save you time. If your AirPods are still under warranty (check this via your iPhone's settings: Settings > General > About > AirPods > Limited Warranty), you might get a free replacement. Out of warranty, they'll likely offer to replace just the faulty earbud for a fee, which can be around £70-£80, depending on the model. Sometimes, it's a toss-up whether to replace one or just put that money towards a shiny new pair. Only you can decide if the cost of one earbud is worth it for an older pair. ## Comparison: Replacement Options Let's say you've tried everything and one AirPod is well and truly dead. What are your options? Here's a quick look at the typical choices and their implications. | Option | Pros | Cons | Cost (approx. UK) | Who it's for | |:-----------------------------|:--------------------------------------------------------|:----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|:--------------------------|:-----------------------------------------------------| | **Replace Single AirPod** | Cheaper than a full set; environmentally friendlier. | Still a decent chunk of change; older case/left AirPod might fail soon; battery differences. | £70-£90 per earbud | If your case & other AirPod are perfect; budget-conscious. | | **Buy a New Set (Same Model)** | Everything is new; full warranty; consistent battery life.| Most expensive option; might not need a new case/left AirPod; feels wasteful. | £130-£250 (model dependent) | If your current set is old/damaged; prefer everything new. | | **Upgrade to Newer Model** | Improved features, sound, battery; full warranty. | Even more expensive; learning new gestures/fit; might not need the extra features. | £170-£250+ (Pro/Max) | If you've been eyeing an upgrade anyway; need better features. | | **Switch to Another Brand** | Potentially better sound/features for the money; variety.| Lose Apple ecosystem integration; might need a new app; could be hit or miss on quality. | £50-£300+ | If you're fed up with Apple; want different sound/features. | ## FAQs: Getting Your AirPods Back in Action ### Q1: My right AirPod shows 0% but my left is full. What gives? This is a classic sign of a charging contact issue or significant battery degradation. Start by thoroughly cleaning the charging contacts on *both* the AirPod and inside the case. Make sure the AirPod is seated correctly. If that doesn't work, a full reset of the AirPods is the next step. If it still persists after that, it's likely the battery in that particular AirPod is on its way out, or there's a fault with its charging circuit. ### Q2: How do I clean the tiny charging contacts without damaging them? Very carefully! Use a dry cotton bud, a new soft-bristled toothbrush, or a wooden toothpick. Avoid anything metal or sharp that could scratch the contacts. Gently rub or pick at any visible gunk. For really stubborn bits, you can *very sparingly* dampen the end of a cotton bud with a tiny drop of isopropyl alcohol, but make sure it's almost dry before touching the contacts, and let it air dry completely for a good hour before attempting to charge. Less is more here; you don't want to introduce moisture. ### Q3: My AirPods won't connect to my iPhone after I try to reset them. Help! Don't panic, this happens sometimes. After forgetting the device on your iPhone and resetting the AirPods (amber then white flashing light), make sure your iPhone's Bluetooth is on. Then, open the AirPod case with the AirPods inside, and hold it close to your iPhone. You should see the setup animation pop up on your screen, guiding you through the reconnection process. If it doesn't appear, try restarting your iPhone and repeating the process. Ensure your iPhone's software is up to date too. ### Q4: How long should a full AirPod battery last for listening? It depends on the model. Original AirPods typically get about 5 hours of listening time, and AirPods Pro generally manage around 4.5 hours with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on, or 5 hours with it off. The charging case holds multiple additional charges, extending total listening time to over 24 hours. If your right AirPod is consistently getting significantly less than this, even after a full charge, it's a strong indicator of battery degradation. Remember, using features like ANC or spatial audio will drain the battery faster. ### Q5: Is it safe to leave my AirPods charging overnight? Yes, absolutely. All modern Apple devices, including AirPods, have sophisticated battery management systems that prevent overcharging. Once the battery is full, the charging will stop, or switch to a trickle charge to maintain full capacity. It won't harm the battery to leave them plugged in overnight. In fact, leaving the case plugged in with the AirPods inside is often the best way to ensure they receive firmware updates. ## Final Word So there you have it. That pesky right AirPod refusing to charge is a pain, but more often than not, it's a fixable problem. Don't jump to conclusions and don't shell out for a new pair until you've given these troubleshooting steps a proper go. Start with the simplest things – a good clean, checking the case battery – and then move on to the more involved stuff like a full reset. Persistence is key here, and a bit of common sense goes a long way. After all these years in the audio game, I can tell you that the easiest solution is usually the right one. Keep your kit clean, treat it with a bit of respect, and most of the time, it'll keep serving you well. If it *still* won't play ball after all that, well, then you know you've done everything you can, and it might be time to call in the big guns. Happy listening, folks!