Connect the case to a known-good power source for at least 15 minutes, then check the iPhone battery card for the case and each AirPod. A case that never lights is different from one earbud that remains at zero.
A dead case, a cable or adapter failure, and one earbud failing to touch its case contact can all look like “AirPods won’t charge.” Test them separately before resetting or buying a replacement.
Prove that the case receives power
Seat the charging cable firmly at both ends and use a wall adapter and outlet that charge another device. Apple recommends allowing at least 15 minutes. For a wireless case, center it on a compatible pad with the status light facing up; remove a thick or metal case that prevents alignment.
Look for the expected status light, but do not treat one flash as proof that charging continued. If the connector is wet, hot, bent, or visibly damaged, disconnect it. Do not insert metal objects, liquid cleaner, or compressed air into the port.
Check each battery reading
Place both AirPods in the case, close the lid, then open it near the paired iPhone. Review the battery card or Batteries widget. Note the case percentage and each earbud separately. If the case rises but one earbud stays at zero, reseat that earbud and inspect for debris around the stem and charging well.
Use a soft, dry, lint-free method that matches Apple’s cleaning instructions. Do not force a swab deep into the case. Swapping left and right positions is not possible; the useful evidence is whether the same earbud repeatedly lacks the charging symbol.
Reset only after power is stable
When the case can hold charge but readings remain frozen, update the paired device, forget and reset the AirPods using the sequence for that model, and pair again. A reset cannot repair a dead case battery or a damaged contact.
Completion means the case percentage increases while connected to power and both earbuds display a charging symbol before their percentages rise. Contact Apple with the model, serial-number location, charger type, light behavior, and separate battery readings if one component still fails. Stop using a swollen, unusually hot, or liquid-damaged case.
Primary sources
Interfaces and policies change. We recheck the steps above against these sources and show the verification date at the top of the guide.