Why Won’t My Wireless Earbuds Turn On? (Easy Fix Guide!)

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Many common problems plague wireless earbuds, but we don’t often see them refusing to turn on, especially when they’re still relatively new. But, unfortunately, it happens occasionally. So, what could cause wireless earbuds not to turn on when they’re supposed to, and, more importantly, what can we do to fix the problem?

Wireless earbuds that won’t turn on are often caused by charging problems or bad connections between the earbuds and the carry case. Try to turn them on manually if you have that option, or clean all the contacts and try charging them again. You may also have to reset the earbuds.

With so many possible causes, we have to do some in-depth troubleshooting to determine why your earbuds aren’t turning on. Only then can we look at ways to fix them. So let’s start with the most simple (and expected) reasons and work our way up to the more complex ones.

Could A Charging Problem Be Affecting Your Earbuds?

The first point is so simple that people often overlook or disregard it, but a long-standing troubleshooting rule says we should always check the simple things first. The most straightforward possible cause of your earbuds not switching on is that they’re not charged.

Of course, you will probably have thought of this possibility, placed your wireless earbuds in their charging case, and possibly even put the case on charge. But did you check to ensure that the case is charged or in the process of charging?

Unfortunately, so many things could go wrong to interrupt the charging process, and we don’t always notice. So, to be sure, check a few things:

1. Is the LED on the carry case indicating that it’s charging or fully charged? Most earbud cases have an LED to indicate the battery status. Check the LED to see if the problem could be related to the case’s battery.
2. The charging cable could be disconnected for some reason. An accidental bump against the plug could make it lose contact and stop charging.
3. Ensure that your earbuds make proper contact inside the carry case. Most wireless earbuds charge from the case’s internal battery; if they don’t make adequate contact, they won’t charge.
4. Try to replace the charging cable or use another charger. Cables usually don’t last as long as the devices they’re charging.

Try To Turn Your Wireless Earbuds On Manually

Most wireless earbuds turn on automatically when you remove them from the carry case. Unfortunately, sometimes the contacts can get so worn that the earbuds don’t detect when you’re removing them anymore.

Some brands have failsafe manual power options built into the earbuds to solve this issue. For example, on Jabra earbuds, the right earbud’s multifunction button and the left earbud’s volume down button can manually turn the earbuds on.

Try pressing the buttons on your wireless earbuds. Some may require you to press and hold the buttons for a few seconds. If unsure, check the user manual you got with the earbuds to see which buttons to press.

Clean The Charging Contacts

The charging contacts in your wireless earbuds and their carry case serve two purposes. The first is to charge the earbuds, and the second is to detect when you remove them from the case so they can turn on. Dirty contacts will interfere with both functions. Your earbuds won’t turn on, either because they don’t detect that you’re taking them from the case or because their batteries are dead.

Sometimes it helps when you press the earbuds down firmly into the charging case. Bad connections due to dirt can often be temporarily resolved this way. However, you should still try to clean the contacts to solve the problem long-term.

The way you clean the connectors will depend on the brand and model of earbuds you have, but the basic principles will remain the same.

Your earbuds will have metallic contact points, usually in the lowest parts that go deepest into the charging case. You can use a clean, lint-free cloth or a cotton swab with some electronic cleaner to wipe off any dirt or oil from these contacts.

You can do the same with the contacts inside the charging case, but it could be more complicated because the connections are usually copper spikes rather than flat metal plates, making them more challenging to clean. They can also be quite deep inside the case, so you could have trouble reaching them.

You can check the manufacturer’s website or user manual to see if they have specific instructions for cleaning these connections.

Are The Earbuds Brand New?

If you have a brand new set of wireless earbuds that are refusing to turn on, two common problems occur:

1. The batteries are often completely discharged when you buy them, and they need to charge for a few hours (after the case has been charged fully) before they work correctly.
2. Most manufacturers put a piece of tape or plastic over the earbuds’ charging pins to keep them from connecting to the charger while in the packaging. Check for something like plastic tape over the earbuds’ charging connectors and remove it.

You May Have To Reset Your Wireless Earbuds

Wireless earbuds have firmware that allows them to function and connect with your phone and one another. Firmware isn’t perfect, and occasional bugs may sneak in. Common bugs include earbuds that won’t connect or won’t play sound. One or both earbuds may refuse to switch on or become non-responsive if you have a firmware bug.

The best way to clear that is to reset your earbuds. Different brands and models have different ways of doing this, so you will have to check the manual, but it’s usually quite simple. It often involves steps similar to these:

1. Return your earbuds to their carry case and ensure they are correctly inserted.
2. Unpair the earbuds from all devices you have nearby.
3. Close the carry case. You usually have to keep it closed for a few seconds.
4. Sometimes you have to put the case on charge before proceeding with the steps.
5. At this point, if your earbuds case has a button on it, you usually have to press and hold it for a certain number of seconds.
6. Open the case, but keep the earbuds inside.
7. Now you may have to press the buttons on the earbuds, usually the multifunction button on the right earbud and the volume down button on the left earbud. Do this without removing the earbuds from the carry case.
8. Hold the buttons for a few seconds (usually 15 to 30 seconds), then release them.
9. Close the case and leave it for a few seconds.
10. Your earbuds should be reset, and you can pair them with your devices again.

When All Else Fails

Unfortunately, no technology is perfect, and the amount of electronics stored in such a small package makes it incredible that wireless earbuds even exist. So, if none of these solutions work, your only alternative is to return to the manufacturer. Hopefully, you still have a warranty, but if not, many wireless earbuds have come down in price considerably over the last few years.

Final Thoughts

Most problems that could cause your wireless earbuds not to turn on are simple, especially if the earbuds are still relatively new. Cover the basics, like double-checking everything’s charging and safely cleaning the connectors. If that doesn’t work, try resetting your earbuds. It’s incredible how often these simple steps can solve an issue.

To read more about wireless earbuds, check out our below articles

• What Are Wireless Earbuds Good For?
• Are JBL Wireless Earbuds Any Good?
• 7 Things To Know About AirPods Pro 2 Before Buying?

References

How do I turn off/on my true wireless earbuds?

X5: One earbud doesn’t charge or turn on

Why won’t my right earbud turn on?

Samsung earbuds do not turn on or charge