AirPods case not turning on usually means the case lacks power, has dirty contacts, or needs a reset.
Why Your AirPods Case Seems Dead
A case can look lifeless for simple reasons: zero charge, a bad cable or brick, a stuck status light, grime on the pins, or a firmware hiccup. Start with fast checks, then move to deeper fixes.
Quick Checks Before You Dive Deeper
- Try a known-good USB-C or Lightning cable.
- Plug into a different wall adapter or a laptop port.
- Leave the case on power for 15–30 minutes.
- Open the lid to see the status light.
- Test a wireless pad if your case supports Qi or MagSafe.
Early Troubleshooting Table
| Cause | What To Check | Fix In Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| No power | Cable, adapter, outlet | Use an Apple-rated cable and a second power source |
| Dirty contacts | Case charge pins, earbud stems | Dry swab the pins and stems; no liquids |
| Wrong placement on pad | Coil alignment | Center the case; rotate 90 degrees |
| Stuck status light | Short press the back button | Close lid, wait 30 seconds, reopen |
| Battery fully drained | Needs a longer top-up | Leave on power 30 minutes, then check again |
What The Status Light Tells You
With the lid open and both buds inside, the light shows the buds’ charge. With the buds out, the light shows the case’s charge. Green signals a full top-up. Amber means less than one full recharge. No light means the case needs power or service. These behaviors match Apple’s charging guide.
AirPod Case Not Turning On: Quick Checks That Solve Most Cases
Work through these steps in order. Each one rules out a common cause.
Step 1: Verify Power And Cables
Try a second cable and a second charger. If your case uses USB-C, use a 20W or higher USB-C adapter. For older Lightning cases, try both a wall plug and a laptop USB port. Cables fail more often than the case.
Step 2: Give It A Real Top-Up
A deeply drained case may need a longer session before any light appears. Plug in for at least 30 minutes, lid closed. Then open the lid and look again.
Step 3: Check Wireless Charging Alignment
If you charge on MagSafe or Qi, make sure the case sits centered. Some pads need a slight shift to match the coil. If the pad shows a charge but the case stays dark, fall back to a wired test.
Step 4: Clean The Charging Points
Dust and pocket lint block current. Use a dry cotton swab on the case pins and the ends of each earbud stem. Do not use sprays or metal tools. Wipe the port gently. Place the buds back in, close the lid, and reconnect power.
Step 5: Read The Light Correctly
Open the lid. If the light turns green, the case holds enough charge. Amber points to a partial charge. No light still points to power or hardware. When the case is on power, look for a brief amber pulse that confirms charging started.
Step 6: Pairing Test From A Known Good Device
Put the case near your iPhone or iPad with Bluetooth on. If a setup card appears, the case is alive. If nothing happens, keep going.
Step 7: Soft Reset
Close the lid for 30 seconds, then reopen. Press the back button once. This wakes many cases from a minor hang.
Step 8: Full Reset
With both buds seated, open the lid. Press and hold the back button until the light flashes amber, then white. Re-pair on your phone. For the newest cases that support tap-to-reset, follow the on-screen guide and double-tap the front when prompted. Apple lists the steps here: reset steps.
When The Case Still Won’t Show Light
If you still see no light after a wired charge and a full reset, the battery or the board may be at fault. At this point, plan on service. Apple can test the case, confirm coverage, and quote a fee if needed.
Model-Specific Notes That Matter
- AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3 cases have a speaker that chirps during pairing and Find My pings; a chirp on charge is a good sign.
- USB-C cases accept USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables; try both if you have them handy.
- Some recent retail boxes skip the cable; borrow a friend’s cable if yours is missing.
- Older Wireless Charging Cases use Qi and may charge slower; wired tests give a clear read.
LED Behavior Reference
| State | What You’ll See | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Lid open, buds inside | Green or amber | Shows bud charge level |
| Lid open, buds out | Green or amber | Shows case charge level |
| On power | Amber pulse then steady | Charge started |
| Flashing white | Pairing mode | Ready to connect |
| No light | No power or fault | Charge for 30 minutes, then try a reset |
How To Reset Any AirPods Case
Use the standard method first. Place both buds in the case. Open the lid. Press and hold the back button for up to 15 seconds until the light turns amber and then white. If your case supports the new tap-to-reset, follow the prompts: double-tap the front when the light shows, then again as it speeds up, and again until it flips to amber and then white. Reconnect from the pop-up on your device.
Firmware And Why It Matters Here
AirPods update while charging near an iPhone, iPad, or Mac on Wi-Fi. You cannot trigger it manually. Leave the case on power for 30 minutes with the paired device nearby. A fresh build can clear odd charging and light quirks. You can check the version in Bluetooth settings on your iPhone.
What About A Dead Case With Working Buds?
Sometimes the buds still play after the case dies. That still points to a case power issue. Borrow a friend’s case of the same model to see if your buds charge and pair. If they do, you’ve confirmed the case as the issue.
Wireless Pads, Power Banks, And Car Chargers
Pads vary a lot. If a pad fails, try a second pad or a wired charge. For power banks and car ports, look for 5V/1A or higher output. Low-quality ports can sag under load and keep the case dark.
Cleaning And Care Tips That Keep The Case Charging
- Swab the port and charge pins with a dry cotton swab.
- Keep liquids away from the port and the interior.
- Avoid magnets stuck to the case; they can throw off alignment on pads.
- Store the case between charges; don’t leave it flat zero for days.
AirPods Case Won’t Turn On: The Practical Decision Tree
- Swap cable and power source.
- Give it a 30-minute wired top-up.
- Check status light with and without buds inside.
- Clean the pins, stems, and port.
- Test a wired charge again, then a wireless pad.
- Try a soft reset; then a full reset.
- Try pairing near a known good iPhone or iPad.
- If still dead, plan on service.
When To Contact Apple
Call in when the case shows no light after a wired charge and reset, gets hot, or shows physical damage. Also call if the light cycles but the case won’t hold charge at all. Coverage can include a battery service fee or a replacement case.
How To Get Service Fast
Check your serial under the lid, then check coverage online. Book a visit, or mail in the case. Back up plan: many Apple Stores can swap a case on the spot if stock allows. Fees vary by region and model.
Pro Moves That Save Time
- Keep one good USB-C cable in your tech bag.
- Label your pad’s sweet spot with a small dot you can feel.
- Add the Batteries widget on iPhone to watch levels at a glance.
- Set a calendar nudge to top up once a week if you use the case rarely.
Second Troubleshooting Table: What To Try Next
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Case shows no light on power | Dead battery or board | Wired charge 30 minutes, full reset, then contact Apple |
| Light flashes white but won’t pair | Old Bluetooth data | Forget device, reset, pair again |
| Case charges but drops fast | Aged cell | Replace the case through Apple |
| Pad starts, then stops | Coil misalignment | Move the case or switch to wired |
| Case warms a lot | Faulty power brick | Try a different adapter and cable; stop if heat returns |
How To Check Charge On iPhone Or Mac
Open the case near your iPhone with the lid up. A card should show case and bud levels. You can also add the Batteries widget to the Home for a readout. On Mac, click the Bluetooth menu with the case nearby to see levels. If the case stays at zero on every device after a wired top-up, the cell may be done.
When Heat Is Not Normal
Warmth while charging is common, but a case that stays hot or smells odd should come off power. Try a second adapter and cable. If heat returns, stop charging and book service. Swelling, rattling sounds, or cracked plastic call for service.
Linked Resources You Can Trust
Apple’s charging guide explains what the status light means and how to read it. The reset steps are spelled out on Apple’s reset page. If you still need help, contact Apple for service.
Final Notes So You Don’t Get Stuck Again
Use wired tests first, keep the port clean, and reset when the light acts odd. Most “dead” cases wake right up with a good cable, a clean port, and a proper reset. When they don’t, service is the smart next move.