Is your AirPods case flashing an orange light and refusing to charge? This frustrating issue is a common signal indicating a problem with your AirPods or their charging case. Fortunately, in many instances, you can resolve this at home. This guide will walk you through troubleshooting steps to get your AirPods charging correctly again.
Common Reasons for the Orange Blinking Light
Before diving into solutions, understanding why your AirPods are blinking orange is helpful. This amber or orange light typically indicates a charging issue. It can mean a few things:
- Low Battery: Sometimes, it simply means your AirPods or case battery is critically low and needs charging.
- Charging Problem: There might be an issue with the charging cable, power source, or the charging connectors themselves.
- Software Glitch: Occasionally, a temporary software glitch can cause charging problems and the orange light.
- Hardware Issue: In more serious cases, it could signal a hardware problem with your AirPods or the charging case that requires professional attention.
Troubleshooting Steps to Fix the Orange Blinking Light
Here are several troubleshooting steps to try and fix your AirPods blinking orange light and get them charging again:
1. Verify the Charging Cable and Power Outlet
The most basic step is to double-check your charging setup.
- Inspect the Cable: Ensure your Lightning to USB cable (or USB-C for newer models) is not damaged. Look for frays, bends, or breaks. A damaged cable can prevent proper charging. Try a different Apple-certified charging cable if you suspect damage.
- Check the Power Source: Make sure the power outlet you’re using is working correctly. Test the outlet with another device to confirm it’s providing power. If you’re using a USB port on a computer, try a wall outlet instead, as computer USB ports may not provide sufficient power for charging.
- Adapter Issues: If you’re using a USB power adapter, ensure it’s also functioning correctly. Try a different adapter, ideally one that came with your Apple devices or is Apple-certified.
2. Clean the Charging Connectors
Dust, lint, or debris can accumulate in the charging connectors of both your AirPods and the charging case, hindering the charging process.
- Gentle Cleaning: Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to gently clean the charging points on the bottom of your AirPods and inside the charging case where the AirPods sit.
- Avoid Liquids: Do not use any liquids or compressed air, as this could damage your AirPods.
- Visual Inspection: Carefully inspect the connectors for any visible debris that might be blocking contact.
3. Restart Your AirPods and Paired Device
Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary software glitches that might be interfering with charging.
- Disconnect from Devices: On your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, go to Bluetooth settings and “Forget This Device” for your AirPods.
- Restart Your Device: Restart the device you typically use with your AirPods (iPhone, iPad, etc.).
- Restart AirPods (Indirectly): Place your AirPods back into their charging case and close the lid for about 15 seconds. Then, open the lid and try charging them again. This essentially restarts the AirPods connection process.
4. Reset Your AirPods
If basic troubleshooting doesn’t work, resetting your AirPods to their factory settings can often resolve more persistent issues.
- Place AirPods in Case: Ensure your AirPods are inside the charging case and close the lid.
- Open the Case Lid: Open the lid of the charging case.
- Locate Setup Button: On the back of the charging case, you’ll find a small setup button.
- Press and Hold: Press and hold the setup button until the status light on the inside of the case starts flashing amber, then white. This indicates the reset is complete.
- Reconnect: After resetting, you’ll need to reconnect your AirPods to your Apple devices as if they were new.
When to Contact Apple Support
If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps above and your AirPods case is still blinking orange and not charging, it’s likely a sign of a more significant hardware issue. In this situation, it’s best to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store or an authorized service provider.
- Apple Support Website: Go to the official Apple Support website and explore their AirPods support section. You can find helpful articles, chat with support, or schedule a call.
- Apple Store Visit: If you have an Apple Store nearby, schedule a Genius Bar appointment. Apple technicians can diagnose the problem and advise on repair or replacement options.
- Authorized Service Provider: Apple’s website lists authorized service providers that can also handle repairs and replacements under warranty.
Conclusion
Seeing your AirPods blinking orange can be concerning, but often the issue is easily resolved with simple troubleshooting steps. By systematically checking your charging setup, cleaning connectors, restarting, and resetting your AirPods, you can often get them charging again. If these steps fail, don’t hesitate to reach out to Apple Support for professional assistance to ensure your AirPods are functioning correctly.
