Bluetooth Headsets Not Charging

Bluetooth headsets are convenient since they allow us to listen to our favorite jams even when not connected to the source device. However, this convenience can turn into frustration if you experience charging issues. If your Bluetooth headset is not charging, you might be required to replace the battery. Sometimes, it’s because of a charging loose connection. Mostly this is the reason for Bluetooth headsets not charging. For this reason, you need to make sure that the USB cable is connected firmly to the headset jack or other charging jack, or on the source device, or on the power adapter.

In this article, I will show you different methods of troubleshooting and fixing your Bluetooth headset not charging issues. So, what may make the Bluetooth headset not charge?

Why is My Bluetooth Headset Not Charging?

Headset on white background(Shutterstock)

Here are possible causes behind why your Bluetooth headset is not charging.

Faulty Battery

The rechargeable batteries in your headsets might be detective by the manufacturer. This could be a possible cause especially if you are trying to charge your Bluetooth headsets for the first time.

Staying for long without Charging

If you keep your Bluetooth headsets for a long time without charging, It could reduce the battery life or drive it to death.  This is what is referred to as Over Discharged. So, if your Bluetooth headsets are not charging, this could also be a possibility.

Malfunctioning Charging Ports

This is a common reason for Bluetooth headset batteries not being charged. If the port is physically damaged, get a professional to replace it for you. Alternatively, it might be time to purchase a new pair.

Low or High Charging Environments

Extreme high and low temperatures in the environment negatively affect you headset batteries as well as you headphones electronics. As a result, it could lead to your batteries either not being fully charged, charge slowly or even the batteries malfunctioning. To keep your headsets batteries safe, charge in an environment with a temperature range 5 °C – 35 °C (41 °F – 95 °F).

Your Charging Cable Might Be Faulty

Different USB charging cables(Unsplash)

The charging cable is easy to damage. Constant twisting and turning will eventually lead to tear. If the cable is fine, make sure that the USB is firmly inserted while charging. Alternatively, try the other ports to see if that helps. Try another cable as well. If you are using a USB hub, make sure it is working properly.  Try plugging it into the computer directly or on a different port.

Tips on How to Fix My Bluetooth Headset Not Charging Issue

Here are simple steps to fix your Bluetooth headset whose batteries are not being charged problem.

  1. Check Your Computer Status: If you are charging the headphones by a computer using the USB , you need to make sure that the PC is turned on.  If the PC is turned off, then there will be no power source to charge your headset battery. If the computer status changes to hibernating then it won’t charge properly.
  2. Try charging Using Wall Faceplate Power Source: Try this option after trying all the USB ports on your PC.  This will confirm if the problem is with your computer USB port. Head straight to the source and connect your headset to the power socket. If it still does not charge, it could indicate that the problem is with the components of the headsets.
  3. Make sure the USB is correctly inserted:  Check both the headset and power source ports. Also check the contact points of your headset and charger. Scratches on the metal connection points could prevent the headsets from charging. If the contact point is dirty, you will need to clean them thoroughly. Don’t use metal objects to scratch inside to try and remove dirt. You could easily damage your headsets.
  4. Try a different USB Charging Cable:  If you have another USB cable that can connect to your Bluetooth charging port, try it to clarify whether there is an issue with your current charging cable.
  5. Check Your Headset’s Charging Port: Ensure that the charging port is functioning properly and is not damaged.  This is common in low quality headsets. Every time you are charging the headsets, the port might get broken from inside.
  6. Keep the Bluetooth headset Connected to the Charging Source: If you haven’t charged or used your Bluetooth headsets for a long time, you could fail to notice the charging indication in the battery. You thus need to keep the Bluetooth headphone connected to the charging source until the battery begins to charge.
  7. Your Headsets May be In Programming Mode:  You could have accidentally turned on the programming mode in your Bluetooth headsets. If this is the reason why your Bluetooth headsets are not charging, don’t worry, you can re-plug your headsets to your computer and repair again.
  8. Ambient Temperature Exceeds the Charging Temperature Range:  If charging your Bluetooth headsets in an environment with temperature exceeding the recommended temperature range, then the headsets could fail to charge.
  9. Hard reset Your Bluetooth Headsets: Sometimes, all it takes is Resetting your Bluetooth Headset.
  10. Update Your Bluetooth Headset Firmware:  Some Bluetooth headsets have an updatable firmware. Updating the firmware could solve some problems such as batteries not being charged.
  11. Maybe it’s a Different Problem:  You might be having a different problem. For instance, the battery can be fully charged but the headset is not working.

Why Bluetooth Headsets Won’t Turn on After Charging

If the issue isn’t with the actual charging try these steps to check for any other issues.

  1. Clean the charging cable or case and the contact points

Turn off your Bluetooth headset before cleaning. Use clean cotton and isopropyl alcohol to gently clean the connecting points. You can also use compressed air to clean any dirt.

  1. Use another cable to charge the case

Using a different power source or adapter will help identify the issue

  1. Push the USB or Headsets Firmly Into the Charging plug or case

Don’t use force. Just make sure that it is inserted correctly. This ensures that the contact points are connected to the opposite charging pins.

  1. Clean the Power Button on your headsets

There could be something stuck behind the power button. If the headsets are still protected by warranty, send them for repairs. Alternatively use compressed air to force any dirt out.

How to Know If Your Bluetooth Headset Battery is Dead

Lithium-ion batteries commonly used in Bluetooth headsets have a lifespan. If your headset battery has reached the end of their life cycle, there are a few things you can do. But, how long can these batteries last?

The traditional Lithium ion batteries maintain their full charge for around 500 cycles. A cycle refers to when you charge and deplete the battery and then you need to charge again. However, we often don’t allow full cycles or charge our batteries for short cycles. This is not a good way of using your battery. The best solution is to get a replacement battery.

Why Your Bluetooth Headsets aren’t holding a charge

If your headsets are old, the battery could have reached the end of its life. However, if it’s still new, it could be a manufacturing issue. Basically, is you have used your headsets for less than a year and suddenly they are fully charged within an hour and depleted in a few minutes, you’ve got a problem. 

Is it a bad habit to leave Your Bluetooth Headsets Charging Overnight?

Although charging your battery for long hours won’t affect a working battery, it could overheat a faulty one. However, some LI-ion battery stops charging automatically when the battery is full. Leaving them on charge won’t damage the battery. Those being said, if your Bluetooth headsets are old, then remove the charger immediately when fully charged. Old batteries often trickle charge to keep the battery full once full. This can affect the lifespan of your battery.

What You Need to Know About Headset Batteries

Here are some facts you need to know about your headset’s batteries.

  1. Normally, the headphones use lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.
  2. When charging new batteries for the first time, you should charge them for at least 8 continuous hours. Even if the battery shows that it is fully charged, when using it for the first time, you should consume all charged capacity.
  3. Most headsets require 4 hours for charging the empty battery to its full capacity.
  4. When charging the Bluetooth headset battery and the battery keeps exceeding more than 35 °C (95 °F), you need to replace the battery.
  5. The battery could be depleted if the headsets are not being used for a long time. However, after charging it a few times, the battery life will improve.
  6. When storing your Bluetooth headsets for a long time, charge the battery to its full capacity at least once every 6 months.  This will help to avoid over discharge.
  7. Rechargeable batteries have a lifetime of around 500 times (Full charges/ full discharges). So if you feel that the life of the rechargeable battery has dropped significantly, it means that you need to replace the battery with a new one.
  8. Keeping the headsets always on charge even if it’s fully charged will reduce its performance.

Wrap UP

Bluetooth headsets use the same technology which is Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries but differ in other specs. So, the batteries issues causes are similar but each brand or model has different indicator and connectors. If experiencing any battery issues, no matter what brand your headset is, follow the guidelines discussed above. Solving the problem will depend on the complexity of the problem.

This brings us to the end of our article on fixing Bluetooth headset charging problems. I hope that you are now more informed and you can troubleshoot Bluetooth headset charging problems on your own. Keep it here for related articles.

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Bill David