Quick Fix: The most common reason your TWS earbuds case is not charging is dirty or obstructed charging contacts — either on the USB port of the case or on the pins that touch the earbuds. Start by cleaning the charging pins inside the case and on the earbuds with a dry cotton swab, then try a different USB cable and adapter to rule out a faulty power source.
Why This Happens
TWS earbuds rely on small gold or silver charging pins to transfer power both from the cable to the case and from the case to each earbud. These tiny contacts are very sensitive to earwax, sweat, and dust — all of which are unavoidable with regular daily use, especially in India's warm and humid climate. Additionally, a deeply drained battery, a damaged charging port, a faulty cable, or outdated firmware can all interrupt the charging handshake between the earbuds and the case, making it appear as though neither the case nor the earbuds are charging at all.
Step-by-Step Fix
- Inspect and Clean the Charging Contacts — Use a dry cotton swab or a soft toothbrush to gently scrub the gold or silver pins inside the charging slots of the case and the corresponding contacts on each earbud. Earwax, sweat residue, and dust are the leading causes of charging failure. Do not use water or liquid cleaners directly on the metal contacts.
- Try a Different Charging Cable and Adapter — Swap to a known-working USB-C or Micro-USB cable and connect it to a different 5V/1A or 5V/2A wall adapter. Cheap or worn-out cables are surprisingly responsible for a large number of charging failures. Avoid high-wattage fast chargers as they can confuse the case's charging management chip.
- Check the Charging Port for Debris or Damage — Shine a torch into the USB port at the bottom or back of the case and look carefully for trapped lint, dust, or bent internal pins. Use a dry toothpick or SIM-ejector tool to gently clear any debris. If you spot physically bent pins, stop immediately and seek professional repair to avoid further damage.
- Firmly Re-seat the Earbuds in the Case — Remove both earbuds, wipe their contacts and the case slots with a dry cloth, and then press each earbud firmly back into its slot until you feel a definite click or magnetic snap. Confirm that the LED indicators on the earbuds or case illuminate to show a charging connection has been established. Loose placement is one of the most overlooked causes of earbuds not charging inside the case.
- Perform a Hard Reset on the Earbuds and Case — With both earbuds seated inside the open case, press and hold the multifunction button on the case (usually located on the back or front panel) for 10 to 15 seconds until the LED blinks red, white, or alternates rapidly. Consult your model's user manual for the exact reset procedure as it varies by brand. A factory reset clears any firmware or pairing glitch preventing the charging sequence from completing.
- Allow the Case to Trickle Charge for 2 Hours — If the case battery is completely dead, it may show absolutely no LED response for the first 20 to 30 minutes on charge — this is normal behaviour for a deeply discharged lithium-ion cell. Plug it into a standard 5W charger and leave it completely undisturbed for at least 2 hours. After this period, the battery should recover enough to show normal charging indicators.
- Update Firmware via the Official Companion App — Open your brand's official app such as Sony Headphones Connect, Jabra Sound+, boAt App, realme Link, or OnePlus Audio, and navigate to the firmware or software update section. Outdated firmware is a known cause of the charging handshake failing between earbuds and case, particularly after a smartphone OS update. Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network, install any available updates, and then retest the charging.
- Test on a Different Power Source — Plug the case into a laptop USB port, a power bank, or a wall socket in a completely different room or location. Voltage fluctuations and unstable power supply are common issues across many Indian cities and can cause the case's charging circuit to cut off intermittently. If the case charges reliably on one source but not another, the fault lies with your power outlet, not the earbuds.
Still Not Working? Advanced Fixes
If the standard steps above have not resolved the issue, try the following advanced troubleshooting measures before concluding the hardware is faulty:
- Check for Wireless Charging Misalignment (If Supported) — If your case supports Qi wireless charging, ensure it is placed exactly in the centre of the charging pad with no phone case, metal object, or card between the case and the pad. Even a few millimetres of misalignment can stop wireless charging completely. Try wired charging as a comparison to isolate whether the wireless coil is the issue.
- Re-install the Companion App and Re-pair the Earbuds — Uninstall the brand's companion app from your smartphone, clear any cached Bluetooth pairing data by going to Settings > Bluetooth > Forget Device on your phone, then re-install the app from the Play Store or App Store. A corrupt app cache has been known to prevent the app from pushing firmware updates that fix charging bugs.
- Test the Case Battery Health — If your companion app has a battery health or diagnostics section, check the reported battery percentage of the case itself. If the case shows 0% even after extended charging, the internal battery may have reached the end of its cycle life, which typically occurs after 300 to 500 full charge cycles. Battery replacement is available at authorised service centres.
- Inspect for Liquid or Physical Damage — Open the case lid and look carefully inside for any signs of corrosion (greenish or white residue around the pins), water marks, or physical cracks. Even light rain exposure or a sweaty gym bag can cause internal corrosion that blocks charging. If you see any of these signs, do not attempt to charge the device further and bring it in for professional inspection at iTechArena.
When to Contact Support
If you have completed all the steps above and the case still does not charge, or the earbuds remain at 0% despite being seated correctly in a charging case, the problem is most likely a hardware fault — this could be a failed charging IC, a dead battery cell, or damaged charging pins that cannot be fixed at home. Additional warning signs include the case becoming unusually warm while plugged in, a burning smell, a cracked or swollen case body, or the LED blinking in an error pattern described in your manual. iTechArena offers a 7-day return policy on all genuine products sold in-store and ships only products with valid manufacturer warranties, so you are fully protected. You can also reach our team instantly on WhatsApp at +91 9023252627 for a quick diagnosis before visiting the store. Walk into iTechArena, SCO-1072-73, Sector 22B, Chandigarh and our technicians will inspect your earbuds free of charge and guide you through the warranty or replacement process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my TWS case LED not lighting up at all when I plug it in?
A completely dark LED usually means the case battery is fully drained or the charging cable or adapter is faulty. Connect the case to a working charger and wait at least 30 minutes before expecting any LED response. If there is still no light after an hour, try a different cable and adapter combination before concluding there is a hardware fault.
My case charges fine but the earbuds inside are not charging. What should I do?
This almost always points to dirty or misaligned charging contacts on the earbuds or inside the case slots. Clean the gold pins on both the earbuds and the case with a dry cotton swab and firmly re-seat the earbuds until they click into place. If the problem continues after cleaning and re-seating, perform a hard reset of the earbuds as described in Step 5 above.
Can I use a fast charger like a 65W or 33W adapter for my TWS case?
No — most TWS charging cases are designed exclusively for standard 5V/1A or 5V/2A input. Using a high-wattage fast charger can confuse or permanently damage the case's internal charging management chip over time. Always use the cable and adapter included in the box or a basic 5W charger for safe and reliable charging.
How long does a TWS charging case take to fully charge from zero?
Most TWS cases with a 300 mAh to 600 mAh battery capacity take between 1.5 and 2.5 hours to charge fully from zero using a standard 5W charger. Cases with wireless Qi charging support may take slightly longer on a charging pad. A solid white, green, or blue LED on the case typically indicates a full charge — refer to your manual for the exact indicator meaning for your model.
Is the charging issue covered under warranty if I bought from iTechArena?
Yes — iTechArena is an authorised retailer that stocks only genuine products carrying the manufacturer's official warranty. Charging defects not caused by physical damage, liquid exposure, or unauthorised repairs are typically covered under warranty at no cost to you. Visit the store at SCO-1072-73, Sector 22B, Chandigarh, or WhatsApp us at +91 9023252627 to check your warranty eligibility and initiate a claim quickly.