How to properly charge wireless Bluetooth headphones - instructions

Wireless headphones operate from a battery built into the entire design or into each earplug separately. The average battery life of a Bluetooth headset ranges from 3 to 12 hours, so in order for the device to work, it must be periodically connected to the network. From the article, the reader will learn how to properly charge wireless headphones and how long this process should take.

How long do headphones last on battery?

There is no clear answer to this question, because... The autonomy of the headset depends solely on its type and battery capacity.

Bluetooth headphones like AirPods, Xiaomi Redmi, Boost, QCY and Hiper TWS can withstand an average of 3-5 hours of continuous listening on a single charge. This headset is called True wireless (fully wireless) and is equipped with a wireless case from which it receives charge. Those. There is a battery in the in-ear headphones themselves and in the charging box.

Rating of the best Bluetooth in-ear headsets

A Bluetooth headset equipped with a short wire connecting the earplugs will work for 5-8 hours on one charge, depending on the battery capacity.

On-ear headphones (Basic, Telefunken, Haylou, Digma, etc.) have an arc connecting the structure. The average autonomy of such devices ranges from 5 to 12 hours. Models that can last a day on a single charge are also available for sale.

Full-size headphones (Defender, Forza, Dialog, Beats, etc.) are similar in design to over-ear headphones, but differ in that they completely surround the ear. As a rule, capacious batteries are built into such devices, the charge of which should be enough for 12-24 hours of continuous use. But such a headset will also charge in 2-3 hours.

Exact information about the autonomy of a particular headphone model is indicated on the box and in the product instructions. If you don’t have instructions at hand, you can determine how many hours the headphones will last without being connected to the network on the manufacturer’s website.

One of the headphones is not charging

Next, check whether your headphones are firmly seated in their sockets. For example, the pads on Redmi Airdots are quite wide, making it easy to move them out of place.

I also came across a lot of models where there are no magnets in the case or they are not very powerful, such as in the Awei T3.

Sometimes manufacturers are so imaginative with the design that putting the headphones in the case is not convenient, and in general their correct position in the box is not obvious, and it is easy to confuse it - as in the first generation Havit G1.

In any of these examples, it may happen that only one of the headphones does not charge, while the second “feels” quite comfortable. A sign of this is that the light on one of them is on, but not on the other.

Can't see Bluetooth

The headphones in question only work with Bluetooth. The user needs to carry out the pairing procedure, after which the connection will be made automatically when Bluetooth is activated. If the phone does not see the device, then restart both gadgets.

Restart didn't work? Check the functionality of Freebuds on another smartphone. Are they working? Then to solve the problem, try re-pairing:

• Go to Bluetooth settings.
• In the list of connected gadgets, find the name of the headphones.
• Click on the "i" icon.
• In the window that opens, click on “Cancel pairing”.

• Then make a new connection.

The second method is to perform a factory reset. There was probably a system failure that caused the left or right earbud to stop working. For Hard Reset you need:

1. Go to settings.
2. Find the "System and Reset" tab.
3. Select Reset.
4. Confirm the procedure.
5. The phone will reboot and start clean. All information will be deleted, and you will have to perform the initial setup of Android, just like on a new smartphone.

How to turn on the second speaker on Huawei and Honor: methods, instructions. Also, to reset the settings, you can use another option:

• Press and hold two keys – volume up and power.
• Wait for the system to restart and open the menu
• Use the volume controls to select "Wipe data/Factory Reset".

• The system will restart.

Is not updated

To use all the features of Freebuds, you must install a special application from Google Play. Without regular updates, the wireless headset will not function properly. It is recommended to enable automatic downloading of updates for the FreeBuds Assistant program. For this:

1. Go to Google Play.
2. Pull out the additional menu on the left.
3. Select “My Applications” from the list and go to the “Installed” tab.

4. Find the program you need.
5. Click on the vertical image of the three dots.
6. ABOUT.

If necessary, you can reinstall the application.

Can't see the phone

Is the accessory in question not detected by your phone? First of all, reboot both gadgets, and also check the operation on another mobile phone.

Only one earphone works

The most common reasons for failure of one speaker are shown in the table.

Causes of malfunction	Solution
Pollution	Clean with household appliance cleaner
Battery deformation or failure	Replacing the battery at a service center will help.
Headphones are far from the main device	Reconnect and reduce the distance between them
Error pairing devices	Requires reboot, reconnection
Incorrect source software settings	Rebooting devices, flashing, updating drivers
Damage to the Bluetooth module, incompatibility of versions of Bluetooth headphones and the connected device	Updating your smartphone or replacing headphones with more modern ones

If the above steps did not help, it is likely that the reason why one wireless earbud is not working is due to the following:

• damage to the wire inside the headband or failure of one speaker, if these are on-ear headphones;
• damage to the inside of the earphone, contamination, mechanical stress, humidity - if these are vacuum, in-ear devices (small headphones).

Such malfunctions can only be resolved in service centers or by replacing the device.

Is it possible to charge Bluetooth headphones using a phone charger?

Theoretically, this can be done. But a lot depends on what current and voltage the headset supports. We study this information in the instructions or on the manufacturer’s website, then look at what current and voltage the power adapter operates with. If these indicators match, then you can charge the gadget using a smartphone charger.

In turn, if these indicators do not match, the headset battery may begin to discharge faster or even “swell”, i.e. become unusable.

Perhaps the reason is not charging

This is a very important point! Much more often than from problems with charging TWS, users suffer from desynchronization. In this case, one earphone also stops working, the indicator on this earphone does not behave as usual, etc. In any case, I recommend that you first try turning on the earphone, resetting the settings and resynchronizing.

In order not to load this article with unnecessary information, I leave links to two very detailed instructions:

• One wireless earphone does not work, stopped playing
• How to reset and sync wireless headphones with each other?

And a separate article if you have a problem with AirPods: connecting AirPods to iPhone: doesn’t see, doesn’t connect, one earphone doesn’t work

Be sure to try this!

How to properly charge Bluetooth headphones

Below are detailed step-by-step instructions on how to properly charge Bluetooth headphones from different manufacturers.

Features of charging wireless headphones (True Wireless)

As already noted, True Wireless are wireless headphones that receive power from the charging case, and it receives power via a USB cable. In order to charge these headphones, you need:

1. Place the headphones in the case and make sure that the indicators light up (if provided). Close the case.
2. Connect the case to the wired charger that comes with the kit. One end of the wire is inserted into the corresponding connector on the case, and the other - to the power adapter.
3. After this, the LED on the case body will light up, change color or start blinking.
4. Wait until the battery is fully charged and disconnect the case from power. The LED will again signal this - it will start to light or change color.

As soon as the case’s battery is charged, the user will be able to use it to charge the headphones without connecting to the network. All you need to do is place the earbuds in the case and wait for the indicators to signal that the charges are complete. As a rule, the battery capacity of the case is enough for 3-4 charging cycles.

When installing the headphones into the case, check that the indicators on the headset and/or case light up. You can also see if the headphones are disconnected from the phone. If yes, then they are installed correctly in the case.

Often the charge level indicator of the case and the headphones themselves are not the same thing. For the case it is located on the outside, and for the earbuds it is located on the inside.

In addition, each headset may take a different amount of time to charge and discharge (for example, the main earbud may lose charge faster than the secondary one).

JBL charging features

JBL is a fast-growing brand that produces both on-ear and full-size models, as well as completely wireless headphones with good battery life. The principle of operation when charging the headset depends on what type it is.

If this is True Wireless, then the algorithm described above will do. Just put the earbuds in the charging case and connect it using an adapter to a power outlet or to a computer. JBL has no problems with display. The color on the headset changes from white to red, and the amount of charge is displayed using 4 LEDs. If only the first LED is lit, the battery is 25% charged. When the device is fully charged, all 4 LEDs will light up and turn off.

If the Bluetooth headset has a wire (for example, JBL t110bt), then the USB wire is inserted into the corresponding connector on its control panel. The second part of the cable is connected to a computer, laptop or Power Bank (no power adapter included). If these devices are not nearby, then you can charge the battery using the smartphone adapter.

The best Bluetooth headsets for talking on the phone

On-ear and over-ear headphones (for example, JBL t450bt) charge in a similar way. Only the USB connector is located on the ear.

If the device is connected to power via the “original” wire, then it is worth choosing the right place, because The cables from this company are short.

Features of charging Chinese TWS headphones (i9s, i7 and i11) with Aliexpress

Modifications of TWS i7, i9s and i11 headphones are copies of AirPods from China, which are infected in the same way as the original. But specifically, TVS i7 provides the ability to charge the headphones separately through the second cord that comes in the box (it is recommended to watch the video).

Also, some copies of Airpods from Aliexpress charge differently than the prototype. The cases of such headsets have a button. And for the headphones to start charging, the user needs to insert them into the case and then press this button. If you do not do this, the headset will not charge, even while in the case.

Features of charging Apple AirPods Bluetooth headphones

Apple AirPods headphones are charged exclusively in their own case. The box itself is charged from a power adapter, computer, Power Bank or any other device, as well as via Qi wireless charging.

The algorithm for installing AirPods for charging is approximately the same as any of the principles described above:

1. Place each headphone into the corresponding socket in the case.
2. The charging process will start automatically.
3. When the headphones are fully charged (the green indicator will indicate this), take them out. It will take 30 minutes to charge empty AirPods.

If the case is empty, then you need to insert the headset into it and connect the case to USB. It will take 2 hours to charge the discharged headphones and case. Accordingly, the battery capacity of the case is enough for 5 recharging cycles.

In addition, AirPods 2021 and AirPods Pro now support wireless charging. To do this, you need to connect the wireless charging platform to the power supply and place the case on it. If everything is done correctly, the corresponding indicator will light up.

Features of charging Xiaomi Bluetooth headphones (Redmi Airdots)

Xiaomi's fully wireless headphones also charge with the help of a case. And the case is connected to the network via a USB cable exactly as described above. Users complain that on some headphone models it is difficult to determine the battery charge level using the indicator. But gradually you get used to it.

In addition, when the Xiaomi headphones are low on battery, they emit a warning. Depending on the model, these can be simple signals or voice prompts in Chinese (if the headset was purchased on Aliexpress).

Charging features of other headphone models

If the headset is manufactured by Honor, Sony, Nobby, Gal or another manufacturer, then you need to charge it as follows:

1. Take the charging cable and connect it to the jack on the headphones or case.
2. Connect the second part of the cord to the power adapter, computer or power bank. The indicator light will light up.
3. Wait until the battery reaches 100% and disconnect the power cable.

This universal instruction is suitable for most headset models.

The case does not charge from the headphones

It may vary on different models, but when the case is charging, the red indicator on it usually blinks. When charged, the indicator just lights up. If you connect the power but there is no reaction from the headphones and the case, then most likely it is not charging.

If there are problems with charging the case (aka box, case), then the first thing you need to do is replace the cable and power source. Connect the case via another adapter (from a phone, tablet). Get another cable. Typically a Micro-USB cable is used. I think you definitely have several of these cables in your home. If you need Lightning for charging (used on good copies), then you can even use the original cable from Apple.

Make sure the connector is fully inserted into the charging case. Be sure to try connecting power from the USB port of your computer or laptop.

Disassembling the case and checking contacts

If you have already checked and tried everything, but still nothing works, then you can hide the case and see if there are any problems inside. Maybe some wire is torn off, or something else. We do everything at our own peril and risk!

They are very easy to understand. You just need to pry one part with some sharp object. It is advisable to use a special plastic spatula to avoid damaging the housing.

Inside it looks something like this (using the example of Xiaomi Earbuds):

At the same time, you can check the contacts through which the headphones are connected.

And this is what a disassembled case of Chinese wireless headphones for $4 looks like.

If everything is in order there, the wires are not torn off, then the problem is either in the board or something with the battery. If you have a special tester, you can ring the contacts and measure the voltage in the battery. Perhaps it will be possible to figure out something and find the reason.

Is it possible to charge headphones from a phone?

If you don’t have a charger at hand, you can connect the headset to power via your smartphone. There are 2 ways:

1. Via USB. To do this, you need the appropriate cable and/or adapters (if the wire connectors do not fit). As soon as the headset is connected to the gadget, it will begin to gain charge.
2. By wireless charging. If the headset is True Wireless and the phone supports wireless charging, then you can do without wires. To do this, install the case in the dedicated part of the phone and wait for the indication to appear.

This is often not recommended. Therefore, we power the headset from the smartphone only if there is no charger at hand.

How long should wireless headphones charge?

The charging time for each Bluetooth headset model depends on the device’s battery capacity and the power of the adapter. This usually takes 1-4 hours. In-ear and wired headphones of the “Light” type gain a charge in 1-3 hours. And for full-size models it will take 3 hours or more. This information is indicated in the product instructions or on the company’s website.

For the first time

As soon as we take the headphones out of the box, they cannot be used yet. Instead, you need to connect them to the network for 25-30 minutes. While the “ears are charging” they cannot be used.

Constantly

The difference between the first charging of the gadget and the subsequent one lies only in the charging duration. Users are advised not to allow the Bluetooth headset to completely discharge, causing it to turn off. An indicator will indicate that the charge level has reached a minimum (for example, instead of four lights, one will light up) or the device will emit a sound signal. After this, you need to connect the product to the power supply and hold it until 100% is reached.

One right or left earphone in the case does not charge

People also ask me what to do if one of the headphones - right, left or both - is not charging.

• If you have new Redmi Airdots or Xiaomi Earbuds and you have just unpacked them, then first of all check if there is any film on the contacts of the wireless headphones. It is glued on at the factory so that there is no connection to the battery during shipment. These are the transportation safety rules. Very often people don’t notice them and don’t peel them off, and then they wonder why the headphones in the case aren’t charging
• The next thing to check is how securely the earphone sits in its cell. As I said, the design of the case is such that they are easy to move. Because of this, contact is lost with the antennae that come from the battery, and as a result, the earphone does not charge.
• Also check that the contacts are clean. During operation, they can become clogged or oxidized, and the built-in battery stops receiving energy. You can also wipe them with cotton wool and an alcohol solution.
• Another problem that arises when using Redmi Airdots or Xiaomi Earbuds is the contact “whiskers” sticking in the case itself due to a broken spring or sticking due to dirt. Make sure that they return to their original position when removing the headphones

If these tips did not help you, then there are three solutions to the problem with charging your headphones and case.

1. Take it to the service center
2. Buy the case separately
3. Purchase a special pad for charging the right or left headphones separately. These can also be found in Chinese online stores.

As you can see, it is possible to get out of the situation, and quite inexpensively. If you have questions, leave them in the comments!

Charge the case with another cable

This was exactly my case. It looks like a normal original Lightning cable, but in fact it turned out to be non-working. Where did he get on my head?

This actually happens quite often. Apple makes very flimsy cables. They seem to just self-destruct after a certain amount of time.

I have already recommended the Lightning cable from UGREEN several times in other articles. The quality is great, official chip and no complaints about performance after three years. Chinese brands have already learned to do things no worse than Apple.

How to tell if wireless headphones are charged

It is impossible to say exactly how to understand whether the headphone battery is charged. LEDs work differently for different manufacturers. In general, the situation is as follows:

1. The battery is low. You can tell that the battery is low by changing the indicator. Often it will change color or start flashing. In new models, a sound signal will indicate that the battery charge has reached a minimum.
2. The headset is charging. The indicator changes its color to red or green. In this case, the LED either blinks or lights up continuously. But exceptions also arise, so the product instructions will help you understand the conditions of the indicator.
3. The device is charged. The indicator will also help you understand when the battery is charged. For example, if it stops lighting or blinking, and the headphones are still connected to power. Or the LED was blinking earlier, but now it has started to glow. The fact that the battery has reached 100% will also be signaled by the color of the light bulb changing from green to red and vice versa.
4. The headset is connected. When the headset is paired with a smartphone via Bluetooth, the indicator blinks or lights up white or blue. Sometimes the light bulb turns red, which scares users. But blue remains common.

On the True wireless headset, the indication is located on the body of the case, so you need to look at it.

How does a Li-Ion battery work?

The batteries used in modern smartphones have many advantages over their predecessors, although they have their own characteristics. Among the advantages are their high performance, low weight, a fairly long period of use and the absence of a “memory effect” (there are exceptions, but rarely anyone encounters them).

However, after prolonged use, the battery sometimes starts to drain faster than we want it to. As a rule, if the device is used for several years, this is the wear and tear of the battery. In this case, it is better to replace it. Also, it is worth replacing the battery if it stops working, but you know for sure that the problem is there. For example, you charged it several times a day, overheated it, or it became swollen.

The charging case is a real godsend for headphones and not only for AirPods.

There is another reason why the battery may begin to lose ground. Even Apple itself says on its website that the battery needs to be calibrated periodically. True, such information is only available for laptops, but this also applies to batteries of other equipment. The relevant information is easy to find, including on thematic portals and forums.