Samsung Galaxy buds do not turn on or charge

Last Update date : 2022-11-08

It may be a problem with the earphones themselves or the charging case if one or both of your Galaxy earbuds won't charge or turn on. Using a charger that Samsung hasn't approved might result in charging issues and even damage to the earphones. You can try restarting the earphones, charging the case completely, or inspecting the case for damage.

  • Before using the earbuds for the first time, or if they have not been used for an extended period of time, you should charge them fully. The earbuds will power on when they are charging. Or, you could charge them for at least 10 minutes prior to use.
  • When charging, be sure to use the included USB cable and a Samsung-approved wall adapter (sold separately). Alternatively, the earbuds are compatible with select Samsung QI-compatible wireless charging pads or phones using PowerShare.
  • Keep in mind, the earbuds may not charge or properly charge if the earbud tips or wingtips are not attached correctly.
  • The location of the flashing red light indicates if the earbuds or the charging case are not charging correctly. The light on the outside case indicates an issue with the case charging, the light under the lid indicates an issue with the earbuds charging. If external power is cut off, the red light on the outside of the case will flash. If the indicator lights are not functioning, try disconnecting and then reconnecting the charger from the case. Then, charge the case for at least 10 minutes.
  • Inspect the charger and case for damage if the earbuds or case are still not charging. Damaged earbuds will not charge. However, if one earbud is damaged, the other earbud will continue to charge.
  • If the charging case or the earbud(s) will not charge after troubleshooting, and the earbuds, charger, or wall adapter aren't damaged, service is required. Please contact us so that we can assist you.

Note: If the charging case or earbud(s) is damaged, you must purchase a new pair of earbuds. You can also purchase a new USB cable or wall adapter if the items are damaged.

1 Inspect the earbuds and charging case for damage.
  • Inspect for a cracked or lifted case, and broken, bent, or loose parts.

  • If you see obvious damage, cracks, or small chips on the earbuds, this means that the earbuds have suffered from an external impact. This can impair the earbuds and their functions.

  • The earbuds are not impervious to water damage in any situation. Exposure to water, liquids, or chemicals can cause damage or issues with the earbuds. 

  • Ensure the earbuds have been completely charged before use.
2 Inspect the touchpads and sensor.
  • If the earbud touchpads are unresponsive, insert them into the charging case and remove them after at least 7 seconds.
  • The earbud sensors should make contact with your ears when inserted. Make sure the sensors are clean and free of dust or earwax.
  • If the earbuds are not being detected when worn, remove the earbuds and then reinsert them.
3 Power off your earbuds.

If you have a Galaxy Buds model, skip this step, as they cannot be powered off. These steps only work with the Gear IconX.

Remove the wingtip and use a paper clip to press and hold the Power/Restart button (usually located next to the wingtip latch) for 10 seconds. The earbud will turn off. Repeat the same procedure for the other earbud to power it off.

4 Restart the connected device.

To restart the connected device, use the Power key or Side key. If the device has a power cord, disconnect the power cord. After it has completely shut down, power the device back on or reconnect the power cord.

5 Restart your earbuds.

The steps for restarting your earbuds will vary based on the earbud model.

  • Galaxy Buds series: Insert the earbud(s) into the corresponding slots in the charging case, and then remove the earbud(s) after 7 seconds or longer. If the battery indicator for the earbuds or case doesn't flash when restarting the earbuds, charge both earbuds.
  • Gear IconX: Remove the wingtip from the latch and use a paper clip to press and hold the Power/Restart button (usually located next to the wingtip latch) until the indicator light flashes three times. The earbud will restart. Repeat the same procedure for the other earbud. If the indicator light on the earbud doesn't flash when restarting it, charge both earbuds.
 

After restarting the earbuds, insert them into your ears. If the earbuds do not turn on or make a sound when you insert them, adjust the earbuds to make sure they're detected.

6 Resync the earbuds.

Remove the earbuds from the charging case and then reinsert them. Next, touch and hold both earbuds’ touchpads for 7 seconds or more while they are in the case. The earbud battery indicator light will flash green and return to its initial color. The earbuds will be coupled, and then you can try wearing them again.

7 Reconnect your devices.

Once the devices are powered on, they will automatically reconnect after a few moments. To manually check the connection, navigate to the device's Bluetooth settings, or open the Galaxy Wearable app if you're using a phone or tablet.

Note: If the earbuds are charged and you continue to experience issues with them after troubleshooting, Kindly visit the Service Center to request service.

Thank you for your feedback!