I have been using the Beats Studio 3 headphones for a while. Out of curiosity, I shifted to using my partner’s Beats Solo 3, and they were great. I loved the whole experience, and the Solo 3 seemed better than the Studio 3.
However, my joy with the Solo 3 headphones was short-lived when the headphones would not charge. It was a frustrating experience since I was handed a working pair, and it was no longer working.
I was on the verge of panicking and labeling myself clumsy when I stumbled on Apple’s community forum. There, I realized several Solo 3 users were experiencing the same problem. One could even think Apple was dishing out substandard headphones, but that was not the case. We were just a bunch of unfortunate Solo 3 users.
The little hope led me to conduct extensive research and find promising solutions. Below is a list of those solutions, and hopefully, they will help you get your headphones working again.
Key Takeaways
- The Solo 3 battery should last for forty hours when fully charged. The battery has a fast fuel feature that grants three hours of playtime after a five-minute charge.
- You can tell the headphones are charging by observing the fuel gauge LEDs. They flash whenever the headphones are charging. The LEDs will light solid white once the battery is full.
- The headphones might take a long to indicate they are charging if the battery is depleted. Let the headphones stay connected to the charger, and they will charge if so.
- Charging will not occur when the headphones are exposed to extreme temperatures.
- Also, ensure the charger is connected properly since that can affect charging.
- The power source might not have sufficient power to charge the headphones. Change power outlets to rule this out.
- A defective USB cable or charging adapter will also prevent the headphones from charging.
- If the charging port is damaged or dirty, the headphones will not charge.
- A damaged battery will also not charge.
Recommended Reading :
Why Are My Beats Solo 3 Headphones Not Charging?
Although rare, the Beats Solo 3 Wireless can stop charging. Various aspects can cause this phenomenon. They include:
- A poorly connected or damaged charger.
- A damaged or dirty charging port.
- A depleted battery will also take a while before indicating it is charging.
- The headphones will only charge if connected to a power source with sufficient power output.
- If the headphones are exposed to very high or low temperatures, they might stop charging.
- A system bug can stop the headphones from charging.
How to Get Beats Solo 3 to Charge?
Most charging issues can easily be sorted out without needing a technician. However, it would help if you systematically tried these solutions to save time and quickly identify the problem.
Below are solutions to get the Beats Solo 3 wireless charging as they should.
Ensure the USB Cable and Charging Adapter Are in Good Condition
The first thing you should do when you notice your Beats Solo 3 headphones are not charging is to check the condition of the charging cable and AC adapter.
The headphones tend not to charge whenever these components are damaged or faulty.
Your Beats Solo 3 will not charge if the charging cable or adapter is damaged.
So, rule out this possibility by observing the USB cable for irregular bends, breaks, or naked wires. Also, check the AC adapter and ensure it is not broken. You can shake it and listen if you hear any loose components moving inside.
If you suspect any of these are the issue, use an alternative charger and see if it charges your headphones.
You can get genuine replacement charging accessories from the Apple store.
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Is the Charger Connected Correctly?
Once you are sure the charger is in good condition, check whether it is connected properly.
The headphones will not charge when the cable is not completely inserted into the charging port. You should also ensure the adapter is inserted correctly into the wall outlet.
The goal is to ensure the charger is not wobbly when connected to the headphones.
Ensure the Charging Port Is in Good Condition
If the USB cable does not stay firm when connected to the headphones, that could indicate a problem with the charging port.
The charging cable must be firmly connected to the headphones’ charging port. If the port is wobbly (or damaged), you may experience problems charging your Beats Solo 3.
Rule this out by observing the charging port and checking if any foreign material, like dirt or lint, is within it.
You can use a compressed air can or a soft-bristled brush to clean the port. A microfiber cloth can also help wipe off any extra dirt around the headphone’s charging port.
You can also apply a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on the brush’s bristles and use it to clean stubborn stains in the port.
Remember to confirm that the contact pins in the charging port are intact after you have cleaned it.
You will have to contact Apple if there is damage present on the port and request a service. It is vital that you rely on Apple to fix such damage since using third parties will void the warranty or cause further damage.
Beats Headphones Not Charging – Quick Fix (not a permanent fix)
Allow the Headphones Time to Charge
Once the charger and charging are working, leave the headphones charging for one to two hours. This will give the headphones to accumulate some power, especially if it was not charging because there was no power even to light up the fuel gauge LEDs.
Leave the headphones charging for two hours, even if the fuel gauge doesn’t light up at first.
This is essential as it will also help you to determine whether the headphones are okay and whether the issue is with the LEDs on the Solo 3 wireless.
The LEDs could be the ones with the issue not lighting up when the Beats are connected to a power source, yet the battery is charging.
So, power the headphones once the two hours have elapsed and check if they connect to your device.
If they connect, you can check the Beats’ battery percentage on your iPhone or Android device.
Check the Beats Solo 3 battery status on your phone. Android users will have to install the Beats app.
If it shows that the battery is full or nearly full, you can assume the problem is with the LEDs.
This is inconvenient since you can no longer tell the battery level via the fuel LED and will have to rely on the phone or laptop.
Contact Apple and request a repair service, and they will fix your headphones in due time.
Alternatively, you can continue using the headphones as they are since the fuel gauge is more of a convenience feature rather than an essential one.
Move the Headphones to a Different Place
The headphones might still not charge even after being connected to power for two hours. In such a case, something else could be the problem.
When the Beats are in a place experiencing high or low temperatures, the battery can be impacted, and the headphones will stop charging.
The headphones should be in an environment with a temperature range of five degrees Celsius (41°F) to thirty-five degrees Celsius (95°F).
The recommended operating temperature for Beats Solo 3 is 41-95°F. If the temperature is too high or too low, the headphones may refuse to charge.
If the surrounding area is too hot, move the Beats to a cooler place and give them time to cool down. Do not place them in a fridge or in front of a fan; just let the temperatures come down naturally.
Also, avoid placing the headphones under direct sunlight to cause further damage besides the battery.
If the Beats are in a cold place, move them to a warmer one and wait until the temperature rises to the optimum. DO NOT put them in the microwave and don’t use a heat lamp because this will melt the glue used to attach some components to the Beats.
The secondary heat can also be too much to the extent of making the damage worse. You also risk the battery exploding.
However, you can wrap the headphones with a cloth to insulate them from the cold.
Try an Alternative Power Source
Power sources output power in different ratings. That means some outlets are more suitable for particular devices.
For instance, the headphones will charge slower when connected to a USB port compared to when they are connected to power via an AC adapter.
Some power outlets and surge protectors can also be defective, hence outputting insufficient power that cannot charge the headphones.
Rule out this possibility by changing power outlets. Connect the Beats to a charger via an adapter if it is connected to a USB port.
If you use a surge protector, remove it, connect the adapter directly to the outlet, and check whether the headphones charge.
It is important that you alternate power outlets even if you have no reason to suspect the outlets of being faulty.
Try switching between different charging methods. If using a charging adapter, try different outlets in your home.
Time for A Factory Reset
A factory reset will erase all aftermarket settings on the Beats and restore the default ones. In the process, it clears any bugs affecting the headphones and manifests themselves by preventing charging.
Forget the Beats from the Bluetooth settings of any device they have ever connected to before resetting. Then, follow the steps below to reset the Beats Solo 3 headphones.
- Press and hold the Power and Volume down buttons simultaneously for ten seconds.
Press and hold VOL DOWN and POWER to reset your Solo 3.
- Release once the fuel gauge LEDs flash since that is an indication that the reset is complete.
- Now connect the Beats to the charger and see if it takes in power.
The power button is on the right earcup above the fuel gauge, while the Volume down button is on the left earcup below the ‘b’.
After the reset, you will have to set up the headphones since all information stored on them was cleared.
Resetting Beats Solo 3 – Step-by-Step Guide
Resetting Beats Solo 3 – Alternative Method
A firmware update can also clear such software bugs, but unfortunately, in this case, the updates only work when the Beats are charging and in the Bluetooth range when connected to an iOS 10 or later device. Also, the updates will occur automatically, provided the beats are connected to your device.
The Battery Could Be the Issue
If the Beats Solo 3 will not start charging after all the troubleshooting above, it indicates a faulty internal component.
The most likely culprit is the battery since it can get worn out after prolonged use.
If this is the case, the best option is to have Apple replace it; however, this can be costly compared to if you did it with a third-party technician.
Apple’s estimated cost of Beats Solo 3 battery replacement.
Either way, rely on Apple as they will do a credible job; it can be easy to hold them accountable if they do not.
More importantly, having Apple replace the battery will ensure you do not void the warranty, and you can even get the replacement for free if you have AppleCare+.
Note that the warranty does not cover damage to the battery due to regular use.
You can still rely on a third party to change the battery if the warranty has expired or if it is more convenient. Ensure you get a qualified technician to do it.
Alternatively, you can DIY the battery replacement with the necessary knowledge and tools.
Replacing Beats Solo 3 Battery
Contact Apple Support
Apple’s credible customer service team will swiftly respond when you contact them.
You can schedule a visit or send the unit to the nearest Apple center to inspect the Beats.
You can also use the cost estimate feature on the support website to get an estimate of what the service you need will cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: How do I fix my Beats not charging?
- Answer: Here are some solutions:
- Give the headphones time to charge as the battery could be drained.
- Use an alternative charger, USB cable, and power outlet.
- Ensure the headphones are in a room-temperature environment.
- Check the charging port to make sure it is clean and in good condition.
- Question: How do I know if my Beats Solo3 is charging?
- Answer: The fuel gauge LEDs under the power button should start flashing when the Beats are charging. The LEDs will light solid white once the battery is full.
- Question: How long do Beats Solo 3 take to charge?
- Answer: The Solo 3 wireless headphones take two hours to charge fully. However, a five-minute charge can last you for three hours.
Conclusion
The Beats Solo 3 headphones are a great option and can last if taken care of. Additionally, the warranty is a safety net in case they randomly stop working since you can initiate the claim and get a replacement and sometimes even a refund.
Hopefully, this guide helps you continue using your Beats without a fuss.
