Let me confess. When Carl Pei, the co-founder of OnePlus, formed his company, Nothing Technology Limited, I moved with him. The company produces top-quality smartphones and audio products. The Nothing Ear (1) wireless earbuds were their first product, and I was among the first consumers to buy them after their launch.
The Nothing Ear (1) earbuds are not your everyday earphones. They have an ultralight design and are remarkably comfortable on the ears. They also deliver 5.7 hours of playback time and 34 hours of battery life with the case.
Charging your Nothing Ear (1) earbuds is straightforward as they come with a transparent charging case with fast charging support. The best part is that the case supports Qi-wireless charging, so you don’t have to grapple with wires and cables.
While I can compliment Nothing Ear (1) earbuds all day, I must admit they are not perfect. The earbuds have their fair share of shortcomings.
Sometimes, one side of my Nothing Ear (1) earbuds won’t charge, no matter how hard I try. Fortunately, I have the answers to this problem. This guide explains what to do with Nothing Ear (1) earbuds when one side is not charging.
Key Takeaways
- Nothing Ear (1) earbuds one side not charging problem might result from a depleted charging case. The charging case requires an adequate charge to recharge your earbuds.
- A damaged charging case can cause one side of your Nothing Ear (1) earbuds not to charge. Replacing the Nothing Ear wireless charging case can solve the problem.
- While the Nothing Ear (1) charging case supports wireless charging, one way to recharge the charging case is through a USB-C cable. Using an incompatible USB cable can cause charging issues.
- Dirt and debris in the charging case can cause the left or right Nothing Ear (1) earbud not to charge. Cleaning the charging case is the quickest way to solve this issue.
- The Nothing Ear (1) charging case has metal pins that deliver current to your earbuds. Placing your earbud incorrectly in the designated slot can cause charging problems.
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Troubleshooting Nothing Ear (1) Earbuds One Side Not Charging Problem
Dealing with a Nothing Ear (1) earbud that won’t charge can be annoying. In any case, it forces you to use only one earbud in mono mode, denying you the chance for an all-round audio experience. Identifying the causes of this issue can help you fix the affected earbud. Here’s why one Nothing Ear (1) earbud won’t charge and how to fix the problem.
Depleted Charging Case
You can only charge your earbuds through the Nothing Ear wireless charging case. You can recharge both earbuds simultaneously or one earbud independently in the charging case.
One side of your Nothing Ear (1) earbuds might not charge because of a depleted charging case. The charging case requires at least 5% battery power to charge your earbud. If the charging case is low on battery, the earbud won’t charge.
If the case battery is below 5%, the earbuds won’t charge.
Connect the charging case with the provided USB-C cable to a power source to recharge it. You can also use a compatible Qi-wireless charger or mat to charge your Nothing Ear (1) case.
Damaged Charging Case
The Nothing Ear wireless charging case has a solid build, making it durable. Besides, it is dirt and water-resistant, reducing the likelihood of damage.
However, the charging case is not resistant to normal wear and tear. It can wear out with time. Moreover, bumps and accidental falls can damage the charging case, causing it not to charge your earbuds. The charging pins in one of the charging case slots can also bend and break, preventing power flow to the affected earbud.
The only practical solution to a damaged charging case is repairing or replacing it. You can buy a replacement directly from Nothing or an accredited vendor.
Check the charging case for damage. Buy a replacement if the case is broken.
Incompatible or Defective USB Cable
Nothing Ear (1) earbuds and case support wireless charging, so you don’t have to contend with wires and cables. However, if you don’t have a Qi-compatible wireless charger or mat, you may have to use a USB-C cable to charge your Nothing Ear (1) case and earbuds.
The Nothing Ear (1) charging case does not use any cable for charging. It must be a USB-C cable. Ensure the charging cable is in perfect condition before connecting to the charging case. If not, swap it with a working replacement.
If your charging case battery is almost empty, but you don’t see a red light after connecting the charging cable, try using a different cable. Alternatively, use a wireless charger to charge the case.
Faulty Power Supply
You don’t have to connect a charger to the charger case to charge your Nothing Ear (1) earbuds. However, if the charging case is low on power, connecting it to an external power source is the only solution.
You may connect your Nothing Ear (1) case to a power bank, wall outlet, or a PC’s USB port to charge it and the earbuds. If the external power source is defective, your earbuds might not charge.
To fix this problem, switch to a different power source. Ensure the connected charger works and has the correct power rating.
If you’re having problems charging Nothing Ear (1) earbuds, try using a different power adapter, a different wall outlet, or a different source of power supply (powerbank or your PC’s USB port).
Loose Charging Connection
One of your Nothing Ear (1) earbuds might not charge because of loose connections. Check your power connections and ensure they are firmly in place to fix charging issues.
When connected to a charger, the Nothing Ear (1) charging case should evenly supply power to both earbuds. However, one slot might have an internal loose connection, causing one side not to charge. The only way to fix this issue is to open the charging case.
You may have to enlist a technician or take the case to a Nothing service center to diagnose and repair the problem.
Dirty Charging Case
Dirt and debris are among the main culprits of a Nothing Ear (1) earbud that won’t charge. The Nothing Ear (1) charging case has pogo pins that supply power to the earbuds during charging. Accumulated dust can block the pins from supplying current to one slot, causing one earbud not to charge.
If the charging pins are dirty, your Nothing Ear (1) earbuds will not charge.
The quickest way to solve this issue is to clean the charging case. You can clean your Nothing Ear (1) charging case with a soft, lint-free fabric or cotton swab. You can also use baby wipes to wipe the charging slots and remove dirt sediments. Avoid using abrasive materials as they can damage the charging case.
If there’s dirt inside the USB-C charging port on the case, you could try using a toothpick or toothbrush to brush it out.
Don’t forget to clean the USB-C charging port.
Incorrect Earbud Placement
The left or right Nothing Ear (1) earbud might not charge because of incorrect placement. Each earbud has a dotted color code that indicates its correct slot in the charging case. Moreover, the earbuds must align with the pong pins to charge appropriately. Any misalignment can cause one earbud not to charge.
Make sure the earbuds are inside the corresponding slots. Incorrect placement or pin misalignment will cause your earbuds not to charge.
Place the earbuds in the corresponding slots in the charging case and close the lid. You can check for misalignments by gently shaking the charging case. Since the earbuds are magnetic, they should stay in place. If you notice any movement, you must remove and reinsert the earbuds.
How to Charge Nothing Ear (1) Earbuds
Battery Failure
Nothing Ear (1) earbuds have rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries. Although Lithium-ion batteries are high-capacity batteries, they have an average lifespan. They cannot exceed 500 charge cycles.
One side of your Nothing Ear (1) earbuds might not charge because of battery failure. Sometimes, the earbud might charge but drain power quickly since it cannot hold its original battery capacity. Since the battery in your Nothing Ear (1) earbud is irreplaceable, replacing the affected earbud is the only solution.
Over-Discharged Battery
Nothing Ear (1) earbuds have a timeout feature that prevents the earbuds from losing power when not in use. The feature turns your earbuds off to save battery life when unused for a prolonged period.
However, it is important to note that Nothing Ear (1) earbuds use rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries which self-discharge at a rate of 2% (every month) when not in use. This means if you don’t use one earbud for a while and it is not in the charging case, the battery might become flat, leading to charging issues.
You can fix this issue by charging the earbud in the charging case continuously for 4 hours or more. If it is still not charging, leave it in the charging case overnight.
If your earbud batteries are over-discharged, leave them charging for at least 4 hours. If that doesn’t help, leave them charging overnight.
Software Issues
Bugs and glitches can cause one Nothing Ear (1) earbud not to charge. Fortunately, a factory reset is all you need to fix this issue. Resetting your earbuds corrects bugs and fixes minor issues.
For this method to work, you must reset both earbuds. Here are the steps:
- Open the Nothing Ear (1) charging case lid.
- Insert the earbuds in the correct slots.
- Close the charging case cover.
- Press the multifunction button on the case for 30 seconds.
- Release the button when the LED indicator on the case blinks red.
Locate the button on the case, next to the charging port. While the earbuds are inside the case and the lid is open, press the button for 10 seconds. The LED should blink red. This will reset your Nothing Ear (1) earbuds.
Resetting Nothing Ear (1) Earbuds
Extreme Temperatures
Nothing Ear (1) earbuds come with several protective features. For instance, they can prevent overcharging by automatically cutting off the power supply when the case and earbuds are 100% charged.
Moreover, your earbuds cannot charge in extreme temperatures. If the temperature is too low or high, one or both earbuds might not charge. You can only charge your earbuds and charging case in an environment with 32-113 °F (0-45 °C) temperatures.
Your Nothing Ear (1) earbud will not charge in extreme temperatures.
Damaged/Dead Earbud
If you cannot charge one side of your Nothing Ear (1) earbuds, the affected earbud might be dead or damaged. It is very much possible for one earbud to get damaged while the other remains intact. If this is the case, the only solution is to replace the dead earbud.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: Why are my Nothing Ear (1) earbuds not charging?
- Answer: Your Nothing Ear (1) left or right earbud might not charge for varied reasons. Perhaps the charging case is low on power, or dirt is blocking the charging pins inside the charging case. Placing your earbuds in the incorrect slots can also cause charging issues. Bugs, loose connections, faulty cables, and physical damage are other reasons one side of your Nothing Ear (1) earbuds won’t charge.
- Question: Can I charge only one Nothing Ear (1) earbud?
- Answer: Yes. You can charge individual Nothing Ear (1) earbuds separately. You don’t have to place both earbuds in the charging case. You can recharge one earbud and continue using the other in mono mode. Place the depleted earbud in the charging case to charge it.
- Question: How can I fix Nothing Ear (1) earbuds if one side is not charging?
- Answer: Fixing a Nothing Ear (1) earbud that won’t charge depends on the cause of the problem. If the charging case has depleted power, recharge it before charging your earbud. Ensure the connected USB-C cable is in perfect condition and firmly in place. Check the charging case slots for dirt and dust that might block the metal pins and clean them appropriately. Reset your earbuds to resolve charging issues if the problem results from bugs and software glitches.
- Question: How long does it take to charge Nothing Ear (1) earbuds?
- Answer: Nothing Ear (1) earbuds support fast charging. As such, charging your earbuds to reach 100% should not take more than 90 minutes. If using a cable, charging times should not exceed 52 minutes. If charging is taking longer than expected, check your charging cable for defects and the charging case for dust. Consider updating the firmware to the latest version or resetting the earbuds to fix charging issues.
- Question: How can I know if my Nothing Ear (1) earbuds are charging?
- Answer: The Nothing Ear (1) charging case has an LED indicator that displays its current battery and charging status. To know if the earbuds are charging, place them in the corresponding slots in the charging case and close the lid. The LED on the charging case will light up to indicate that the earbuds are charging. You can also use the Nothing X app to check the charging progress. The app will show you the current battery level as the earbuds charge.
You can use the Nothing X app to check the current battery levels of both earbuds and charging case.
Conclusion
The Nothing Ear (1) earbuds are among the best wireless earphones in my possession. However, they have their fair share of issues. Sometimes, one or both earbuds won’t charge for no apparent reason. Fortunately, I searched the web for practical solutions that work. I urge you to follow this guide to fix the Nothing Ear (1) earbuds one side not charging problem.
