The short version
- 01Record whether the failure involves wireless charging, USB charging or one earbud.
- 02Close the case lid and center the case on the pad with the SONY logo facing up.
- 03Compare charging with the supplied USB-C cable and a suitable direct power source.
- 04Seat both earbuds and gently clean their charging contacts with a soft dry cloth.
- 05Read the case light and retry at an ordinary indoor temperature if it flashes twice in orange.
- 06Use Sony's reset/initialization branch only after the matching charging checks, then request service if needed.
Start here
Compare wireless charging with USB
A wired-versus-wireless comparison separates pad trouble from a broader charging failure. With the USB cable disconnected, seating both earbuds also gives a useful battery/temperature light result. Clean and reseat before a model reset.
Applies to: WF-1000XM5 earbuds and their supplied charging case.
Match the failure you can observe
Choose the matching check below, then compare the result before moving to the next repair.
Wireless charging fails
Compare the centered pad with charging over the supplied USB cable.
Compare charging methodsOnly one earbud fails to gain charge
Check seating and that earbud's contacts.
Check contactsThe case flashes twice in orange
Follow Sony's temperature branch before another charge attempt.
Read the indicatorNeither method shows a charging light
Test the same power adapter or computer port with another device.
Check the power sourceCompare the pad with a direct USB connection
Sony's wireless branch closes the lid and centers the case on the pad with the SONY logo up. Its wired comparison uses the supplied cable. If wired charging succeeds, retain that result before treating the earbuds as faulty.
Seat the earbuds and clean their contacts
The manual says floating earbuds may not charge. Seat both securely. Use a soft dry cloth or cotton swab gently on the charging contacts; let cleaned parts dry before use. Sony advises against compressed-air dust removal because debris can enter sound openings.
Read the light with the cable disconnected
In Sony's diagnostic, a roughly three-second green light after seating indicates at least 95% earbud charge; orange indicates a lower remaining charge. Repeated double orange flashes route to a temperature check. Our recommendation is to record both the pattern and whether USB was connected.
Compare the adapter or computer port
Sony tests another device on the same power source if the case has no light. Its manual requires a powered, awake computer and a direct connection without a hub, or an adapter supplying at least 0.5 A. Retain the other-device result for support.
Use the model's recovery branch after those checks
Follow Sony's charging decision tree for a reset, then initialization if required. The reset retains pairing; initialization removes it and needs enough case charge. Have the paired device ready to reconnect and request Sony service if the documented branch still fails.
Frequently asked questions
Does green for about three seconds mean charging failed?
In Sony's cable-disconnected seating test, that pattern indicates at least 95% earbud charge. The interpretation depends on when the light appears, so retain the cable and seating conditions.
Can the earbuds charge at different rates?
Yes. Sony explains that the earbud acting as the main unit can use more battery and take a different time to charge. That difference alone is not a malfunction.
Sources and review notes
Checked on . Official documentation read October 6, 2026. Comparing methods and recording the cable/light state are editorial guidance. Sony's service flow uses a 15–35°C temperature retry; its manual recommends 15–30°C for efficient charging. These are different statements, not interchangeable limits. Glitchary is independent of Sony.