The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones offer premium audio quality and impressive battery life, but some users may encounter charging issues over time.
This guide provides essential steps for properly charging these headphones and offers a detailed troubleshooting approach for resolving any “not charging” problems.
From checking USB-C cables to cleaning charging ports, these methods will help you maximize battery life and ensure reliable performance, so you can enjoy uninterrupted listening.
How to Charge Your Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones: C-type Charging
When using the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones for the first time, it’s recommended to fully charge them to ensure optimal performance. Here’s a simple guide to help you charge them correctly:
In the box, you’ll find a USB-C charging cable. This is specifically designed for fast and efficient charging.
Insert one end of the USB-C cable into the charging port located on the earcup of your Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones.
Attach the other end of the cable to a USB charging adapter, preferably one that’s compatible with Sony’s recommendations for safe and fast charging.
Plug the adapter into a power outlet. Once connected, the indicator light on the headphones will illuminate, showing that they are charging.
Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones generally take around 3 hours for a full charge, providing up to 30 hours of battery life with noise-cancellation active. A quick 10-minute charge can provide about 5 hours of playback time, perfect for when you’re on the go and need a quick boost.
While charging, the indicator light will remain on. Once fully charged, the light will turn off or change color, depending on the model settings.
By following these steps, you can easily and safely charge your Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, ensuring they’re ready to deliver high-quality audio with a long-lasting battery.
Read Here: How To Charge Sony WH1000XM2 & Fix Not Charging Issue
Battery Life and Charging Time for Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones
When considering premium headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5, one of the key factors to keep in mind is their battery life and charging time. These are essential details for anyone who needs reliable performance throughout the day. Let’s break down the battery capabilities of the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones and how long it takes to charge them.
Battery Life of Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones
The Sony WH-1000XM5 offers impressive battery life that can last up to 30 hours on a full charge with active noise cancellation (ANC) enabled. This makes them ideal for long flights, commutes, or extended listening sessions without needing to recharge.
If you’re using the headphones without ANC, you can stretch the battery life even further, reaching up to 38 hours of playback time. This versatility allows you to get more use out of your headphones depending on your needs.
Charging Time for Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones
Charging the Sony WH-1000XM5 is quick and efficient. A full charge typically takes around 3 hours from 0% to 100%. This is quite reasonable, considering the long battery life and the performance you get in return.
For those times when you’re in a rush, quick charging comes in handy. With just a 10-minute charge, you can get up to 5 hours of playtime, which is perfect for when you need a quick boost before heading out the door. This fast-charging feature ensures that even if you’re short on time, your headphones can still keep up with your busy lifestyle.
Fix Sony WH-1000XM5 Not Charging Issue: Troubleshooting Guide
It’s incredibly frustrating when your Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones won’t charge, especially when you rely on them for long listening sessions, travel, or work. I’ve been there myself, and I understand how important it is to get them up and running again.
Over the years of using these headphones, I’ve learned a lot about how to troubleshoot charging issues effectively. So, if you’re facing the “not charging” issue, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide with my personal experience and detailed steps to resolve it.
Check and Replace the USB-C Cable
One of the most common reasons for Sony WH-1000XM5 charging issues is the USB-C cable. This cable plays a crucial role in delivering power to your headphones. If you’re not using the right or a quality cable, it can cause charging failures.
From my experience, I’ve noticed that a damaged or low-quality cable can often be the culprit. I once had an issue where my headphones wouldn’t charge properly, and after swapping out the USB-C cable for a new one, the charging problem was immediately resolved.
Replacing the USB-C cable is one of the simplest and most effective solutions to try first. If you have a spare high-quality USB-C cable lying around, give it a shot. Sometimes, the cable could be slightly frayed or malfunctioning, leading to poor contact with the charging port.
Clean the Charging Port and Contacts
I’ve found that dirt or debris in the charging port can prevent a stable connection, leading to charging failures. Over time, lint, dust, or other particles can accumulate inside the USB-C port of your headphones or the charging case. This is something that I overlooked at first until I realized it was the source of my charging problem.
Cleaning the charging port and the contacts inside the charging case is a simple but effective method. Here’s how I clean my Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones and get them charging again:
Power Off the Headphones: Always make sure your headphones are powered off before cleaning to avoid any damage or short circuit.
Use a Soft Brush: I use a small, soft brush (like a toothbrush) to gently sweep away dirt and dust from the charging port on the headphones. This helps remove loose particles without scratching the surface.
Cotton Swab with Rubbing Alcohol: I dampen a cotton swab with a small amount of rubbing alcohol and carefully clean the charging contacts inside the port. The alcohol helps dissolve any oils or grime that might have built up. It’s important to avoid soaking the swab or applying excessive pressure to the sensitive components.
Air Dry: After cleaning, I let the contacts air dry for a minute. It’s important that no excess moisture remains before plugging in the charging cable.
I’ve also used compressed air to blow out any dust from the port, which is an effective and quick method. One of the times when my headphones weren’t charging, I found a small piece of lint trapped in the port — once I cleaned it out, charging resumed as normal.
Test with a Different Power Source or Adapter
In some cases, the issue may not be with the headphones themselves, but with the power source or adapter. A malfunctioning adapter or wall outlet can be a hidden culprit behind charging problems.
From my personal experience, I’ve encountered a situation where my Sony WH-1000XM5 wasn’t charging because the power outlet I was using wasn’t delivering enough power. I plugged the charger into a different wall socket, and suddenly the headphones started charging as expected.
If you’re using a USB charging port (like on a laptop or desktop), try using a wall adapter instead, or vice versa. It’s worth checking with a known working power source to rule out any issues with your charging setup.
Perform a Hard Reset on the Sony WH-1000XM5
Sometimes, the problem is not hardware-related but software-related. A hard reset can help resolve any minor glitches or software issues that may be affecting charging.
To reset the Sony WH-1000XM5:
Turn the headphones off.
Press and hold both the power button and the custom button on the left earcup for about 7 seconds.
You should see the LED indicator blink, indicating that the reset was successful.
I’ve had situations where a reset was all it took to get the charging process back on track. It’s a quick fix and definitely worth trying.
Check for Software or Firmware Updates
If your Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are not charging, it could also be a firmware issue. Sometimes, outdated firmware can cause various bugs, including charging problems.
I’ve learned that keeping the firmware updated can prevent many issues, so I recommend checking if your headphones need an update. To do this, simply:
Download the Sony Headphones Connect app (available for both Android and iOS).
Open the app and check for any available firmware updates.
If an update is available, follow the prompts to install it.
I’ve personally found that updating the firmware helped resolve several connectivity and charging problems with the headphones, making it a worthwhile step.
Fully Discharge and Recharge the Headphones
Sometimes, the issue with charging may be related to the battery not properly calibrating. I’ve had occasions where my headphones wouldn’t charge properly until I fully discharged the battery and then recharged it from 0%.
Here’s what I do:
Use the headphones until they power off automatically due to low battery.
Once they are fully discharged, plug them into the charger and let them charge until they reach 100%.
This helps recalibrate the battery, and I’ve found that my headphones start charging properly after a full cycle.
Inspect the USB-C Charging Port for Physical Damage
If you’ve followed all the above steps and your Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones still won’t charge, it could be a sign of physical damage to the USB-C charging port. Over time, regular plugging and unplugging of the charging cable can cause wear and tear on the port.
Inspect the port closely for any visible damage, such as bent pins or cracks. If you spot any issues, it might be time to seek professional help. I’ve had issues with loose or bent connectors before, and in those cases, seeking help from an expert was the only way to resolve the issue.
Contact Sony Customer Support
If none of the above solutions work, and your Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are still not charging, it’s time to contact Sony customer support. They may provide additional troubleshooting steps or guide you through more advanced solutions. If your headphones are still under warranty, they might even offer a replacement or repair.
Warranty Considerations
If your headphones are still under warranty, it’s worth checking if they can be replaced. I’ve had good experiences with Sony’s customer service, and they were able to help me with replacements when issues couldn’t be fixed through troubleshooting. Keep your serial number handy and make sure to have the proof of purchase for smooth service.
Conclusion
By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve the Sony WH-1000XM5 not charging issue and get back to enjoying your music, podcasts, or videos.
From replacing cables and cleaning the charging ports to resetting and checking for software updates, these methods cover a wide range of possible causes. And if all else fails, contacting Sony support can provide a timely solution
