Plugging in your Sony headphones and getting no charging light, or a light that goes off after a minute, is worrying. But it isn't always a fault. A bad cable, a port full of lint or a battery that has run completely flat can all look like a dead pair of headphones.
Work through these checks in order. They're free, and most take a minute. If none of them works, the last part of this guide explains what's likely to be wrong and how it's fixed.
These steps cover the WH-1000XM3, WH-1000XM4 and WH-1000XM5, which all charge by USB-C.
1. Try a different cable and plug
Start with the simplest thing. USB-C cables fail more often than people expect, especially the short one in the box after a few years of being stuffed into the case.
- Use a cable you know works with something else, like your phone.
- Plug it into a standard USB wall charger, or a USB port on a computer.
- Make sure the plug clicks fully into the headphones.
If they start charging, it was the cable or the charger.
2. Leave them plugged in for a while
If the battery has been completely flat for a long time, the charging light can take a while to come on. Leave them plugged into a known-good charger for 10–15 minutes before deciding they aren't charging.
3. Clean the charging port
Look into the USB-C port with a torch. Pocket lint and dust get packed into the bottom of the port over time, and stop the plug from going in far enough to make contact.
Use a wooden toothpick (not a metal pin) to gently scrape around the inside of the port, then blow it out. Go carefully, as the contacts in the middle are delicate. If a lot of fluff comes out and the plug now goes in further, try charging again.
4. Reset the headphones with the cable plugged in
Sony's own reset for charging and power problems is done while the headphones are connected to the charger. It restarts them without deleting your settings or pairings.
With the USB cable plugged in, press these two buttons at the same time:
- WH-1000XM3: the power button and the NC/Ambient button
- WH-1000XM4: the power button and the CUSTOM button
- WH-1000XM5: the power button and the NC/AMB button
The headphones reset. Then unplug the USB cable and plug it back in to start charging again.
For the full reset steps, including a factory reset, see how to reset Sony WH-1000XM4 and how to reset Sony WH-1000XM5.
5. Check the temperature
Lithium batteries won't charge properly when they're very cold or very hot. If the headphones have been left in a cold car or a hot room, let them sit at room temperature for half an hour, then try again.
What the symptoms mean
If none of that worked, the way they're behaving tells you a lot.
No charging light at all, with any cable
Most likely the charging port or its solder joints, or the small board it sits on. It can also be a battery that has failed completely.
They only charge with the cable held at an angle
Usually the charging port. The port has worn or its joints have cracked, so the connection only works in one position. It tends to get worse until it stops working altogether.
The light comes on, then goes off after a minute or so
Owners on Sony's forums describe exactly this, often after letting the battery run completely flat. It usually points to the battery or the charging circuit, rather than the port.
They charge, but run down quickly
That's not a charging fault. The battery has worn. See Sony XM4 battery draining fast or Sony XM5 battery replacement.
They won't turn on, even after charging
See Sony XM4 won't turn on, which covers the checks for a pair that seems completely dead.
How each fault is fixed
- A worn or damaged charging port is reworked or replaced on the board. It's precise soldering work on a small USB-C connector, done with proper rework equipment. See my Sony headphones charging port repair.
- A failed battery is replaced inside the ear cup. See my Sony headphones battery replacement.
- A fault elsewhere on the board needs diagnosing first. My any-fault repair starts with a £4.99 assessment and a quote before any work, and the £4.99 comes off the repair if you go ahead.
If you book a charging port repair and it turns out to be the battery instead, I'll tell you what I found and quote before doing anything else.
Can I fix the charging port myself?
Cleaning the port, yes. Replacing it is a different matter. The USB-C connector is soldered to a small board with many tiny joints, and it needs hot air, flux and a steady hand to replace without lifting the pads underneath. It's not a job for a standard soldering iron. Get it wrong, and a port repair becomes a board repair.
Questions people ask
Why is my Sony headphones charging light not coming on?
Usually the cable, a port full of lint, or a battery that's completely flat. Try a known-good cable, clean the port, and leave them plugged in for 10–15 minutes. If there's still no light, it's likely the port or the battery.
Why do my Sony headphones stop charging after a minute?
It's often a sign of a battery or charging-circuit problem, especially if the battery was run completely flat. Try the reset with the cable plugged in first.
Can I use my Sony headphones while they're charging?
On these models you generally can't use them wirelessly while they're charging by USB. Unplug them to use them.
How much does a Sony headphones charging port repair cost?
My fixed prices are on the charging port repair page, including return postage and a 12-month warranty. For a comparison with other routes, see how much Sony headphone repair costs.
My recommendation
Do the five checks first, in order. They solve a surprising number of "not charging" problems for free. If they don't, the symptoms will point you to the port or the battery, and either can be fixed.
If you'd like me to take a look, book a Sony headphones charging port repair.