You press the power button on your Sony WH-1000XM4 and nothing happens. Or the light flashes, they announce themselves, and switch straight back off. It's alarming, but it isn't always a fault. A completely flat battery, a bad cable or a software glitch can all make the XM4 look dead.
Work through these checks in order before deciding they need a repair.
1. Charge them properly
Plug them into a known-good USB-C cable and wall charger, not just the short cable from the box. If the battery has been completely flat for a while, the charging light can take a while to come on. Leave them plugged in for at least 15 minutes, then try again.
The XM4's power indicator is on the left ear cup, and the charging port is on the right.
2. Press and hold the power button
The XM4 needs a firm press and hold of the power button, around two seconds, to switch on. A quick tap won't do it. Watch for the blue indicator light on the left ear cup.
3. Check what happens when you try
- Nothing at all, no light: keep reading. It's most often the battery, the charging port or a board fault.
- They come on, then go straight off: usually a battery that's almost empty or worn out. Charge them fully and try again.
- They work when plugged in but not unplugged: the battery is very likely the problem.
4. Reset them with the cable plugged in
Sony's reset for power and charging problems:
- Plug the USB-C cable into the headphones.
- With it still plugged in, press the POWER and CUSTOM buttons at the same time.
- Unplug the cable, plug it back in, and let them charge.
This keeps your settings and pairings. For the full factory reset, see how to reset Sony WH-1000XM4.
5. Check the charging port
If they won't charge at all, look inside the USB-C port with a torch. Lint packed into the port is common, and stops the plug from making contact. Clean it gently with a wooden toothpick. See Sony headphones not charging for the full set of charging checks.
6. Check for liquid or damage
If the headphones have been rained on, sweated into heavily, or dropped recently, say so when you get them looked at. Liquid inside an ear cup can corrode contacts and stop them powering on.
What it usually is
If none of the above worked, it's most likely one of these:
- A failed battery. Especially on an XM4 that's a few years old, or one that was left completely flat for a long time. Lithium batteries that sit at zero for months can refuse to charge.
- A faulty charging port. If no charge gets in, they can't turn on. See my charging port repair.
- A board fault. Less common, but possible, especially after liquid damage.
If the battery is worn, a battery replacement brings them back. If you're not sure which it is, my any-fault repair starts with a £4.99 assessment: I find the fault and quote before any work, and the £4.99 comes off the repair if you go ahead.
Questions people ask
Why won't my Sony WH-1000XM4 turn on?
Usually a completely flat battery, a cable or charging problem, or a software glitch. Charge for 15 minutes with a known-good cable, hold the power button for two seconds, and try the reset with the cable plugged in.
My XM4 turns on and then straight off. Why?
Most often the battery is very low or worn out. Charge it fully and try again. If it still switches straight off, the battery is the likely cause.
Can a dead XM4 battery be replaced?
Yes. It's inside one of the ear cups and can be replaced. See Sony XM4 battery draining fast for more on worn batteries.
Are dead XM4s worth repairing?
If the rest of the headphones are in good shape, usually yes. See is it worth repairing Sony headphones.
My recommendation
Charge them properly, hold the power button, then do the reset with the cable plugged in. Those three steps bring a lot of "dead" XM4s back. If they don't, it's most likely the battery or the charging port, and both can be fixed.