One of the contacts on the right earpiece had started going slightly green for me. Looked like rust.
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Powerbeats Pro - Only one earphone charging
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That was the first thing that Apple told me to do, but said NOT to use alcohol. There is a battery in that case, and alcohol is flammable, and conducts electricity. And, yes, the case will continue to charge buds that are also not disconnected to the Bluetooth source. The case then ends up depleted, as well as the bud(s). But, so far (knock on wood) leaving the case plugged in 24/7 *seems* to be working very well. I use a 'microfibre' wipe on the buds, and the case, and leave it plugged in, and so far, no dead buds. (I'm sure they are monitoring this, and will act up now) It's been nearly 2 weeks! I'm just waiting for the next time the buds show up dead. I know it's coming...
I offered that the 'bug' seems to be in the charging circuit, and the pins not being long enough to make contact if the buds are slightly out of position. I am wondering if the new PBP's have longer pins. I can't forget suggesting that the pins be longer, and the surprised reaction from the Apple person on the phone. '*gasp* Well, that might be a solution'. *sigh*
The damn things fit so well, and the fidelity is great. It's keeping them working that is making it really hard to recommend them...
IPA does not conduct electricity. IPA 99% is the industry standard for cleaning electronics. You can scrub motherboards with the stuff.
If it's straight iso, but my experience has been that straight iso isn't an off the shelf item everywhere. The 'x%' bit could be conductive. Also, when you were talking about 'wiping' with 'alcohol', I thought of the variety of 'wet wipes' out there. Some are really not the best thing to use for that purpose, and i can see someone using a saturated 'wt wipe' and casuing all kinds of issues. Didn't mean to offend.
Which, BTW, I didn't realize that iso wasn't conductive. As an aside, I have used CRC Contact Cleaner, and it's described as being 'mildly conductive', but it's a soup of nastiness. But it's safe for plastics. *shrug*
IPA is made with distilled water, which is also non-conductive
You can buy medical grade IPA wipes on eBay from the same suppliers hospitals use for very cheap.As you say you can't just use any wipe. But IPA wipes are fine. Technicians literally clean motherboards with them. You'll be able to clean the PBPs with them
Yup same. I have not used either of my sets since March since gyms are closed for me still so I wonder how they are working now but going forward I will make sure to let them air out after I use them before charging. It's just really strange that only one side has this issue on my 3 pairs.
And I had that issue too, but mine would occasionally swap sides. Now, with using the microfibre, and leaving them plugged in, they seem to be really happy. Who knew... But Apple doesn't seem to be interested in a real solution. At least I know I'm not holding them wrong.
Here's my somewhat protracted experience with the PowerBeats Pro.
Bought them in December in NY as a Christmas present and started using them in the New Year. After a handful of uses, I reckon eight, I noticed that I when I went to use them quite often one would be charged the other not. User error, clearly, it's a premium product. Then I took some time to play around with the charging and found that if carefully positioned a precise wedge of Post-Its they would both charge. Don't see that in the ad do you. So I booked an appointment at my 'local' Apple store and went in. Show the techie and he agreed not good so sent them back.
72 hours later they returned. Used them once. Same problem.
Mailed them back this time.
72 hours later they returned. Used them for a month. Same problem.
Requested another return. Then COVID happened so they sat around for a while before I could send them back.
Got an email from Apple to say I had to contact them. When I did the guy on the phone said it was a chargeable repair as the contacts had come in contact with a corrosive liquid. What? Well sweat to be precise. To their credit they said that sounded pretty dumb. So got pushed up to a supervisor who quoted me terms and conditions and sent me a hyperlink to the website which instructed me to wipe them down after every use. Who knew? So I asked to speak to someone else. Rather amusingly the guy said he had no boss at Apple and didn't seem to understand when I started calling him Tim. I was told I could WRITE to customer services in Ireland to complain. Hi tech stuff.
So I did.
In the meantime I got another email from Apple to say I hadn't been in touch so they were sending my unfixed headphones back. I called immediately and said I had been in touch but they said too late. Again the guy was really sympathetic and thought it was nonsense especially as he had accidentally put his through the washing machine and they were fine. He suggest I go to an Apple store and speak to them and they would be more sympathetic, another visit to an Apple store booked.
I then got a call from customer service in Ireland (posting a letter to Ireland is not cheap btw). To say that there was water INGRESS in the headphones so tough luck. A chemical had been triggered and when this chemical is triggered no warranty, no goodwill, no support, you broke them, you are on your own. I said this was nonsense and I wanted to see the report. She refused and said I would have to file a GDPR report to get it. Exhausting.
Went to the Apple store this week. Spent an hour trying to explain to the technician that they were broken at day 1, they are still broken. He said that terms and conditions say corrosion means it has come in contact with liquid (probably sweat) and therefore tough luck. In the repair reports he could find no mention of water ingress being reported. He offered to repair 1 for £90. I said which one had the water ingress, he didn't know. So I said I could be repairing one that has corrosion but the other could have water 'damage' so I might need to replace the other too. Or it could even be the case.
In the end I walked. He kindly offered to email me the details of the legal department for me to write to.
To summarise I think the product is excellent when it works. The design is clearly flawed if what Apple support say, ie not compatible with sweat. Apple customer support in relation to this has been beyond appalling.
Avoid
Bought them in December in NY as a Christmas present and started using them in the New Year. After a handful of uses, I reckon eight, I noticed that I when I went to use them quite often one would be charged the other not. User error, clearly, it's a premium product. Then I took some time to play around with the charging and found that if carefully positioned a precise wedge of Post-Its they would both charge. Don't see that in the ad do you. So I booked an appointment at my 'local' Apple store and went in. Show the techie and he agreed not good so sent them back.
72 hours later they returned. Used them once. Same problem.
Mailed them back this time.
72 hours later they returned. Used them for a month. Same problem.
Requested another return. Then COVID happened so they sat around for a while before I could send them back.
Got an email from Apple to say I had to contact them. When I did the guy on the phone said it was a chargeable repair as the contacts had come in contact with a corrosive liquid. What? Well sweat to be precise. To their credit they said that sounded pretty dumb. So got pushed up to a supervisor who quoted me terms and conditions and sent me a hyperlink to the website which instructed me to wipe them down after every use. Who knew? So I asked to speak to someone else. Rather amusingly the guy said he had no boss at Apple and didn't seem to understand when I started calling him Tim. I was told I could WRITE to customer services in Ireland to complain. Hi tech stuff.
So I did.
In the meantime I got another email from Apple to say I hadn't been in touch so they were sending my unfixed headphones back. I called immediately and said I had been in touch but they said too late. Again the guy was really sympathetic and thought it was nonsense especially as he had accidentally put his through the washing machine and they were fine. He suggest I go to an Apple store and speak to them and they would be more sympathetic, another visit to an Apple store booked.
I then got a call from customer service in Ireland (posting a letter to Ireland is not cheap btw). To say that there was water INGRESS in the headphones so tough luck. A chemical had been triggered and when this chemical is triggered no warranty, no goodwill, no support, you broke them, you are on your own. I said this was nonsense and I wanted to see the report. She refused and said I would have to file a GDPR report to get it. Exhausting.
Went to the Apple store this week. Spent an hour trying to explain to the technician that they were broken at day 1, they are still broken. He said that terms and conditions say corrosion means it has come in contact with liquid (probably sweat) and therefore tough luck. In the repair reports he could find no mention of water ingress being reported. He offered to repair 1 for £90. I said which one had the water ingress, he didn't know. So I said I could be repairing one that has corrosion but the other could have water 'damage' so I might need to replace the other too. Or it could even be the case.
In the end I walked. He kindly offered to email me the details of the legal department for me to write to.
To summarise I think the product is excellent when it works. The design is clearly flawed if what Apple support say, ie not compatible with sweat. Apple customer support in relation to this has been beyond appalling.
Avoid
I have two pair and each has the same problem, one the right ear and the other the left...sent the one pair back and they could not do anything...reset it just like you and I would...bad design flaw someplace...
So today I went to use them, both were charged, but the right one had no sound, other that a strange ”whooshing”/interference type noise when I moved my head.
Went out with one headphone in, came back and now they’re both working OK again. Very strange...
Went out with one headphone in, came back and now they’re both working OK again. Very strange...
I charged both to 100% and left them ina fully charged case overnight, this morning the percentages were as follows
Box. 84%
Left 93%
Right 67%
with zero use...odd indeed...
Box. 84%
Left 93%
Right 67%
with zero use...odd indeed...
Just wanted to send an update as I’ve never had an issue with my Powerbeats until this week.
I took my powerbeats out of the case and one of the headphones was dead. I checked the battery and placed the entire case with the headphones on charge. Something strange happened when I took them off charge and it appears that the case didn’t charge one of my headphones at all.
Now my case is playing up and isn’t charging or connecting to either one of my headphones. I tried restarting it and plug-in to a pc with no luck.
Thank god I still had 1 month left on the warranty. I am sending them off to Apple next week for repair or replacement. I’ve never had the headphones come in contact with water and always wiped them down after a work out so no idea what happened.
Headphones still connect to the phone and play music but the case is clearly faulty no idea what happened to it or if this is a common problem. Just thought I would share my experience.
I’ve since bought AirPods Pro and I can’t believe how much better the quality and the noise cancelling is. It’s incredible. I will probably end up selling powerbeats pro if I get a replacement.
I took my powerbeats out of the case and one of the headphones was dead. I checked the battery and placed the entire case with the headphones on charge. Something strange happened when I took them off charge and it appears that the case didn’t charge one of my headphones at all.
Now my case is playing up and isn’t charging or connecting to either one of my headphones. I tried restarting it and plug-in to a pc with no luck.
Thank god I still had 1 month left on the warranty. I am sending them off to Apple next week for repair or replacement. I’ve never had the headphones come in contact with water and always wiped them down after a work out so no idea what happened.
Headphones still connect to the phone and play music but the case is clearly faulty no idea what happened to it or if this is a common problem. Just thought I would share my experience.
I’ve since bought AirPods Pro and I can’t believe how much better the quality and the noise cancelling is. It’s incredible. I will probably end up selling powerbeats pro if I get a replacement.
At first, the left earbud would sometimes not charge, or lose its charge while sitting on the shelf for a day and night. I wasted an hour in the Apple Store, where they ended up having me get the left earbud replaced via Apple online. Which I did. New L earbud was DOA. I complained and they sent me another one. But, in the meantime, the original L one started working fine again. But today, the R one lost all its charge overnight.
My main suspect is that the case and earbuds lose connection when the case is jostled or perhaps are just stored lopsided. Some kind of design problem. But I have to check the charge before I take them out on the trail. They do recharge quickly if I find one of them down to zero.
This is not my first Beats problem. I had a pair of Beats studio headphones that I had to return to Apple for repairs because something went loose inside them. I have bought my last Beats product, that's for sure.
My main suspect is that the case and earbuds lose connection when the case is jostled or perhaps are just stored lopsided. Some kind of design problem. But I have to check the charge before I take them out on the trail. They do recharge quickly if I find one of them down to zero.
This is not my first Beats problem. I had a pair of Beats studio headphones that I had to return to Apple for repairs because something went loose inside them. I have bought my last Beats product, that's for sure.
Just to give an update on my powerbeats issue.
I have received some brand new beats as apparently neither the case or the buds were holding charge.
They also give me additional 90days warranty on the replacement beats as my warranty was about to expire so feel kinda lucky.
Although they did break the experience of getting a replacement was very pleasant. Thumbs up 👍🏻 to Apple for that.
I have had the case connected to power now for over a month, and have not had any trouble with either bud. Both have been performing flawlessly. I have been amazed...
The 'trick' seems to be leave them connected to power, which totally defeats the purpose of the charging case, doesn't it?
But the latest issue is that the volume buttons on either bud do not function. A bad sign... I'll have to open a case soon.
The 'trick' seems to be leave them connected to power, which totally defeats the purpose of the charging case, doesn't it?
But the latest issue is that the volume buttons on either bud do not function. A bad sign... I'll have to open a case soon.
Similar experience here although I don't have the case plugged in all the time, I've just been keeping the case charge level at or above 50% and no issues here either. If I do let the case discharge to the point of the red light on the case, that's when I start seeing the issue again.
Hi all! Just wanted to let everyone know there's an update to Powerbeats Pro. It looks like it's the same firmware number as AirPods and AirPods Pro—v3A283. Please note, I used the Beats Updater: http://your.beatsbydre.com/#/download
And as an update, mine are working almost perfectly. I just keep them plugged in 100% of the time. I've only had one or two times when one has been dead. I'm astounded, because, yeah, that totally invalidates the need for a battery. DOH!
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Just checked my PBP this morning and they must have updated on their own at some point, it says firmware version is 3A283.
Hope this update fixes this issue. Although I’ve also gotten this problem under control, by keeping the case from discharging below 50%.
An interesting discovery!
I put the Beats in their case, and they didn't charge that night. When I pulled them out, I found that the ear 'gasket' on the end of the stalk that would go in your ear was sticking out a little bit. Enough, apparently that it was keeping the earbud from fitting in the case properly. I had noticed that before while cleaning them post workout, but that time, I just tossed them in the case, and left the scene of the sweat.
That morning, the Beats were showing up in the Battery app in the new 'battery app' in iOS 14, and showed the left one was nearly empty, and the right clinging to life. I was surprised, but linked it to the the rush to get out, and realized that I didn't push the 'gasket' back on. (Most time it seems the gasket thing is not seated properly) I have no idea why the 'gasket' would slip like that, but I can see it either contributing to, or causing, the charging issues we are all either constantly, or occasionally seeing. They should have made the well in the case deeper? Larger? Made the tube the 'gasket' fits on sturdier and more able to keep the 'gasket' in place? So much could be tweaked, and changed, and, well, it's so unlikely to happen. *sigh*
But, if you have charging issues, check that 'gasket' black silicone thing that fits in your ear.
I still have no idea why the 'gasket' would slip, but putting a larger ridge on the tube would probably help. I wouldn't suggest crazy glue, and it likely wouldn't work anyway as silicone is far too slippery.
I still keep mine plugged in, and, so far, have only had two incidents where one or the other bud hasn't disconnected and/or charged in the case. Not counting this last incident.
Check that black silicone thing!
I put the Beats in their case, and they didn't charge that night. When I pulled them out, I found that the ear 'gasket' on the end of the stalk that would go in your ear was sticking out a little bit. Enough, apparently that it was keeping the earbud from fitting in the case properly. I had noticed that before while cleaning them post workout, but that time, I just tossed them in the case, and left the scene of the sweat.
That morning, the Beats were showing up in the Battery app in the new 'battery app' in iOS 14, and showed the left one was nearly empty, and the right clinging to life. I was surprised, but linked it to the the rush to get out, and realized that I didn't push the 'gasket' back on. (Most time it seems the gasket thing is not seated properly) I have no idea why the 'gasket' would slip like that, but I can see it either contributing to, or causing, the charging issues we are all either constantly, or occasionally seeing. They should have made the well in the case deeper? Larger? Made the tube the 'gasket' fits on sturdier and more able to keep the 'gasket' in place? So much could be tweaked, and changed, and, well, it's so unlikely to happen. *sigh*
But, if you have charging issues, check that 'gasket' black silicone thing that fits in your ear.
I still have no idea why the 'gasket' would slip, but putting a larger ridge on the tube would probably help. I wouldn't suggest crazy glue, and it likely wouldn't work anyway as silicone is far too slippery.
I still keep mine plugged in, and, so far, have only had two incidents where one or the other bud hasn't disconnected and/or charged in the case. Not counting this last incident.
Check that black silicone thing!
I've had this issue since I bought them 2 years ago. And only now I discovered the one side that appears to have 0% charge is actually fully charged. I know it shows up in the beats app a 0%. But, if you put it back in the case, see the charge light flash white and close the case, pull it out and put it in your ear. It works. Fully charged. This is a super annoying issue. But this works repeatedly for me now every time I see 0% on one earbud.
Oh, and I've had that happen, and the freaking out bud LIED, and is actually at a big fat zero, and lasts seconds, to minutes, and, yeah... I had one flash back and forth from 0% to 100% several times, and settled on 100%, and never turned on, no bong when I inserted it in my ear. *sigh*
But keeping the case plugged in 24x7, has made them far more reliable. Mostly. But when they are naughty, it's frustrating... I have seen one, or the other, connected to a device when they are safe in their 'bud cave', and it's damned maddening. I've had to leap up to go in and 'reset' them, (unplug the cable, plug it back in), to get them to drop their phantom battery draining connection. Weird...
EDIT: For those playing along at home, I think the problem is the 'ear loops', and the bumps in the lid of their 'bud cave'. The bumps likely knock the buds askew enough to lose their connection to the power prongs, and then they just freely associate with whatever device happens to be handy. Apple needs to remove the bumps in the lid, or users need to make sure that the ear loops are folded down, and toward the center to avoid those bumps.