NL21 buds won't charge. Battery died, you popped the buds in the case, and nothing happens. We've seen this before. Usually the reason is either laughably simple or requires a bit of troubleshooting. Let's go through both.
Protective tapes – the classic
The NL21 charging contacts have small transparent protective tapes on them. They're there for shipping purposes, and they need to be removed before use. The tapes are deliberately hard to spot, because life is like that.
This is by far the most common reason charging doesn't work on new earbuds. No worries – you're not the first and you won't be the last. Check both the bottoms of the buds and the contacts inside the case.
How to fix it
Go through these in order:
- Remove the protective tapes. Check the charging pins on the buds and the contacts inside the case. Peel off any tapes and films you find.
- Clean the contacts. If the earbuds have been in use for a while, the contacts collect pocket lint, earwax, and other grime life throws at them. Wipe them with a dry cotton swab or a small brush.
- Try a different USB-C cable. Not all cables are created equal. That cheapest cable from the drawer might be a charge-only cable – or it might simply be knackered. Try another one.
- Try a different charger. A computer's USB port sometimes doesn't deliver enough power. Use a phone wall charger instead.
- Check the bud placement in the case. The NL21 buds go into the case in a specific orientation. If a bud doesn't sit properly, the contacts won't line up. Press the buds firmly into place and make sure they click in.
- Reset the buds. Place the buds in the case, plug in the charging cable, and hold down the touch panel on both buds for five seconds. A blue light will flash once. This resets the buds.
If the case won't charge at all
If the case LED doesn't react in any way when you plug in the cable, the problem is most likely with the USB-C connector or the case battery. Give it one more go with a different cable and a different charger. If that doesn't help, it's a hardware fault.
If nothing helps
If you've gone through all the steps and nothing saved the day, get in touch with us at info@valco.fi. Include in your message:
- Order number
- A photo of the inside of the case (so we can see the condition of the contacts)
- A short description of what you've tried
Our service team in Kajaani will sort it out. Faults covered by warranty are handled at no extra cost. The NL21 has a 24-month warranty, and a charging issue is exactly the kind of thing it covers – as long as you haven't been using the case as an ashtray.
And remember: every repaired earbud is one step closer to the Death Star. We don't throw anything in the bin.
