Water on earbuds is common: rain, sweat, a dropped bud in the sink, or a full trip through the washing machine. Many earbuds survive if you dry them properly and wait before charging.
Quick answer
Take the earbuds out of the case, wipe them dry, and leave them mesh-down in open air for several hours. Do not charge them until they are fully dry. Once dry, clear any trapped water with a short water tone from our Earbuds Cleaner.
Step 1: Separate the buds and the case
Take both earbuds out right away. A closed, wet case traps moisture against the charging contacts. Leave the lid open.
Step 2: Dry the outside
Wipe each bud and the case with a soft, lint-free cloth. Gently shake each bud with the mesh facing down to let loose drops fall out.
Step 3: Let them air-dry
Place the buds mesh-down on a dry cloth in a room with good air flow. Give them several hours, and leave the case open to dry too.
- Skip the rice bowl. It is not faster than open air and leaves dust.
- Skip hair dryers and radiators. Heat can damage the small battery.
Step 4: Do not charge yet
Charging wet contacts can cause corrosion. Wait until the buds and the inside of the case are completely dry before you put them back.
Step 5: Push out trapped water
Water often stays on the inside of the mesh and makes sound muffled or crackly. Connect the dry buds to your phone, lay them on a cloth (not in your ears), and run the water mode in our Earbuds Cleaner for 30 seconds. Repeat two or three times if needed.
How water resistant are earbuds?
Many earbuds are rated for sweat and splashes, often IPX4 or similar. That rating covers splashes, not swimming or washing. A washing machine cycle goes well beyond what most buds are designed for, so treat it as an emergency and dry them carefully.
Signs of lasting damage
| What you notice | What it may mean |
|---|---|
| Muffled sound that clears after drying | Water on the mesh, now gone |
| Crackling at every volume | Water inside or a damaged driver |
| One bud won’t charge | Corroded contacts in the case |
| Bud won’t connect at all | Battery or board damage |
If problems last more than a day after drying, contact the maker. Many brands sell single replacement buds.
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