Google Pixel Buds case light: what each colour means

Pixel Buds cases have one status light that reports on the earbuds while the lid is open and on the case once the lid is closed. The colours changed with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and 2a: on those, solid orange with the lid closed means the case is below 20%, while on the Pixel Buds Pro, A-Series and Pixel Buds (2020) solid orange means charging.

The light is on the front of the case. The Pixel Buds (2020) have two lights, one inside the case between the buds (the earbuds) and one on the front near the USB port (the case).

1. Solid white, lid open

   The Pixel Buds are fully charged.

   All Pixel Buds from 2020: Pro 2, 2a, Pro, A-Series and Pixel Buds (2020). About the earbuds. Google gives no step for this light.

2. Solid white, lid closed

   The case has plenty of charge. On the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and 2a: plugged in, the case battery is full; unplugged, it is above 20%. On the Pixel Buds Pro, A-Series and Pixel Buds (2020): the case battery is full, or can charge the buds at least one full time.

   All Pixel Buds from 2020: Pro 2, 2a, Pro, A-Series and Pixel Buds (2020). About the case. Google gives no step for this light.

3. Breathing white, lid open

   One or both earbuds are charging, and the case has more than 20% charge. Each pulse lasts 2 seconds.

   Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds 2a. About the earbuds. Google gives no step for this light.

4. Breathing white, lid closed, plugged in

   The case is charging, on a wired or wireless charger.

   Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds 2a. About the case. Google gives no step for this light.

5. Bouncing white

   The Pixel Buds are in pairing mode, ready to be found by a new device.

   All Pixel Buds from 2020: on the Pro 2 and 2a Google calls it bouncing fast white, each pulse lasting one second. About pairing, reset or an error. 1 step from Google on its page.

6. Blinking white and orange

   A factory reset is in progress.

   Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds 2a. About pairing, reset or an error. Google gives no step for this light.

7. Switching between white and orange

   The Pixel Buds are trying to pair, but one of them is not seated properly in the case.

   Pixel Buds Pro, Pixel Buds A-Series and Pixel Buds (2020). About pairing, reset or an error. 1 step from Google on its page.

8. Blinking fast orange

   Pairing or the factory reset failed.

   Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds 2a. About pairing, reset or an error. Google gives no step for this light.

9. Blinking orange, lid open

   The buds still have charge left, but the case is low: below 20% on the Pixel Buds Pro 2, 2a and Pro. For the A-Series and Pixel Buds (2020) Google says the case has no charge left.

   All Pixel Buds from 2020 (on the Pro 2 and 2a Google calls it blinking slow orange). About the earbuds or the case. Google gives no step for this light.

10. Blinking orange, lid closed

    The case battery is below 20%: less than one full charge left for the buds.

    Pixel Buds Pro, Pixel Buds A-Series and Pixel Buds (2020). About the case. Google gives no step for this light.

11. Solid orange, lid closed, unplugged (Pro 2 and 2a)

    The case battery is below 20%: less than one full charge left for the buds.

    Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds 2a. About the case. Google gives no step for this light.

12. Solid orange (Pro, A-Series, 2020)

    Charging. With the lid open, one or both earbuds are charging; with the lid closed, the case itself is charging.

    Pixel Buds Pro, Pixel Buds A-Series and Pixel Buds (2020). About the earbuds or the case. Google gives no step for this light.

13. Breathing orange

    The case is charging and is still below 20%: less than one full charge left for the buds.

    Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds 2a. About the case. Google gives no step for this light.

14. No light when plugged in or just after closing the lid

    The case does not have enough battery to charge the earbuds.

    All Pixel Buds from 2020. About the case. Google gives no step for this light.

Find a light by colour on any maker’s earbud case →