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Sony WF-1000XM4 lights: what each colour and pattern means

The WF-1000XM4 charging case has one indicator on the front. Sony uses green and orange for the battery and for charging, like the newer WF-1000XM5, but the two charging faults (wrong temperature, charging error) flash red on the XM4 where the XM5 flashes orange, and Sony’s XM4 guide lists no blue pairing light on the case. Green flashing four times means a reset or a factory reset has finished.

The indicator shows the bud with less charge when both are in the case, the bud that is in the case when only one is, and the case itself when both buds are out. Sony’s XM4 page says green when that battery is fully charged and orange at 94% or less (buds) or 30% or less (case); it does not say what a case between 31% and 99% shows.

Green for about 6 or 3 seconds

Our drawing: green, on for a few seconds, then off, lid open.

Fully charged: the buds, if they are in the case, or the case itself if both buds are out. It stays on about 6 seconds after you open or close the lid (or unplug the cable after charging is complete), about 3 seconds when you take the buds out or put them in.

Applies to: WF-1000XM4. What you see: green, on for a few seconds, then off. What it reports on: the earbuds or the case.

Sony Help Guide gives no step for this light; the meaning above is all it says.

Source:

Orange for about 6 or 3 seconds

Our drawing: orange or amber, on for a few seconds, then off, lid open.

Not full. With the buds in the case, the bud reading is 94% or less; with both buds out, the case is at 30% or less. The timing is the same as the green light: about 6 seconds on opening or closing the lid, about 3 seconds when the buds go in or come out.

Applies to: WF-1000XM4. What you see: orange or amber, on for a few seconds, then off. What it reports on: the earbuds or the case.

Sony Help Guide gives no step for this light; the meaning above is all it says.

Source:

Solid orange while charging

Our drawing: orange or amber, steady (solid), lid open.

Charging: the buds, the case, or both. If the battery was already full when charging started, it stays on for about 1 minute and then goes out. It goes off for about 0.3 seconds and comes back when you open or close the lid, put a bud in or take one out, or switch from a wireless charger to the USB-C cable.

Applies to: WF-1000XM4. What you see: orange or amber, steady (solid). What it reports on: the earbuds or the case.

Sony Help Guide gives no step for this light; the meaning above is all it says.

Source:

Red, flashing twice over and over

Our drawing: red, flashing or blinking.

Abnormal temperature while charging.

Applies to: WF-1000XM4. What you see: red, flashing or blinking. What it reports on: pairing, reset or an error.

Sony Help Guide gives no step for this light; the meaning above is all it says.

Source:

Red, flashing slowly over and over

Our drawing: red, flashing or blinking.

Abnormal charging. Sony’s XM4 indicator page names the fault and gives no more detail or step.

Applies to: WF-1000XM4. What you see: red, flashing or blinking. What it reports on: pairing, reset or an error.

Sony Help Guide gives no step for this light; the meaning above is all it says.

Source:

Green, flashing 4 times

Our drawing: green, flashing or blinking.

A reset has finished, or an initialisation (factory reset) has finished: Sony uses the same four green flashes for both.

Applies to: WF-1000XM4. What you see: green, flashing or blinking. What it reports on: pairing, reset or an error.

Sony Help Guide gives no step for this light; the meaning above is all it says.

Source:

No light after charging

Our drawing: no light, off, lid open.

Charging is complete: the light goes out when the battery becomes fully charged.

Applies to: WF-1000XM4. What you see: no light, off. What it reports on: the earbuds or the case.

Sony Help Guide gives no step for this light; the meaning above is all it says.

Source:

Sources

Sony’s own support pages only, read on the date shown. Nothing here comes from third-party “lights explained” sites.

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