If your Beats headphones are flashing white and won’t turn on, you’re not alone — it’s one of the most frustrating issues I’ve seen users struggle with.
As someone who’s spent years working with audio gear, I can tell you this isn’t just a glitch.
It usually means your Beats are either stuck in pairing mode, not charging properly, or worse, have a deeper internal issue.
Let me walk you through why this happens, what it really means, and step-by-step fixes that actually work — based on real user cases and my own experience troubleshooting Beats Solo, Studio, Flex, and Powerbeats models.
What Does a Flashing White Light on Beats Actually Mean?
Normally, a blinking white light on your Beats headphones indicates they’re in Bluetooth pairing mode — waiting to connect to a device. But when you’re seeing this light and they’re not turning on or playing any sound, that’s a red flag. It means something is blocking the headphones from fully powering up.
In almost every case I’ve fixed, it comes down to one of three root problems:
The battery isn’t charging or is completely dead
The software has crashed or is stuck in a boot loop
There’s an internal hardware issue — usually a loose battery connector
Now let’s walk through how you can test for each of these and fix them.
Step 1: Check the Charging — Don’t Skip This
The most common cause is a dead battery or faulty charging. The white flashing light often keeps blinking because the headphones have just enough power to enter pairing mode, but not enough to fully turn on.
Here’s what to do:
Use a different charging cable (preferably an Apple-certified Lightning or USB-C cable, depending on your Beats model).
Plug into a wall charger, not a computer or power bank — some low-output chargers don’t deliver enough juice.
Let it charge for 30 minutes, even if the lights don’t change.
⚠️ I’ve fixed Beats that looked “dead” just by switching to a better cable.
Are your Beats still blinking white? Then it’s time for a reset.
Step 2: Force Reset Your Beats (By Model)
A hard reset clears out any software crash or glitch that could be freezing the headphones.
🔄 Reset instructions by model:
How To Reset Beats Solo3 / Studio3
✅ Step-by-Step Reset Instructions:
Find the “System” button
Look at the right earcup. You’ll see a small circular power button near the bottom. This is the button you’ll use.Make sure your headphones are charged
Plug them in for at least 10–15 minutes before starting, just in case the battery is low.Press and hold the power button
Press and hold the power button firmly.
It doesn’t matter if the headphones are on or off — just press and hold.
Keep holding for 10–15 seconds
Watch the 5 LED lights at the bottom edge of the right earcup.
Keep holding until all the lights either turn solid white or turn off completely.
Release the button
Once the lights change (solid or off), let go of the button.
After a moment, the lights should start flashing red and white — this means the reset was successful.
Re-pair your headphones
Your Beats are now in Bluetooth pairing mode.
Go to your phone or device’s Bluetooth settings and select your Beats from the list to connect.
How To Reset Beats Flex / BeatsX
✅ Step-by-Step Instructions:
Find the two buttons you need:
Power button: Located next to the small LED light.
Volume Down button: Just above the Beats “b” logo on the control strip.
Press and hold both buttons:
Hold the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time.
Keep holding them for 15 seconds.
Wait for the LED to flash:
Watch the LED light near the power button.
First it may flash red, then it will start flashing white continuously.
Release the buttons:
Once the flashing starts, let go of both buttons.
Flashing white light means your Beats Flex are now in Bluetooth pairing mode.
(Optional) Turn them off if not pairing right away:
Press and hold the Power button until the light turns off.
This will save battery until you’re ready to connect again.
To pair later:
Just press the Power button for 1 second.
When the light starts flashing white again, they’re in pairing mode.
How To Reset Powerbeats Pro
✅ Step-by-Step Instructions:
Place both earbuds in the charging case
Make sure both earbuds are seated properly and the lid is open.
Locate the system button
You’ll find a small button on the inside of the case, centered between the earbuds.
Press and hold the system button
Hold it down and don’t release until you see a red LED light inside the case.
Keep holding for about 20 seconds
Be patient — it can take 20 seconds or more.
You’ll first see a red light, then eventually the white light will begin blinking.
Release the button when the red light appears
Once you see the red LED, let go of the button.
The red light may blink briefly, then switch to blinking white, which means the reset was successful.
Reconnect your device
Your Powerbeats Pro are now in Bluetooth pairing mode.
Go to your device’s Bluetooth settings and connect to them like new.
Step 3: Inspect for a Loose Battery Connector (Advanced but Real)
If you’ve done everything above and your Beats still won’t turn on, it’s possible the internal battery cable has come loose. I’ve seen this many times — especially with Beats Solo3 — and it’s fixable if you’re confident working with small electronics.
⚠️ Warning: This voids warranty. Only try this if you’re comfortable opening the ear cups.
What to do:
Carefully open the right ear cup using a prying tool or plastic pick
Locate the small battery cable (usually white/red wires connected to the main board)
Gently unplug it, then plug it back in snugly
Close the case, reconnect to a charger, and try turning them on again
I’ve revived multiple Beats this way. It’s a common issue caused by drops, heavy use, or even just bad factory glue.
Step 4: Check for Water or Sweat Damage
Sweat is the silent killer of Beats headphones — especially Powerbeats and Flex models. Even a little moisture can short the internal components.
Fix:
Let the headphones air dry for 24–48 hours
Don’t use rice (it does nothing for electronics)
Don’t charge them while wet — you’ll make it worse
If you think sweat or rain got inside, give them time before trying anything else.
Step 5: Still Nothing? It’s Likely Battery or Logic Board Failure
If your Beats are still stuck blinking white and don’t respond to resets, charging, or opening them up, you’re probably looking at:
A completely dead battery
Or a damaged logic board
At this point, you have two options:
If under warranty: Contact Apple support for repair or replacement
If out of warranty: You can replace the battery yourself (kits cost around $20) or buy a new pair if the board is fried
Final Thoughts: How to Avoid This in the Future
As someone deep in the audio industry, here’s what I recommend:
Don’t let Beats fully drain to 0% regularly
Use proper charging cables and wall adapters
Store them in dry environments — not in gym bags with sweaty towels
Reset them once in a while if you notice lag or connection issues
Quick Fix Checklist
✅ Charge for 30 min with a good cable
✅ Force reset (see model guide above)
✅ Check battery connector (if confident)
✅ Let dry if moisture suspected
✅ Still not working? It’s likely battery or mainboard failure
Conclusion
I hope this guide helped you understand exactly why your Beats are flashing white and not turning on, and more importantly, how to fix it. We’ve covered all the common causes — from charging problems and software glitches to deeper hardware issues — and walked through step-by-step solutions that actually work.
If you found this article helpful, make sure to check out the rest of our content — we have plenty of expert guides on audio gear, headphones, sound quality tips, and more.
Still stuck or have another question? Drop a comment below — I’m happy to help!
Monica Rivas is a Reviewer and Content Manager of Audiofavorite, she is an audiophile for many years and she helps people to learn all they need about audio, speakers, sound etc.