Consistent Charging Imperative for Microsoft's Surface Earbuds to Prevent Malfunctions: Frequent Recharging Recommended
Microsoft's Surface Earbuds, introduced in 2020 as a promising competitor in the wireless earbud market, have faced a significant challenge with their battery life and charging capabilities.
Users have reported issues with the Surface Earbuds entering a deep discharge state, a condition that prevents them from taking a charge when left depleted for extended periods. This issue, known colloquially as the "death sleep," results in the earbuds failing to receive power and becoming permanently nonfunctional [1].
Unlike other wireless earbuds like Apple AirPods, which can still charge and function even after years of disuse albeit with reduced battery life, Surface Earbuds seem to suffer permanent charging failure after extended depletion [1]. This problem has been documented since 2022, with some units arriving from the factory unable to charge.
The issue is further compounded by Microsoft's lack of ongoing support for these earbuds. After only two firmware updates shortly after launch in 2020, the Surface Earbuds have been essentially abandoned, leaving no fixes or improvements for their battery management or charging behavior [1].
The author, who was initially excited to use the Surface Earbuds after their Galaxy Buds were stolen, has experienced this issue firsthand. Three sets of Surface Earbuds, all unused for over a year, no longer work. One set charges but the left earbud is non-responsive, while another brand-new set purchased on eBay failed to take a charge in the case [1].
In contrast, the Surface Headphones, not the Surface Earbuds, appear to be unaffected by the "death sleep" issue. The author's multiple sets of Surface Headphones, unused for over a year, still take power and function fine.
For those considering buying a new pair of Surface Earbuds, it's recommended to exercise caution. Leaving the earbuds depleted for a long period of time will eventually cause them to never wake from their sleep again [1]. A warning to those still using Surface Earbuds: if they deplete to zero for too long, they may never wake up.
[1] Source: Various user reports on online forums and social media platforms.
- Despite being a potential competitor in the wireless earbud market, the Microsoft Surface Earbuds have faced significant challenges with their battery life and charging capabilities, known as the "death sleep" issue.
- Unlike other wireless earbuds like Apple AirPods, Microsoft's Surface Earbuds seem to experience permanent charging failure after extended periods of depletion.
- Microsoft has shown limited ongoing support for the Surface Earbuds, with only two firmware updates released since their launch in 2020, leaving users without any fixes or improvements for battery management or charging behavior.
- For those considering buying a new pair of Surface Earbuds, it's advisable to be cautious, as leaving the earbuds depleted for a long period can lead to them being permanently nonfunctional.
- Interestingly, the Surface Headphones, not the Surface Earbuds, seem to be unaffected by the "death sleep" issue, as reported by users.
