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These days all Oral B and Triumph electric toothbrushes are rechargeable. They have to be regularly charged to function.
However, some users may have experienced the situation that their toothbrush is not recharging the way it should, or even stopped charging at all. It usually happens when the toothbrush has been used for several years.
These 3 most common problems can prevent the toothbrush battery from charging:
- faulty battery
- faulty charger
- battery memory effect
First, make sure the power outlet you are trying to use is working. Plug in your hair dryer or any other appliance and see if the outlet works.
If the power is on, there must be something wrong with your toothbrush.
1. Faulty Oral B Charger Not Working

A few years ago Braun OralB bundled their toothbrushes with faulty chargers that stopped working a few weeks after the purchase. The bad chargers were replaced by a seller or manufacturer, or the purchase price was refunded.
If there is power in the outlet, but the green charging light is not blinking even when the brush sits on the charger for 20-25 minutes, the charger may be broken.
The easiest way to test the charger would be trying to charge your brush using another compatible charger if you have access to it.
SOLUTION #1 – if you have used your toothbrush for more than a year, it probably is out of warranty. You can buy a replacement charger on Amazon.
SOLUTION #2 – if the warranty still covers your item, get in touch with the seller or visit OralB/Braun Service Center website.
2. Faulty Battery
Every battery has a maximum service life. Once it has attained its wear and tear, it will not respond to the charging or will not hold the charge.
People who have been using their Oral B toothbrush for a long time are prone to this. But hold up and don’t throw out your toothbrushes just yet. A dying battery does not mean the brush itself won’t function anymore.
SOLUTION #1 – you can bring it to the service center and have the battery changed. It will cost some money, especially for those who are carrying warranties that are already outdated, but at least you don’t have to get a new one. Check out the OralB/Braun Service Center website.
SOLUTION #2 – you can try to replace the battery yourself as shown in the video below or described in the guides here.
3. Battery Memory Effect
Another factor that may contribute to your Oral B toothbrush failing to charge is what they call the “memory effect.” Though the existence of this in the toothbrush has not yet been proven or acknowledged by the manufacturer, many people believed it to be real and happening.
The “memory effect” supposedly happens when you charge the partially discharged battery. The battery then only “remembers” the small amount of charge you put into it. This means the unit now holds a lesser charge, causing it not to charge any more if repeatedly done.
This effect can still be corrected if it’s still on its early stage. You just have to let the battery fully drain, and then that’s the time to fully charge it.
To ensure that it is entirely out of power, use your toothbrush (even if it is already low on energy) until it automatically stops.
SOLUTION – use the toothbrush until it is out of power. Then fully recharge it for 14 to 22 hours depending on the model.
Conclusion
All in all, when your OralB is not charging right, you may want to dig deeper into what may have caused it to come with better and suited solutions. There is always the service center near you where you can bring your OralB/Triumph for the check up and repair, or you may opt to solve the problem first on your own.
Whatever you deemed fit, remember to properly use and care for your OralB toothbrush for more prolonged use.
Frequently Asked Questions About Charging The Toothbrush
How do I know if my OralB electric toothbrush is being charged?
Look for the blinking green light that every OralB model except Vitality and Pro 500 has.
If be battery is totally drained, it will have to recharge for 15-20 minutes before it even starts blinking.
How long should you charge OralB toothbrush?
It depends on the model and version.
Here are the charging times for the popular Oral B models:
- Vitality and 500 – 16 hours
- 1000, old 2000, old 3000, old 4000, old 5000, old 6000, 7000 – 22 hours
- new 2000, new 3000, new 4000, new 5000, new 6000, 8000, 9000 – 15 hours
How do I know when my electric toothbrush is fully charged?
When the green charging light stops blinking, the battery has a full charge.
Why isn’t my Philips Sonicare charging?
If you would like to read the troubleshooting guide about Philips Sonicare toothbrushes, please let me know!