Oral-B Electric Toothbrush Stopped Working? (6 Easy Fixes)

If your Oral-B electric toothbrush stopped working, don’t panic! We have the solution.

It’s frustrating when your electric toothbrush stops working in the middle of your brushing session. The error often indicates charging base problems.

However, electric toothbrushes sometimes experience glitches. 

To get your Oral-B toothbrush to work again, clean the charging port on your toothbrush and charger. If this doesn’t work, check the brush head by removing it.

Alright, let’s discuss the solutions in detail.  

Oral-B Electric Toothbrush Stopped Working – Top Effective Fixes

There are several possible causes for why our Oral-B toothbrush stopped working.

Some of the most common ones are:

• Dead or low-powered battery
• Worn out or damaged brush head
• Dirt or clogged toothbrush
• Broken or defective toothbrush

In this article, we’ll show you the best way to fix your Oral-B toothbrush if it stops working.

We searched for the most helpful steps to resolve the issue, including some basic ones.  

Before You Start

Before you proceed with the solutions listed, go through these four fundamental troubleshooting steps.

You may be dealing with a minor issue that can be easily solved with minimal effort. 

• Make sure your toothbrush is fully charged
• Check the charger for any damage or dirt
• Check your toothbrush’s settings and modes
• Examine your toothbrush’s body for damage

If these don’t solve the problem, move on to the more advanced methods below. 

1. Clean the Charging Port on Your Toothbrush

If your Oral-B electric toothbrush isn’t working, a simple yet effective fix is to clean the charging port on both the toothbrush and the charger.

Dirt, dust, or debris blocks the connection between these two, causing the battery not to charge properly.

As a result, you won’t be able to turn on your toothbrush, or it will stop mid-use due to a low or dead battery. 

Things you need:

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Unplug the charger from the outlet, then remove the toothbrush from the charger. 
2. Soak the cotton swab in some rubbing alcohol. 
3. Gently wipe the metal contacts on the toothbrush and charger. 
4. Wipe off excess alcohol with a dry cloth. 
5. Let the toothbrush and charger air dry completely.
6. Plug the charger back into the power outlet.
7. Place the toothbrush on the charger.
8. Ensure it’s properly aligned with the charging light turned on. 
9. Leave the toothbrush on the charger for at least 24 hours to fully charge it. 

Turn on your toothbrush and see if it works.

If it does, congratulations! You have fixed your Oral-B electric toothbrush. If not, proceed to the next solution. 

2. Remove, Clean, and Replace the Brush Head

A worn-out or damaged brush head also affects the performance and functionality of your toothbrush.

When the bristles are frayed or worn, it strains the motor, causing the toothbrush to malfunction or cease working.

Remove, clean, or replace the brush head regularly to fix this. 

Things you need:

• Mild soap or toothbrush cleaner
• A soft cloth

Here are the steps:

1. Slide off the old brush head from the toothbrush handle. 
2. Rinse the brush head and handle under running water. 
3. Use a mild soap or toothbrush cleaner to disinfect them.
4. Use a soft cloth to wipe the toothbrush head and handle dry. 
5. Check the metal shaft for bends, looseness, or corrosion. 
6. Replace it with a new one if you find any damage. 
7. Slide the new brush head onto your toothbrush’s shaft.
8. Push it into place until you hear a click. 

Note: Replace your brush head every 3 months or sooner if you notice any worn-out bristles. 

3. Use a Different Replacement Brush Head

Sometimes, the problem lies with the type of brush head you use. Oral-B offers various replacement brush heads for different oral care needs and preferences.

Some are not compatible with your toothbrush model, hence the malfunction. 

To fix this, use a different replacement brush head that is compatible with your toothbrush model and meets your oral care needs.

Here are some of the most popular Oral-B replacement brush heads and their benefits:

Brush Head	Purpose
CrossAction	Bristles are positioned at 16 degrees to remove 100% more plaque
Pro GumCare	Tough on plaque but gentle on your gums, thanks to the ultra-thin bristles
3D White	It comes with a polishing cup that gently removes surface stains for whiter teeth
Floss Action	MicroPulse bristles for superior interdental cleaning
Sensitive Gum Care	Extra soft bristles that are perfect for sensitive gums
Precision Clean	A comfortable clean that is perfect for new electric toothbrush users
Deep Sweep	Has three distinct cleaning zones for a comprehensive clean
Ortho	Designed to clean around braces gently
Dual Clean	Uses two moving brush heads to access hard-to-reach spots
Interproximal Clean	Devised to clean around dental work such as crowns and bridges

To use a different replacement brush, follow the same steps in Solution #2.

Ensure you choose a brush head that is compatible with your toothbrush model and needs. 

Note: You can find the compatibility information on the packaging of the brush head or on the Oral-B website. 

4. Check the Metal Shaft Under the Brush Head to See If It’s Moving

Another possible reason your Oral B toothbrush stopped working is the metal shaft under the brush head.

The metal shaft makes the brush head oscillate and rotate. If it’s not spinning, the brush head won’t move either.  

Info: A smoothly spinning and loud shaft indicates proper functioning, while a non-spinning, stuck, or weak/strange noise suggests damage. 

To fix this, make sure the metal shaft is spinning.

Here are the steps to do this:

1. Remove the brush head from the handle. 
2. Turn on your toothbrush.
3. Check the metal shaft to see if it’s spinning. 
4. Tap or shake the toothbrush handle gently to see if the metal shaft starts moving.  

If the metal shaft is not moving, there is a loose connection or a stuck part inside the toothbrush handle.

Replace the brush head or contact Oral-B customer support for guidance or assistance. 

Tip: Avoid using excessive force when tapping or shaking your toothbrush, which causes further damage. 

5. Look for Water Damage and Clean Your Toothbrush

Submerging your toothbrush in water, using it in the shower, or storing it in a humid place will cause it to malfunction.

Water damage causes moisture to infiltrate your toothbrush, potentially damaging the internal components or circuitry.

If you notice any signs of water damage, clean your toothbrush to mitigate the issue. 

Things you need:

Here’s how to do this:

1. Remove the brush head from the handle. 
2. Inspect your toothbrush for signs of water damage.
3. Gather the above items if you see rust, mold, or discoloration. 
4. Follow the steps in Solution #1 to clean every part of the toothbrush and charger. 
5. Let the toothbrush and charger air dry completely. 
6. Once dry, charge your toothbrush and turn it on.

If it works, great! You’ve fixed the issue. Otherwise, replace your toothbrush or contact Oral-B customer support for assistance. 

Note: Don’t use a hair dryer, microwave, or oven to speed up drying. This will only damage the toothbrush and charger further.  

6. Update Your Toothbrush’s Firmware

If none of the above solutions work, consider updating your toothbrush’s firmware.

The firmware controls the functions and features of your Oral-B toothbrush.

If it is outdated or corrupted, it will lead to your toothbrush malfunctioning or stop working.

Things you need:

Here’s how to update your toothbrush’s firmware:

1. Download and install the Oral-B app on your smartphone.  
2. Turn on the Bluetooth on your smartphone and pair it with your toothbrush. 
3. Open the Oral-B app and tap on the Settings icon. 
4. Tap on My Connected Products.
5. Select your toothbrush from the list.
6. Tap on Check for Updates to see if a new firmware version is available.
7. Tap on Update.
8. Obey the on-screen prompts to download and install the firmware update. 
9. Wait for the update to finish, then turn on your toothbrush. 

Tip: Don’t turn off your smartphone or toothbrush during the update. Depending on your internet connection and the update size, this may take a few minutes. 

If updating the firmware doesn’t fix the problem, you may be dealing with a faulty toothbrush or firmware update.

Contact Oral-B customer support for assistance or return your toothbrush for a refund or replacement. 

Quick Recap

If your Oral-B electric toothbrush stopped working, don’t worry. The issue often points to a charging base problem, but glitches are a common culprit, too.

Resolve it by cleaning the charging port on your toothbrush and charger, and if needed, update the firmware.