Philips Sonicare Toothbrush Stopped Working? (Easy Fix)

When your Philips Sonicare toothbrush stopped working, what’s the next step? 

Numerous users have experienced an issue where their toothbrush is not turning on or off, difficulty holding a charge, flashing a red light, or emitting beeping sounds.

Luckily, we know how to fix this in minutes!

To get your Philips Sonicare Toothbrush to work again, make sure it’s charged by cleaning the contacts on the charger. You also want to open it up to inspect it and remove dirt and corrosion.

Alright, let’s talk about the other solutions. 

Philips Sonicare Toothbrush Stopped Working – 6 Ways to Fix

There are several possible causes for your toothbrush to stop working.

An old or damaged brush head is just one of many.

Here are more reasons for your problem:

• Incorrect placement on the charging base
• Dirty or corroded contacts between the toothbrush and the charging base
• Low or defective batteries
• Internal errors or glitches

In this article, we’ll help you identify and resolve issues with your Philips Sonicare toothbrush.

We listed the most effective steps for your convenience. 

Before You Start

Before you proceed to any of the solutions below, make sure you do these four basic troubleshooting steps.

You might be dealing with a simple problem that doesn’t require advanced solutions. 

1. Make sure the toothbrush is fully charged.
2. Check your charging adapter and cord for damage.
3. Plug your toothbrush to a different power source.
4. Check the battery light indicator to see if it’s lighting up. 

If none of the above steps work, move on to the following solutions. 

1. Replace the Brush Head if It’s Old or Damaged

“My Philips Sonicare toothbrush stopped working. What should I do?”

The first thing you should do is check the brush head and replace it if it’s old or damaged. 

The brush head is the part that attaches to the toothbrush handle and has the bristles.

If damaged, it will not only affect the performance and functionality of your toothbrush but also lead to loud noise or irregular vibrations. 

To replace the brush head, follow these steps:

1. Slightly twist the old brush head to loosen it and pull it straight out.
2. Dispose of the old brush head properly. 
3. Attach a new brush head to the handle by pushing it firmly until it clicks.
4. Ensure the brush head is aligned securely. 
5. Turn on your toothbrush and test it. 

Note: It is recommended that you replace the brush head every three months or sooner if the bristles are worn out or frayed.  

2. Place the Toothbrush Correctly on the Charging Base

The charging base connects to the power outlet and supplies power to your toothbrush.

If your toothbrush isn’t placed properly on the base, it will lead to improper charging, causing low battery or no power.

To fix this, ensure you’ve correctly positioned your Philip Sonicare toothbrush on its charging base. 

Things you need:

• A working power outlet
• A soft cloth or cotton swab

Here are the steps to do this:

1. Verify the power outlet and charging base are working and plugged in properly. 
2. Wipe the contacts and charging base with a soft cloth or cotton swab. 
3. Align and secure the toothbrush on the charging base. 
4. Ensure your toothbrush is charging by verifying for an audible beep or visible light.
5. Check the battery indicator on the handle to see the battery level.
6. Leave the toothbrush on the charging base for at least 24 hours.
7. Turn on the toothbrush and test it.   

Tip: Do not use abrasive or corrosive materials to clean the contacts on your toothbrush and the charging base, as they will damage them. 

3. Clean the Contacts of Your Toothbrush and Charging Base

The contacts are the metal parts that connect the toothbrush and the charging base, located at the bottom of the handle and the top of the charging base.

If dirty or corroded, they hinder the electrical connection between the toothbrush and the charging base, ultimately preventing the toothbrush from receiving power. 

To further troubleshoot the issue, clean the contacts of your toothbrush and charging base.

This helps restore the electrical connection and solve the problem. 

Things you need:

• A soft cloth or cotton swab
• Rubbing alcohol or vinegar

Here are the steps to do this:

1. Unplug the charging base from the power outlet and remove your toothbrush.
2. Soak your soft cloth or cotton swab in rubbing alcohol or vinegar. 
3. Gently wipe the contacts of your toothbrush or charging base.
4. Let the contacts dry completely.
5. Place your toothbrush back on the charging base.
6. Plug in the charging base. 
7. Turn on the toothbrush and test it.

If your Philips Sonicare toothbrush works normally, you have fixed the issue.

Otherwise, move on to the next solution. 

4. Open the Toothbrush and Remove Dirt and Corrosion

Water, saliva, or toothpaste causes dirt and corrosion inside your toothbrush.

This affects the battery and electronics of your device, making it stop working.

To fix this, open the toothbrush and remove any dirt and corrosion that accumulated inside.

Things you need:

• A screwdriver or knife
• A soft brush or cotton swab
• Rubbing alcohol or vinegar

Here are the steps to do this:

1. Turn off your toothbrush and unplug the charging base. 
2. Pry open the bottom cap of the handle using a small screwdriver or knife.
3. Disconnect some wires or clips if necessary. 
4. Remove the battery and circuit board.  
5. Moisten a cotton swab or soft brush with rubbing alcohol or vinegar. 
6. Gently wipe the battery and the circuit board. 
7. Let them dry completely before putting them back in the handle.
8. Reconnect any wires or clips you disconnected.
9. Replace the bottom cap and snap it into place. 
10. Turn on the toothbrush and test it.

Tip: Remove any dirt, corrosion, or residue that you see. Do not use abrasive or corrosive materials that might damage the battery and the circuit board. 

5. Replace the Battery on Your Toothbrush

If your Philips Sonicare toothbrush has stopped working, replace the battery.

Located inside the handle and connected to the circuit board, the battery is responsible for storing and providing power to your toothbrush.

However, sometimes, it becomes defective, causing the toothbrush to hold a charge for a short time or not to charge at all. 

Replacing the battery helps extend the life and performance of your toothbrush.

Here are the steps to do this:

1. Turn off your toothbrush and unplug the charging base. 
2. Follow the steps from the above solution to open the toothbrush. 
3. Remove the battery and circuit board.  
4. Identify the type and size of the battery. 
5. Buy a new battery that matches the type and size of the old one. 
6. Replace the old battery with a new one, ensuring correct polarity and connection. 
7. Put the battery and circuit board back into the handle. 
8. Replace the bottom cap and snap it into place.
9. Turn on the toothbrush and test it.

Note: You will find the type and size of the battery in the battery itself or your toothbrush’s user manual. 

You can also search online for the compatible battery for your toothbrush model and type. 

6. Reset Your Toothbrush to Clear Errors and Glitches

Sometimes, your Philips Sonicare toothbrush encounters an error or glitch that prevents it from working properly.

This causes the toothbrush to flash a red light or beep.

In this case, the best thing to do is reset your toothbrush to clear any errors or glitches and restore its normal operation. 

To reset your toothbrush, follow these steps:

1. Ensure the toothbrush is turned on and fully charged.
2. Press and hold the power button for at least 10 seconds. 
3. Release the power button once you hear a beep or see a light.
4. Turn off the toothbrush.   
5. Turn on the toothbrush again and test it. 

If the toothbrush works normally, the issue is fixed. If not, contact Philips customer service for further assistance.   

Quick Recap

Many users face issues when their Philips Sonicare toothbrush stopped working.

The common fix is replacing the damaged head brush, and if the problem persists, performing a reset eliminates errors or glitches. 

Explore our blog for more Philips Sonicare troubleshooting insights and articles!