Sonicare Toothbrush Light Blinking Rapidly? (Instant Fix)

Is your Sonicare toothbrush light blinking rapidly? We got your back!

When the light on your toothbrush flashes rapidly, it serves as a warning signal that your toothbrush isn’t working properly.

It’s either a sign of a minor glitch or a serious problem that you need to address quickly.

To get the warning light on your Sonicare toothbrush to stop blinking, remove the brush head chip to override the flashing lights to fix this. If this doesn’t work, reset your toothbrush. 

Alright, let’s move on to the solutions!

Sonicare Toothbrush Light Blinking Rapidly – What It Means and How to Fix It

When the light on your Sonicare toothbrush blinks rapidly, it’s trying to convey an important message about its functionality.

Here’s what it generally means:

• Low or faulty battery
• Dirty charging contacts
• Worn-out or damaged brush heads

Before You Start

Before delving into advanced solutions to solve the blinking issue on your Sonicare toothbrush, performing some basic troubleshooting steps is a good practice.

These initial checks will help resolve common problems and save time and effort. 

• Check the charger and make sure it’s plugged in correctly
• Make sure your power outlet is working
• Check the charging base for any signs of damage
• Clean your toothbrush and remove dirt and residue

If the problem persists, move on to the solutions below. 

1. Clean the Charging Contacts on the Toothbrush and Base

One of the most common causes of the rapid blinking light issue is dirty or corroded contacts on the base and the toothbrush.

It prevents your Sonicare toothbrush from charging properly, affecting the power supply. To fix this, clean and dry these parts before charging. 

Things you need:

• A damp cloth or cotton swab
• Toothpick
• Bowl of water 
• Clean, dry cloth

To clean the charging contacts on your Sonicare toothbrush and base, follow these steps:

1. Unplug the charger from the power source. 
2. Remove your Sonicare toothbrush from the base. 
3. Use a toothpick to gently scrape any dirt, debris, or rust from the metal contacts.
4. Get a clean cloth or cotton swab and moisten it with water. 
5. Gently wipe the contacts with a damp cloth or cotton swab. 
6. Dry the contacts thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth.
7. Reattach the brush head and place your toothbrush back on the charger.  

Cleaning the charging contacts ensures the toothbrush can receive a charge and function properly.

If this doesn’t resolve the blinking light issue, proceed to the next solution. 

2. Replace the Brush Head with a New One

Another possible reason is a damaged or incompatible brush head.

This affects the communication between your Sonicare toothbrush and the brush head, causing the toothbrush to malfunction. To fix this, replace the brush head with a new one. 

Things you need:

• A new compatible brush head

Here are the steps to do this: 

1. Turn off your toothbrush and unplug it from the charger. 
2. Push and turn the brush head counter-clockwise to remove it. 
3. Dispose of the old brush head properly.
4. Take out a new one from the package. 
5. Push and turn the toothbrush handle clockwise until you hear a click.
6. Turn on your toothbrush and see if the light is normal. 

Note: Check the packaging or user manual to find out what brush heads are compatible with your toothbrush. 

If replacing the brush head doesn’t resolve the blinking light issue, advance to the next solution. 

3. Remove the Brush Head Chip to Override the Flashing Lights

If you have a Sonicare toothbrush with BrushSync technology and a regular (non-smart) brush head, you will encounter a problem.

This happens because the toothbrush won’t be able to communicate with the non-smart brush head properly.

As a result, your toothbrush will just keep trying to connect with it, causing the blinking issue. 

To fix this, remove the brush head chip from the handle and use the toothbrush without it. This overrides the syncing process and stops the blinking problem.

Here are the steps to do this:

1. Switch off your Sonicare toothbrush. 
2. Take the brush head off.
3. Look for a metal sensor chip near the rim of the tube. 
4. Remove the chip from the slot and set it aside. 
5. Turn on your toothbrush and see if the light is normal. 

Note: Store the brush head chip safely if you want to switch back to a smart brush head. Keep it in a small container or a labeled bag to keep track of it. 

4. Check for Water Damage and Completely Dry It Out

Water damage is another common cause of the blinking light issue on the Sonicare toothbrush.

It interferes with your toothbrush’s electrical components and circuits, causing it to malfunction.

To fix this, check for water damage and completely dry it out. 

Here are the steps to do this:

1. Turn off your toothbrush and unplug it from its charger.
2. Push and turn the brush head counterclockwise to remove it. 
3. Shake the toothbrush handle vigorously to remove any water or moisture inside.   
4. Wipe the toothbrush handle with a clean cloth or paper towel.
5. Let it air dry completely for at least 24 hours. 
6. Align the brush head and the handle and reattach it.
7. Push and turn the brush head clockwise until you hear a click. 
8. Plug the toothbrush into the charger, ensuring it’s seated properly on the base.  
9. Turn on your toothbrush and see if the light is normal.

If the light is still blinking rapidly, only two solutions are left to solve the problem: replacing the battery or resetting your toothbrush. 

5. Replace the Battery of Your Toothbrush

If you have a Sonicare toothbrush with all lights blinking rapidly, it’s time to replace the batteries, as they may already be worn out or faulty.

However, replacing the battery is not an easy task and is for those with experience in electronics. 

It requires opening the toothbrush handle and soldering the new battery to the wires.

You should take it to a professional if you don’t have any experience using a soldering iron.  

Things you need:

• A small flathead screwdriver or butter knife
• A small Philips screwdriver 
• Wire cutter
• Soldering iron
• Battery holder
• New batteries

To replace the battery of your Sonicare toothbrush, follow these steps:

1. Pry open the plastic cover at the bottom of the handle.
2. Remove the brush head chip from the slot and set it aside. 
3. Use the same tool to open the plastic ring around the handle’s metal shaft. 
4. You will see the screws that hold the handle together. 
5. Use a small Philips screwdriver to unscrew the screws.
6. Separate the two halves of the toothbrush handle.
7. Locate the battery inside the handle.
8. Disconnect it from the wires using a wire cutter or desolder them with a soldering iron.
9. Take out the old battery and dispose of it properly. 
10. Buy a new battery that matches the specifications of the old one. 
11. Connect the battery to the wires by soldering them or using a battery holder.
12. Place the new battery inside the toothbrush handle.

Turn off and unplug your toothbrush from the charger before replacing the battery. Also, take note of the polarity and the size of the battery. 

Note: Keep the screws and the rubber seal safe, as these prevent water from entering the handle. After replacing the battery, return the rubber seal to its place and tighten the screws.

6. Reset Your Sonicare Toothbrush

If all else fails, the last resort to fix the blinking light issue is to reset your Sonicare toothbrush.

Note that this will restore the toothbrush to its factory settings and erase any data or settings causing the problem. You’ll have to reconfigure your toothbrush after the reset.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Turn off your toothbrush and unplug it from the charger.
2. Press the power button and hold it for at least 10 seconds. 
3. Release the power button when the light on the toothbrush flashes.
4. Wait for a few seconds.
5. Turn on your toothbrush and see if the light is normal. 

If the problem persists, contact Sonicare’s customer support team or consult a qualified professional.

Be sure to provide them with as much detail as possible regarding the issue you’re experiencing. 

Quick Recap

If you see a Sonicare toothbrush light blinking rapidly, it’s a warning that indicates a malfunction. The most common problem is often a bug or glitch.

To fix this, first, remove the brush head chip to override the flashing lights. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, reset your toothbrush.

Don’t miss our blog for more in-depth troubleshooting tips and articles on Sonicare toothbrushes.