Your Amazon Echo Buds are in danger of overheating – but there’s a quick fix

Here’s what you need to do to keep your Echo Buds safe

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[Update:Amazonhas reached out to TechRadar with the following statement: “The safety of our customers is our top priority. Out of an abundance of caution, we have released a software update addressing this potential issue and have contacted affected customers.” The original story follows below.]

If you have a pair ofEcho Buds, you should update the firmware now, says Amazon, after the company warned of a potential safety hazard in an email sent out to customers.

The email, which was first reported on byAndroid Central, revealed that thetrue wireless earbudsare in danger of overheating when placed in the wireless charging case – although the company has said that the risk of this happening is low.

Owners of Amazon’s answer to theApple AirPodswere told the following: “We recently determined that in very rare cases it is possible for Echo Buds to overheat while in the charging case. Out of an abundance of caution, we have released a software update that addresses this potential safety risk and improves the long-term performance of Echo Buds' batteries.”

How to update your Amazon Echo Buds

Amazon EchoBuds are usually updated automatically, so you shouldn’t have to do anything to fix the issue. The software update is currently being rolled out – however, if you want to make sure that your buds are safe, you can check via the Alexa app on your smartphone.

To do this, open the app, and go to Devices > Echo & Alexa > Echo Buds > About. From there, look for the software version number – if it’s 318119151 or higher, then yourearbudshave been updated successfully.

If the software version number is lower than that, you can initiate the upgrade yourself. Simply pop your earbuds into the charging case and ensure they’re connected to your device via Bluetooth and the Alexa app, and that they’re at least 30% charged.

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Then, close the charging case and leave your Echo Buds alone – the software upgrade should take place within 30 minutes.

Amazon hasn’t revealed what was causing itswireless earbudsto overheat or whether this has the potential to cause a fire, but as many of us charge our devices overnight, the idea of a pair of true wireless earbuds overheating and potentially catching fire is pretty worrying.

In any case, it’s definitely worth making sure that your Echo Buds have updated successfully to avoid any potential safety risks.

Olivia was previously TechRadar’s Senior Editor - Home Entertainment, covering everything from headphones to TVs. Based in London, she’s a popular music graduate who worked in the music industry before finding her calling in journalism. She’s previously been interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live on the subject of multi-room audio, chaired panel discussions on diversity in music festival lineups, and her bylines include T3, Stereoboard, What to Watch, Top Ten Reviews, Creative Bloq, and Croco Magazine. Olivia now has a career in PR.

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