How to Fix When AirPods Not Connecting

Can’t use your Apple AirPods because they are not connecting with your device?

Wireless mobility has been a massive part of our daily lives, and the Apple AirPods uses this in what we usually call as Bluetooth technology when trying to connect to our devices.

Though Apple designed their equipment with proprietary compatibility to its own, AirPods can still be used with non-Apple products. This is because it uses standard Bluetooth protocol that is commonly included on most devices.

But like all Bluetooth connected devices, the Apple AirPods is no exception when it comes to being perfect and has its flaws, especially when it comes to syncing with other devices.

In this guide, we will cover everything on the whys and hows to fix when your AirPods not connecting to help you understand what causes this issue as well as utilizing what we understand to once and for all fixing the problems.

Let’s get started!

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS
  1. Restart the Device and Refresh AirPods
  2. Check Bluetooth Connection
  3. Check AirPlay Audio Settings
  4. Turn Off Low Power Mode
  5. Charge your AirPods
  6. Clean Your AirPods and Case
  7. Update AirPods to the Latest Firmware Version
  8. Reset your AirPods and Pair Again
  9. Reset Network Settings
  10. Still Find Your AirPods Not Connecting? Reach Out to Apple

 

How to Fix AirPods Not Connecting: 10 Ways.

 

1. Restart the Device and Refresh AirPods.

First and foremost, it’s important to understand if the device which you’re trying to connect with your AirPods has been running for days without a restart or a shutdown, then it’s going to encounter issues.

Now, why is it that?

You see, if you start noticing that your device starts to be slow and laggy or sometimes even buggy, then it’s likely that the device may be overloaded with background tasks that have consumed your device’s resources. When your device’s available resources have depleted, it doesn’t have enough room to run new tasks and will instead opt to slow down the performance in its entirety and, as a side-effect, can falter Bluetooth connectivity.

This is a common occurrence for computers that you’re trying to get your AirPods to connect with. Now the best way to go about fixing it is you will want to give your device some shut-eye by restarting your device.

If you are trying to pair your AirPods to an Apple device, here’s how you can do it:

  1. First, go into your Settings app.
  2. Then find and tap General, then tap Shut Down.

Shut Down iPhone

 

  1. Now put your AirPods back into the charging case and close it.
  2. For about 20 seconds, turn back on your Apple device again.
  3. Finally, when your Apple device has fully started up, take out your AirPods from the charging case and connect it again.

If you cannot do this, you can always force restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. The restart process for Android smartphones is slightly different, as each model is unique and has a different reset configuration. You may want to check your manufacturer for that process.

If you are on a Mac or a Windows 10 PC, then you will want to restart your Mac or Windows computer, respectively.

Now that you have refreshed your device and AirPods, there will be enough resources for new tasks and standard communication tasks such as Bluetooth. Your AirPods will be able to connect to your devices successfully and function correctly.

 

 

2. Check Bluetooth Connection.

Have you ever tried to connect your AirPods to more than one device at a time?

Well, you can’t, and it’s rightfully so. This is because when your AirPods are connected simultaneously to more than one device at the same time, it can confuse it to which device it’s supposed to work with and will subsequently impact the connectivity.

Now the same issue can arise even if you have paired your AirPods with multiple devices. You will want to make sure when you’re using the AirPods with a device such as your iPhone (for instance), that the Bluetooth on all other devices is turned off.

Additionally, once the AirPods attempts to connect via Bluetooth, make sure that your device is within 5 to 10 meters away from the AirPods. This is the optimal range where your Bluetooth can work correctly. You can’t expect your AirPods to connect to your iPhone if it is located in another room.

You will also want to avoid equipment that might interfere with the signal, which is as stated by Apple include power cables, microwave ovens, fluorescent lights, wireless video cameras, and cordless phones. This is because it emits the same frequency that will mess up your Bluetooth signal. As possible, avoid these devices when using your AirPods.

Once you have removed all the physical and signal conflicts, make sure that you refresh your Bluetooth connection where you want to connect your AirPods. To refresh your Bluetooth connection, simply turn off the Bluetooth for a few seconds and turn it back on. You should be able to connect your AirPods to your device.

 

 

3. Check AirPlay Audio Settings.

AirPlay is a feature from Apple where you have the convenience to stream audio from an Apple device to a separate audio device such as your TV, Mac, etc.

 

AirPods not connecting

 

In the latest version of AirPlay, which is called AirPlay 2, you can even play music on multiple audio devices at the same time, including your AirPods and HomePod.

Hence, if you have AirPlay set up, you will make sure you choose AirPods as an audio output.

Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Go ahead and open the Control Center on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch device.
  2. Now, tap the AirPlay icon  in the upper-right corner.
  3. Finally, find and tap AirPods on the list so you can use it when playing audio or video.

AirPlay AirPods

 

If you want to set up Airplay on your other devices, learn more about how to do it. Now that you have set up the correct audio output device, your audio can now be heard from your AirPods.

 

 

4. Turn Off Low Power Mode.

If you are running low on battery, then chances are you may have activated the Low Power Mode. This feature will turn off major processes such as email fetching, background app refresh, automatic downloads, and even impact the Bluetooth connectivity on your device to save battery usage.

To fix this, you must make sure that you charge your battery and disable Low Power Mode.

To disable this feature, go to the Settings of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch and then tap on the Battery option. After that, tap on the Low Power Mode button to disable the feature. You will be able to know that it is disabled because the button will be greyed out.

AirPods not connecting

 

By doing this, you will be able to use Bluetooth again and thus connect your AirPods.

 

 

5. Charge your AirPods.

The cause of our AirPods not connecting to our Mac was in fact that our AirPods were out of charge. This may be the case for you too.

Bluetooth connectivity eats up a lot of power, and hence it’s essential that you have enough power for your AirPods to support it.

So place your AirPods back into its case, close the lid, and charge your Apple AirPods to full capacity. Take note that you must charge your AirPods case too! Merely placing your AirPods into its case and expecting it to charge up when it doesn’t have any charge is not going to do much. If your AirPods won’t charge, know about what to do.

AirPods not connecting

 

If you are in an emergency, you can charge it for 15 minutes. In that short time, you will be able to use it for a call or audio listening for at around 1 hour. Once your AirPods has enough battery, it should be able to connect to your device.

 

 

6. Clean Your AirPods and Case.

If you tried to charge your AirPods and still was not able to connect, it is possible that the charging process failed. This is because there might be something that hinders the process. Specks of dirt or debris can come in between the charging plate of the AirPods and charging case, which, as a result, can cause the AirPods not to charge.

To make sure there’s no hindrance, make sure to clean the AirPods using a microfiber cloth. With the hard to reach places such as inside the charging case, you can use a soft-bristle brush or a cotton bud to clean it.

 

Cleaning AirPods

 

It’s important when cleaning your AirPods’ case that you clean the charging ports too, which, as shown below, are the small plates installed at the bottom. Use a clean cotton-bud or a soft-bristle brush to reach it.

AirPods not connecting

Additionally, you will also want to clean the charging port of your case and the tip of your charging cable. By doing this, you keep all contacts for charging clear of any obstructions.

AirPods not connecting

 

Follow this checklist when cleaning your Airpods:

  • Don’t use your AirPods underwater.
  • Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to dry the device.
  • Avoid any liquid.
  • Use a dry cotton bud to gently clean the microphone and speaker meshes.
  • Remove any dirt or debris from the meshes with a clean, dry, soft-bristled brush.
  • Avoid using sharp objects or abrasive materials to clean the AirPods

If you still find that the AirPods won’t connect despite cleaning the AirPods and the charging case, then you may go through our in-depth guide on how to fix AirPods not charging here, which covers every possible solution.

Now that you have removed the obstruction for a successful charging process, you can try to reconnect your AirPods with a device and see if it works. 🙂

 

 

7. Update AirPods to the Latest Firmware Version.

Apple updates its devices frequently, and with each update comes fixes and several patches for bugs such as connectivity issues. Most of the connectivity issues that you encounter with your AirPods is down to its software rather than its hardware.

This is why an update could break or fix it as it is so crucial to the AirPods’ sustainability. Now the great thing is that the latest version of the AirPods is bundled with the latest OS version of your device. So make sure you update your Apple device to the newest version. After that, place your AirPods into the case and move it near your Apple device. It will automatically update your AirPods to the latest version as well.

Here’s how you can check for the latest updates on your iPhone or iPad:

  1. Plugin your device into power and connect to the Internet with Wi-Fi to avoid interruption.
  2. Tap Settings, then General
  3. Select Software Update.
  4. Tap Download and Install. You will be prompted to enter your device’s passcode before restarting the device.

 

iOS Software Update

 

Now that you’ve updated your AirPods and the device, you should be able to use it with your device without any issues.

 

 

8. Reset your AirPods and Pair Again.

There is a possibility that changes in your AirPods, such as a corrupted update, may have messed up the settings of the device. Since updates are always designed to work on default settings of the device, resetting it is a good option to fix it.

Doing the below steps also helps to remove any conflicts between the old settings and the new firmware.

Here’s what you do:

  1. Go ahead and open the Settings app of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, then tap on Bluetooth.
  2. Next, find and tap the ( i ) icon next to your AirPods name, tap Forget This Device and then Confirm.

AirPods not connecting

 

  1. Now, place your earbuds securely in the charging case and close the lid. Wait for about 30 seconds and open the lid of the case.

AirPods not connecting

 

  1. Then press and hold the Setup button on the back of the case until the LED light inside the case flashes amber ☀ and then white repeatedly.AirPods not connecting

 

AirPods not connecting
💡 This indicates now that your AirPods are done with the resetting.

 

  1. After that, close the lid of the Airpods charging case to finish the reset process. Give it a few seconds then open the lid of the case fo AirPods again to begin the pairing process.
  2. Go back to the home screen of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch and bring your AirPods case near it until a setup animation appears on the screen. If you are having trouble, know more about what to do.
  3. Finally, tap the Connect option on your Apple device and follow the instructions until you finish the setup process.

AirPods not connecting

 

Now you will be able to reconnect back your AirPods to your device as it should.

 

 

9. Reset Network Settings.

The network settings on your device can get corrupted when a core network process gets interrupted and abnormally terminated. The good news is that this corrupted file can be rebuilt, so your network settings, including your Bluetooth connection, can work again.

It’s important to note that network settings do partially play a hand it ensuring Bluetooth works smoothly, so the following steps are worthwhile to try out.

Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Go ahead and tap the Settings on your iPhone or iPad, then General, and then Reset option.
  2. Then, find and tap the Reset Network Settings option. Do take note that resetting your network settings will erase all the saved Wi-Fi passwords and network configurations you may have set for any network you’ve connected to before. In case if you do not remember your Wi-Fi password, then make sure you record it down before going through with the reset.

Reset Network Settings

 

  1. Next, provide your device passcode if applicable.
  2. Finally, tap Confirm to finalize the process.

Now that you have reset your network connection to its default state, any network conflicts and incorrect settings should be reset. After this, remember to pair your AirPods again with your device. You can refer to Method 8 of this article and start from Step 5. Your AirPods should be able to connect with no issues.

But if this doesn’t work, there is go back to Step 2 of this same method (above) and tap on Reset All Settings to reset all the settings on your Apple device. It’s recommended you have backed-up all your device’s data before going through with the reset since it will reset every setting on your device (not just network settings) back to default on your device. You should be able to connect your AirPods now once this is done.

 

 

10. Still Find Your AirPods Not Connecting? Reach Out to Apple.

If you’ve tried all the methods above, but you still find that you AirPods not connecting, then we need to assume that your AirPods may be faulty. With that, you will need an Apple-certified technician to evaluate the AirPods. Before you head off to the Apple Store, make sure you check your warranty options and be ready for the replacement process.

 

AirPods not connecting

 

Once you’ve checked your warranty options, you will be able to figure out the warranty options that are available to you before heading over to your nearest Apple Store.

The reason why we strongly advise you to understand the warranty options that are available to you is that you don’t end up getting ripped off. For instance, if you’ve just bought your AirPods, you’re entitled to a free exchange or refunds within 14 days from the date of purchase. If you’ve purchased AppleCare at the time you bought your AirPods, then you’re entitled to either a free or discounted repair cost. Feel free to comment down below, and we can advise you. 🙂

Make sure you tell the technicians all the troubleshooting steps you did to save you some time. If ever they did replace your AirPods, make sure to test it before leaving the store. With that, you can avoid getting another defective device.

 

Apple Store Los Angeles CA

 

Upon closing this guide, we hope that it helped you fix when your AirPods not connecting. Because of your continuous support, we are more eager to provide you with more helpful tips regarding technology. If you have questions related to this topic, please feel free to leave a comment below.

 

If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂

 

 

Author

  • Jake Kovoor

    Jake is the Editor-in-Chief of Saint and an independent software developer, with a Bachelors in Computer Science from Lancaster University, UK. He loves trying out various tech from the Flipper Zero to coding Raspberry Pis for automation. He started Saint back in 2016, having written over 100 posts, with the sole purpose of creating guides for software that had yet to exist back then to help users navigate around their technical problems.

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