Fix AirPods Not Connecting, Working, or Cutting Out

AirPods are reliable, but they still hit connection drops, audio cutouts, or refuse to pair. This guide walks you through the fixes in order, from quick resets to deeper settings checks, so you can get them working again on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

What You’ll Need

Your AirPods and their charging case
The device they should connect to (iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc.)
Access to Bluetooth settings on that device
A clean, soft, dry cloth (optional, for cleaning contacts)

Step-by-Step

Check the basics. Make sure your AirPods have battery charge. Put them in the case, close the lid, wait 10 seconds, then open the lid near your phone. The status light should glow. If it doesn’t, charge the case for at least 15 minutes with a Lightning or USB-C cable.
Reconnect manually. Open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad (swipe down from the top-right corner on Face ID models, or up from the bottom on older ones). Tap the Bluetooth icon to make sure it’s on. Then tap the AirPlay icon (a triangle with circles) in the Now Playing widget and select your AirPods from the list.
Put them back in the case, then take them out. This is the simplest reset. Place both AirPods in the case, close the lid, wait 30 seconds, then open the lid and put them in your ears. This often clears a temporary glitch.
Forget and re-pair. Go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad. Find your AirPods in the list, tap the i icon next to them, then tap Forget This Device. Confirm. Now, with the AirPods in the case and the lid open, press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the status light flashes amber, then white. Hold the case near your device and follow the on-screen animation to pair them again.
Reset the AirPods themselves. If forgetting didn’t work, do a full reset. Put both AirPods in the case, close the lid, wait 30 seconds. Open the lid, then on your iPhone go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the i next to your AirPods, tap Forget This Device. Then, with the lid open, press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then white. Release. Re-pair as if they were new.
Check audio source and volume. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the i next to your AirPods. Make sure both the left and right buds show as connected. If one shows “Not Connected,” put it back in the case, close the lid, wait a few seconds, and take it out again. Also check that the volume on your device isn’t muted or at zero.
Clean the AirPods and case. Cutouts often come from dirty speaker meshes or charging contacts. Use a dry, soft-bristled brush (like a clean toothbrush) to gently remove debris from the speaker grilles and the charging contacts at the bottom of the stems. Wipe the inside of the case with a dry cloth. Do not use water or liquids.
Update firmware. AirPods update automatically when they’re in the case, connected to power, and near your iPhone. To check the version, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the i next to your AirPods, and look at “Firmware Version.” If it’s old, leave them in the case plugged in next to your phone for 30 minutes. There’s no manual update button.
Check for interference. Move away from Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, or other Bluetooth devices. If you’re near a crowded area with many Bluetooth signals, that can cause cutouts. Also, make sure your device’s operating system is up to date.
Try a different device. Pair your AirPods with another iPhone or an Android phone (via Bluetooth settings). If they work there, the problem is with your original device, not the AirPods. If they fail everywhere, the hardware may be at fault.

Common Mistakes

Skipping the “forget” step. Just turning Bluetooth off and on rarely fixes a stuck connection. You must forget the device in Bluetooth settings to clear the old pairing data.
Not holding the setup button long enough. The reset only happens after the light flashes amber then white. If you let go early, nothing resets.
Cleaning with water or alcohol. Liquids can damage the internal components. Use only dry tools.
Assuming both buds are charged. One bud might be dead while the other works. Always check the battery status on your phone’s Bluetooth screen.
Leaving them in the case with the lid open. The case won’t charge them properly if the lid is open for long periods.

Tips

Keep your AirPods in the case when not in use. This preserves battery and prevents them from connecting to nearby devices.
If cutouts happen only when moving, it might be a weak Bluetooth antenna in your phone. Try carrying your phone on the same side as the AirPod that cuts out.
Turn off “Automatic Ear Detection” temporarily (Settings > Bluetooth > i > Automatic Ear Detection) to see if that stops the audio from pausing unexpectedly.
Reset your network settings on the iPhone (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings). This clears all Bluetooth pairings and Wi-Fi passwords, so only do it if other steps fail.
Use only Apple-certified chargers for the case. Third-party chargers can sometimes cause charging issues.

Troubleshooting

If you’ve gone through all the steps and still have problems:

One AirPod is silent: Put both in the case, close the lid, wait 10 seconds, then take them out. If that fails, forget the device and re-pair. If still silent, the speaker mesh may be clogged—clean it gently.
They connect but immediately disconnect: This usually points to a low battery or a bad pairing. Fully charge the case and AirPods, then forget and re-pair.
They connect to the wrong device: On your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the i next to your AirPods, and turn off “Connect to This iPhone” or set it to “When Last Connected.”
Microphone not working: Check Settings > Bluetooth > i > Microphone. Set it to “Automatic” or switch to the other bud to test if one mic is faulty.
They work on calls but not music (or vice versa): This is often a Bluetooth profile issue. Forget the device, restart your phone, then re-pair.
Still broken after all this: The hardware may be defective. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for diagnostic testing. If they’re out of warranty, you may need to consider replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do my AirPods keep cutting out?
A: Most often it’s low battery, Bluetooth interference, or dirty speaker meshes. Try charging fully, moving away from other wireless devices, and cleaning the grilles.

Q: How do I know if my AirPods are charging?
A: Put them in the case and open the lid near your iPhone. A charging icon appears on screen. The status light on the front of the case shows amber while charging and green when full.

Q: Can I reset AirPods without an iPhone?
A: Yes. Put them in the case, close the lid, wait 30 seconds, then press and hold the setup button on the back for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber then white. They’ll then be in pairing mode for any device.

Q: Why is only one AirPod working?
A: Check the battery level of each bud in Bluetooth settings. If one is dead, charge the case. If both show charged, clean the speaker mesh and the charging contacts. If that fails, forget and re-pair.

Q: Do AirPods work with Android phones?
A: Yes, as standard Bluetooth headphones. They’ll play audio, but you lose some features like automatic ear detection and Siri. To pair, put them in the case, open the lid, hold the setup button, and select them in Android’s Bluetooth settings.

Q: How long should I hold the setup button to reset?
A: About 15 seconds. You’ll see the status light flash amber, then white. If you only see white, you didn’t hold it long enough.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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