If your brand new AirPods keep disconnecting when streaming music or making phone calls, you may be frustrated. In most cases, you’re not the only one experiencing this issue, and it can be simply solved.
Since their initial release in 2016, the AirPods have been plagued by connectivity problems. These issues recur with each new version of iOS or Mac OS, but they are easily solved by following this advice.
If you’ve recently encountered a problem with the new automatic switching option, you can turn it off as well. Automatic switching recognizes which of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac devices you’re now using and tries to connect to that one automatically.
If you’re trying to connect to more than one device at once, this could be an issue. If the new automatic switching function isn’t the source of your issue, stay reading and we’ll show you how to fix it.
What’s wrong with my AirPods?
If your AirPods aren’t connecting, there are a slew of possible causes. There could be an issue with the hardware, a problem with the software, or even interference in the signal.
Fixing a hardware problem is simple because there are only a few possible solutions. For a variety of reasons, your AirPods may not be charged, or they may be damaged and require repair at an Apple Store.
However, software faults can be fixed in a matter of minutes, but patience and perseverance are required as well. The good news is that you won’t have to buy a new pair of AirPods any time soon because of software difficulties.
My AirPods constantly falling out of my ears for no apparent reason
When your AirPods don’t pick up a signal, it’s usually because there’s a nearby gadget that’s making noise, such as a microwave oven or a large metallic object. Cordless phones, radios, and baby monitors have all been shown to cause interference.
Wi-Fi connectivity is problematic at times, and the more devices you have operating on the 5GHz band rather than the 2.4GHz band, the better because it frees up some space for conventional 2.4GHz devices.
Let’s have a look at all of the issues and the solutions.
Problem 1: Battery life is the first issue
It is likely that you have already charged your AirPods before using them, but it never hurts to double-check just in case. Some people charge their AirPods while they’re in their case, but they don’t realize the battery is low or there’s a problem preventing the case from charging their headphones.
Check to see whether the charging light on your case turns orange, and if it doesn’t, make sure your case is charged (ideally via a USB cable). Take a five-minute break, then try again. Many times, the battery was the source of the problem.
Open the case cover while placing it near your iPhone/iPad to check the battery level and charging status, or check the widgets area.
Problem 2: Bluetooth is not turned on
It’s possible that your iDevice’s Bluetooth isn’t working for whatever reason. Your BT connection may have been accidently disabled because you put your phone in airplane mode and forgot to turn it off, or because you accidentally pressed your phone against anything while it was in your pocket.
Make sure that the Bluetooth light is green and that your AirPods are correctly paired to your iDevice by checking your Settings -> Bluetooth.
Make a deliberate effort to turn off your Bluetooth connection and then turn it back on 20 seconds later if it’s acting strangely or if you have many Bluetooth devices. Reconnecting devices should be easier now.
Problem 3: Selecting an audio device is the third issue
However, your output device may be assigned to another source even when you have connected your AirPods. This is a more common issue on a Mac or Apple TV because of the ease with which you may switch between many connections, but it is still conceivable in the iOS ecosystem.
This is something you should check, like the music or call you’re now on may actually be coming from another sound device in your home, rather than the iPhone’s built-in speaker.
Following our discussion of routine issues that can be resolved by double-checking items that are due to human mistakes, it’s time to turn our attention to solutions that don’t work.
If you’re having trouble connecting your AirPods for the first time, follow these steps:
Option 1
Turning them off and back on isn’t always enough in some cases Put your AirPods back in the case when you’ve finished using them. Check to see if they’re all unplugged and wait 10-20 seconds if necessary.
Your iCloud profile will be erased if you select “forget” in Bluetooth settings for the device.
As if you had never used AirPods before, you’re now able to pair them. Open the cover and make sure the AirPods are charged.
Th setup button on the case’s backside can be pressed and held down for a few seconds until the LED lights up from amber to white to reset them. It’s time to re-pair them once you’ve performed a factory reset.
Begin by removing the cover from your iPhone or iPad, then follow the onscreen instructions. It’s a given that you’ll need a Bluetooth-enabled iDevice for this. If all of your Apple devices have the same iCloud ID, your device will be immediately synced.
Option 2: Turn off auto-ear detection
Your AirPods may perform better without it on some occasions. Selecting the I button next to your AirPods in your Bluetooth settings will give you access to this option.
Option 3: Turning off automatic switching
This new feature introduced in iOS 14 and Mac OS Big Sur is excellent when it works, but it can be problematic when it doesn’t, as we discussed at the beginning of this article. If you’re using multiple iDevices at once, disable it.
The AirPods constantly disconnecting from my Mac…
A MacBook or iMac may be the sole device you’re using to connect your AirPods.
Most of the time, the issue is that your AirPods are connected to your phone via Bluetooth, but the audio output is coming from somewhere else. Go to the “Output” tab in System Preferences -> Sound. Switch to PC audio and then pick your AirPods again after 10 seconds if they are already selected.
If it doesn’t work, you can remove the AirPods profile from your Bluetooth settings. As with any new Bluetooth device, you should be able to get your AirPods to work again if you avoid the issues listed above.
Feel free to post a remark if you’re experiencing trouble connecting your AirPods to another device (such as a PlayStation).
Perhaps it’s time to visit the Apple Store and see what an Apple Genius has to say about your AirPods if they don’t work after following all of these steps. Best of luck!
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