Techniques for Troubleshooting AirPods that Refuse to Produce Audio When Paired
In case your AirPods are not playing sound when connected, this comprehensive guide offers a series of troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the issue. These steps are based on combined advice from various troubleshooting guides and official support resources.
1. Check the Charge
Ensure both your AirPods and their charging case are fully charged. A depleted battery can prevent your AirPods from functioning correctly.
2. Clean Your AirPods
Gently clean your AirPods and the charging contacts to remove any dirt or earwax that might be blocking sound.
3. Adjust Audio Settings
On your device, verify that the audio balance isn't shifted fully to one side and that Bluetooth is properly enabled. Additionally, check if your device's output device is correctly set to AirPods.
4. Update Firmware and Device OS
Updating your AirPods firmware and your connected device’s operating system can help avoid compatibility issues. To update AirPods firmware, plug them in, wait a couple of minutes, and then try using them again. As of June 2024, the latest firmware versions are available.
5. Reset Your AirPods
Place your AirPods in their case, open the lid, and press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white (about 5 seconds). After resetting, reconnect your AirPods to your device.
6. Test on Another Device
Connect your AirPods to a different device to check if the issue persists.
For Windows Users:
Ensure Windows has correctly set the output device to AirPods, and check that Windows isn’t defaulting to a low-quality hands-free profile instead of stereo mode. Update the Bluetooth driver if necessary.
Other Considerations
- Increase the volume limit on your device if it was set too low.
- Adjust your computer’s audio balance if audio is not balanced between left and right AirPods.
- If you're running an older version of iOS on your iPhone or iPad, your AirPods may not play sound as expected. Update to the latest iOS and try connecting your AirPods again.
- A quick restart might work to fix minor errors in your software. Restart your computer, phone, or tablet and try reconnecting to your AirPods.
- If AirPods aren't playing audio even when connected, there may be a bug or issue causing the problem.
- If your AirPods are still under warranty, Apple can repair or replace them. Contact Apple and see the options for your specific warranty.
- Completely resetting your AirPods can wipe problems with the settings. To run a factory reset, put your AirPods inside the case and close the lid, press and hold the button on the back of the Charging Case, wait for the status light to flash yellow, and then white, and then pair your AirPods to your device again.
This article has been fact-checked and viewed 114,291 times. It was co-authored by James Bell, a Phone Repair Specialist at Phone Techs in Winchester, California, and Hunter Rising.
1. Clean Your Smartphones and Gadgets Remember to clean your smartphones and other gadgets, such as your AirPods, regularly to prevent dirt or earwax buildup that can interfere with their functioning.
2. Apply Cleaning Techniques to Home Gadgets When cleaning your home gadgets like AirPods, opt for a soft, dry microfiber cloth to avoid damaging their delicate components during the process.
3. Technology Troubleshooting Tips for Home Beyond AirPods, this troubleshooting guide for home technology devices can help resolve issues with your smartphones and other connected gadgets to maintain optimal performance.
