Apple AirPods are some of the best true wireless earbuds on the market, but like anything in this world, they are not without their fair share of faults. In fact, many AirPods users have been facing problems with the company’s earbuds since day one, ranging from low battery life to Bluetooth signals to connection failure.
We have heard reports that Apple AirPods are connected to an iPhone but sound only comes from the mobile device. Apple has acknowledged the issue, but I am not sure when the Cupertino firm will address it. Meanwhile, there are several workarounds you can try to get your AirPods working properly again.
Whether your wireless earbuds are giving you headaches or you feel that something is not working right, I will help you fix it.
How to Fix AirPods Connection Problems
Method 1: Reset Your Bluetooth
Apple AirPods rely on Bluetooth to work, so the first try is to reset Bluetooth on your iPhone. This method should reset your phone’s Bluetooth connection, meaning that you need to re-connect your AirPods with your phone. Here are the steps.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone and then select Bluetooth.
Step 2: Turn off the switch for Bluetooth and wait for 20 seconds.
Step 3: Turn the switch back on and select your AirPods from the list to re-initiate the connection.
Alternatively, simply swipe down on your iPhone’s home screen to access the control center and then tap on the blue Bluetooth icon and turn it back on. If this method does not work the first time, then repeat the steps and check if the problem is dealt with.
Method 2: Reset Your AirPods
If the above method did not work for you, the next solution is to reset your wireless earbuds. A reset should fix almost all software-related problems, so it should do the trick. To reset your AirPods, you first need to disconnect them from your iPhone and hit Forget this Device. Here are the steps.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone and then select Bluetooth.
Step 2: Click on the info icon next to your AirPods from the list.
Step 3: Select “Forget this Device” to remove your AirPods from your iPhone.
Step 4: Turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone, then put the earbuds into the charging case and keep the lid closed.
Step 5: Now, press and hold the back button on your AirPods charging case until the status light blinks white.
Step 6: Your AirPods should connect to your iPhone. Once it’s done, play a music track and check if you have resolved the issue.
Method 3: Reset Your iPhone
If resetting your AirPods did not work, then it could be that your iPhone is having a problem. If this is the case, try resetting your iPhone. An iPhone reset should clear the current state of your phone’s software, thus fixing the issue.
Resetting an iPhone varies depending on the iPhone model you have now. For a newer iPhone, press and hold the side and either of the volume buttons at the same time until you see the Apple logo. Once it’s finished booting up, turn it back on.
Method 4: Reset iPhone’s Network Settings
Resetting your iPhone’s network settings should remove all current iPhone settings, meaning that you need to set up everything from scratch. Here are the steps.
Step 1: Go to Settings and then tap General.
Step 2: Scroll down to the bottom and select Reset.
Step 3: Select Reset Network Settings.
Method 5: Turn Off Auto Ear Detection
Apple’s AirPods and AirPods 2 include a cool feature called Automatic Ear Detection that allows playback to switch to the source device’s speakers if both earbuds are out of your ears. While it should come in handy, it may prevent sound from coming from your AirPods. Here is how to turn it off.
Step 1: Go to Settings and then tap Bluetooth.
Step 2: Under the My Devices list, tap the circled “i” icon next to your AirPods.
Step 3: Turn off the switch next to Automatic Ear Detection.
Method 6: Disconnect All Nearby devices
If the problem persists, then the next fix is to turn off all Bluetooth devices nearby, ranging from mice to keyboards to headphones. Once you are done, re-connect your AirPods with your iPhone and play a music track to see if the problem is fixed.
Method 7: Update Your iPhone’s Software
Sometimes, when you are running an older version of the iOS software, you might notice some errors. It’s always good to keep your device up to date. A new software update usually comes with fixes for bugs and glitches.
To update your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Check for any available updates.
Also read: AirPods 3 vs. AirPods Pro
