The most common reason AirPod Pros stop connecting is that Bluetooth on your phone or computer is turned off, or the AirPods have drifted out of range
Before you assume something is broken, check three things in this order: whether Bluetooth is actually on on your device, whether your AirPods are charged, and whether they are within 30 feet of your phone or computer. Most connection problems stop there. If those three things check out, the next step is to forget the AirPods from your device and pair them again from scratch — this clears out corrupted connection data that sometimes builds up after months of use.
This guide walks you through each troubleshooting step in the order that fixes the most problems first, so you do not waste time on unlikely causes.
Key Takeaways
- Bluetooth must be turned on in your device's settings, not just in Control Center, because Control Center can show Bluetooth as on while the system setting is off.
- AirPods that have not been charged in several days may not power on or connect, even if they look fine in the case.
- Forgetting the AirPods in your device's Bluetooth settings and pairing them again fixes most persistent connection problems without erasing anything else.
- If one AirPod connects but the other does not, reset the AirPods by holding the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then white.
- Connection problems that persist after a reset usually mean the AirPods need service, because the Bluetooth chip inside has a hardware fault.
Check that Bluetooth is on in your device's actual settings
On iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center. You will see a Bluetooth icon — if it is greyed out, tap it to turn Bluetooth on. But this is not enough. Go to Settings, then Bluetooth, and make sure the toggle at the top is switched on. Control Center can show Bluetooth as active while the system setting is off, which confuses most people.
On Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left, then System Settings, then Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is on. On Windows, right-click the Windows icon in the bottom left, go to Settings, then Bluetooth and Devices, and confirm Bluetooth is on.
Once Bluetooth is on in the actual settings, wait 10 seconds and look at your device's Bluetooth menu again. Your AirPods should appear in the list of available devices if they are powered on and within range.
Make sure your AirPods are charged and powered on
Open the AirPod case and look at the small light on the inside of the lid. If the light is off, the case is dead and the AirPods inside are not charging. Put the case on a Lightning cable or USB-C cable (depending on your AirPods model) and let it charge for at least 30 minutes. The light should turn amber while charging and green when full.
If the light is green but your AirPods still will not connect, take both AirPods out of the case and hold them in your ears for a few seconds. AirPods power on automatically when you remove them, but if the battery is very low they may not have enough power to connect. Charging them in the case for another 15 minutes usually fixes this.
If the light never turns on even after 30 minutes of charging, the case itself may have a hardware problem and will need service.
Forget the AirPods and pair them again from scratch
This step clears out the corrupted pairing data that sometimes builds up after months of connecting and disconnecting. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, then Bluetooth. Find your AirPods in the list, tap the information icon (a circle with an i inside), and tap "Forget This Device". Confirm that you want to forget them.
On Mac, go to System Settings, then Bluetooth, find your AirPods, click the three dots next to them, and select "Remove". On Windows, go to Settings, then Bluetooth and Devices, find your AirPods, click them, and select "Remove Device".
Now put your AirPods back in the case, close the lid, and wait 10 seconds. Open the case near your device. On iPhone, iPad, or Mac, a setup screen should appear automatically asking you to connect. Follow the prompts. On Windows, go to Bluetooth and Devices, click "Add Device", select "Bluetooth", and choose your AirPods from the list.
Reset the AirPods if only one connects or neither connects after re-pairing
A reset clears the AirPods' internal memory and forces them to start fresh. Put both AirPods in the case and close the lid. Wait 30 seconds. Then open the case, and while the AirPods are still inside, hold down the small button on the back of the case for 15 seconds. The light inside the case will flash amber, then white. This means the reset is complete.
Now try pairing them again using the steps in the previous section. If only one AirPod is connecting, the reset usually fixes it because one AirPod has lost sync with the other. If both AirPods still will not connect after a reset, move to the next section.
Move closer to your device and check for interference
Bluetooth works best within 30 feet of your device with a clear line of sight. If you are further away or if there are thick walls between you and your phone, the connection will drop. Move within 10 feet of your device and try connecting again.
Bluetooth also struggles near microwave ovens, Wi-Fi routers, and some cordless phones because they all use the 2.4 GHz frequency. If you are standing near any of these, move away and try again. If the AirPods connect when ready when you move, the problem is interference or range, not a fault with the AirPods themselves.
Update your device's software if the problem persists
Bluetooth connection bugs are sometimes fixed in software updates. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, then General, then Software Update. If an update is available, connect to Wi-Fi and install it. On Mac, go to System Settings, then General, then Software Update. On Windows, go to Settings, then Update and Security, then Windows Update.
After the update finishes and your device restarts, forget the AirPods again and pair them from scratch. Many connection problems that seem like hardware faults are actually bugs that disappear after an update.
When the AirPods need service
If you have worked through all the steps above and your AirPods still will not connect, the Bluetooth chip inside one or both AirPods likely has a hardware fault. This is not something you can fix at home. Contact Apple Support through their website or visit an Apple Store with your AirPods and the case. Bring your receipt or proof of purchase if you have it, because AirPods are covered by a one-year warranty from the date of purchase.
If your AirPods are older than one year, Apple can still repair them for a fee, or you can buy a replacement pair. Before you go, write down which AirPod is not connecting (left, right, or both) and whether the case is also having problems, because the support person will ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my AirPods connect to my Mac but not my iPhone?
Your AirPods can only connect to one device at a time. If they are connected to your Mac, they will not appear as available on your iPhone. Disconnect them from the Mac by going to System Settings, Bluetooth, clicking the three dots next to your AirPods, and selecting "Disconnect". Then they will connect to your iPhone.
My AirPods were working fine and suddenly stopped connecting. What changed?
Check whether you recently updated your device's software, moved to a new location with different Wi-Fi or interference, or if the AirPods have not been charged in several days. If none of those explore, try forgetting and re-pairing them. If that does not work, restart your device by turning it off and back on, then try again.
One AirPod connects but the other one does not. Is it broken?
Not necessarily. Reset the AirPods by holding the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes white. This re-syncs both AirPods to each other. If one AirPod still does not connect after the reset, that AirPod likely has a hardware problem and will need service.
Can I connect my AirPods to two devices at the same time?
No. AirPods can only connect to one device at a time. You can switch which device they are connected to by disconnecting from one and connecting to another, but you cannot use them on two devices simultaneously.
My AirPods keep disconnecting and reconnecting. How do I fix that?
This usually means interference or that you are moving in and out of range. Try moving closer to your device and away from microwaves or Wi-Fi routers. If the problem continues in the same location, forget and re-pair the AirPods. If disconnections still happen after re-pairing, update your device's software.