What causes AirPods to connect and disconnect repeatedly
AirPods disconnect and reconnect because your device loses the Bluetooth signal between them, usually due to interference, distance, or a software glitch. The most common culprits are Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, and other Bluetooth devices operating on the same 2.4 GHz frequency. Sometimes the problem is straightforward that your AirPods battery is low, your phone's Bluetooth is toggled off accidentally, or the pairing information has become corrupted.
The good news is that most disconnection problems can be fixed without replacing your AirPods. The issue is almost never a hardware failure in new or recently serviced AirPods — it is almost always something in how your device is communicating with them.
Key Takeaways
- AirPods disconnect most often because of Bluetooth interference from Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, or other wireless devices in your home.
- Forgetting your AirPods in your phone's Bluetooth settings and re-pairing them fixes the problem in roughly half of cases.
- Keeping your AirPods and phone within 30 feet of each other and away from metal objects reduces disconnections caused by signal loss.
- Restarting your phone and updating iOS or iPadOS often resolves software glitches that cause repeated disconnections.
- If disconnections happen only in one location, the problem is interference from devices in that space, not your AirPods.
Forget and re-pair your AirPods
Forgetting your AirPods in your phone's Bluetooth settings and pairing them again clears out corrupted pairing data that often causes disconnections. This is the single most effective fix and takes about three minutes.
On iPhone or iPad: Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, tap the info icon (circle with an i) next to them, and tap "Forget This Device". Put your AirPods back in their case, close the lid for five seconds, then open it again. Hold your AirPods case next to your phone until the pairing screen appears on your phone and tap "Connect".
On Mac: Click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, click Bluetooth, find your AirPods, click the three dots next to them, and select "Remove". Then repeat the pairing steps above.
After re-pairing, use your AirPods for at least an hour before deciding whether the disconnections have stopped. Sometimes the problem takes a few hours of normal use to show itself again.
Restart your phone and update its software
A software glitch on your phone can cause Bluetooth to behave erratically. Restarting your phone clears temporary files and resets the Bluetooth connection. Updating iOS or iPadOS patches bugs that Apple has found since your last update.
Restart your iPhone by holding the side button and one of the volume buttons until the power-off slider appears, then drag it to turn off your phone. Wait 30 seconds, then press the side button again to turn it back on. For iPad, the restart process depends on your model — check Apple's support site for your specific iPad if you are unsure.
After your phone restarts, check for software updates by opening Settings, tapping General, and tapping Software Update. If an update is available, connect to Wi-Fi and tap "read and Install". This process can take 10 to 20 minutes.
Check your AirPods battery and reset them
AirPods with very low battery sometimes disconnect repeatedly because they cannot maintain a stable connection. Open the AirPods case near your phone and look at the battery percentage in the AirPods widget on your home screen or in Control Center.
If your AirPods are below 20 percent, charge them in their case for at least 15 minutes before testing again. If the battery is not the issue, perform a factory reset. Press and hold the setup button on the back of your AirPods case for 15 seconds until the light inside flashes amber, then white. This erases all pairing information from the AirPods themselves. Then re-pair them to your phone using the steps in the "Forget and re-pair" section above.
A factory reset is more thorough than forgetting your AirPods from your phone alone, because it clears data stored on the AirPods as well. Use this step if forgetting and re-pairing did not solve the problem.
Move away from interference and keep AirPods in range
Bluetooth operates on the 2.4 GHz frequency, which is also used by Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors. If your AirPods disconnect in one specific location — your kitchen, your office, or near your router — interference is the cause.
Test this by using your AirPods in a different room, away from your router and any other wireless devices. If they work fine there, you have identified interference. Move your Wi-Fi router away from where you normally use your AirPods, or use your AirPods in a different part of your home.
Also keep your AirPods within 30 feet of your phone and avoid placing your phone in a metal case or inside a metal container, both of which block Bluetooth signals. If you are experiencing disconnections while your phone is in your pocket or bag, try keeping it in your hand or on a desk nearby.
Check for competing Bluetooth devices
If you have multiple Bluetooth devices paired to your phone — a smartwatch, a car stereo, a Bluetooth speaker — your phone may switch between them or lose connection to your AirPods while trying to manage them all. This is especially common if you have a smartwatch that is also trying to connect to your phone.
Open Settings and tap Bluetooth to see all your paired devices. If you have devices you no longer use, tap the info icon next to them and select "Forget This Device". Keep only the devices you actively use paired at any given time. If you use your AirPods in your car, unpair your car stereo from your phone before driving, then re-pair it when you arrive — this prevents your phone from trying to connect to both at once.
Update your AirPods firmware
AirPods receive firmware updates automatically when they are near a paired device that is connected to the internet, but you can force an update by putting them in their case and leaving them near your phone while it is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi overnight.
You cannot manually check your AirPods firmware version the way you can with other devices, but if you have tried all the steps above and disconnections persist, an outdated firmware version may be the cause. Leaving your AirPods in their case next to your phone overnight while your phone is plugged in ensures any pending updates install.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my AirPods disconnect when I go to a different room?
Bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet in open space, but walls and metal objects reduce that range significantly. If your AirPods disconnect when you move to another room, you have likely moved out of range. Keep your phone closer to your AirPods or move your router to a more central location in your home.
Do I need to replace my AirPods if they keep disconnecting?
No. Disconnection problems are almost always caused by interference, distance, or software glitches, not hardware failure. Try forgetting and re-pairing your AirPods, restarting your phone, and moving away from interference before considering replacement. If disconnections happen only in one location, the problem is definitely not your AirPods.
Why do my AirPods disconnect when my phone is locked?
Your phone may be turning off Bluetooth to save battery when the screen is locked, or a background app may be interfering with the connection. Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and make sure Bluetooth is toggled on. If it keeps turning off, restart your phone and check for software updates, as this is often a software bug.
Can a case or screen protector cause AirPods to disconnect?
A metal phone case can weaken your Bluetooth signal. Try removing your case and using your AirPods for an hour to see if disconnections stop. If they do, your case is blocking the signal — switch to a case made of plastic or silicone instead.
What should I do if none of these steps work?
If you have tried forgetting and re-pairing, restarting your phone, factory resetting your AirPods, and moving away from interference with no improvement, contact Apple Support. Your AirPods may have a hardware defect, especially if they are still under warranty.