AirPods fail to connect when Bluetooth is off, the device list is full, or the AirPods need to be reset
Your AirPods stop connecting for one of three reasons: your phone or computer has Bluetooth turned off, your AirPods are already paired to a different device and won't switch over, or the connection between your AirPods and device has become corrupted and needs to be cleared. Most of the time, the fix takes less than two minutes. If you've already tried turning Bluetooth off and back on, start with the reset steps below — that solves the problem in about 80 percent of cases.
The most common mistake is assuming your AirPods are broken when they're actually just paired to the wrong device. AirPods remember every device they've ever connected to and will try to reconnect to the last one they used. If you switched phones, used them with a tablet, or let a family member borrow them, they're probably trying to connect to that device instead of the one in your hand.
Key Takeaways
- Check that Bluetooth is on in your device's settings, because AirPods cannot connect without it.
- Forget the AirPods from your device's Bluetooth menu, then hold the setup button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes white to reset them completely.
- If your AirPods are still trying to connect to an old device, unpair them from that device first before attempting to connect to a new one.
- Dust or debris in the charging case can block the connection, so wipe the metal contacts on the AirPods and inside the case with a dry cloth.
Turn Bluetooth on and check your device settings
Before anything else, confirm that Bluetooth is actually on. On an iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center and tap the Bluetooth icon — it should turn blue. On a Mac, click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then Bluetooth, and make sure it says "On". On Android, swipe down twice from the top to open Quick Settings and tap Bluetooth.
Once Bluetooth is on, open your device's Bluetooth settings and look for your AirPods in the list of available devices. If you see them listed as "Not Connected" or "Disconnected", tap them to connect. If they don't appear in the list at all, move to the reset section below.
Forget your AirPods and reset them
Forgetting your AirPods from your device clears the corrupted connection without erasing them. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, tap the info icon next to them, and select "Forget This Device". On Mac, go to System Settings, click Bluetooth, find your AirPods, click the X next to them, and confirm. On Android, go to Settings, tap Connected Devices or Bluetooth, find your AirPods, and tap "Forget" or "Unpair".
After forgetting them, hold the setup button on the back of your AirPods case for 15 seconds. The light inside the case will flash amber, then white. When it flashes white, your AirPods are reset and ready to pair. Now go back to your device's Bluetooth settings, select your AirPods from the list, and follow the pairing steps. This process works on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Android devices.
Check if your AirPods are paired to another device
AirPods stay paired to every device you've ever connected them to. If you used them with a family member's phone, a work computer, or a tablet, they will try to reconnect to whichever device they were last used with. You need to unpair them from that device first.
If you don't have access to the other device, you can still force your AirPods to connect to your current device by resetting them (the 15-second button hold described above). However, the cleaner solution is to borrow the other device, go to its Bluetooth settings, find your AirPods, and select "Forget" or "Unpair". Then reset your AirPods and pair them with your primary device.
Clean the charging case and AirPods
Dust, lint, or dried sweat on the metal charging contacts can block the connection between your AirPods and the case, which prevents them from charging and can interfere with pairing. Wipe the small metal dots on the bottom of each AirPod with a dry, lint-free cloth. Also wipe the metal contacts inside the charging case where the AirPods sit.
Do not use water, alcohol, or cleaning solutions — these can damage the electronics. A dry microfiber cloth or the corner of a clean t-shirt works fine. If the contacts look corroded or discolored, gently rub them with a dry cloth for several seconds. After cleaning, place your AirPods back in the case and try connecting again.
Update your device and AirPods firmware
Outdated software on your phone, computer, or AirPods can cause connection problems. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap General, select Software Update, and install any available updates. On Mac, click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, click General, then Software Update. On Android, go to Settings, tap About Phone or About Tablet, and look for a System Update option.
Your AirPods update automatically when they're in the charging case and connected to a device with an internet connection. You don't need to do anything — just leave them in the case while your phone or computer updates. After both your device and AirPods are fully updated, forget and re-pair them using the steps above.
Try connecting on a different device
If your AirPods won't connect to one specific device but work fine with another phone or computer, the problem is with that device's Bluetooth, not your AirPods. Restart the device that's having trouble: turn it off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then forget your AirPods from its Bluetooth settings and pair them again.
If restarting doesn't work, the Bluetooth hardware on that device may need service. This is rare, but it does happen — especially if the device has been dropped or exposed to water. Contact the device manufacturer's support line or visit an authorized repair center. In the meantime, your AirPods will work normally with your other devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting after I pair them?
Disconnections usually mean your AirPods are too far from your device (more than 30 feet away), or Bluetooth interference from other devices is breaking the connection. Move closer to your phone or computer and move away from other wireless devices like microwaves or routers. If disconnections happen even when you're close, reset your AirPods using the 15-second button hold and re-pair them.
Can I use my AirPods with multiple devices at the same time?
AirPods can be paired to multiple devices, but they can only connect to one at a time. When you want to switch devices, open Bluetooth settings on the new device and select your AirPods. They'll disconnect from the old device and connect to the new one. You can't have audio playing on two devices simultaneously.
What if the reset button doesn't work?
Make sure you're holding the button on the back of the case, not on the AirPods themselves. Hold it for the full 15 seconds even if the light changes color before then. If the light never turns white, the case battery may be dead — place the AirPods in the case and plug the case into power for at least 15 minutes, then try again.
Do I need to reset my AirPods every time I pair them with a new device?
No. You only need to reset them if they won't connect or if they keep trying to connect to an old device. For normal switching between devices you already own, just forget them from the old device's Bluetooth settings and pair them with the new one.