One AirPod stops working because the connection between that earbud and your phone (or other device) has dropped, even though the other one still works

When only one AirPod connects, the problem is almost always in the pairing between that specific earbud and your device — not a hardware failure. The working AirPod proves your phone or computer can receive Bluetooth signals. The silent one either lost its connection during use, never completed pairing in the first place, or has a software glitch that a reset will fix.

Most of the time, you can restore the connection in under five minutes without visiting an Apple Store or buying a replacement. The steps depend on whether the AirPod ever worked with your device before, or whether it failed during initial setup.

Key Takeaways

  • A single AirPod that won't connect usually needs to be forgotten and re-paired with your device, which takes about two minutes.
  • If one AirPod never connected during setup, place both in the case for 15 seconds, then hold the setup button on the back until the light flashes white — this resets the pairing mode.
  • Check that the silent AirPod has enough battery by placing it in the case for a few minutes, since a completely dead earbud will not connect.
  • If the AirPod worked before but stopped mid-use, restart your phone or computer first — this fixes the connection without touching the AirPod itself.
  • Persistent problems after a reset usually mean the earbud has a hardware issue and may need service, but software fixes work about 80 percent of the time.

Check the battery on the silent AirPod first

Before troubleshooting the connection, confirm the AirPod actually has power. A completely dead earbud will not connect to anything, and the problem looks identical to a pairing failure. Place the silent AirPod back in the charging case for two to three minutes, then remove it and try to use it again.

If your AirPods are the standard model or AirPods Pro, you can check the battery level on your iPhone or iPad by swiping down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, then looking for the battery percentage next to the AirPods icon. If the silent AirPod shows 0 percent or does not appear in the battery display at all, it needs more charging time before it will pair.

Restart your phone or computer to reset the Bluetooth connection

A temporary glitch in your device's Bluetooth system often causes one AirPod to drop connection while the other stays paired. Restarting your phone or computer clears this glitch without erasing anything. This step works about half the time and takes only a minute.

On an iPhone or iPad, hold the power button until you see "slide to power off," then slide to shut down. Wait 10 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. On a Mac, click the Apple menu, select Shut Down, wait 10 seconds, then press the power button. On a Windows computer, click the Start menu, select Power, then Restart.

After your device restarts, check whether both AirPods now connect. If the silent one still does not appear in your Bluetooth menu, move to the next step.

Forget the AirPod and re-pair it with your device

When one AirPod refuses to connect after a restart, the pairing information on your device has usually become corrupted. Removing the AirPod from your device's Bluetooth list and pairing it again clears this corruption. This is the most common fix and works in most cases.

On iPhone or iPad: Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, tap the "i" icon next to them, then tap "Forget This Device." Confirm by tapping Forget again. Now place both AirPods in the case, close the lid, wait five seconds, then open the case near your iPhone. A setup screen should appear — tap Connect and follow the prompts.

On Mac: Click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, click Bluetooth, find your AirPods, click the "x" next to them, then click Remove. Place both AirPods in the case, close the lid, wait five seconds, then open the case near your Mac. A setup window should appear — click Connect.

On Windows: Open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, find your AirPods, click the three dots next to them, select Remove device, then confirm. Place both AirPods in the case, close the lid, wait five seconds, then open the case near your Windows computer. A pairing prompt should appear — follow the on-screen steps.

Reset both AirPods if one never connected in the first place

If you are setting up your AirPods for the first time and one earbud never appears in the pairing menu, both earbuds need to be reset to pairing mode. This clears any partial connection data and forces them to start fresh.

Place both AirPods in the charging case and close the lid. Wait 15 seconds. Open the case and locate the small button on the back of the case (not on the earbuds themselves). Hold this button for about 15 seconds until the light inside the case flashes white, then amber. The white flash means the AirPods are ready to pair. Now hold your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Windows computer near the open case. A setup screen should appear within 10 seconds — tap or click Connect and complete the pairing process.

If the light flashes amber instead of white, the reset did not work. Wait 30 seconds and try again, holding the button longer this time.

Check for water damage or physical debris

If the silent AirPod has been exposed to water, sweat, or moisture, the Bluetooth antenna inside may not be working properly. Water damage does not always show visible signs, but it prevents the earbud from transmitting a signal even when the battery is full and the software is up to date.

Inspect the metal contacts on the bottom of the earbud and inside the charging case. If you see white or green corrosion, or if the earbud feels sticky or damp, water damage is likely. Let the AirPod air-dry in a warm, dry place for 24 hours, then try pairing again. If it still does not connect, the internal components have probably been damaged.

Also check the speaker mesh and microphone holes on the earbud for lint, dust, or earwax buildup. Gently wipe these areas with a dry, lint-free cloth. Do not use water or cleaning solution, as this can push debris deeper into the earbud.

Update your device's software if the AirPod still won't connect

Outdated software on your phone, tablet, or computer sometimes causes Bluetooth pairing to fail, especially if you recently bought new AirPods. Updating your device's operating system can resolve these compatibility issues.

On iPhone or iPad: Open Settings, tap General, then tap Software Update. If an update is available, tap read and Install, then follow the prompts. Your device will restart during the process.

On Mac: Click the Apple menu, select System Settings, click General, then click Software Update. If an update is available, click Update Now.

On Windows: Click the Start menu, go to Settings, click Update & Security, then click Check for updates. If updates are available, click Install now.

After your device finishes updating, try pairing the silent AirPod again using the forget-and-reconnect method described earlier.

When to contact Apple or consider a replacement

If you have tried all the steps above and one AirPod still will not connect, the earbud likely has a hardware problem — a faulty Bluetooth chip, a damaged antenna, or a battery that no longer holds a charge. At this point, software fixes will not help.

Contact Apple Support through the Apple Support app on your phone, or visit apple.com/support to start a chat or schedule a call. Have your AirPods serial number ready (you can find it in Settings > Bluetooth on your device, or on the original box). Apple can often send a replacement earbud if your AirPods are still under the one-year limited warranty, or offer a repair or replacement option if they are out of warranty.

If your AirPods are several years old and out of warranty, Apple may offer a discount on a replacement pair. Repair costs vary, but a single replacement earbud typically costs less than buying a new pair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use just one AirPod if the other won't connect?

Yes. A single AirPod will play audio in mono (not stereo) if you place it in your ear and leave the case closed. However, if you open the case or place the working AirPod back in the case, both will try to connect and you may hear audio from both channels in one ear. For consistent single-earbud use, keep the non-connecting AirPod in the case.

Why does one AirPod keep disconnecting during the day?

Intermittent disconnection usually means the earbud's battery is running low, or there is interference from other Bluetooth devices nearby (like a smartwatch or car stereo). Try charging both AirPods fully, then move away from other Bluetooth devices to test. If disconnection continues in a quiet Bluetooth environment, the earbud's Bluetooth chip may be failing and needs service.

Will resetting my AirPods erase them from my other devices?

Yes. When you reset both AirPods, they forget all pairing information from all devices. You will need to pair them again with your iPhone, Mac, iPad, or any other device you use them with. The reset does not erase any data on those devices — only the AirPods' memory is cleared.

What if the light on the case won't flash white during reset?

If the light stays amber or does not flash at all, the case battery may be dead. Place the case on a Lightning cable or USB-C cable (depending on your AirPods model) and charge for at least 15 minutes. Then try the reset again. If the light still does not flash white, the case itself may have a hardware problem and will need service.

Can I fix a single AirPod that got wet?

Let it air-dry in a warm, dry place for at least 24 hours before trying to use it again. Do not use heat sources like a hair dryer, as high heat can damage internal components. If the AirPod still does not connect after drying, water has likely damaged the Bluetooth antenna or battery, and replacement is usually the only option.