AirPods fail to connect because your phone, tablet, or computer has either forgotten the pairing, lost the wireless signal, or has a software problem that blocks Bluetooth communication
The most common reason is that your device's Bluetooth has turned off, or your AirPods are paired to a different device and still trying to connect there. Less often, the AirPods case battery is dead, or your device needs a restart. The fix is almost always one of the steps below, done in order.
Start with the simplest checks first — whether Bluetooth is on and whether your AirPods are actually charged — before moving to the harder troubleshooting. Most connection problems solve themselves within the first three steps.
Key Takeaways
- Check that Bluetooth is turned on in your device's settings, because it is the first thing to fail silently.
- Make sure your AirPods case has battery left, since a dead case prevents the AirPods from powering on or connecting.
- If your AirPods are paired to another device, they will try to connect there first instead of your current phone or computer.
- Restarting your device clears temporary Bluetooth problems that prevent pairing from working.
- Forgetting the AirPods in your device settings and re-pairing them fixes most stubborn connection issues.
Check that Bluetooth is actually turned on
Bluetooth turns off by itself on some devices after an update, or you may have switched it off without realizing. Open your device's settings and look for the Bluetooth toggle. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, then Bluetooth, and make sure the toggle is green. On a Mac, click the Apple menu, then System Settings, then Bluetooth. On Windows, go to Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, and check that Bluetooth is on.
If Bluetooth was off, turn it on and wait ten seconds. Your AirPods should appear in the list of available devices. If they do not appear within thirty seconds, move to the next step.
Charge your AirPods case and check the battery light
A dead case battery is the second most common reason AirPods will not connect. Plug the case into a USB-C or Lightning cable (depending on your model) and wait at least fifteen minutes. While it charges, look at the light on the front of the case. A green light means the case is charged. An amber light means it is still charging. No light at all means the case itself has a power problem.
Once the case shows green, open it near your device. The AirPods should power on and appear in your Bluetooth list within ten seconds. If they still do not show up, your AirPods may have a hardware problem — try the steps below first to rule out a software issue.
Restart your device to clear temporary Bluetooth problems
Many connection problems are temporary and disappear after a restart. Turn off your phone, tablet, or computer completely, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on. This clears the Bluetooth system's memory and forces it to rebuild its connection list.
Once your device finishes restarting, turn on Bluetooth again and open your AirPods case near the device. Wait thirty seconds for them to appear in the Bluetooth list. If they still do not show, move to the next step.
Forget the AirPods and pair them again from scratch
If your AirPods are already in your device's Bluetooth list but will not actually connect, they need to be removed and re-paired. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, then Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, tap the information icon next to them, and choose "Forget This Device." On Mac, go to System Settings, then Bluetooth, find your AirPods, click the information icon, and select "Remove." On Windows, go to Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, find your AirPods, click them, and choose "Remove device."
After you forget them, close the Bluetooth settings. Open your AirPods case and hold the button on the back of the case for fifteen seconds until the light flashes white. This puts the AirPods into pairing mode. Go back to your Bluetooth settings and select your AirPods from the list. They should connect within ten seconds.
Check if your AirPods are paired to a different device
AirPods remember the last device they connected to and will try to reconnect there first. If you use the same AirPods with multiple devices — an iPhone and a Mac, for example — they may be trying to connect to the other device instead. Look at your other devices and see if your AirPods are connected there. If they are, disconnect them from that device first.
On the device where they are currently connected, go to Bluetooth settings, find your AirPods, and choose "Disconnect" (not "Forget"). Then go to the device you actually want to use and open the AirPods case. They should connect to the new device within ten seconds. You can switch between devices this way without forgetting and re-pairing every time.
Update your device's software if nothing else works
Bluetooth problems sometimes happen because your device's operating system is out of date. Check for updates in your device's settings. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, then General, then Software Update. On Mac, go to System Settings, then General, then Software Update. On Windows, go to Settings, then Update & Security, then Windows Update.
Install any available updates and restart your device. Bluetooth problems caused by software bugs often disappear after an update. If your AirPods still will not connect after updating, the issue may be a hardware problem with either the AirPods or your device, and you may need to contact Apple Support or your device manufacturer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my AirPods connect to my old iPhone instead of my new one?
AirPods automatically try to reconnect to the last device they were paired with. Disconnect them from your old iPhone by going to Settings, Bluetooth, tapping the information icon next to your AirPods, and choosing "Disconnect." Then open the AirPods case near your new iPhone and they will connect there instead. You do not need to forget and re-pair them.
What does the amber light on my AirPods case mean?
An amber light means your case is charging but not fully charged yet. Plug it in and wait fifteen to thirty minutes for the light to turn green. If the light stays amber for more than an hour, your case may have a charging problem and you should contact Apple.
Can I use AirPods with a Windows computer?
Yes. Go to Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, make sure Bluetooth is on, open your AirPods case, and select your AirPods from the list. They work the same way as on iPhone or Mac. Some features like automatic switching between devices work only on Apple products.
My AirPods show in Bluetooth settings but will not actually connect — what does that mean?
This usually means the pairing is corrupted. Forget the AirPods from your device's Bluetooth settings, then put them in pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case for fifteen seconds until the light flashes white. Select them again from Bluetooth settings and they should connect.
Do I need to unpair my AirPods from my old device before using them with a new one?
No. You can forget them from your old device if you want, but you do not have to. straightforward disconnect them from the old device and open the case near the new one. They will connect to the new device while still being paired to the old one.