Are you annoyed by your AirPods’ continuous connectivity issue? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Apple AirPods are known for their stylish design, modern look, best sound quality, and comfortable feel. However, ever since the gadget was launched, they have faced several ups and downs.
The most received complaint by a majority of Apple users is that their AirPods keep disconnecting. So how are you supposed to enjoy streaming music if your earbuds are not even connected?
The good news is that the solution to this pesky problem is straightforward. Read this post to find out why your AirPods are disconnecting and how you can keep them connected all the time.
Table of Contents
Why Do Airpods Keep Disconnecting?
To find out the solution to your problem, it would help more if you find out why your AirPods may lose connection. There are multiple reasons for your AirPods to go out of connection from your iPhone or other Bluetooth gadgets.
However, the most commonly occurring issues are:
Software Issue
A faulty iOS software update may cause this, or you might have changed some settings accidentally.
Signal Interference Issue
One apparent reason your Apple AirPods disconnect is running out of signal. You can blame your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth interference as these wireless devices are highly prone to be disturbed.
These interferences are caused by baby monitors, cordless phones, radios, wireless video cameras, and other similar devices.
Try resetting your Wi-Fi network settings and Bluetooth connection issues to cater to this issue.
Hardware Problem
Another reason for AirPods’ disconnection is a glitch in the actual hardware of your devices. It can be a bug in your iPhone, other devices, or maybe your AirPods themselves.
The most disconnection happens when you’re on phone calls with your friends and AirPods randomly disconnect. You may get worried about what happened to the call, and then find out it was your AirPods that got you off the conversation. Even so, you might have faced this issue when streaming your favorite music.
This can be an issue caused by the sensors present inside your AirPods that indicate if they are fixed properly. In addition, you may consider your microphone or a Bluetooth interruption to cause this disconnectivity.
Whatever it be, the solution is easy. Here are some solutions you can avoid your ‘AirPods keep disconnecting’ problem
How to Fix AirPods Disconnecting Issue
There is a list of solutions that can fix “AirPods keep disconnecting” issue. However, each troubleshooting method depends upon the reason your AirPods disconnect.
Some of them may sound easy to do, while, a few of them may need careful attention. Starting from the easiest methods, let’s have a look at how you can avoid the situation where AirPods keep disconnecting frequently:
Ensure You Have the Right Software For Apple Devices
The foremost reason your Apple AirPods may not be working is a compatibility issue. Every generation of AirPods is compatible with a specific software version. For instance:
- AirPods 3 need an iOS 15.1 or a macOS 12 to operate
- AirPods Pro needs to work with iOS 13.2 and macOS 10.15.1 or a newer version
- AirPods 2 are operational with iOS 12.2 or a macOS 10.14
If any of the combinations fall out of place, all you need to do is update your software version or replace your AirPods model.
Check Your Battery Levels
The first step is to double-check that AirPods are 100% charged. Because you won’t hear anything if your earbuds are out of power, you will face random disconnections if your AirPods are not properly charged.
Follow these steps to check your AirPods’s power status on your iPhone:
- Put your AirPods inside their charging case and keep the lid open
- Hold the charging case near your iPhone
- A notification will appear on the screen showing AirPods battery level
You may as well check battery life from a batteries widget using an iPhone. Unfortunately, you have to swipe the left side to your right side on the Home page and then scroll down.
- If you have not added the batteries widget on your iPhone, you must keep scrolling down until the Edit option appears.
- Tap on Edit and then select batteries
This battery widget will show the other Apple devices’ battery status you may have, such as your Apple watch.
Moreover, if you feel too lazy to do all these steps, ask Siri to get the job done.
Check Your Bluetooth Settings
Now, if your battery status is in place, you must check your Bluetooth connection.
Ensure that the device your AirPods are connected to have Bluetooth turned on. Here’s how you can do it:
- Navigate to Control Centre.
- Check if Bluetooth is turned on.
- If not, go to the Settings app.
- Tap Bluetooth, if you find a green indicator, it means that your Bluetooth is turned on.
- If the Bluetooth connection is on, you may want to toggle it off. Then turn it on again.
- Select the Bluetooth option so it may turn white.
- Wait for a minimum of 15 seconds and then enable Bluetooth
This will remove any Bluetooth interference that may be causing and connect your AirPods to the device.
Check the Settings for Audio Device
Make sure that AirPods are the selected audio device.
Your AirPods should automatically detect if they are in your ears and connect as an audio device. However, if that does not happen, you can try these steps:
- Tap the icon for AirPlay that displays under the selected track when listening to your playlist on your iPhone
- Choose AirPods from the given list of options.
If you’re on a call, check if your AirPods are selected from the options for audio that display on your screen.
For Mac, you can set AirPods as an audio device from System preferences.
Disconnect and Reconnect Your Airpods
Reconnecting can fix various connection issues with many devices including AirPods.
- Place the AirPods in the charging case.
- Close the case, and wait for at least 15 seconds.
- Open the case lid and press the setup button on the rear side of the case.
- Wait for the status light to flash amber and then flash white.
- Your AirPods are now reset.
- To reconnect them now, place AirPods near iPhone with Bluetooth on.
Reset AirPods
In case, the methods above didn’t work out, try resetting your AirPods. Try these steps to reset AirPods:
- First, close the case and place the AirPods inside.
- Then, wait for at least thirty seconds before reopening the cover.
- Go to the Bluetooth settings and search for AirPods in the device list. A little ‘i’ symbol will appear next to the option for devices. Tap on the symbol to open another new page.
- Select the option for ignoring the device.
- Press the rear setup button of the charging case for a minimum of 15 seconds while keeping the lid open.
- After that, the display light should flash amber and white.
Clean-up AirPods
Your AirPods may catch dirt, debris, oil, and junk inside them from time to time. This can cause them to disconnect often as well. To solve this problem, you may want to clean them up.
Get a dampened lint-free cloth or a new clean toothbrush. Clean the AirPods carefully to avoid any marks or scratches. Since you do not want them to get damaged and not be able to use them at all.
Try Using Only One Airpods at a Time
According to some AirPods users, your AirPods may disconnect less often if you use only one AirPod, and leave the other in its charging case.
- You can configure your AirPods settings to use only one AirPod.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Bluetooth on your iPhone and choose AirPods with the AirPods case open.
- Choose Microphone from the given options by tapping the i.
- Here you may find the automatic default settings. However, you can set this as Always Left or Always Right
Turn Off the Automatic Ear detection
You may turn off the Automatic Ear detection function to see if your AirPods can work better. The automatic switching can sometimes cause AirPods to connect automatically to any other apple device active and disconnect from your device.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Select the Bluetooth icon.
- Turn off Automatic Ear Detection by tapping the “i” next to AirPods
Turning off automatic switching should redirect audio to AirPods once it finds them in your ears. In addition, you should double-check if something isn’t working properly. If you own multiple Apple devices, this feature can be handy.
Unpair Other Bluetooth Devices
AirPods may keep disconnecting because of pairing the iPhone with an Apple Watch and your AirPods. In such a situation you may unpair the Apple Watch and check if the issue is still there.
If you own any other Bluetooth device connected, unpair them too, to avoid interference.
Final Thoughts
Your AirPods keep disconnecting issue may be resolved by at least one of the troubleshooting mentioned above methods. Most of these solutions are easy to do and will not cost you any assistance. You can also try to reset network settings if needed.
However, if none of these steps help you with your problem and your AirPods still disconnect often, you must seek professional help. First, you must take your device to your nearest Apple Store and let the experts diagnose the problem.