Apple's AirPods are designed to work seamlessly with all of Apple's Bluetooth-supporting devices, and the wireless earbuds usually live up their billing, but that doesn't mean they work perfectly for everyone one hundred percent of the time.


A particularly irritating problem that can sometimes occur with any model of AirPods is when one AirPod drops the connection intermittently or stops working altogether for no apparent reason. If you've been hit by this bug, following the steps below should help you resolve it.

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap the name of your AirPods, just below your Apple ID banner. Alternatively, tap Bluetooth, and then tap the 'i' icon next to your AirPods in the list.
  3. Scroll down to the bottom of the menu and tap Forget this Device.
    airpods forget device 1

  4. Ensure that both AirPods are in their charging case, the case is closed, and that the case has charge.
  5. Locate the small button on the back of the case, near the bottom. It's flush with the case and the same color as it, so you might need to feel about for it. If you have AirPods 4, Apple has moved the capacitive button to the front of the case, concealing it just below the status light.
    airpods airpods pro setup button

  6. Open the charging case lid.
  7. For AirPods 4 (both models), double-tap the front of the case until the status light flashes white. For all other AirPods models, press and hold the button for at least 15 seconds. If you are using a first-generation or non-wireless second-generation/third-generation AirPods charging case, the case's internal light between the AirPods will flash white and then amber, indicating the AirPods have reset. If you are using a Wireless Charging Case for AirPods Pro or AirPods 4, you can find this light on the front of the case.
  8. Now, close the lid of your AirPods case and then open it up again.
    airpods paired card

  9. Hold the AirPods case with open lid next to your iPhone or iPad. Your iOS device should recognize the AirPods and you'll see a popup to connect them.

If the above steps don't solve the problem, try resetting your iPhone's network settings. In the Settings app's main menu select General ➝ Reset ➝ Reset Network Settings, then try re-pairing your AirPods by repeating the steps above.

Time for new AirPods or AirPods Pro?

Check our constantly updated guide for best deals on AirPods.

Related Roundups: AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3
Related Forum: AirPods

Top Rated Comments

comp.doc Avatar
90 months ago
I’ve only had to do the nuclear fix twice in two years of ownership. Most of the time simply popping them back in the case for a few seconds does the trick.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Smith288 Avatar
90 months ago
Or suck the wax out of it. LOL

https://www.reddit.com/r/airpods/comments/5xrrhu/one_side_louder/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
djlythium Avatar
90 months ago
What if both AirPods are working, but for about 50% of their advertised talk time due to battery degradation? o_O
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HoosBruce Avatar
90 months ago
Ive had mine for 2 years and almost 2 months (January after the launch), and mine last anywhere between 30-60 min. I've used them nearly every day, so I'm not complaining, I'm just impatiently waiting for the next gen
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
joeblow7777 Avatar
90 months ago
So if your Airpods aren’t working try un-pairing and re-pairing with your device.

That’s the Bluetooth equivalent of turn it off and back on again, which does in fact solve most problems. :D
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HMFIC03 Avatar
90 months ago
I’ve had this issue occur also. The simple and quick solution I found was just placing the malfunctioning AirPod back in it’s charging case for a moment. Problem solved.
True but PITA when it happens at a half marathon.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 18 Pro Max Rumored to Deliver Next-Level Battery Life

Friday February 6, 2026 5:14 am PST by
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker. Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...