Why Do My AirPods Keep Disconnecting

It’s super frustrating when your AirPods keep disconnect from your iPhone when you’re streaming music or in the middle of a phone call.  Here’s the cold comfort: you are not alone.  AirPods have had intermittent connection issues that have plagued Apple and users around the globe for nearly a decade.  Rest assured – we cover all iterations of this problem to give you the tools you need to stay connected whenever you want to be paired with your AirPods and will never again have to ask yourself ‘Why Do My AirPods Keep Disconnecting’.

Basic Troubleshooting on How to Reconnect AirPods

• Check the Battery
• Check Bluetooth Settings
• See Wi-Fi Options
• Latest Firmware
• Turn off Automatic Ear Detection
• Disable Auto Switching

Why Wont My AirPods Connect?

It’s worth looking into the reasons behind this annoying issue before you start. AirPods may randomly disconnect due to various reasons, according to our research. We were however able to identify three main factors.

• Software Issue – Usually caused when a program is updated or some settings are accidentally changed.
• Signal Interference Issue: Wireless devices are very susceptible to interference and need to be cleared before operability is restored.
• Hardware Issue: There are problems with the hardware that need to be solved by an Apple tech support professional or certified technician.

Depending upon the cause, the steps to troubleshoot frequently disconnected AirPods could be very simple or quite complex.

AirPods Not Connecting with iPhone

Let’s start from the beginning to eliminate the obvious.  Did you first unplug the iPhone from your computer by ejecting it from the taskbar? If not, please do first so we get a clean baseline.

Once your iPhone connects, an icon will appear in your taskbar. Right-click on it, hit Eject, then unplug the iPhone.

If the issue persists continue to these steps.

• Press Windows Key + X
• Goto Device Manager
• Expanded the Universal Serial Bus Controller
• Looking for USB 3.0 Extensible Hosting and USB 3.0 root Hub
• Right click and it will hit Uninstall
• After restarting, the driver is automatically installed
• Restart your computer and make sure you are able to see the results.

Why Aren’t My AirPods Connecting Despite Full Battery Life?

Connecting AirPods can be performed quite easily via Bluetooth, but the output source may be different. Navigate to System Preferences-> Sound and then to “Output”. After selecting your AirPods, switch to the computer audio.

AirPods Connected but No Sound

AirPods connect but no sound is coming from the earbuds.  Your AirPods can be connected via Bluetooth, but their output source may be different. Navigate to System preferences-> Sound and then to “Output”. Select your AirPods. If they aren’t already selected, you can switch to the computer sound and then select the AirPods a second time after 10 seconds.

Why Won’t My AirPods Connect to My Mac?

It could be caused by interference from other Bluetooth devices attached to your PC. Try to rule out interference from other Bluetooth devices by going to Settings > Bluetooth Devices > Unplug Bluetooth devices from your computer. This will help you determine if the problem is solved.  If AirPod keeps disconnecting from your phone, please read on to eliminate another possible culprit of this systemic issue.

My AirPods Won’t Connect to my Android

A wide range of devices can produce frequencies that are very similar to Bluetooth. This can lead to interference. If your AirPods don’t disconnect when you aren’t near them, it is likely that this is the problem.  Try resetting your Bluetooth connection by turning off Bluetooth or forgetting device and sync again with a new connection.

AirPods Wont Connect after Notification

If your AirPods are still not working after receiving a system notification, try resetting them. Place the AirPods in the Smart Case/Charging Case. Once the indicator turns amber, hold down on the Status (or both the noise control button and the Digital Crown of the AirPods Max).

Apple Watch Disconnected

If you see the disconnected icon, the first thing you should do is toggle into Airplane mode (Apple Watch) to stop the disconnect and re-establish a link. Tap the Apple Watch’s watchface to swipe up from its bottom. Swipe right to see the Control Center. Tap the airplane icon in order to activate Airplane mode.

AirPods Wont Connect to My Mac

If other Bluetooth devices are not causing interference, it’s time to try the next step.  Bluetooth issues may cause “AirPods keep disconnect from Mac” error. One of the easiest solutions to this problem is to reset the Bluetooth module, forget your AirPod device and then try to reconnect it to your computer for a fresh start.

AirPods not connecting to iPhone

1. Re-Establish a Connection with Your iPhone. It is possible to re-establish the connection between AirPods and iPhone if they stopped working just a second ago.
2. Put your AirPods Max/AirPods Max in the Smart Case or Charging Case. Wait for a few seconds and then remove them again to reattach them.
3. Keep your iPhone and AirPods close together
4. This is obvious but it’s important to remember that the farther you are from your iPhone, there’s a higher chance that your AirPods won’t stay connected.  If you keep your distance from your paired device below 30 feet, you will be fine.
5. Bluetooth on Your iPhone: Disable and Reactivate
6. Minor technical issues can be fixed by deactivating and reactivating Bluetooth on an iPhone.
7. Simply swipe down from top-right or swipe up from bottom of screen to bring up the iPhone’s control center and tap on the Airplane Mode symbol.
8. Allow the Bluetooth to reactivate for 10 seconds.

Set Bluetooth Preferences on AirPods

An alternative method is to disconnect the AirPods form your phone and reconnect them. It is important to note that this would also allow you to unpair other Apple AirPods connected with the same iCloud. To unpair Apple AirPods, use the following steps:

• Open Settings
• Tap Bluetooth
• Tap the “i” icon next to AirPods in your list of devices
• Tap Forget this Device

These are the steps you need to follow in order to reconnect your AirPods from the iPhone. You must ensure that your iPhone remains unlocked and is visible on the home screen.

You can place your AirPods into the case and keep it open.

• An animation of the setup will appear
• Tap the “Connect” option
• Your iPhone will display a setup animation
• Tap Connect to continue the setup process

Disable Automatic Ear Detection on AirPods

Automatic Ear Detection automatically detects when your AirPods reach your ears. This can lead to audio disconnections, especially if your AirPods are too close to your ears. If your AirPods don’t connect to your iPhone properly, you can disable Automatic Ear Detection.

Click Settings > Bluetooth to tap the Info button next to your AirPods. Then, disable Automatic Ear Detection.

Deactivate Automatic Switching on AirPods

When you play audio, starting with iOS 14 AirPods switch between Apple devices automatically. You should disable this functionality if there is another iPhone, iPad, Mac or Mac you are using to prevent sudden disconnects.

To access Settings > Bluetooth, tap the Info button next to AirPods. Next, tap Connect to This iPhone and select When last connected to This iPhone. You will need to do this for every iOS and iPad OS devices you have.

To access your AirPods on a Mac, open System Preferences > Bluetooth. Set Connect to Mac to When last connected to Mac.

AirPods Won’t Connect Due to Wireless Interference

AirPods that are not working properly due to wireless interference could also fail to function. It is important to check whether there are other sources of interference such as microwave ovens and wireless speakers. If you do, it is best to move on.

Update your AirPod Firmware

The problem could be caused by an old firmware update. If your AirPods don’t stay connected to your iPhone then go to Settings >General >About > AirPods. Check if Firmware Version is current.

You can find the latest firmware version by conducting a quick internet search (or visiting the AirPods Wiki Page).

To update AirPod firmware earbuds/headset, first connect them to a power outlet. After that, hold your iPhone close while you wait for the update to complete. Your AirPods will have been updated by now.

Keep your iPhone up to Date

There are many bug fixes in iOS 9.0 that may resolve connectivity issues. To update your iPhone’s software, go to Settings >General > Software Update

Try restarting the iPhone if you don’t see any pending update notifications. Go to Settings >General > Shut Down. Drag the Power icon down to the right. When the device is shut down, wait for 30 second before starting it up again.

AirPods Pro not Connecting? Reset Your AirPods

If your AirPods are still not working, it is time to reset them.  Place the AirPods inside the Charging Case/Smart Case. Once the indicator flashes amber, hold down either the Status button or both the Noise Control button on the AirPods Max.

Once they flash amber, you’re done.  To reconnect the AirPods, simply take them out and then follow the prompts in your iPhone.

Reset your Network Settings

Resetting the iPhone’s network settings will fix any corrupt settings that have prevented your iPhone from communicating with your AirPods properly.

To do so, go to Settings >General >Transfer or Reset iPhone >Reset and select Reset network settings. Enter your device password and click Reset Network Setting again.

Turn Off WiFi and Reboot Router

If the disconnection issue is occurring on a particular device, you might try turning the Wi-Fi off to verify if it persists. It is important to note that this is only a troubleshooting procedure. It is necessary to turn the Wi-Fi back on once the issue has been resolved.

Once you are certain that Wi-Fi was indeed the culprit, it is a good idea reduce the distance between AirPods and connected devices as much possible. Also, make sure that the AirPods do not stand in direct proximity to any microwave ovens or baby monitors.

How to Disconnect AirPods from Mac

If the problem is not related to AirPods and your Mac, then check your Sound settings in System Preferences. Click on System Preferences > Sound to choose your AirPods.  Do the exact same thing as in the Input tab.

Bluetooth could be sending and receiving audio. The sound quality can change from high to low fidelity.

Conclusion: Why Do My AirPods Keep Disconnecting

We have attempted to solve most of the problems, and there are possible solutions for why Apple AirPods keeps crashing. It is possible that the issue has been solved using one or more of the techniques above. We think most of the steps can be done quickly.

You might find that your AirPods are still not working properly after you’ve completed the above steps. You might also want to read our dedicated article, which covers common issues for wireless headphones users.

But if the issue persists, this could signal a bigger problem or indicate that there is a hardware issue. This could be especially true if your AirPods have been dropped recently. In this situation, it’s better to get in touch directly with your nearest Apple Store so they can take a look.

FAQ: Why Do My AirPods Keep Disconnecting

Why are My AirPods Not Connecting?

I sure you ask yourself why won’t my AirPods connect in frustration far more often that you would like.  The Apple UI will typically disconnect and display a “Not my AirPods” on your screen.  Rest easy knowing it could be as simple as your AirPods needing to be reset.  The answer could be a simple as following the steps below to get your back online in a flash.

On your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch can go to Settings > Bluetooth.  Click the More Info button to see your AirPods. Go to the next step if you don’t see your AirPods listed under Settings > Bluetooth. Tap Forget this Device, then tap again to connect again.

Why Wont My AirPods Connect to My Phone?

AirPods Pro may disconnect from regular calls if they are not responding to your calls. These buds provide comparatively little backup when used for calls. If the battery is not the problem, then turn off automatic Ear detection and set AirPods Pro for left or right mic.

How Can I Find Support from Apple?

Apple Support Forums has many comments that AirPod connections problems seem to be very common.  The common and complex problems can be fixed with the right information.