AirPods Not Connecting? Causes and Fixes

AirPods that won't connect never show up in your device's list, or never finish pairing. That's a different fault from AirPods that connect and then drop out. Apple's support page lists soft fixes first and the reset last, and the six fixes below keep that order. For other AirPods faults, such as battery or sound, start from AirPods not working.

Samsung, Sony, Bose and other brands pair differently, so their steps are in earbuds Not Connecting.

Why Won't My AirPods Connect?

AirPods that won't connect point to six causes, listed in the order Apple's fixes below deal with them:

• Old software on the iPhone, iPad or Mac. Each model needs a minimum iOS version to pair at all.
• A flat battery in one or both AirPods, or in the charging case.
• Bluetooth is off, or the AirPods aren't chosen as the audio output in Control Center.
• They're connected to another device. AirPods 2 and later and AirPods Pro can switch automatically between a Mac, iPhone and iPad signed in to the same Apple Account.
• They aren't in pairing mode, so your device can't find them.
• A fault the soft fixes can't clear, which is when Apple says to reset them.

A reset returns your custom settings to their defaults, which is why it comes last here.

How to Fix AirPods That Won't Connect

These follow Apple's own order. Try each one before you move to the next.

Fix 1: Update Your iPhone, iPad or Mac

Update the device first, because Apple lists it as step 1:

1. On an iPhone or iPad, update to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
2. On a Mac, update to the latest version of macOS.

Newer AirPods won't pair with older software at all. Apple's iPhone minimums include iOS 18.0 or later for AirPods 4, iOS 26 or later for AirPods Pro 3, and iOS 27 for AirPods 5.

Fix 2: Charge Both AirPods in the Case

Charge both AirPods before you try again:

1. Put both AirPods in the charging case. When you open the lid with them inside, the status light shows their charge: green means fully charged, amber means less than one full charge remains.
2. Open the case near your iPhone or iPad and check the charge status on screen to make sure each AirPod is charging.

If no light appears at all, Apple says the AirPods may need charging before you can use them again.

Fix 3: Turn On Bluetooth and Select Your AirPods

Turn Bluetooth on, then pick the AirPods as the output:

1. Check that Bluetooth is on. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, then tap Bluetooth. On a Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Bluetooth.
2. Take your AirPods out of the case and put them in your ears.
3. Open Control Center, then tap or click the AirPlay button and select your AirPods. Play audio with the volume turned up to test them.

If your AirPods aren't in that list, or they're listed but won't connect, go to Fix 4.

Fix 4: Close the Case for 15 Seconds

Closing the case for 15 seconds is Apple's next step:

1. Put both AirPods back in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Wait 15 seconds, then open the lid.

If they still won't connect, pair them again with Fix 5.

Fix 5: Put Your AirPods in Pairing Mode and Connect Again

To pair AirPods again, start pairing mode with the case open, then follow the setup steps on screen:

1. With both AirPods in the charging case, open the lid.
2. Start pairing mode for your model (table below) until the status light flashes white.
3. Hold the open case next to your iPhone or iPad and follow the steps on the screen. On a Mac, click Connect next to your AirPods in System Settings > Bluetooth instead.

Model	How to start pairing mode	When to stop
AirPods 1, 2 and 3; AirPods Pro 1 and 2	Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case	When the light flashes white, about 5 seconds
AirPods 4 (both models), AirPods 5 (both models) and AirPods Pro 3	Double-tap the front of the case	When the light flashes white
AirPods Max	Press and hold the listening mode button	About 5 seconds, or when the light flashes white

The walkthrough for every case is in AirPods pairing mode.

Fix 6: Reset Your AirPods (Last Step)

If they still can't connect, reset them; Apple lists the reset last. A reset returns any custom settings to their defaults, and you set the AirPods up again afterwards on your device's screen. The steps for each model are in How to Reset AirPods.

AirPods Not Connecting by Model and Device

Some connection failures belong to one model, one AirPod or one kind of device.

AirPods Max Not Connecting

For AirPods Max that won't connect, charge them for at least 5 minutes with the cable that came with them (Apple's minimum when AirPods won't charge), then start pairing mode on the headset itself. Press and hold the listening mode button for about 5 seconds, or until the status light flashes white. To restart them, charge to at least 50 percent, then press and hold the listening mode button and the Digital Crown until the LED flashes amber. If the LED stays dark after charging, see AirPods Max Not Turning On.

One AirPod Not Connecting

When one AirPod won't connect, put both in the case and let them charge for 30 seconds, then open the case near your iPhone or iPad and check that each one is charging. Next, put the silent AirPod in your ear, close the other in the case, and play audio to test it alone. If it still doesn't play, reset the pair. The full steps are in AirPods working on one side only.

Won't Connect After Holding the Button

If you hold the setup button and the light never flashes white, Apple's next step is to reset your AirPods (Fix 6). The pairing hold is about 5 seconds; the reset hold is about 15 seconds, until the light flashes amber, then white. If the light doesn't flash white during the reset, Apple's reset guide says to close the lid for 20 seconds, open it and repeat the 15-second hold. On AirPods 4, AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3, Apple's step is a double-tap on the front of the case, not a hold.

Not Connecting to a Laptop, iPad or Android Phone

Laptops, iPads and Android phones use the same pairing mode; only the Bluetooth screen changes. On a Windows 11 PC, turn Bluetooth on in Settings > Bluetooth & devices, then select the Manage Bluetooth devices arrow on the Bluetooth quick setting and pick your AirPods under New devices. If they aren't listed, Microsoft says the Bluetooth devices discovery setting might need to be set to Advanced. Every Windows step is in How to Connect AirPods to a Windows PC. A Mac pairs from System Settings > Bluetooth, and Android from Pair new device. On an iPad, Mac or Android phone, follow the AirPods pairing steps for iPhone, Android and Windows.

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Still not working?

1. Try the next fix: if your AirPods connect and then drop, see AirPods keep disconnecting.
2. Reset your AirPods: How to Reset AirPods (you'll need to pair them again afterwards).
3. Contact Apple Support: Apple Support.
4. Check repair or warranty options through Apple Support.

Started after an update? Check the Update Tracker for known issues.

Stopped Connecting After an Update?

AirPods that suddenly stop connecting after an update can be running new firmware you didn't install by hand. Apple delivers AirPods firmware automatically while the AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth range of an iPhone, iPad or Mac that's connected to Wi-Fi. Firmware can change how AirPods switch between devices: Apple's notes for firmware 8A356 (AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3) list Automatic Switching that now includes CarPlay. We log known issues under headphone updates on the Update Tracker.

AirPods Not Connecting: Quick Answers

Why are my AirPods suddenly not pairing?

Three causes fit a sudden change: the AirPods switched to another of your Apple devices, the case ran flat, or new firmware installed on its own. Close them in the case for 15 seconds, then start pairing mode until the light flashes white and select them again. If it began after an update, check the Update Tracker.

How do I force AirPods to connect?

Apple's steps don't include a force-connect option; the closest thing is pairing mode. Open the case, hold the setup button or double-tap the front of the case until the light flashes white, then select the AirPods in your device's Bluetooth list. If that fails, reset them.