15 Ways to Fix AirPods Not Playing Sound when Connected

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Troubleshoot AirPods that aren’t working with this ultimate guide

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1 Put the AirPods back in the case.

2 Unpair and pair the AirPods again.

3 Set the AirPods as your default output device.

4 Clean your AirPods.

5 Turn off Automatic Ear Detection in your settings.

6 Increase the volume limit on your device.

7 Adjust your computer’s audio balance.

8 Update the firmware on your AirPods.

9 Update your computer’s Bluetooth driver

10 Restart your device.

11 Update your phone, tablet, or computer.

12 Wait for a full charge.

13 Reset your device’s network settings.

14 Factory reset your AirPods.

15 Contact Apple for a repair or replacement.

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Co-authored by James Bell and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: October 16, 2024 Fact Checked

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If your AirPods aren’t playing audio even when it says they’re connected, there may be another bug or issue causing the problem. Typically, it only takes a small adjustment to your settings or a quick update to get your AirPods working again, no matter what kind you have. We spoke with phone repair specialist James Bell for the best advice on repairing your AirPods, so keep reading so you can start listening again.

How to Fix AirPods Not Playing Sound

Phone repair specialist James Bell recommends unpairing your AirPods and reconnecting them to your device for the easiest fix. Double-check that you have your AirPods have a full charge and that you select them as the audio output device.

Steps

1

Put the AirPods back in the case.

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1. Briefly placing your AirPods in the case can help them reconnect. Once your AirPods are inside, leave them for about 30 seconds before opening the case next to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Wait until your device shows the AirPods battery level on screen. After a few seconds, remove the AirPods from the case and try to use them again.
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2

Unpair and pair the AirPods again.

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1. Reconnecting your AirPods can fix audio issues most times. Phone repair specialist James Bell says unpairing is the easiest solution and the first thing to try.

   • On iPhone, iPad, and Android:
     • Open the Settings app.
     • Tap Bluetooth
     • Tap i next to your AirPods and then Forget This Device.
     • Open the AirPods case next to your device to pair them again. If your AirPods don’t appear, hold down the button on the case until they show up.
   • On a Mac or PC computer:
     • Open the Bluetooth menu from the settings.
     • Click Disconnect on your AirPods.
     • Open the AirPods case and hold down the button.
     • Click Pair on your computer.

3

Set the AirPods as your default output device.

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1. Check your outputs if audio comes from your phone or another speaker. While the audio output normally switches when you connect AirPods, there’s a chance it didn’t work.

   • On an iPhone or iPad, open the Control Center and click on the AirPlay symbol on the audio player. Tap on your AirPods to set them as the audio output.
   • On a Mac, click on the speaker icon in the top menu bar and open the Sound preferences. Select your AirPods from the available devices.
   • On an Android, open the Bluetooth settings and select “Connected Devices.” Then, tap on your AirPods to choose them as the output device.
   • On Windows 10, open Settings → System → Sound → Output → select your AirPods. On Windows 11, Output will be Choose where to play sound. Select your AirPods. Click the arrow beside your AirPods. In the Properties menu, select Is default for audio for the Set as default sound device drop-down menu.
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4

Clean your AirPods.

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1. Dirt and debris can muffle or block audio coming from your AirPods. Clean your AirPods. Dirt and debris can get lodged in the small openings in your AirPods, which can lead to muffled sounds or no sound at all. Use a microfiber cloth to clean the surface of each AirPod. To clean the speaker grooves, use an anti-static brush or a clean, dry toothbrush with a gentle brushing motion.

   • Avoid cleaning your AirPods with sharp objects or submerging them underwater because you could damage them and cause more audio issues.

5

Turn off Automatic Ear Detection in your settings.

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1. AirPods may play no sound if they don’t sense you’re wearing them. AirPods normally stop audio right when you take them off and start playing again if you put them back on. If the setting bugs out, your device won’t detect that you put them on. To change the setting:

   • Go to Settings and click Bluetooth.
   • Tap the “i” next to the name of your AirPods.
   • Turn off the “Automatic Ear Detection” option.
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6

Increase the volume limit on your device.

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1. Setting a volume limit too low may stop sound from coming out of your AirPods. iPhone and iPad users can set headphone volume limits to prevent loud noises and hearing damage. If you accidentally turn on the setting or set it too low, it may seem like your AirPods aren’t working even if they’re connected. To access the setting:

   • Go to the Settings app and select “Sounds & Haptics”
   • Tap on “Headphone Safety”
   • Adjust the Reduce Loud Sounds slider to a higher level, or turn the setting off completely.

7

Adjust your computer’s audio balance.

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1. Audio may be set to one side if you can’t hear anything in one of your AirPods. The audio balance changes how much audio plays from the left and right AirPod. When the audio is out of balance, then it may sound muffled or play no audio from the other side.

   • On a Mac, open Settings (or Preferences) and select Sound. Under the Output tab, move the slider to the mark in the center.
   • On Windows 10, open Settings → System → Sound → Output → select your AirPods. Click Device properties and adjust the Left and Right balance to 50.
   • On Windows 11, Output will be Choose where to play sound. Select your AirPods. Click the arrow beside your AirPods. In the Properties menu, adjust the Left channel and Right channel underneath Output settings.
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8

Update the firmware on your AirPods.

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1. Out-of-date firmware may cause bugs with audio playback. AirPods firmware automatically installs when they’re charging and near an Apple device connected over Wi-Fi. If you recently updated your device, plug your AirPods in, wait a couple of minutes, and then try using them again. The latest firmware versions as of June 2024 are:

   • AirPods Pro (2nd generation): 6F7
   • AirPods Pro (1st generation) and AirPods (2nd and 3rd generation) 6A321
   • AirPods Max: 6A325
   • AirPods (1st generation): 6.8.8

9

Update your computer’s Bluetooth driver

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1. Outdated Bluetooth drivers on Windows may cause playback issues. Open the Device Manager on your computer. Expand the Bluetooth section by clicking the arrow. Then, right-click your AirPods, and then click Update driver. Select Search automatically for drivers to find the correct one, and restart your computer to ensure it runs properly.
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10

Restart your device.

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1. A quick restart might work to fix minor errors in your software. If you leave your device on without the occasional restart, it could run slower and make your AirPods work improperly. Simply restart your computer, phone, or tablet and try reconnecting to your AirPods.

   • To restart iPhones and iPads, press and hold either volume button and the power button. Swipe the slider to shut off your device. Wait at least 30 seconds, and then hold the power button to turn it on again.
   • On iPhones with a home button, press and hold the power button. Swipe the slider to shut off your device. Wait at least 30 seconds, and then hold the power button to turn it on again.

11

Update your phone, tablet, or computer.

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1. The latest updates ensure that AirPods and other devices run smoothly. If you're running an older version of iOS on your iPhone or iPad, your AirPods may not play sound as expected. Update to the latest iOS, and try connecting your AirPods again.

   • Check for updates in the Settings menu of your Mac, PC, or Android. If there are any updates available, install them right away.
   • Updating an Apple device may also update your AirPods firmware.
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12

Wait for a full charge.

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1. Leave your AirPods to charge for at least an hour. Check the battery level on your AirPods to see if either of them has a low battery. If they don’t have a lot of power, charge your AirPods by placing them in the case and plugging it into a Lightning cable. Alternatively, use a QI-certified charging pad to charge them wirelessly. Once your AirPods have a full charge and the status light on the case turns green, try using them again.

   • If you’re in a rush to use your AirPods, charging them for 5-15 minutes usually gives you a couple of hours of listening time.

13

Reset your device’s network settings.

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1. Broken network settings can cause issues when your AirPods connect. Network settings errors can also affect Bluetooth devices, so resetting them completely may get rid of your issue. Just keep in mind resetting your network settings erases any Wi-Fi or VPN settings you have as well.

   • On an iPhone, open Settings → General → Reset → Reset Network Settings.
   • On a Mac, open Settings → Network. Select your Wi-Fi or Ethernet network and click on the minus sign in the bottom-left corner.
   • On Windows 10, open Settings → Network & Internet → Status → Network Reset → Reset now. Click Yes to confirm.
   • On Windows 11, find Network Reset in the Advanced network settings tab.
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14

Factory reset your AirPods.

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1. Completely resetting your AirPods can wipe problems with the settings. If your AirPods are still struggling to connect, clearing all the settings may be able to restore them. To run a factory reset:

   • Put your AirPods inside the case and close the lid.
   • Press and hold the button on the back of the Charging Case.
   • Wait for the status light to flash yellow, and then white.
   • Pair your Airpods to your device again.

15

Contact Apple for a repair or replacement.

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1. If your AirPods are still under warranty, Apple can repair or replace them. If none of the fixes worked for you, your AirPods may be old or faulty. Contact Apple and see the options for your specific warranty. In most cases, you’ll be able to send your AirPods to Apple to repair them for free. If they’re unable to be fixed, then they may send a replacement.

   • Bell mentions that AirPods “are not meant to last more than two [or] three years at the most.” If you have an older pair of AirPods, it may be time to replace them.
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Tips

• Double-check the volume level and make sure you’re near your device so there aren’t any connection issues.
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• Some phone repair shops also specialize in repairing AirPods. Contact a few shops in your area and ask if they can help you troubleshoot the issue.
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Warnings

• Avoid trying to take apart AirPods yourself because they’re delicate and easy to break.
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