Known for their ease of use, long battery life, and auto-connection feature, AirPods have gained massive popularity. Designed to work seamlessly with other Apple products, the earbuds are perfect for Apple fans.
There are, of course, some problems with AirPods. You might need to reset your AirPods if you received a new phone that causes problems, or if they are acting up for some unknown reason.
Troubleshooting AirPods can be challenging due to their minimalist design. What is the best way to reset your AirPods without noticeable buttons or switches?
Learn how to reset Apple AirPods and how to interpret the lighting codes to determine if a reset is required.
Table of Contents
How to Hard Reset Apple AirPods
A factory reset may resolve issues with your AirPods.
Many common problems can be resolved by resetting the AirPods. In particular, this process solves battery-related problems and inconsistent audio delivery, such as when only one AirPod delivers sound. Connectivity issues may also be resolved by resetting the AirPods.
Using a wireless case, these instructions work for both older generation models and the Airpods Pro. Original Airpods came with a USB charging case, but you could upgrade to a wireless Qi-enabled charging case. It is also possible that your issue is related to device compatibility with specific AirPods versions. Before you delve into more advanced troubleshooting, make sure your iOS version is compatible.
How to Hard Reset Your Apple Airpods
You can hard reset your Apple AirPods by following these steps:
- Put your AirPods in the wireless case, close the lid, wait 30 seconds, and then open it again. Make sure the earbuds are inside.
- Select Bluetooth from the Settings menu on your iPhone.
- Click the i (information) icon next to your AirPod’s device name under Devices. Choose Forget This Device from the AirPods’ Bluetooth menu, then select Forget Device to confirm.
- Press and hold the back button on the wireless charging case while the AirPods are still inside.
- After the light on the front blinks an amber color, release the button.
Please note that this will disconnect your AirPods from all connected devices. To use them, you will need to go through the setup wizard again. Until the light flashes white again, wait. That’s the signal that one or more connections can be reestablished.
The above steps should usually resolve any issues you have with your AirPods. Here are some other troubleshooting tips you can try if that doesn’t work.
How to Hard Reset Airpods Max
An additional model of Airpods was released this year. You can reset your Airpods Max by following these steps:
- In order to complete the following steps, you’ll need to charge your AirPods Max.
- Hold the Digital Crown and Noise Control buttons for 15 seconds.
- When the light flashes Amber, it will turn white.
- You will need to re-pair them with your Apple device.
What Does the Light on the AirPods Charging Case Mean?
When using the included wired charging case, Apple AirPods Gen 1 and 2 feature a status light underneath the lid.
In wireless charging case upgrades, the LED is located on the outside front of the case. The wireless case comes standard with the AirPods Pro.
It doesn’t matter which setup you have, specific combinations of lights can indicate a variety of problems, depending on where your AirPods are located at the moment.
Different lights indicate different issues, so it’s important to understand what those are before attempting a reset.
Battery Status
The LED status light on your AirPods tells you how much charge they have left.
You can use your AirPods regularly if you see a green light while they are in their case. There is still at least one charge left in the case if the green light is on and the AirPods aren’t in the case.
Despite the lack of a battery life percentage, these status lights provide a good indication of how much battery life is left in your AirPods. Open the AirPods case and look at your iPhone if you want to know the percentage of the case or pods.
The AirPods Connection
Does the amber light flash?
Flashing amber lights indicate a pairing error with one or more of your devices. You may need to sever the connection and try again by resetting the AirPods. When the AirPods are ready to connect to your Apple device, a white flashing light will appear.
If there is no light in the case and your AirPods are inside, the case’s battery is completely dead and needs to be recharged.
Other AirPods Troubleshooting Tips
It’s not just about the lights when trying to determine what’s wrong with your AirPods.
View Battery Percentage to Ensure Proper Performance
By pressing the button on the back of the case, you can view the battery status of your iPhone when you open the case near a connected iOS device. You can use this action to determine how much battery life is left. You can do this if the lights don’t work, if you forget what each sequence indicates, or if you hear the power down chime.
Fix Muffled Sound
If your AirPods sound muffled, the first thing to check is whether they’re clean. Remove all debris, including ear wax, before testing again.
You can also try the AirPods on different devices before resetting them. The output can be affected by audio settings on the device.
Change Your AirPods Name to Fix Connectivity Issues
Changing your AirPods’ name may help with connectivity, depending on your issue.
- Access the Bluetooth settings on the Apple Device it’s paired with, then tap the i (information) icon with a circle around it.
- Try connecting to a new device after updating the name of your AirPods.
Try Connecting to Other Devices
To rule out device-specific problems, try connecting your AirPods to another device. Your older iPhone model is not working with your AirPods, but your Mac is, so it’s most likely the iPhone, not the AirPods.
Try Cleaning the Charging Connections
Last but not least, a reset may not fix your AirPods’ charging problems. It might be a good idea to clean them up and make sure the connectors are working properly. When a battery fails to recharge, it is usually a hardware issue that requires professional assistance.
Try Replacing Your AirPods
There is a good chance your AirPods have hardware issues that aren’t fixable if you can’t fix them via hard reset or with any of these other troubleshooting methods. Alternatively, you can check with Apple for warranty options or replace them with a new pair.
You can schedule an appointment at your nearest Apple Store for repair and assistance. From the company, you can purchase a single AirPod or the case.
The prices for just one component aren’t that bad, especially if you’re attached to your current model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apple’s AirPods are a great accessory for any user. If you still have questions, we’ve included the answers in this section.
Unlike other Apple devices, AirPods are not directly linked to your iCloud account and do not store any personal information. For this reason, you don’t need to reset your AirPods before gifting or selling them.
If your AirPods are sold, the new owner can simply pair them with their iPhone and move on. Remove them from your Bluetooth list on your iPhone so that you don’t confuse them with a new pair.
When you reset your AirPods, it’s important to remember that you cannot re-pair them if one of the buds is missing. You can order a replacement AirPod from Apple or pick one up from your nearest Apple Store if you lose or break one.
A Final Thought
It’s super easy to use Apple AirPods, especially if you’re using them with other Apple devices. Troubleshooting and maintenance, however, can be challenging. Users must instead rely on online tutorials to guide them through these simple processes.
Identify the type of problem you’re experiencing by familiarizing yourself with the patterns and colors mentioned in this article. Although resetting the AirPods won’t fix everything, it can be a quick fix for some common issues.