AirPods Keep Pausing – Solutions to Common Problems

If one or both of your AirPods fall out of your ear, the music stops automatically. But what if your AirPods keep shutting down even when they're still in your ears? Fortunately, this frustrating problem can be easily solved.

In this article, we'll explain why your AirPods keep stopping and offer possible solutions to get you back to listening to music without interruption in no time.

AirPods keep pausing with iPhone

If you've noticed that your AirPods keep stopping with your iPhone, there are several things to consider:

Proximity

AirPods have a range of about 30 to 60 feet. They sometimes work even when they are around 100 feet from your device. However, this is not always the case. If there are obstacles such as walls between your iPhone and the AirPods, the range will decrease. If you've noticed that your AirPods are paused frequently, they might be too far from your iPhone.

Automatic ear detection

AirPods have built-in proximity sensors that allow them to detect when you put them in your ears. Thanks to these sensors, the AirPods automatically play your music once they're in your ear and pause it once you take one or both of them out. If your music stops while the AirPods are still in your ear, there may be a problem with the sensors.

To establish if proximity sensors are the cause of your problem, follow the steps below:

1. Go to settings.
   
2. Tap "Bluetooth".
   
3. Tap the letter "i" next to "AirPods."
   
4. Toggle the toggle next to "Auto-detect ears."
   

Once you have disabled this feature, check if your AirPods are working properly. Keep in mind that their battery life will be reduced as they will continue to play your content whether they are in your ears or not.

Double tap action

You can customize what happens when you double-tap one of your AirPods. Among other options, you can pause the content you're playing by double tapping. If this option is set, you may accidentally interrupt your content by touching the AirPods.

To check the options, select one of the AirPods in settings and choose what happens after you double tap them from the following options:

• Use Siri to manage your content
• Play, stop or pause content
• Skip to next/previous track

Connection problems

AirPods may be paused due to connection issues. You can try placing the AirPods in the case for about 20-25 seconds and then reconnecting them.

You can also manually force the connection:

1. Open the Control Center.
   
2. Tap the top right corner of the “Now Playing” box.
3. Select “AirPods”.
   

If that doesn't work, the problem may be with your phone. Try disabling and enabling Bluetooth or restarting the phone. If that doesn't work, try restarting your AirPods and then reconnecting them to your phone.

AirPods keep pausing with Android device

Proximity

If your AirPods keep stopping, the problem may be that they are too far from the source, in this case your Android device. According to the manufacturer's advice, AirPods should be operated within 30 to 40 feet of the source. But since walls and other obstacles can affect range and reduce signal, try to keep your AirPods and Android device as close as possible.

Automatic ear detection

AirPods have a feature called Automatic Ear Detection. This allows them to detect when they are in your ears and reading your content. Once you remove one or both, the content will be paused. Sometimes you may encounter problems with these sensors.

If you think you are having problems with the sensors, follow the steps below to disable this option:

1. Go to settings.
   
2. Tap "Connections".
3. Tap "Bluetooth".
   
4. Tap the gear icon next to "AirPods".
   
5. Toggle the toggle to disable automatic ear detection.

Check if your AirPods are working properly now. Keep in mind that your AirPods' battery will have a shorter lifespan because they play content even when they're not in your ears.

Connection problems

AirPods may be paused due to poor connection. Try keeping them in their case for about 20-25 seconds and then reconnecting them.

You can also reconnect them in Settings:

1. Go to settings.
   
2. Tap "Connections".
3. Tap "Bluetooth".
   
4. Tap the gear icon next to "AirPods".
   
5. Tap "Unpair".
   
6. Match them again.

If that doesn't work, try restarting your phone or AirPods. Once the connection is restored, your AirPods should work fine.

AirPods keep pausing music

The most common reason why AirPods keep pausing your music is that there's a problem with the built-in proximity sensors. As mentioned earlier, these sensors detect and play music once the AirPods are in your ear. When you remove one of the AirPods, the music automatically pauses.

On occasion, these sensors can malfunction, and AirPods can frequently pause your music even when they're in your ears. Fortunately, you can easily turn off the automatic ear detection feature:

1. Go to settings.
   
2. Tap "Bluetooth".
   
3. Next to "AirPods," tap the letter "i" if you're using an iPhone or the gear icon if you're using an Android.
   
4. Toggle the toggle next to "Auto-detect ears."
   

Now you can enjoy your music without interruption. However, it's important to note that your AirPods' battery will drain faster because it will continue to play music even when it's not in your ear.

If your AirPods keep pausing your music, it could be due to low battery. Charge them, then try again. Also try cleaning your AirPods, as dirt and dust can sometimes cause interruptions. If that doesn't work, restart your AirPods and reconnect them to your phone.

AirPods keep pausing video

If your AirPods are pausing a video you're watching, there are a few things to check. Often the problem is not with the AirPods but with the player or the device you are using. This is why it is important to establish what the problem is and try to find a solution.

First, let's start with the AirPods:

• Check the status of your AirPods – if your AirPods are dirty or dusty, that could be the reason why they keep pausing your video. Try cleaning them gently.
• Check the battery – if your AirPods battery is low, it can interrupt your videos. Try charging your AirPods to make sure that's not the problem.
• Automatic ear detection – this feature on AirPods allows them to play music only when they are in your ears. Sometimes the sensors can malfunction. Disable this feature in the settings to check if this is the problem.
• A problem between the video player and your AirPods – there may be a temporary glitch in the video player that is causing your videos to drop out. If you think this is the case, try using another video player.

Other issues can cause your video to constantly pause:

• Connectivity issues – you may experience connectivity issues between the AirPods and the device you are using. If you watch the video online, you might have problems with the internet. Try re-establishing connections or using another device to make sure your network is working properly.
• Video player updates: If you've recently updated the video player you're using, the new updates may not work properly with your AirPods. Try to remove the new updates and use the old version of the video player.
• Smart pause – the smart pause feature is often present on Android devices. By making a certain gesture, you can pause the content you are watching/listening to. Go to Settings to check and customize this feature, as well as other gesture features that might be enabled.

AirPods Keep Pausing Spotify

AirPods can interrupt the content you're listening to on Spotify. If you're trying to determine the cause, check out the potential issues below:

• Automatic Ear Detection – Your AirPods' sensors allow them to play music only when they're in your ears. If you remove one or both of them, the music will automatically pause. These sensors can sometimes malfunction or there can be a temporary problem. Disable this feature in the settings to determine if this is the cause.
• Check Bluetooth – if your AirPods' Bluetooth isn't working properly, Spotify might be interrupted. To find out if this is the problem, try listening to a few songs without AirPods or with another pair of Bluetooth headphones/headphones. Then reconnect the AirPods. If Spotify stops with AirPods only, it means there is a problem with Bluetooth.
• Check your internet connection – if you're listening to Spotify over the internet, check your connection. Spotify can often pause if the signal is weak.

No interruptions with AirPods

Although you may encounter problems with AirPods, it is important to note that they are usually very easy to fix. AirPods let you enjoy music without unnecessary cables, deliver high-quality sound, and are user-friendly.

If your AirPods keep stopping, we hope this article helped fix the problem and you can now enjoy your favorite content without interruption.

Do you use AirPods? Have you ever encountered any problems with them? Tell us in the comments section below.