This decade, one of Apple's biggest hits isn't the Apple Watch, HomePod, or even the iPad. Instead, it's AirPods, Apple's wireless headphones, which Apple originally released after removing the headphone jack from the iPhone 7.
AirPods have found a massive fanbase thanks to their ease of use, long battery life, and auto-connect feature. The headphones work seamlessly with other Apple products, making them perfect for customers invested in the Apple ecosystem.
Of course, AirPods can have their issues. If you just got a new phone that's causing your AirPods to have problems, or they're just acting up for some unknown reason, you may need to reset your AirPods to get them back to working order.
However, the AirPods' minimalist design can make it difficult when it comes to troubleshooting. With no buttons or switches in sight, how are you supposed to reset your AirPods?
Here's how to factory reset Apple AirPods and understand light codes to determine if a reset is needed.
How to Reset Apple AirPods
If you're having issues with your AirPods, performing a factory reset will often fix the problem.
Resetting AirPods can be a quick fix to many common problems. Most notably, the process resolves issues related to battery or inconsistent audio delivery, such as when only one AirPod is delivering sound. Resetting the AirPods can also fix connectivity issues.
These instructions works for both older generation models and Airpods Pro when using a wireless case. The 1st and 2nd generation Airpods originally came with a standard USB charging case, but you can upgrade to wireless using Qi charging. However, device compatibility with specific versions of AirPods varies, which could also be your problem. Be sure to check iOS version compatibility before diving into more advanced troubleshooting.
To reset your Apple AirPods, follow these steps:
- Place your AirBuds in the wireless case, close the lid, wait 30 seconds, then reopen the lid. Make sure to leave the headphones inside.
- On your iPhone, open " Settings, " then select «Bluetooth. »
- Under 'Devices', tap the " Yippee " (information) next to the device name of your AirPods. From the Airpods Bluetooth menu, select “Forget this device” So choose "Forget Device" to confirm.
- Leave the wireless charging case open with the AirPods still inside, and press and hold the button on the back.
- Wait for the LED on the front to flash orange, then release the button.
Notes: This will disconnect your AirPods from all connected devices. You will need to go through the setup wizard to use them. Wait for the light to flash white again. This is the signal that you can attempt to re-establish one or more connections.
In many cases, following the steps above is enough to fix the issues you are having with your AirPods. If not, keep reading for more troubleshooting tips.
What does the light on the AirPods charging case mean?
Apple AirPods Gen 1 and 2 have a status light at the top of the earphone compartment, below the lid when using the included wired charging case.
For wireless charging case upgrades, the LED is on the outside of the case. AirPods Pro comes with the default wireless case.
Regardless of your setup, specific combinations of lights can indicate various issues, depending on where your AirPods reside at the time.
Before deciding to initiate a reset, it is essential to understand what problems are represented by different lights.
Battery status
First, the LED status light tells you how much charge you have left on your AirPods.
If you see a green light while the AirPods are in their case, your AirPods have enough battery life for regular use. If you see a green light and your AirPods aren't in the case, the case still has at least one charge remaining.
While you can't see the battery life percentage, these status lights are a good enough indication of how much battery you have left in your AirPods and the charging case. If you really want to know the percentage of the AirPods case or even the pods, open the case and look at your iPhone.
The AirPods connection
Is the orange light flashing?
A flashing orange light indicates a pairing error with one or more of your devices. This may mean you need to break the connection and try again by resetting the AirPods. A flashing white light indicates the AirPods are ready to connect to your Apple devices.
If there is no light in the case and your AirPods are there, it means the battery in the case is completely drained and needs to be recharged.
Other AirPods Troubleshooting Tips
Relying on the lights isn't the only way to determine what's wrong with your AirPods.
Show battery percentage to ensure optimal performance
Si tu open the case near a connected iOS device, you can press the button on the back of the case and open a display on your iPhone of the battery status. This action tells you exactly how much battery life remains. You can do this when the lights aren't working properly, you forget what each sequence says, or you hear the power off chime.
Fixed muffled sound
If your AirPods seem muffled, the first thing to check is whether they are clean or not. Get rid of earwax, dust, and all other debris before testing again.
You can also try AirPods on different devices before you bother resetting them. Sometimes the audio settings of the device affect the output.
Change the name of your AirPods to fix connectivity issues
Depending on your problem, you can always change the name of your AirPods to help with connectivity. Open your AirPods case with the AirPods still in it, go to Bluetooth settings on the Apple device it's paired to, then tap the "i" (information) icon surrounded by a circle. Update the name of your AirPods and try connecting to a new device again.
Try connecting to other devices
You can try connecting your AirPods to another device to rule out any device-specific issues. If your older model iPhone doesn't work with your AirPods, but your Mac does, the iPhone is probably the problem, not the AirPods.
Try cleaning the charging connections
One last thing to note is that a reset may not fix your AirPods charging issues. You can try to clean up a bit and make sure the connectors are working properly. But not charging is usually a hardware issue that cannot be easily fixed.
Try replacing your AirPods
If you are unable to resolve your issues via a hard reset or any of these other troubleshooting methods, chances are your AirPods have hardware issues that can't be fixed. In this case, your best option is to replace them with a new pair or check with Apple for warranty options.
You can make an appointment at your nearest Apple Store to repair and help if needed. It may interest you to know that you can buy a single AirPod or the company's case.
Considering the cost of a complete AirPods replacement, single-component prices aren't that bad, especially if you're tied to the model you already own.
One last thought
Apple AirPods are very easy to use, especially if you use them with other Apple devices. However, troubleshooting and maintenance can be complex. Instead, users must resort to online tutorials to guide them through these simple processes.
Familiarize yourself with the light patterns and colors mentioned in this article to identify the type of problem you are having, and you will be able to solve most problems on your own. As you have already noticed, resetting the AirPods won't fix everything, but can be a quick fix for some common problems.
