How to reset Apple AirPods [July 2022]

AirPods have found a large fan base 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 problems. If you just got a new phone that is causing problems for your AirPods, or they are simply malfunctioning for some unknown reason, you may need to reset your AirPods to get them working properly again.

However, the minimalist design of the AirPods can make things difficult when troubleshooting. With no visible buttons or switches, how are you supposed to reset your AirPods?

Here’s how to factory reset Apple AirPods and understand the lighting codes to determine if a reset is necessary.

How to reset Apple AirPods

If you’re having trouble with your AirPods, starting a factory reset will often fix the problem.

Resetting AirPods can be a quick fix for many common problems. In particular, the process resolves issues related to battery or inconsistent audio delivery, such as when only one AirPod outputs sound. Resetting AirPods can also resolve connectivity issues.

When using a wireless case, these instructions work for both previous generation models and Airpods Pro. The first and second generation Airpods originally came with a standard USB charging case, but you can opt for a wireless upgrade that uses wireless charging. Qi-enabled. However, device compatibility with specific versions of AirPods varies, which could also be your problem. Be sure to check iOS version compatibility before delving into more advanced troubleshooting.

To reset your Apple AirPods, do the following:

1. Put your AirPods in the wireless case, close the lid, wait 30 seconds, and then open the lid again. Make sure you leave the headphones inside.
   
2. On your iPhone, open Settingsthen select Bluetooth.
   
3. Low Devicesplay the Yo (info) next to the AirPods device name. In the Bluetooth menu on AirPods, select Forget this devicethen choose Forget device to confirm.
   
4. Leave the wireless charging case open with the AirPods still inside and press and hold the button on the back.
   
5. Wait for the light on the front to flash amber, then release the button.
   

Note: This will disconnect your AirPods from all connected devices. You’ll have to go through the setup wizard again to use them. Wait until the light flashes white again. That is the signal that you can try to reestablish one or more connections.

In many cases, following the steps above is enough to resolve any issues you are having with your AirPods. Otherwise, read on for other troubleshooting tips.

How to reset Airpods Max

Another year brought another model of Airpods. If you have Airpods Max, follow these steps to reset them:

1. Charge your AirPods Max; They will need some battery life to complete the next steps.
2. Press and hold the digital crown and noise control buttons for 15 seconds.
   
3. Wait for the light to flash amber and then turn white.
   
4. Pair them again with your Apple device.

What does the light on the AirPods charging case mean?

Apple AirPods Gen 1 and 2 feature the status light at the top of the headphone compartment, under the lid, when using the included wired charging case.

The LED is on the outside front of the case for wireless charging case upgrades. AirPods Pro come with the wireless case by default.

No matter what setup you have, specific combinations of lights can indicate various problems, depending on where your AirPods reside at the time.

Before initiating a reset, it is essential to understand what problems the different lights represent.

Battery status

First, the LED status light tells you how much charge your AirPods have left.

If you see a green light while your AirPods are in their case, it means your AirPods have enough battery left for regular use. If you see a green light and your AirPods are not in the case, the case still has at least one charge left.

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 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.

Connecting AirPods

Is the amber light flashing?

A flashing amber light indicates a pairing error with one or more of your devices. You may need to disconnect the connection and try again by restarting the AirPods. A flashing white light indicates that the AirPods are ready to connect to your Apple devices.

If there is no light in the case and your AirPods are inside, it means that the battery in the case is completely dead and needs a recharge.

Other Tips for Troubleshooting AirPods

Relying on the lights isn’t the only way to determine what’s wrong with your AirPods.

View battery percentage to ensure proper performance

If you open the case near a connected iOS device, you can press the button on the back of the case and open a battery status reading screen on your iPhone. This action tells you exactly how much battery is left. You can do this when the lights are not working properly, if you forget what each sequence indicates, or if you hear the shutdown chime.

Fix sound off

If your AirPods sound muffled, the first thing you should check is whether they are clean or not. Get rid of earwax, dust, and other debris before testing again.

Alternatively, try the AirPods on different devices before bothering to reset them. Sometimes the device’s audio settings affect the output.

Rename your AirPods to fix connectivity issues

Depending on your problem, you can always change the name of your AirPods to help with connectivity.

1. Open your AirPods case with the AirPods still inside, access the Bluetooth settings on the Apple device it’s paired with, then tap the Yo Icon (information) with a circle around it.
2. Update your AirPods name 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 device-specific issues. If your older iPhone model doesn’t work with your AirPods, but your Mac does, the problem is most likely with the iPhone, not the AirPods.

Try cleaning the charging connections

One last thing to keep in mind is that a reset may not fix your AirPods charging issues. You can try cleaning them and make sure the connectors are working properly. But not recharging is usually a hardware problem that requires professional help.

Try replacing your AirPods

If you can’t fix your problems using a hard reset or any of these other troubleshooting methods, there’s a good chance that your AirPods have hardware issues that may not be fixable. 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 necessary. You may be interested to know that you can buy a single AirPod or the company’s case.

Considering the cost of a full AirPods replacement, single-component prices aren’t that bad, especially if you’re stuck with the model you already own.

Frequent questions

Apple AirPods are an excellent accessory for any user. We have included the answers in this p if you still have questions.

Do I need to reset my AirPods to sell them?

Unlike other Apple devices, your AirPods are not directly linked to your iCloud account and do not contain any personal information. It is for this reason that you do not need to perform a reset before giving away or selling your AirPods.

The new owner can simply pair their AirPods with their iPhone and move on. Of course, it’s a good idea to remove them from your iPhone’s Bluetooth list so you don’t confuse them with a new pair.

Can I pair my AirPods if one of the buttons is missing?

Before performing a reset on your AirPods, it’s important to note that you can’t pair them again if one of the buds is missing. If you’ve lost one of your AirPods or one isn’t working, you can request a replacement from Apple or pick one up at your nearest Apple Store.

A final thought

Apple AirPods are very easy to operate, especially if you use them in conjunction with other Apple devices. However, troubleshooting and maintenance can be complex. Instead, users have to turn to online tutorials that 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 fix most problems on your own. As you may have already noticed, resetting your AirPods won’t fix everything, but it can be a quick fix for some common problems.