Airpods Connected But NO Sound?

Are your Airpods showing as connected but you can’t hear any sound? Try one of the 13 Solutions below, so you can get back to your favourite tunes with the world’s favourite Pods.

Tech glitches are just part of life. Airpods, like any other brand of earbud, will exhibit some strange behaviours from time to time. But you will find they are mostly nothing to worry about, and easy to fix issues. One such problem is your Airpods showing as connected, but when you pop them in and press play – nothing. Don’t panic. Try one of these solutions instead!

Solution 1 : Charge Up

How do you tend to feel in that 20 minute window just before lunch time? Your Airpods, just like you, need a charge up when their energy levels get low. Pop your Airpods into the charging case for at least 30 minutes. This should solve any issues, but if it doesn’t move on to Solution 2.

Solution 2: Try Another Bluetooth Device

If you’re wondering whether it’s an issue with your Airpods or your iPhone, then the best thing to do is to connect your phone audio to another device. If the sound works perfectly with different headphones, earbuds or speakers then you know it’s the Airpods. If they are fully charged but still experiencing the same issue, then try another solution below.

Solution 3: Give Your Airpods a Clean

Any issues with sound may just be a build up of dust, earwax and dirt in the mesh of your earbuds.

STEP 1: Take a toothpick and dislodge any debris from the mesh in your Airpods.

STEP 2: Locate a Q Tip and dampen it with a tiny amount of rubbing alcohol or warm water.

STEP 3: Lightly dab the mesh covers of your earbuds with Q Tip. This should loosen any debris.

STEP 4: Take a cloth (microfiber works well here) and gently wipe the mesh to remove any loosened debris build up.

STEP 5: Reconnect your Airpods.

The biggest tip here is to not get your Airpods wet. You just need enough moisture on the Q Tip to loosen debris.

If this still hasn’t solved the problem, then your Airpods may just need an update.

Solution 4: Software Update

If you haven’t updated your IOS in a while, then this could be impacting your Airpods performance. Use one of these methods to update your firmware and get your Pods back to optimal performance.

Method 1: Update via iPhone

STEP 1: Go to your iPhone Settings.

STEP 2: Click on General.

STEP 3: Head to Software Update.

STEP 4: If there is an update available, you will see a red number 1 as above. Select Install Now.

STEP 5: When complete, you will receive a notification on your iPhone.

STEP 6: Make sure your Airpods are connected and try them again.

This is probably the easiest method of installing new firmware. But method #2 isn’t rocket science either. So, if method #1 brings you no joy, try #2.

Method 2: Update via iTunes

STEP 1: Launch iTunes on your computer. Before doing anything else make sure you have the latest version of that also. See here for How To Update Your iTunes.

STEP 2: Connect your iPhone using a USB or lightning cable, depending on your iPhone’s model. When it is connected you will see a phone symbol appear in the top left hand corner of the screen.

STEP 3: Click on the Summary tab.

STEP 4: Select Update.

TIP: Make sure you have a decent, stable internet connection otherwise this process could take a long time.

Solution 5: Force Restart Your iPhone

The issue could be your iPhone and not the Airpods. A forced restart should solve any minor issues. The method you use to do this will depend on the version iPhone that you have.

•   iPhone with face ID and iPhone 8 and SE (2nd generation)

Hold the volume up/down button and the power button down together until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.

•   iPhone 7 and iPhone 6 and SE (first generation)

Hold the Sleep/Wake and Volume Down button at the same time until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.

Reconnect your Pods and see if this has fixed any sound issues. If it hasn’t, move on to Solution #5.

Solution 6: Reset AirPods

If the issue isn’t with your iPhone, then it may just be the Airpods after all. Try a hard restart on them also.

STEP 1: Load your Airpods into their charging case and close the lid for 30 seconds.

STEP 2: Open the lid.

STEP 3: Go back to the Settings on your iPhone and go to Bluetooth Settings.

STEP 4: Click on the I (for Information) next to your Airpods.

STEP 5: When prompted choose Forget This Device.

STEP 6: Press i again to confirm.

STEP 7: With the charging case open, hold the Set-Up Button on your Airpods case. Either for 15-20 seconds or until the light begins to flash.

STEP 8: Place your Airpods near your device and allow them to reconnect.

Solution 7

Are Your Airpods Actually Connected? It may seem obvious, but we all have those days where we just don’t check the most obvious things. Maybe they’re still connected to your speakers or another device. Maybe they’re not connected at all. So, Solution #6 is for those days. The “is this thing plugged in?” days.

STEP 1: Go to Settings on your iPhone.

STEP 2: Head to Bluetooth Settings.

STEP 3: In the drop down list locate your Airpods. They should say Connected. If they don’t, connect them.

Solution 8 Reset Your iPhone’s Network Settings

Your sound issues could be caused by a connectivity issue related to the Network Settings on your iPhone. Resetting the network should resolve the issue. Here’s what to do for iOS 14 and 15.

iOS 14:

STEP 1: Go to your iPhone’s Settings menu.

STEP 2: Go to General.

STEP 3: Select Reset.

STEP 4: Click Reset Network Settings.

iOS 15:

STEP 1: Go to Settings.

STEP 2: Go to General.

STEP 3: Click on Transfer or Reset iPhone.

STEP 4: Select Reset> Reset Network Settings.

This option should resolve any sound issues you have. But remember this will cause you to lose any Bluetooth pairings, WIFI passwords and VPN settings. So, get ready to spend a little more time for Solution #8.

Solution 9: Disable Automatic Ear Detection

This feature is designed to detect whether you have your earbuds in or out of your ears. It will turn off the audio automatically when the buds are removed from your ears. While a clever feature, it can be the cause of audio issues. Try disabling the feature to see if this is the root of the issues.

STEP 1: Go to Settings on your iPhone.

STEP 2: Go to the Bluetooth menu. In the list of available devices, select your Airpods.

STEP 3: Disable the Automatic Ear Detection feature.

Solution 10: Remove Audio Balance

If the Audio Balance levels are out, this will cause your Airpods to play audio at 2 different sound levels. If this is the case or your wondering why one earbud has no sound Why Are My Airpods So Quiet and How Do I Fix It? To check your Audio Balance settings, follow these easy steps:

STEP 1: Go to your iPhone Settings.

STEP 2: Go to Accessibility Settings.

STEP 3: Select Audio/Visual.

STEP 4: Select Balance Left or Right. You will see a slider. You want the slider to be equally in the middle between Left and Right.

Solution 11 Remove Volume Limit

Are you wondering why your Airpods sound so quiet? How To Fix: One Earbud Not Working Your iPhone and Airpods will have a maximum volume limit set to stop damage to your hearing. You may find this level is too quiet, so disabling the volume limit may be the solution.

STEP 1: Go to Settings.

STEP 2: Open Music.

STEP 3: Head to Volume Limit and turn it off.

Solution 12: Factory Reset

None of the other Solutions worked yet? A factory reset should do the trick. This is quite a dramatic solution as it removes all settings, saved devices and personal files and preferences. Make sure to back everything up before you begin Solution #11. To do this, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Go to Settings.

STEP 2: Go to your Apple ID.

STEP 3: Select iCloud and iCloud Backup.

STEP 4: Select Backup Now.

Now onto the Factory Reset:

STEP 1: Go to Settings.

STEP 2: Go to General.

STEP 3: Select Reset.

STEP 4: Select Erase All Content and Settings.

STEP 5: Hit Confirm.

Once your iPhone has rebooted, go through the reconnection process. You will also need to reset all your preferences, connections etc.

Solution 13: Contact Apple Support

If all else fails, contact Apple Customer and Technical Support. Whatever the issue it is a little more serious and something you should contact the manufacturers for. If you live near an Apple store, you can pop in and see them. Check your warranty to see what your covered for.

FAQs

Why is the sound coming from my speakers when my Airpods are connected?

If this is happening it’s likely that your Airpods aren’t connected properly. To check they are connected and paired, follow these simple steps:

STEP 1: Go to Settings.

STEP 2: Go to Bluetooth list of available devices.

STEP 3: Check your Airpods are there and connected.

Is it the first time you have connected your Airpods? Then all you need to do is place them near your iPhone with the lid open. Open your Home Screen. A set-up animation will begin and when prompted to, tap Connect.

Why are My AirPods Connected with No Sound?

1. In need of a charge. Try charging your Airpods.
2. A glitch in operations. Try a forced restart of your iPhone or Airpods.
3. Dust, earwax and dirt build-up. Give your buds a quick clean.
4. In need of an update. Update the firmware on your iPhone.
5. Network Error. Reset you Network Settings.
6. Not connected. Try connecting another device or disconnecting and reconnecting your Airpods.
7. Another device still connected. Play the audio and check it’s not coming from another device. If it is, disconnect and connect to your Airpods instead.
8. Automatic Ear Detection glitch. Disable this feature.

Sound Easy?

They are! No need for advanced Tech Geek status or Computer Nerd badges for any of the fixes above.

Airpods, like all earbuds, are bound to experience a glitch or two in their lifetime. Try one of the Solutions above.

Unfortunately, if none of these work you may be dealing with a more serious hardware issue. Check your warranty and see what you’re covered for.