Many AirPods and AirPod Pro owners experience a common problem where their earbuds show as “connected” but produce no sound.
This issue has been reported by multiple users over the years. Fortunately, there is a simple solution that often resolves this problem for most AirPods that are connected but have no audio.
This problem can be frustrating for AirPods and AirPod Pro owners as it hinders their ability to listen to music, make calls, or watch videos.
The lack of sound can be caused by several factors, including low volume, connectivity issues, or debris blocking the speaker grilles.
To resolve this issue, it is important to troubleshoot and try different solutions. Some of the most effective solutions include checking the volume on your device, disconnecting and reconnecting the AirPods, and cleaning the earbuds.
By following these simple steps, you can often get your AirPods working properly again and enjoy seamless audio quality.
| Steps to Resolve AirPods Connected but No Sound Issue |
|---|
| Reset Bluetooth Connection |
| – Turn off Bluetooth on your phone |
| – Turn Bluetooth back on and reconnect AirPods |
| Reset AirPods |
| – Go to “Settings” > “Bluetooth” on your phone |
| – Select your AirPods and tap “Forget This Device” |
| – Put both AirPods in the charging case |
| – Press and hold the button on the case until it blinks white |
| – Reconnect AirPods |
| Reset iPhone |
| – Power off your iPhone by holding side and volume buttons |
| – Or go to “Settings” > “General” > “Reset” > “Reset Network Settings” |
| Update iPhone software |
| – Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Software Update” |
| – Enable “Download iOS updates” and “Install iOS updates” |
| – Check for updates and install them |
| Clean AirPods and Charging Ports |
| – Use a Q-tip with isopropyl alcohol to clean bottom metal ring, charging port, speaker, and sensors (for AirPods Pro) |
| Ensure AirPods are Charged |
| – Keep AirPods battery level above 10% |
| – Fully charge AirPods in less than an hour |
AirPods connected but no sound
If your AirPods are connected but you’re not getting any sound, try the following steps to resolve the issue:
- Disable Bluetooth on your phone and then enable it again. This can help re-establish the connection.
- If the first step didn’t work, go to Settings > Bluetooth > Info > Forget This Device. This will remove the AirPods from your paired devices list.
- With the lid of your AirPod case open, press and hold the button on the back of the case for ten seconds. This will initiate the re-pairing process.
By performing these steps, your AirPods will be fully reset and then re-paired, which should enable them to connect successfully this time.
In the rare event that the issue persists, don’t worry. There are additional proven troubleshooting steps you can follow to resolve the problem. Make sure to go through each step below, and I’m confident that your AirPods will start working again.
Please note that the exact cause of this connection issue is not clear, and although Apple has not officially recognized it as a problem, it has been reported numerous times and occurs frequently enough to be considered more than just “expected behavior.” Nevertheless, the provided steps have been proven effective in fixing the problem.
Reset Bluetooth
If your AirPods are showing as connected but you’re not getting any sound, the first step you should attempt is resetting your phone’s Bluetooth. This is a quick and straightforward fix that often resolves the issue.
To reset your Bluetooth:
- Go to Settings.
- Select Bluetooth.
- Toggle Bluetooth OFF and wait for 20 seconds.
- Toggle Bluetooth back ON.
- Re-select your AirPods and try to connect.
Alternatively, you can swipe down on the home screen and tap on the blue Bluetooth icon to turn it grey (OFF). Wait for 20 seconds and then tap the Bluetooth icon again to turn it blue (ON).
If this doesn’t resolve the problem initially, you can try performing the Bluetooth reset one more time before moving on. In many cases, forcing your phone to reestablish a stable Bluetooth connection can fix the issue.
If you’re still experiencing no sound, proceed with resetting your AirPods:
- Put your AirPods back into the case.
- Close the case lid and wait for about 15 seconds.
- Open the case lid.
- Press and hold the setup button (located at the back of the case) until the status light starts flashing amber.
- Your AirPods are now reset and ready to be re-paired with your device.
By following these steps, you can often resolve the no sound issue with your AirPods. If the problem persists, don’t worry, there are further troubleshooting steps you can take to get your AirPods working again.
Reset AirPods
This solution is slightly more involved than simply resetting your Bluetooth, but it’s still quite easy and has a high success rate of around 90%.
To begin, you’ll first need to “Forget This Device” to remove your AirPods from your phone. Follow these steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Select Bluetooth.
- Click the info icon next to your AirPods.
- Choose “Forget This Device.”
By doing this, your AirPods will be successfully removed from your phone.
Now that your AirPods are removed, you’ll need to re-sync them by following these steps:
- On your phone, ensure that Bluetooth is ON.
- Place both AirPods in the charging case and open the lid.
- Press and hold the button on the back of the AirPod charging case until the case status light blinks white.
- Your AirPods should appear on your phone. Select “Connect.”
- Your AirPods will take a few seconds to connect, and then they should be ready for use.
This process will completely reset your AirPods, and your sound should be working correctly now.
In the rare event that you belong to the remaining 10% where the issue persists, there’s no need to worry. There are several other fixes that are likely to solve the problem for you, so continue reading for further solutions.
Reset iPhone
Sometimes, the sound issue you experience might not be related to your AirPods but rather caused by your phone. There are two methods to reset your phone, and either of them can be effective in resolving software or connection problems.
The first method is simple: perform a full power-off and power-on cycle for your phone. You’d be surprised how many software and connection issues can be fixed by this classic solution. When you power down your phone, it clears its current state, which often resolves any underlying problems.
To power down your phone, follow these steps:
- Press and hold the side button and any volume button simultaneously. (For older versions of the iPhone, you only need to hold the side button.)
The second method involves resetting your iPhone’s network settings. This action will remove all previous connections and disconnect you from any active networks you’re connected to.
To Reset Network Settings on your iPhone, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Scroll down to General.
- At the bottom, select Reset.
- Finally, choose “Reset Network Settings.”
By performing either of these methods, you can often resolve sound-related issues on your phone. These steps help to refresh the phone’s software and network settings, potentially eliminating any glitches causing the problem.
Update iOS software
iPhone software is continuously being updated, improved, and fixed by Apple. If you are using old or outdated software, it could potentially cause issues with the Bluetooth connection between your AirPods and your phone.
To ensure optimal performance and compatibility, it is essential to keep your iPhone up to date with the latest software releases. I recommend enabling Automatic Updates, which allows your phone to schedule and install updates during the nighttime when you are asleep.
Here’s how to enable Automatic Updates:
- Go to Settings.
- Scroll down and select General.
- At the top, choose Software Update.
- Then, tap on Automatic Updates.
- Toggle both “Download iOS updates” and “Install iOS updates” to the ON position.
- Now, go back and check if any updates are available.
- If an update is available, select “Install Now” to start the update process.
By running the latest software version on your iPhone, you can avoid a lot of potential issues and ensure that your phone functions optimally with your AirPods. Staying up to date with software updates is an essential step in maintaining a smooth and trouble-free experience with your devices.
Turn off nearby Bluetooth devices
Another potential solution to resolve this issue involves turning off all nearby Bluetooth devices. This includes powering them down completely.
Interference from other devices like phones, headphones, mice, keyboards, etc. in the vicinity can sometimes lead to connectivity problems with your AirPods.
To avoid any interference, you can either power off all these Bluetooth devices or go to your iPhone and “Forget This Device” for each of these gadgets. The process for forgetting a Bluetooth device was explained earlier, in case you need a reminder.
By taking this precautionary step, you can ensure that no external interference is affecting the Bluetooth connection between your AirPods and your iPhone, which may help in resolving the issue.
Clean Charging Ports & Airpods
Believe it or not, if you’re experiencing a lack of sound from your AirPods, it might be due to the accumulation of dirt, grime, and earwax on your AirPods, especially around the bottom metal ring and inside the charging port. This buildup can hinder the proper functioning of your AirPods and affect the audio quality.
To address this issue, follow these steps for cleaning:
- Use a Q-tip and gently wipe the bottom metal ring of your AirPods to clean it.
- Open your AirPods charging case and carefully clean out the charging port. Make sure to clean all the way down to the bottom of the port.
- If necessary, you can dampen the end of the Q-tip with a little isopropyl alcohol to achieve a more thorough clean. Don’t worry, using isopropyl alcohol is approved by Apple for cleaning their devices.
- While you’re at it, inspect the speaker of your AirPods for any accumulated debris. Over time, dirt and earwax can build up and cause your AirPods to sound quieter.
- If you own AirPods Pro, you may need to remove the ear tip to check if the speaker is covered in gunk. Use a Q-tip to clean up any caked-on earwax or dirt.
Using a flashlight or your phone’s flash can help you get a better view while cleaning.
By ensuring that the charging connection points are clean and the AirPods’ speaker and sensors are clear, you can likely resolve the sound issue and enjoy better audio quality. Regularly cleaning your AirPods can help maintain their performance and extend their lifespan.
Turn off Automatic Ear Detection
By default, AirPods are equipped with a technology that can detect when they are placed in your ears. Once this detection is confirmed, audio starts streaming from your device to the AirPods.
However, if any issues arise during this process, such as dirt or debris on the AirPods, the connection may become incomplete, causing sound to continue playing through your phone instead of the headphones.
(The primary reason for this feature acting up is often due to dirty headphones. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure you clean them well, following the instructions mentioned earlier!)
To troubleshoot the issue, you can start by turning off the Automatic Ear Detection feature to see if that’s the cause of the problem. Keep in mind that disabling this feature means your AirPods will continue to play audio even if you remove them from your ears.
Here’s how to turn off Automatic Ear Detection:
- Go to Settings.
- Select Bluetooth.
- Tap the Info button next to your AirPods.
- Scroll down and toggle OFF the Automatic Ear Detection option.
- Test your AirPods to see if this resolves the problem or not.
By following these steps, you can determine if the Automatic Ear Detection feature was causing the issue with your AirPods’ sound. If the problem persists, you may need to explore other possible fixes or contact Apple support for further assistance.
Charge AirPods
AirPods with a low battery, typically around 10% charge or less, may experience intermittent audio interruptions, loss of sound, and even a loss of microphone functionality. Moreover, consistently allowing your AirPods’ battery to reach such low levels can lead to permanent battery life reduction.
When your AirPods are nearly depleted, they become significantly less useful, providing limited enjoyment due to these issues. Furthermore, once they completely run out of charge, it can be challenging to find a charging source promptly.
There are various problems beyond just the sound not working that can arise when Apple AirPods are not adequately charged.
To avoid encountering these issues, it’s crucial to keep your AirPods fully charged. Thankfully, charging AirPods from near-dead to completely full takes less than an hour, making it a relatively easy task to ensure uninterrupted usage.
By maintaining your AirPods’ battery at a sufficient charge level, you can enjoy a smoother and more reliable experience, free from audio and connectivity interruptions. Additionally, regular charging helps prolong the overall battery life of your AirPods, ensuring they serve you well for an extended period.
Wrapping it up
If your AirPods are showing as “connected” but you’re not getting any sound, there are several effective ways to resolve the issue:
- Reset the Bluetooth on your phone by toggling it off and then on again.
- Reset your AirPods by using the “Forget This Device” option and then re-pair them with your phone.
- Power off your phone and then power it back on again.
- Ensure that your phone’s software is up-to-date by updating it to the latest operating system.
- Turn off all nearby Bluetooth devices to avoid potential interference.
- Clean your AirPods and their charging ports to remove any dirt, grime, or earwax buildup.
- Disable the Automatic Ear Detection feature in the AirPods settings.
- Make sure your AirPods have a full charge before using them.
By going through each of these troubleshooting steps, you are highly likely to fix the sound issue with your AirPods.
I hope these tips have helped you reconnect your AirPods and restored the sound successfully. Thank you for reading!
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