As an owner of Apple AirPods, I recently found myself frustrated when they stopped flashing white, which is usually an indication that they are connected and ready to use. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share how I solved this problem and a few other solutions I discovered. In this blog post, I’ll explain what it means when AirPods won’t flash white, why it happens, and what you can do to fix it.
Generally speaking, the issue could originate from a simple low battery on your AirPods. Now, the earphones may also have problems charging if there’s too much debris near the charging ports. Luckily, that can be resolved with a careful case clean and a reset.
| Key Takeaways | Details |
|---|---|
| Reasons for No White Flash | Low battery, debris in charging ports, defective AirPods, damaged case, firmware update |
| Cleaning AirPods & Case | Use lint-free cloth or cotton swabs for AirPods, isopropyl alcohol for the case |
| Charging AirPods | Place in the case for at least 15-30 minutes, then press the setup button |
| Reset Bluetooth Connection | Turn off and on Bluetooth, unpair from other devices, and re-pair to your device |
| Updating AirPods | Check for software updates on your device and follow prompts to update the firmware |
| Conclusion | Clean, charge, reset, or update AirPods to fix the issue, or visit an Apple Store for help |
Why Your AirPods Won’t Flash White
Whether you’re going for a morning walk or the gym, AirPods are sometimes a must. When you try to get them to work but the white lights are a no-show, it can be particularly disappointing. Now, a few reasons why the earphones aren’t functioning well could be that:
- AirPods need to charge
- The case’s charge points need to be cleaned from interfering debris
- AirPods are defective
- The case is damaged
- AirPods need to be updated
What to Do When Your AirPods Won’t Flash White
After considering the causes, the solutions are, luckily, simple enough. Most of which involve cleaning the AirPods and their case. Otherwise, you’ll want to reset your pairing connection.
Read more: AirPods won’t hold a charge
Clean Your Case and AirPods
Earphones tend to get dirty. The dirt doesn’t necessarily come from your ears alone. Whenever you place the earphones in your pocket, they can catch lint. If they’re placed on a dusty surface, debris can easily transfer to them.
In your AirPod’s case, dirt can accumulate around the bottom and ear pieces which can affect their charging ability. Plus, the case is also prone to gathering dust inside, whether it’s from the AirPods or its general surroundings.
That being so, an unclean base in your case could hinder your AirPod’s charging. As a result, no white flashes. Besides that, here’s how to clean both items.
How to Clean Your AirPods
The key parts you’ll want to look out for are the AirPods’ bottom parts since that’s where the charging connection is located. Plus, it’s where the microphones are as well. In terms of tools, we suggest steering clear of any liquids to avoid permanent damage.
Instead, you can get a piece of lint-free cloth or some cotton swabs. With these tools, carefully wipe around the charging connectors. Make sure to get rid of dust. Additionally, you can clean the ear pieces out from lingering wax or dirt. with the swabs.
How to Clean Your Case
Read more: AirPods won’t connect to Apple Watch
The case is an integral component of your AirPods’ function, so regular maintenance is highly recommended. Having said that, to clean the case, you’ll want to get some 70% isopropyl alcohol solution, a microfiber towel, and cotton swabs.
To start, dampen the microfiber towel with a small bit of alcohol and wipe the case’s outer surface to get rid of dirt. If the dirt is too stubborn, you can try using a small soft-bristled brush to scrub it off along with a bit of alcohol.
Next, open the case and stick the swabs in the connecter area to remove any interfering layer of dust. Afterward, you can clean the rest of the inner case with the swab. Once your AirPods have undergone a thorough cleaning, you can charge them.
Charge Your AirPods
The solution could be as simple as charging your AirPods. Place them in their case for at least 15 to 30 minutes.
Next, open the case and try to activate the AirPods by pressing down on the setup button until you, hopefully, see a white flash.
Reset Bluetooth Connection
No white light could signal a delay in a pairing connection between your AirPods and device. The root cause of this could be a technical minor glitch. To resolve this issue, you can try to reset the AirPods and the Bluetooth connection.
To do so, go to the “Settings” on your iPhone then select “Bluetooth.” Afterward, turn the Bluetooth off and turn it back on after a few moments.
Alternatively, you may have paired your AirPods with other devices. In this case, it’s best to unpair the earphones to refresh the connection.
To unpair on your iPhone, navigate to the Bluetooth settings and choose “Forget This Device” and confirm.
Update Your AirPods
Updates are periodically done by manufacturers to fix any bugs or add enhancements. If resetting the Bluetooth connection doesn’t work, you can try updating the AirPods’ firmware. Firstly, go to your iPhone’s “Settings.”
Then, select “General,” and tap on “Software Update.” Follow the prompts to download any pending updates.
To Conclude
If your AirPods won’t flash white, chances are they may either need to be charged or cleaned. In addition to this, you might also need to reset or unpair the Bluetooth connection.
Hopefully, by the time you’ve completed most of these methods, you’ll see some flashing white light. If not, then we recommend visiting your nearest Apple Store for a quick inspection.
