As an owner of AirPods, I know the frustration of them cutting out. I’ve done some research and testing to figure out why this happens and how to fix it. In this blog post, I’ll share my experience and the solutions I discovered to help you get your AirPods working properly again. So, if you’re having trouble with your AirPods cutting out, read on for some tips and advice on how to get them working again.
The reason behind this could be a low battery level, conflicting Bluetooth connections, a weak Bluetooth connection, the network settings needing a reset, the AirPods needing a reset, dirty AirPods, an outdated iOS, outdated firmware, Automatic Ear Detection being turned on, automatic switching being enabled, or hardware problems.
| Issue | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods Cutting Out | Low Battery Level | Charge the AirPods in their case. |
| Unstable Bluetooth Connection | Turn Bluetooth off and on again, remove obstructions between the device and AirPods, ensure they’re within range, forget and reconnect the device in Bluetooth settings, and disconnect other devices from the main device. | |
| Network Settings Need Reset | Reset network settings on your iOS device by going to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Enter your password to confirm. | |
| AirPods Need Reset | Reset AirPods by placing them in their case for 30 seconds, forgetting the device in Bluetooth settings on your iPhone, then holding the setup button on the back of the charging case for 15-20 seconds. | |
| Automatic Ear Detection or Automatic Switching Enabled | Turn off Automatic Ear Detection or Automatic Switching in the Bluetooth settings on your iOS device by tapping the “i” next to your AirPods’ name and deselecting the relevant options. | |
| Outdated iOS or Firmware | Update your iOS device to the latest version and allow the AirPods to update automatically by connecting them to your iPhone and leaving them for about 30 minutes without use. | |
| Dirty AirPods | Clean the AirPods using a soft, lint-free cloth and a dry cotton swab. Be gentle and avoid getting moisture in any openings. | |
| Hardware Problems | If none of the above solutions work, contact Apple support for further assistance. |
Table of Contents
1. A Low Battery Level
If the battery level of your AirPods is too low, there’s a chance its connection to your sound device will suffer. You can check the charge level of your AirPods as follows:
- Place the earbuds inside the case but leave the lid open.
- Bring the case close to your iOS device.
- The percentage of the remaining battery should pop up on the screen within a few seconds.
How to Fix
This one’s easy; just place your AirPods in the charging case and let them fill up their battery.
2. An Unstable Bluetooth Connection
Read more: AirPods not charging evenly
A weak or unstable connection between your AirPods and device can cause the earbuds to keep cutting out. The same side effect can happen when too many devices are connected to your sound device.
How to Fix
- Turn the Bluetooth of the device off and on again.
- Remove clutter between the earbuds and the device.
- Make sure your device and AirPods are within each other’s Bluetooth range.
- On your device, open “Bluetooth” then tap the “i” next to your AirPods’ name. Select “Forget This Device” and confirm. After that, reconnect the AirPods.
- Disconnect devices other than the AirPods from the main device.
3. The Network Settings Require a Reset
By resetting the network settings on your device, you’ll remove all saved data related to your VPN information, Bluetooth connections, WiFi, network preferences, and so on.
You’ll be starting with a clean slate, which is one way to can resolve some bugs and glitches that may result in connectivity problems.
Read more: AirPods case not charging
How to Fix
Here’s how to reset network settings on an iOS device:
- Open “Settings”.
- Choose ” General”.
- Select “Transfer or Reset” then tap “Reset”.
- Tap “Reset Network Settings”.
- Enter your password to confirm.
4. The AirPods Require a Reset
Restoring the default settings of your AirPods can also fix various resolve bugs and glitches that may lead to your earbuds stuttering due to connectivity problems.
How to Fix
Here’s how to reset your AirPods:
- Place the earbuds in their case, close it, and wait for around 30 seconds.
- On your iPhone, open ” Settings” and select “Bluetooth”.
- Next to your AirPods’ name, tap the “i”.
- Choose “Forget This Device” and tap “Forget This Device” again to confirm.
- On the back of the charging case, hold down the setup button for 15 to 20 seconds.
5. Automatic Ear Detection or Automatic Switching Is Enabled
Automatic switching or Automatic Ear Detection features could cause your AirPods to keep cutting out due to a glitch with the sensors.
How to Fix
Here’s how you can turn off these features:
- Connect the AirPods to your iOS device.
- On the device, open “Settings”.
- Choose “Bluetooth” then tap the “i” next to your earbuds’ name.
- To turn off Automatic Ear Detection, simply deselect it.
- To turn off automatic switching, choose “Connect to This Device” and then tap “When Last Connected to This iPhone”.
6. An Outdated iOS or Firmware
An outdated iOS can result in connectivity issues. So make sure your iOS device is running the latest iOS version.
Similarly, if the firmware of your AirPods is outdated, their performance will be compromised and they may keep cutting out.
Apple regularly releases new firmware to enhance its devices’ functionality, resolve bugs and errors, and improve user experience.
You can check whether or not your AirPods are running the latest firmware by following the steps below:
- On your iPhone (or connected device), open “Settings”.
- Choose “General” then tap “About”.
- Tap on your AirPods’ name.
- You should be able to view their current firmware version.
How to Fix
Manually updating the firmware from the AirPods or your iOS device isn’t currently possible.
The earbuds will update automatically to the latest version if you simply connect the AirPods to your iPhone and leave them for about half an hour without usage.
Final Thoughts
When AirPods keep cutting out, fixing the issue can be as simple as cleaning the earbuds, updating software, or reestablishing a connection.
If you’ve tried all the solutions mentioned above and the problem still stands, your should contact Apple support and ask their technical team for help.