As an owner of AirPods, I have been frustrated to find that my AirPods have been flashing green intermittently. After doing some research and testing, I am here to share with you how I solved the issue and some other solutions I have discovered. So, why are my AirPods flashing green?
Well, green flashing can indicate a couple of issues such as connectivity, where you’re unable to connect your AirPods to your device. In the other case, your AirPods may not be recognizable to the case.
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods are Unrecognizable | – One AirPod is used more often than the other | Reset your AirPods and pair them again with your device |
| – Uneven battery charge in AirPods | ||
| AirPods Are Not Well-Charged | – Improper placement in the case | Make sure AirPods are properly placed in the case for charging |
| – Defective AirPod | ||
| Other Reasons | – Needs a firmware update | Update your AirPods’ firmware |
| – Dirt around charging pins in the case | Clean your AirPods and the case, focusing on charging pins |
Table of Contents
Reasons Why Your AirPods are Flashing Green
Although AirPods boast intuitiveness and comfort of use, they’re not immune to certain defects. One of which is the blinking green light which could mean multiple issues. Check out some of them below.
AirPods are Unrecognizable
One of the few reasons why your AirPods could be blinking green is that one of them is unrecognizable. This could happen when you usually use one AirPod while keeping the other in its case.
As a result, one of them would be more charged than the other. This issue is more apparent when your device prompts you about the remaining battery percentage.
The poorly charged one will then have trouble connecting to your iPhone or other device, causing the green blinking.
AirPods Are Not Well-Charged
Although you’ve placed both AirPods in their cases to charge, they may not be actually charging. It could be that you didn’t put them in properly.
In other, more serious cases, one of the AirPods could be defective and won’t charge. You can notice this if the audio on one end feels distorted.
Read more: Only one AirPod works at a time
Other Reasons
Alternatively, your AirPod could be flashing green because it needs a firmware update. On the other hand, your case may have accumulated too much dirt around its charging pins. For this reason, the AirPods may be having a difficult time charging.
Read more: Why do my AirPods make a weird sound?
How to Resolve the Green Flashing on Your AirPods
Luckily, the solutions to a green flash on your AirPods are simple. Here are some of them below.
Reset Your AirPods
The first thing you want to do in most tech-related issues is to reset your device. The same goes for your AirPods. To reset, you’ll want to initially unpair the earphones from any device.
To do so, visit “Settings” on your phone and go to “Bluetooth.” Find your AirPods and select the “Forget This Device” icon next to it.
After unpairing, place the AirPods back in their case and shut the lid. Wait around 15 to 20 seconds before opening the lid. Next, press the setup button located on the back of the case.
Keep your finger pressed until you see an amber light followed by a white light. Lastly, pair the AirPods once again to your device.
What If You Don’t See the Amber Light?
In this case, you’ll have to reset your AirPod’s network settings. Before doing so, make sure the AirPods are paired to a device. The latter should be connected to a Wi-Fi network as well.
To start, on your device, navigate to “Settings.” Afterward, go to “General” then “Reset.”
Update Your AirPod’s Firmware
Now, if resetting isn’t working, you can try to update your AirPod’s firmware. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds. Generally speaking, firmware keeps updating as manufacturers develop new enhancements.
The firmware holds the programming instructions in your AirPods. That being said, a flashing green light could indicate the need for a firmware update. First off, you’ll want to know what firmware version you’re currently holding.
Begin by pairing your AirPods to a device. On your device, go to “Settings” followed by “General” and “About.” Scroll until you see “AirPods.” Next, go to “Firmware Version” and check whether it’s the latest version.
That being said, make sure it matches the latest update mentioned by Apple. In case you want to update the firmware, connect the AirPods to your iPhone. Then, go to “Settings,” “General,” and “Software Update.”
If you’re using your macOS instead, then click on “System Preferences” and then “Software Update.” While the update is happening, make sure the AirPods are in their case and near the device. This updating process can take approximately an hour to complete.
Clean Your AirPods
In some cases, the issue could be resolved by a simple case clean to make sure the charging points are functioning well. Plus, your AirPods could use a thorough clean every now and then from the ear wax and lint build-up.
The tools needed are a lint-free cloth, a soft-bristled small brush or cotton swabs, and an isopropyl alcohol solution. For the case, we suggest using the swabs and a 70% isopropyl solution to wipe the charging pins.
Meanwhile, you can only use the lint-free cloth or soft-bristled brush to clean the AirPods. Be sure to avoid using liquids on them.
To Conclude
Why are your AirPods flashing green? Simply put, it could be a connectivity issue where one AirPod is unresponsive due to a lack of charge. Alternatively, you may simply need to update your firmware.
Fortunately, the solutions to the blinking green light are simple enough and mostly involve resetting or updating your device. Other than that, a careful maintenance clean can go a long way to fixing the issue.
