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Why are my AirPods rejecting connection?

As an AirPods owner, I know the frustration of having your device reject connection. I’ve recently been encountering this issue and have done some research and testing to try to figure out why. In this blog post, I’m going to share what I’ve learned and the solutions I discovered that helped me successfully connect my AirPods. Hopefully, this information can help others who may be facing the same issue.

So, why are my AirPods rejecting connection? Likely reasons why your AirPods are rejecting connection are that they have not been paired correctly, they need to be reset, the device needs to update its software, or that your AirPods are broken.

Tips
1. Make sure your AirPods are paired correctly with your device.
2. Reset your AirPods and reconnect them if necessary.
3. Disconnect your AirPods from other devices if they are interfering with the connection to your device.
4. Update the software on your AirPods and device if necessary.
5. Consider taking your AirPods to an Apple store if they are broken.
6. Make sure your Macbook is using an up to date macOS version.

Why are my AirPods rejecting connection?

Below are likely reasons why your AirPods have been rejecting connection and what would make them more likely.

They have not been paired correctly

It could be the case that you have not paired your AirPods to your device correctly or your AirPods might have been reset.

To pair your AirPods to your device correctly, you need to put your AirPods in the case while it is charged, open the lid, press the button on the case, then click on your AirPods on the Bluetooth on your device.

You need to reset the AirPods

It could be the case that you need to reset and reconnect your AirPods to your device. To do this, do the following:

  1. Forget the AirPods on the device you are using
  2. Put your AirPods in the case
  3. Open the lid and press the button on the case for 15 seconds until it flashes orange
  4. Wait 30 seconds
  5. Open the lid and hold the button on the case
  6. Reconnect your AirPods to your device

Your AirPods are connecting to different devices

It could also be the case that your AirPods are connecting to other devices that are nearby. This would be more likely if you have other Apple devices nearby since they can automatically connect to your AirPods.

It would help to try disconnecting your AirPods from all your other devices and then to see if that resolves the issue.

AirPods
AirPods

Need a software update

There were some iOS and macOS versions that caused problems with AirPods. If you are using an older software version on your Mac or iPhone, it would help to try updating to a new version.

Also, AirPods do receive software updates. It might be the case that your AirPods need to be updated.

To update your AirPods, you need to put them in the charging case while it is being charged, then put a connected Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Mac) near the AirPods.

Broken AirPods

It could also be the case that your AirPods are broken. This would be more likely if your AirPods are unable to connect to any device at all.

In this case, it would help to try resetting your AirPods as mentioned above. Otherwise, you will likely have to take them to an Apple store.

Read more: AirPods won’t ring on Find my iPhone

How to connect my AirPods?

To connect your AirPods to your device do as follows:

  • Forget the AirPods on the device you are using if you have connected them to it before
  • Put your AirPods in the case
  • Open the lid and press the button on the case for 15 seconds until it flashes orange. This will reset the AirPods.
  • Wait 30 seconds
  • Open the lid and hold the button on the case
  • Reconnect your AirPods to your device

Read more: Why is my AirPods case button not working?

Why are my AirPods connecting and disconnecting?

Below are likely reasons why your AirPods have been disconnecting from your iPhone.

Battery

It might be the case that there is a problem with the battery. This would be more likely if you recently dropped your AirPods allowed them to get wet or allowed them to be at 0% charge for more week or longer.

It would also be more likely if your AirPods run out of power very quickly. In this case, the only option would be to return them or to buy a new set of AirPods since you cannot replace the battery.

Connection

It could also be the case that there is a weak connection between your AirPods and the iPhone.

If there is a lot of distance between them or there are walls in the way, it will make it more difficult for the AirPods to stay connected.

To fix this, try reconnecting your AirPods to your iPhone as follows:

  1. Forget the AirPods on the device you are using
  2. Put your AirPods in the case
  3. Press the button on the case for 15 seconds
  4. Wait 30 seconds
  5. Open the lid and hold the button on the case
  6. Reconnect your AirPods to your device

Other devices

If there are other devices connected to your AirPods at the same time that your iPhone is connected to your AirPods, it would be possible that they are interfering with the connection.

It would help to try forgetting your AirPods on all of the other devices you have connected them to and to see if they work better with your iPhone after that.

Software update

AirPods do receive software updates and it might be the case that your AirPods need to be updated.

To update your AirPods, you need to put them in the charging case, connect the charging case to a power source and move your Apple device (iPhone, iPad or MacBook) near to your AirPods.

Broken AirPods

It could be the case that the AirPods are faulty. This would be more likely if only one of your AirPods have been disconnecting and if it is not only your iPhone that your AirPods disconnect from.

Why does my Macbook say Connection rejected to my AirPods?

Your AirPods might be rejecting connection with your Macbook for any of the reasons mentioned above. It would help to make sure that your Macbook is using an up to date macOS version.

Otherwise, it would help to reset your AirPods and to try reconnecting them to your MacBook.