As an owner of AirPods, I know how frustrating it can be when you experience stuttering or dropouts while listening to your favorite music or podcasts. I recently experienced this issue myself and so I began doing some research and testing to find a solution. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing my own experience and the solutions I discovered in the hopes that it can help other AirPods users who are having the same issue.
Likely reasons why your AirPods have been stuttering are a bad connection with your device, interference from other devices, the AirPods are faulty or they need a software update.
If just one of your AirPods are stuttering, it would be more likely to be due to it being broken. If they are both stuttering, it would be more likely to be due to the connection with the device or a problem with specific apps or websites you are using.
| Tips for Resolving AirPods Stuttering |
|---|
| 1. Bad device connection |
| 2. Turn off automatic ear detection |
| 3. Interference from other devices |
| 4. Check for software updates |
| 5. Check specific apps/websites |
| 6. Faulty AirPods |
| 7. Low battery |
| 8. Reset network settings |
| 9. Reset, forget, and re-pair |
Table of Contents
Why are my AirPods Stuttering?
Below are likely reasons why your AirPods are stuttering.
Bad connection
The most likely cause is that your AirPods have a bad connection with the device.
This would be more likely if you are using a non-Apple device, but it could even be the case if you are using an Apple device.
It would help to try pairing your AirPods to a different device and to see if the lag is still there.
If the lag is not still there, it means that there is a problem with the connection or the device you are using.
To re-pair your AirPods to your device, do the following:
- Forget the AirPods on the device you are using
- Put your AirPods in the case
- Press the button on the case for 15 seconds until it flashes orange then white
- Open the lid and hold the button on the case
- Reconnect your AirPods to your device
A problem with automatic ear detection
The next possible cause is that there is a problem with the automatic ear detection that the AirPods have. You can try turning it off by clicking “Settings” then “Bluetooth” then tap the “i” next to the AirPods then you can turn it off there. On Mac click the Apple menu on the top left then “System preferences” then “Bluetooth” then “Options” button
Interference from other devices
The issue could be that other devices are trying to connect to your AirPods. I often face this issue when using AirPods with Android while I am also using my MacBook.
To see if this is the cause, try forgetting your AirPods on all your other devices and see if your AirPods stop stuttering then.
AirPods need updating
AirPods do receive software updates and it might be the case that your AirPods need an update.
To update your AirPods, you need to put them in the charging case, connect the charging case to a power source and move your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook near to your AirPods.
A problem with websites or apps
It might also be the case that there is a problem with specific websites or apps you are using. This would be more likely if your AirPods only stutter when using that website or app.
In this case, it would help to see if other people have experience stuttering when using that website or app (when using any kind of earphones).
If possible, you could also try using it with your AirPods when connected to a different device.
Faulty AirPods
It could also be the case that you have faulty AirPods. This would be more likely if only one of your AirPods are stuttering or if there is a significant stutter regardless of the device you are using.
In this case, it would help to take your AirPods to an Apple store and to see if they can repair or replace your AirPods.
You need to update your iOS
If you are using iPhone or iPad, some users reported that in some versions of iOS there were bugs with AirPods, if your iOS version is not up to date, you could also try updating your AirPods.
Low battery
Sometimes, the AirPods might start stuttering when the battery is low. If your AirPods are on low battery, it would help to try charging them fully.
You need to reset network settings
A number of users have found that it is necessary for them to reset their network settings. To do this on an iPhone, go to settings, then general, then reset, and then go through the steps to reset network settings.
Read more: When should you charge AirPods?
Why do my AirPod Pros stutter?
Your AirPod pros might stutter for any of the same reasons that regular AirPods might stutter.
It could be due to a bad connection, the app you are using, faulty AirPod pros, or because they need to be updated.
Read more: Will AirPods fall out while sleeping?
How to get my AirPods to stop stuttering?
To get rid of the stutter on your AirPods, it would help to try the following:
- Forget and reconnect your AirPods to your device
- Ensure you have a good connection with the device and that there is not much interference from walls or other electronics
- Recharge your AirPods
- Try alternative apps to the ones you use
- Disconnect your AirPods from all other devices
- Update your iOS
- Take them to an Apple store
Why do my AirPods stutter on Mac?
If your AirPods only have a stutter on your Mac, it might be due to a bad connection with your mac.
Alternatively, it could be due to a problem with specific apps or websites that you are using which would be more likely if there is only an audio lag on specific apps or websites.
It would help to try resetting and re-pairing your AirPods to your Mac as shown above.
Why do my AirPods stutter on Android?
If your AirPods have a stutter on Android, it could also be due to a bad connection or a problem with specific apps and websites that you are using.
Again, it would help to try resetting and re-pairing your AirPods to your Android device.
