I was recently frustrated when I noticed my AirPods making a strange, intermittent sound: a ding or ping. I wondered why this was happening and did some research to try and figure out what was going on. In this blog post, I’ll share what I discovered, as well as some other solutions that may help if you’re experiencing the same issue.
Likely reasons why your AirPods would make a ding or ping sound are to notify you of low battery, switching between noise-canceling or transparent mode, to tell you it is connected, a poor connection, a problem with the device or app you are using, or that the AirPods are broken.
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Low battery | AirPods will make a sound to notify you when the battery is low. |
| Switching modes | When switching between noise-canceling or transparent mode, AirPods will make a sound. |
| Connection | AirPods will make a sound if there is a problem with the connection to the device. |
| Connected | AirPods will make a sound when they are connected to a device. |
| Device/app problem | AirPods will make a sound if there is an issue with the device or app they are being used with. |
| Broken AirPods | AirPods will make a sound if they are broken. |
Tips to Resolve the Issue:
| Tip | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Reconnect | Try reconnecting your AirPods to the device you are using. |
| Connect to another device | Connect your AirPods to another device to determine if the issue is with the device or the AirPods. |
| Disconnect from all devices | Disconnect your AirPods from all other devices to ensure they are only connected to the device you are using. |
| Update | Update your AirPods to the latest software version. |
| Location | Listen to your AirPods in a location with minimal interference. |
| Visit an Apple store | Take your AirPods to an Apple store for professional assistance. |
Table of Contents
Why do my AirPods make a ding sound?
Below are likely reasons why your AirPods might be making a ding sound.
Low battery
When the AirPods are running low on battery, they will make a ding type sound. It could be the case that you are hearing the sound because your AirPods are running low on battery.
This would be more likely if the AirPods die shortly after. If your AirPods are dying quickly, even after you have very recently charged your AirPods, it would make it likely that your AirPods have a faulty battery.
Switching between noise canceling and transparent mode
If you have AirPods pro, it could also be the case that the sound you are hearing is your AirPods switching between noise canceling and transparent mode.
When AirPods pro switch between these modes, they will make a ding-type sound. This would be more likely if your AirPods only make the sound when you squeeze the stem for a few seconds which triggers the AirPods pro to switch between modes.
Read more: Why do my AirPods keep falling out of my ears?
To tell you it is connected
AirPods will also make a ding sound when they connect to a device. If you only hear the sound shortly after taking your AirPods out of the case, it would be likely that you are hearing the connection sound.
If you keep hearing that sound afterward, it could be the case that your AirPods are switching between devices. This would be more likely if your AirPods are connected to multiple Apple devices and it is causing your AirPods to keep automatically switching.
In this case, it would help to disconnect your AirPods from all other devices and to only have them connected to the device you want to listen to.
Read more: Do AirPods have a mute button?
Broken AirPods
It is also possible that you have damaged AirPods.
This would be more likely if your AirPods make the sound regardless of the device they are connected to, they make the sound even when they are not connected to any device and if it is a sound that they are not designed to make.
In this case, your best option is to take the AirPods to an Apple store.
A poor connection
The cause might also be that your AirPods have a poor connection with the device that you are using.
It might be the case that you are too far away from the device, there are walls in the way, there is interference from other electronics, or your AirPods are connected to other devices as well.
A problem with the device itself
It might also be the case that there is a problem with the device or app you are using itself. It would help to see if you have similar problems when you listen to that device using different earphones.
You need to update the AirPods
AirPods do receive software updates. It might be the case that your AirPods need to be updated. They get updated when they are connected to an Apple device.
What to do about AirPods making a ding sound
Below are options you have when getting the AirPods to stop making the sound.
Reconnect your AirPods to your device
It would help to try reconnecting your AirPods to the device you are using.
Try the following:
- Forget the AirPods on the device you are using
- Put your AirPods in the case
- Wait 30 seconds
- Open the lid and hold the button on the case
- Reconnect your AirPods to your device
Connect your AirPods to another device
To see if there is actually a problem with the device you are using, try connecting your AirPods to a different device and see if your AirPods are still making the same noise.
Disconnect your AirPods from all other devices
It could be the case that your AirPods have been switching between devices.
It would help to try disconnecting your AirPods from all of the other devices they have a connection with and to only have them connected to the device you are using.
Update your AirPods
It would also help to make sure that your AirPods are up to date. To update your AirPods, you just need to connect them to an Apple device.
Try listening to them in a location without interference
It would also help to try listening to your AirPods in a location where there is not any interference and to make sure that you are close to the device you are listening to.
Take AirPods to an Apple store
If you are unable to make the noise go away, the only option would be to take them to an Apple store and to see if they can fix it or replace your AirPods.
Why do my AirPods make a ping sound?
Likely reasons why your AirPods are making a ping sound are that they are connecting to a new device, are low on power, are changing between noise canceling and transparent mode, have a poor connection, are switching between devices, or are broken.
Why do my AirPods make a popping sound?
Likely reasons why your AirPods would be making a popping sound are that the AirPods are broken, they need to be updated or that they have a poor connection with the device you are using.
