As an owner of Apple AirPods, I’ve been frustrated by the occasional random vibration that comes from my AirPods. I have done some research and testing to figure out why this is happening and what can be done to stop it. Here I’m sharing my experience and the solutions I’ve discovered, in hopes that it will help other AirPods owners who have been struggling with the same issue.
Likely reasons why your AirPods vibrate are that they are broken, have a bad fit in your ear, have a bad connection with the device or because there is a problem with their software.
| Key Takeaways and Tips: |
|---|
| AirPods can vibrate due to various reasons |
| Common causes include bad fit, connection, water damage, or software issue |
| Forgetting and reconnecting AirPods, software update, cleaning, and ensuring the correct fit can help stop the vibration |
| If only one AirPod vibrates, it is likely broken and should be taken to an Apple store for replacement |
Table of Contents
Why do my AirPods vibrate?
Below are likely reasons why your AirPods vibrate in your ears.
Broken
Unfortunately, it is quite likely that the AirPods are broken.
This would be more likely if you recently dropped them, if it has started happening suddenly, if it happens regardless of the device they are paired with or if only one of your AirPods have been vibrating.
In this case, the only option would be to try to get them replaced.
Water damage
AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro are water resistant. However, they are not waterproof. If your AirPods recently got wet, it might also be the case that they are water damaged.
This would be more likely if the battery life has also worsened and if it happens regardless of the device they are connected with.
Bad fit
It is also possible that there is simply a bad fit. It might be the case that you are putting the AirPods in your ears wrong. If you are using AirPod Pros, the ear tips might also be too big or too small.
Bad connection
It is also possible that the vibrating is due to a bad connection with the device you are using.
This would be more likely if it only happens when your AirPods are connected to a specific device. In this case, it would help to reset and reconnect your AirPods to the device.
To reset and reconnect your AirPods, 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 the light flashes orange then white
- Open the lid and hold the button on the case
- Reconnect your AirPods to your device
Software issue
AirPods do receive software updates and it could 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.
To check the firmware version in your AirPods go “Settings” then “General” then “About” then “AirPods” and you should see the firmware version there.
Dirty AirPods
It might also be the case that your AirPods are dirty. This would be more likely if your AirPods have gradually become quieter and you have not cleaned them in a while.
It would help to try cleaning your AirPods and to see if that solves the issue.
Consider if it is only happening to one AirPod. If it is only happening to one AirPod, it would be more likely that the AirPod is broken and your best option would be to try to get it replaced.
Whereas, if it is happening to both AirPods, it would be more likely that there is an issue with the connection or the device. This would be the same if it only seems to happen when they are connected to a specific device.
Also, if you are putting the volume up high, it could also be what is vibrating your AirPods. You are not meant to have the volume too high because it can damage your hearing.
If the AirPods do not vibrate at a low volume, it would be best to keep your AirPods at that volume or possibly even lower. Generally, the volume should not be higher than 60% of the max volume.
Sometimes, it can actually help a lot to literally suck on the speaker grills and microphone grills on your AirPods since it can sometimes dislodge debris that is causing the vibrating sound.
Dirt in the microphone area
Sometimes the microphone areas can get dirt in them which can result in a buzzing noise. To fix this, you can get a cotton swab and use it to rub the microphone grill.
The ear tips are the problem
It could also be the case that the issue is being caused by the ear tips, if you are using AirPods Pro. It would help to try taking the ear tips out and see if they are still vibrating. If they do not, then it would likely be the ear tips that are actually causing the vibrations.
Why do my AirPods pro vibrate?
Your AirPod Pros might be vibrating for any of the same reasons why regular AirPods might vibrate as mentioned above.
It would help to start by cleaning the Ear tips, forgetting and reconnecting them to the device, replacing the ear tips with different sizes and to do a software update.
If none of that works, you will likely need to replace the AirPod Pros, unfortunately.
Read more: do AirPods stay in the ear?
Why do my AirPods vibrate in one ear?
If your AirPods are only vibrating in one ear, it would be more likely that it is broken.
This would be more likely if you recently dropped the AirPod or got it wet. You can try doing a software update, forgetting and reconnecting both of the AirPods, and cleaning the AirPod.
However, you will likely need to take the AirPods into an Apple store to be replaced.
Read more: can you turn the AirPods case off?
How to get my AirPods to stop vibrating?
To get your AirPods to stop vibrating, it would help to forget them and reconnect them to your devices, to do a software update, to clean them and to ensure they have the correct fit.
However, if it is happening regardless of the device they are connected with, it would be likely that you will need to get them replaced.
