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Why don’t my AirPods connect at the same time?

As an owner of AirPods, I had become increasingly frustrated when, time after time, they wouldn’t connect to my device at the same time. I felt like I had tried every possible solution, but nothing seemed to work. Fortunately, after doing some research and trying out a few different methods, I finally figured out the answer to my problem. In this blog post, I’m going to share the steps I took to get my AirPods to connect at the same time, as well as some other solutions I discovered along the way.

Key Takeaways
If one AirPod is connecting later than the other, it may be because they are being taken out of the case at different times.
Resetting the AirPods in the case and downloading the latest software update can fix the issue.
If both AirPods are not playing sound at the same time, try resetting them and forgetting the Bluetooth connection before reconnecting.

Why don’t my AirPods connect at the same time?

If one AirPod is connecting slightly later than the other, it is likely to simply because you are taking them out of the case at different times.

If only one AirPod will stay connected to the device at the same time, it is likely that they have become unpaired from each other and you need to reset them in the case.

To reset your AirPods, do the following:

  • Put your AirPods in the case
  • Open the lid
  • Hold the button for 15 seconds until the light flashes orange then white
  • Reconnect your AirPods to your devices

If resetting the AirPods does not solve this issue, you can eliminate hardware issue from the list and re-download the latest software update for the AirPods.

This may fix the issue if it does indeed stem from a software update problem.

Read more: How to adjust AirPods volume when connected to TV?

AirPods
AirPods

How to get my AirPods to connect at the same time?

To ensure that your AirPods connect at the same time do the following:

Reset your AirPods in the case
Update your AirPods
Inspect the case to make sure that there is no debris inside the case

Why don’t my AirPods work at the same time?

If your AirPods aren’t working at the same time, there may be an issue with the hardware inside one of them. Check your connected device to see if both AirPods are recognized and show as charging.

If one does not appear on the screen or seems to be charging much slower than the other, this is a good indication that a hardware issue is the cause.

The best way to proceed if you suspect a hardware issue is to take them in to the Genius bar so the experts there can diagnose and repair the issue.   

Read more: Can you use AirPods with Sony TV?

Why won’t both of my AirPods pro work at the same time?

The AirPods Pro are meant to connect seamlessly to your devices, providing you with a superior user experience than older models.

If one earbud stops working, there may be an issue with the wires or other interior components. If both earbuds work, but they will not play sound at the same time, this is more likely to be a software issue.

Try resetting the earbuds, which will often solve software based glitches.  Place the AirPods in the charging case, leaving them in place for around thirty seconds before opening the lid.

Use the settings menu on your connected device to forget the Bluetooth connection between your device and the earbuds.

Leave them disconnected for at least thirty seconds before reconnecting the AirPods and checking to see if the sound is fixed.  

Pros and Cons of AirPods

Pros:

  • Lightweight and comfortable to wear
  • High-quality sound with active noise cancellation
  • Easy to connect and use with most devices
  • Long battery life

Cons:

  • Issues with connecting both earbuds at the same time
  • Potential hardware issues
  • Expensive compared to other options