Identify the failure before resetting
Missing from the Bluetooth list, failing to pair, connected with no sound, and one silent earbud are different problems. On iPhone or iPad, inspect Settings → Bluetooth; on Mac, inspect System Settings → Bluetooth. Then play familiar audio and check where it comes out. A connected device with the wrong audio output usually needs an output change, not a reset.
If only one AirPod does not charge or play, use the separate one-ear guide. Continue here when both earbuds have power but the pair does not appear or connect.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column →
| What you see | First check | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods absent from Bluetooth | Case power, both earbuds, Bluetooth | Enter pairing mode for your case model |
| AirPods listed but connection fails | Device update and proximity | Close the case for 15 seconds, then pair again |
| Connected but no sound | Audio output and volume | Select AirPods in Control Center and play a test clip |
| Only one earbud is silent | Separate battery readings and playback | Use the one-ear troubleshooting guide |
Start with checks that preserve your settings
Put both earbuds in a charged case and confirm that both are charging. Turn on Bluetooth on the iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and install the current applicable system update. Open the audio-output list in Control Center: if AirPods are there, select them and check volume and the app that is playing.
A missing setup animation does not prove the earbuds are broken; pairing mode can be started manually. If AirPods were recently playing on another device, select them on the device you are using before removing any pairing.
- Verify the case and both earbuds have power, rather than relying only on the case percentage.
- Turn on Bluetooth and look for AirPods in the output list.
- If listed, select them, raise volume, and play familiar audio.
- If absent or unable to connect, close the lid for 15 seconds and reopen it.
On iPhone or iPad, use the pairing action for your case
Leave both earbuds in the case, open the lid, and hold it near an unlocked iPhone or iPad. For AirPods 4, AirPods 5, and AirPods Pro 3, double-tap the front of the case until the light flashes white. For other AirPods and AirPods Pro models, hold the setup button on the back until it flashes white. Follow the setup card if one appears; otherwise choose AirPods in Settings → Bluetooth.
Entering pairing mode is not the same as a factory reset. Newer and older cases have different reset gestures, so identify your model instead of repeatedly pressing an unfamiliar case. Apple's connection instructions for AirPods Max are separate.
- Put both AirPods in the case, close it for 15 seconds, then open it.
- Use the case action for your model and wait for a flashing white light.
- Keep the open case near the iPhone or iPad and follow the card, or select AirPods in Bluetooth settings.
- Confirm audio output switches to AirPods after connection.
On Mac, connect in Bluetooth and select the sound output
Open System Settings → Bluetooth on the Mac. With the case in flashing-white pairing mode, select AirPods from nearby devices; if already paired, click Connect. When Bluetooth says Connected but sound still comes from the built-in speakers, choose AirPods in Control Center or Sound output.
On supported devices signed in to the same Apple Account, automatic switching can move audio between iPhone and Mac. Rule out an output switch before resetting the earbuds for what may be an audio-routing problem.
Forget and reset only after the pairing checks fail
If charging, Bluetooth, manual output selection, and pairing again all fail, follow Apple's reset instructions for your exact model. Record any custom settings first. The process usually starts by forgetting AirPods in the Bluetooth list, then using the model's case action until the light flashes amber and then white. Pair and restore your settings afterward.
AirPods 1–3 and AirPods Pro 1–2 use the rear setup button for reset. AirPods 4, AirPods 5, and AirPods Pro 3 use a sequence of front-of-case taps. Do not confuse a single pairing-mode double-tap with the full reset sequence; use the model-specific Apple page for the latter.
When connection still fails, record what you tested
Try the same AirPods on another compatible Apple device, and a known-working headset on the original device. Record whether the Bluetooth entry appears, the status-light behavior, whether both earbuds charge, and where the process fails. This helps distinguish the earbuds, case, and host device without repeating resets.
If second-hand AirPods report an association with another Apple Account, the previous owner must remove that association through Apple's process; resetting does not replace account removal. A case with no light, an earbud that never charges, or failure on multiple devices is a reason to contact Apple Support with the model and findings. Keep serial numbers and account screenshots private.