APPLE AirPods are the go-to earpiece for millions – but that doesn’t mean they are completely faultless.
Many customers struggle with the earbuds disconnecting from their smartphone for – apparently – little reason.
If your AirPods are repeatedly disconnecting, there are number of things that may be the source of the issue.
Why do my AirPods keep cutting out and disconnecting?
There are three main causes behind your AirPods cutting out unexpectedly.
- Battery Life
- Bluetooth interference
- Wrong version of iOS
How do I fix my AirPods from disconnecting?
Low battery
AirPods won’t connect to your phone if they’re low on battery.
When they run flat, AirPods will automatically disconnect from any device.
To give them a bit of juice, simply pop them into their charging case.
Drained charging case
The battery of your charging case may have also drained.
Plug it in using a lightning cable to charge it, then try charging your AirPods.
Bluetooth confusion
When Bluetooth devices are placed near each other, their signals can get a little muddled up.
If your AirPods are close to your Wi-Fi router, the signal may block their ability to connect.
Try taking your AirPods somewhere where there’s unlikely to be any interference and try connect to them again.
Update your iPhone
You may need to update your device to the latest version of iOS, the operating system that powers the iPhone, to fix the connectivity issue.
To do that, head to the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap General > Software Update. Then tap Download and Install.
If you have AirPods Pro (2nd generation), you need a device with iOS 16 or later.
But iOS 16 is only available on an iPhone 8 and onwards – so, you may need a newer device.
How to clean AirPods
To clean your Apple AirPods, first you'll need some baby wipes.
Apple recommends using a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe, 75% ethyl alcohol wipe or disinfectant wipes, to gently clean the exterior surfaces of your AirPods, AirPods Pro, as well as the AirPods Max and EarPods.
However, be sure not to use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide, as these can cause discolouration.
Apple has also advised AirPod owners to not use these wipes on the speaker mesh and to avoid getting moisture in any openings.
And definitely, do not submerge or run your AirPods in any cleaning agents or under water.
Here’s some pro tips:
Clean the microphone and speaker meshes with a dry cotton swab.
If your AirPods are exposed to anything that might cause stains or other damage – like, shampoos, lotions, perfumes, solvents, detergent, acids or acidic foods, insect repellent, sun cream, oil or hair dye – simply wipe them clean with a slightly damp cloth and dry with a soft lint-free cloth.
Then allow them to dry completely before placing in the charging case.
Don’t attempt to use them until they’re completely dry.
Hardware problem
If none of the above work, your AirPods may have a hardware issue.
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Considering they’re portable, it’s inevitable they’ll get a few bumps and bruises while you’re out and about.
Sometimes that can cause damage which causes your earphones to malfunction.
To get them fixed, you can post them to Apple, or take them to an Apple Authorised Service Provider.
You can find more details on AirPod repairs on Apple’s website, here.
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