Technology

AirPods Won’t Connect To MacBook? Here’s The Fix

Published: August 16, 2023

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Check AirPods Battery Level

One of the common reasons why AirPods won’t connect to your MacBook is a low battery. Before diving into more complex troubleshooting steps, it’s crucial to check the battery level of your AirPods. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Open the AirPods case and place the AirPods in your ears. Make sure they are properly seated.
  2. On your MacBook, click on the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar, located at the top-right corner of the screen. Alternatively, you can go to System Preferences and open the Bluetooth settings.
  3. In the list of available devices, you should see your AirPods listed. Check the battery percentage displayed next to them. If it’s low (less than 10%), this could be the reason why your AirPods are not connecting.

If you find that your AirPods have a low battery, it’s time to charge them. Place the AirPods back into the charging case and connect it to a power source using the Lightning cable.

Allow the AirPods to charge for at least 15 minutes before attempting to reconnect them to your MacBook. Once they are sufficiently charged, take them out of the case, put them in your ears, and try connecting them again.

By ensuring that your AirPods have an adequate battery level, you can eliminate one common issue that could be preventing them from connecting to your MacBook.

Reset AirPods

If your AirPods are still not connecting to your MacBook after checking the battery level, the next troubleshooting step you can try is to reset your AirPods. Resetting the AirPods can help resolve any connection issues or glitches. Follow these steps to reset your AirPods:

  1. Place your AirPods back into the charging case and close the lid.
  2. Wait for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  3. Open the lid of the charging case.
  4. On your MacBook, go to the Bluetooth settings either by clicking the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar or opening System Preferences and navigating to Bluetooth.
  5. In the list of devices, locate your AirPods and click on the “x” next to them to remove them from the paired devices.
  6. Now, keep the lid of the AirPods case open and press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the LED indicator on the front starts flashing white.
  7. Release the setup button and wait for a few moments until the LED light on the front of the charging case flashes amber and then white again.
  8. On your MacBook, click on the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar or go to System Preferences and open Bluetooth settings.
  9. Put your AirPods back in the case and then take them out again.
  10. In the Bluetooth settings, you should see your AirPods listed. Click on them to connect.

After resetting your AirPods and successfully reconnecting them to your MacBook, check if they are now working properly. If the connection issue persists, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

Check Bluetooth settings on MacBook

If your AirPods are not connecting to your MacBook, it’s important to ensure that your MacBook’s Bluetooth settings are properly configured. Here’s how you can check and adjust the Bluetooth settings:

  1. On your MacBook, click on the Apple menu icon in the top-left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.”
  2. In the System Preferences window, click on “Bluetooth.”
  3. Make sure that the Bluetooth on/off switch is turned on. If it’s not, click on the switch to enable Bluetooth.
  4. Under the “Devices” section, you should see a list of paired Bluetooth devices. Look for your AirPods in the list. If they are not listed, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
  5. If your AirPods are listed but not connected, click on them in the Bluetooth devices list and click on the “Connect” button.
  6. If your AirPods are already connected, click on them in the Bluetooth devices list and click on the “Disconnect” button. Wait for a few seconds and then click on the “Connect” button to establish a new connection.

After adjusting the Bluetooth settings on your MacBook, try connecting your AirPods again. If they still won’t connect, move on to the next troubleshooting step.

Disconnect and Reconnect AirPods

If your AirPods are not connecting to your MacBook, one simple troubleshooting step you can try is to disconnect and then reconnect them. This can help refresh the connection and resolve any temporary glitches. Follow these steps to disconnect and reconnect your AirPods:

  1. Place your AirPods in your ears and make sure they are properly seated.
  2. On your MacBook, click on the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar, located at the top-right corner of the screen. Alternatively, you can go to System Preferences and open the Bluetooth settings.
  3. In the list of available devices, locate your AirPods and click on them to select them.
  4. Click on the “Disconnect” button to disconnect your AirPods from your MacBook.
  5. Wait for a few seconds and then click on the “Connect” button to reconnect your AirPods to your MacBook.

After disconnecting and reconnecting your AirPods, check if they are now connecting to your MacBook. If they still won’t connect, move on to the next troubleshooting step.

Forget AirPods on MacBook

If your AirPods are not connecting to your MacBook, forgetting them from the Bluetooth devices list and re-pairing them can often help resolve the issue. Follow these steps to forget your AirPods on MacBook:

  1. On your MacBook, click on the Apple menu icon in the top-left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.”
  2. In the System Preferences window, click on “Bluetooth.”
  3. Under the “Devices” section, locate your AirPods in the list of paired Bluetooth devices.
  4. Right-click (or Control-click) on your AirPods and select “Remove” or “Forget Device.”
  5. Confirm the action when prompted.
  6. Once your AirPods are forgotten, place them back in the charging case and close the lid.
  7. On your MacBook, go to the Bluetooth settings and turn off Bluetooth. Wait for a few seconds and then turn Bluetooth back on.
  8. Open the lid of the AirPods case to enter pairing mode.
  9. In the Bluetooth settings on your MacBook, your AirPods should appear in the list of available devices. Click on them to initiate the pairing process.
  10. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the pairing process between your AirPods and MacBook.

After forgetting and re-pairing your AirPods, check if they are now connecting to your MacBook. If they still won’t connect, move on to the next troubleshooting step.

Update macOS

If your AirPods are not connecting to your MacBook, it’s possible that an outdated macOS version could be causing compatibility issues. Updating your macOS to the latest version can often help resolve such issues. Follow the steps below to update your macOS:

  1. Click on the Apple menu icon in the top-left corner of the screen.
  2. Select “System Preferences.”
  3. In the System Preferences window, click on “Software Update.”
  4. If there is an update available, click on the “Update Now” button to download and install the update.
  5. Wait for the update process to complete. This may take some time depending on the size of the update.
  6. Once the update is installed, restart your MacBook if prompted to do so.

After updating macOS, try connecting your AirPods to your MacBook again. If the connection issue persists, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

Check for Software Updates on AirPods

In addition to updating your MacBook’s operating system, it’s also important to ensure that your AirPods have the latest software. Apple frequently releases firmware updates for AirPods, which can address connectivity issues and improve performance. Here’s how you can check for software updates on your AirPods:

  1. Ensure that your AirPods are connected to your MacBook.
  2. Open the System Preferences on your MacBook and click on “Bluetooth.”
  3. Locate your AirPods in the list of paired devices and click on the “Options” button next to them.
  4. A new window will appear with information about your AirPods. Look for the “Firmware Version” section.
  5. Compare the current firmware version of your AirPods with the latest version available on the Apple website.
  6. If you find that your AirPods have an outdated firmware version, it’s recommended to update them.

To update your AirPods, place them in the charging case and ensure that it is connected to a power source. Keep your MacBook nearby, open the lid of the charging case, and wait for a few seconds. The firmware update should automatically start and may take a few minutes to complete. Ensure that your MacBook remains nearby and connected to the internet during the update process.

Once the firmware update is complete, try connecting your AirPods to your MacBook again. If they still won’t connect, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

Reset MacBook’s Bluetooth Module

If your AirPods are still not connecting to your MacBook, resetting the Bluetooth module on your MacBook can help resolve any underlying issues or conflicts. Follow these steps to reset the Bluetooth module:

  1. Click on the Apple menu icon in the top-left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.”
  2. In the System Preferences window, click on “Bluetooth.”
  3. Turn off Bluetooth by clicking on the on/off switch.
  4. Shut down your MacBook completely.
  5. Wait for about 30 seconds and then turn on your MacBook.
  6. Go back to the Bluetooth settings and turn Bluetooth back on.
  7. Attempt to connect your AirPods to your MacBook once again.

Resetting the Bluetooth module can clear any temporary settings or configurations that might be affecting the connection between your AirPods and MacBook. After performing the reset, check if your AirPods can now successfully connect. If the connection issue persists, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

Restart MacBook

If you’re still facing difficulties connecting your AirPods to your MacBook, restarting your MacBook can help resolve any software-related issues that may be causing the connection problem. Follow these steps to restart your MacBook:

  1. Close all open applications and save any unsaved work.
  2. Click on the Apple menu icon in the top-left corner of the screen.
  3. Select “Restart” from the drop-down menu.
  4. Wait for your MacBook to shut down and then automatically restart.
  5. Once your MacBook has restarted, go to the Bluetooth settings and attempt to connect your AirPods again.

Restarting your MacBook can help clear any temporary system glitches that may be preventing your AirPods from connecting. After the restart, check if your AirPods are now connecting successfully. If the issue persists, it’s recommended to proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

Contact Apple Support

If you have tried all the previous troubleshooting steps and your AirPods are still not connecting to your MacBook, it may be time to seek assistance from Apple Support. Apple’s support team is well-equipped to help you diagnose and resolve any underlying issues with your AirPods or MacBook. Here’s how you can contact Apple Support:

  1. Visit the Apple Support website (support.apple.com).
  2. Click on the “Contact Support” link.
  3. Choose your AirPods or MacBook from the product list.
  4. Select the issue or topic that best matches your problem.
  5. Choose your preferred contact method, such as phone call, chat, or email.
  6. Provide any necessary information requested by the support representative and describe the issue you are facing with your AirPods and MacBook.
  7. Follow the instructions provided by the support representative to troubleshoot the problem further.
  8. If necessary, Apple may recommend scheduling an appointment at an Apple Store or authorized service provider for further assistance.

Apple Support will work with you to identify the root cause of the connection issue and offer appropriate solutions or repairs. They have the expertise to provide specific guidance based on your unique situation and can help ensure that your AirPods and MacBook are functioning optimally.

Contacting Apple Support is a reliable option when all other troubleshooting steps have been exhausted. They are dedicated to helping you resolve any issues you may be facing with your Apple devices.

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Written by Kip Agustin

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