How to fix Airpods connection failed error (9 working solutions)

Unable to connect your AirPods to an iPhone, iPad or Mac or AirPods Connection Failed On iPhone After iOS 16 Update? This article helps you fix the problem.

AirPods are wireless Bluetooth earbuds created by Apple Inc. In addition to playing audio, AirPods features a built-in microphone that filters out background noise, which allows phone calls and talking to Apple’s digital assistant, Siri. It’s a fabulous Bluetooth device from Apple that can connect to your iOS devices very conveniently. But some people have reported that their Airpods are not connecting to their iOS devices or having an error connecting Airpods with iPhones. If you are also struggling to connect Airpods with your iPhone, here is how to fix the AirPods connection failed error.

How to fix Airpods connection failed error

If you are having trouble getting Airpods to connect with your iPhone, make sure your AirPods are charged, And Bluetooth is turned on your iPhone device.

Also try to unpair your AirPods from your device, reset the AirPods, and try to reconnect them.

 

Re-enable your Bluetooth

As we know Airpods is a Bluetooth device and its primary way of connecting to an iOS device is Bluetooth. So turning Bluetooth on is necessary, if you turned on Bluetooth but still the Airpods connection failed an error occurred then you have to troubleshoot your Bluetooth. And after troubleshooting reconnects your AirPods. Here’s how,

  • Open settings
  • Click on Bluetooth
  • Then toggle the switch to off wait for 20-30 seconds and then toggle it ON.

Alternatively, open your iOS control center off your Bluetooth then again re-enable it after waiting for 20-30 seconds. By doing so will refresh your Bluetooth settings and may help you to solve the AirPods connection failed error issue.

Enable and disable airplane mode

Airplane Mode disables Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, and turns off the cell phone’s ability to connect to cellular networks. So, By enabling and disabling Airplane mode on your iPhone, you’re effectively restarting features like cellular connection, Wi-Fi connection, and Bluetooth too. Here’s how you can do that,

  • The open iOS control center
  • You will see an airplane icon just toggle it on, wait for 30 seconds, and then disable it.

 

Forget other Bluetooth Devices

If you are not using any other Bluetooth device currently and that other device is saved in your Bluetooth connection history then forgetting those other Bluetooth Devices might solve your issue. In this case, you can do that by Going to the iPhone Bluetooth settings menu. Here’s how,

  • Open your settings
  • Click on the Bluetooth
  • In the My Devices section, tap the info (i) icon next to a Bluetooth device that is not useful.
  • Select ‘Forget This Device’ and hit Forget Device on the prompt as a confirmation.

Keep the lid open

KEEP THE CHARGING CASE LID OPEN! Some users face this error when trying to pair the AirPods to their iPhone or any other iOS device in the incorrect way. One of the most important prerequisites of pairing AirPods with your phone is keeping the charging case lid open. Closing the led may lead to failing the procedure. Do avoid keeping the lid closed.

Reset your Airpods

If your iPhone won’t connect to Airpods then resetting the Airpods might be helpful.  But before that,  you have to forget/remove the AirPods from the list of previously connected devices in your iPhone’s Bluetooth Settings. Here’s how,

  • Open your settings
  • Click on the Bluetooth
  • In the My Devices section, tap the info (i) icon next to the AirPods’ name.
  • Then Tap on ‘Forget This Device.

Now reset your Airpods,

  • Place both AirPods in the charging case
  • At the back of the case, there is a setup button press and hold that button for a minimum of 15 seconds
  • Release the button when the status light on the charging case flashes an amber color and changes back to a blinking white light.

After resetting the Airpods reconnect the AirPods to your iPhone and Mac.

Restart your iPhone

Sometimes, all you need to do is simply Restart your device as Restarting your device might be helpful to clear some of the bugs and will definitely help you to deal with the issue. A normal restart is good where you have to switch off your device and again Restart it, but here we will suggest you do a hard restart as it is more effective!

Here’s how to do that,

For the home button iPhone,

  • Press and hold the side button or the Sleep/Wake button on the top of your phone (depending on your model).
  • Drag the slider.
  • And your iPhone will restart itself.

For iPhones without home button or Touch ID

  • Press and hold both the side button and either volume button until the slider appears on the screen.
  • Drag the slider.
  • And your iPhone will restart itself.

Restart your iPhone

Update iPhone

Each iOS version has its individual problems that affect certain device functionalities. So your Bluetooth Airpods is not working on your iPhone it can be also because you have an older version of iOS with lots of bugs.

Having up-to-date devices is one of the major prerequisites of every Iphone to work its features normally and properly.  Updating your iPhone iOS software is a major solution to all the minor and big bugs you have faced. As an update comes with loads of bug fixes.

If you disabled automatic system software updates on your iPhone you can download it manually (if the update is available). Updating your iPhone iOS to the latest iOS 15 would be a great thing. Or else Update it with whichever new software is available. Here’s how,

 

  • Open your settings app on your iPhone.
  • Tap on general settings
  • Then click on Software Update
  • If you see an update listed, tap Download and Install to apply it.

Reset Network settings

If you reset your network settings it will erase your Bluetooth settings and make it default. It will Reset Wi-Fi settings too, so you’ll have to re-enter your passwords after the reset is complete. Keep in mind that this will also reset the Cellular, VPN, and APN settings on your iPhone.  So that all networks will start as new and this will definitely help you to solve the AirPods connection failed error issue.

How to reset your network settings? Follow the steps,

  • Open your settings app
  • Tap on general settings
  • Tap on reset
  • Enter your iPhone’s passcode(if asked) Now tap on Reset Network Settings.

reset Network Settings on Apple iPhone

Reset all settings

If you reset your network settings and still your AirPods connection failed to connect to your iPhone then you should reset all settings. Resetting all settings will help you to deal with the issue. Resetting the entire iPhone settings should definitely fix things up. Here’s how,

  • Open Settings app
  • Click on general
  • Then click on Reset
  • And then Click on Reset All Settings and enter your device’s passcode to proceed.

Are you able to pair your AirPods with your iPhone now? Let us know in the comments below.

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