AirPod not working anymore? These are the 7 most common causes (and what to do about it)

Is your AirPod not working anymore? The most common causes are a dead battery, dirt in the speaker mesh, a connection issue, a broken charging case or a worn-out battery. In this article, you will go through all 7 causes, with a practical fix for each one. Within a few minutes, you will know whether your AirPod can still be saved.

Is one AirPod not working, or both?

Start with this question, because the answer points you straight to the right cause. Are both earbuds dead? Then the problem is usually the connection, your settings or the charging case. Is only one AirPod not working, left or right? Then the problem is almost always inside that single earbud: a dead or worn-out battery, dirt or a broken part.

It can happen to either side. The good news: in most cases, you do not need to replace your entire set.

Cause 1: the battery is dead or your AirPods are not charging

The simplest cause is also the most common one. If your AirPods are not charging, check the contact points at the bottom of the case first. Dirt and earwax build up there, so the earbud no longer touches the charging points. Clean the contact points with a dry cotton swab and place the earbud back in the case.

Is one AirPod not charging while the other works fine? Then the issue is almost always the contact points of that earbud or that side of the case. Check whether the charging light turns on when you put the earbud back. If the light stays off, try a different cable or charger before drawing conclusions.

Cause 2: dirt in the speaker mesh

Do you hear sound, but does it sound quiet, muffled or distorted? Then the speaker mesh is probably clogged with earwax or dust. This is one of the most underestimated causes of a poorly working AirPod. Gently clean the mesh with a dry, soft brush or a wooden toothpick along the edges. Never use water or liquids. Our tips for maintaining your AirPods explain exactly how to do this safely.

Cause 3: your AirPods won't connect

Are your AirPods not connecting to your iPhone, iPad or Mac? Then something is usually wrong with the Bluetooth pairing, not with the earbuds themselves. Turn Bluetooth off and on again, or restart your phone. If that does not help, remove your AirPods from your Bluetooth list and pair them again. Our guide on how to reset and pair AirPods covers the full step-by-step process for every generation.

Cause 4: wrong settings on your iPhone

Sometimes nothing is broken at all. On your iPhone, check the audio balance via Settings, Accessibility, Audio and Visual. If the slider is not exactly in the middle, you will hear little or nothing from one earbud. Also check that the volume is not accidentally set low and that no other Bluetooth devices are taking over the audio.

Cause 5: your AirPods case is not charging or is broken

The case is often forgotten, but it is a common culprit. If your AirPods case is not charging, your earbuds cannot charge either and they seem broken while they work perfectly fine. Test the case with a different cable and charger, and check whether the status light responds. If the case stays dead, you do not need to buy a new set. You can simply order a single original charging case from our AirPods cases collection.

Cause 6: water damage

Did your AirPod get wet or go through the washing machine? Let the earbud dry immediately for at least 24 to 48 hours in a dry, warm spot. Do not put it back in the case, because the case can get damaged too. Skip the rice and the hairdryer, they often make the damage worse. If the earbud still does not work after drying, it is probably damaged inside and needs to be replaced.

Cause 7: the battery is worn out

With daily use, AirPods last two to three years on average. After that, the battery clearly declines: the earbud dies faster, only lasts an hour or stops working completely. The battery of an AirPod cannot be replaced separately. But throwing away your whole set is unnecessary: you simply replace only the worn-out earbud.

Step-by-step: try this first

• Place both earbuds in a charged case for at least 30 minutes
• Clean the contact points and the speaker mesh
• Check the audio balance and volume on your iPhone
• Remove the AirPods from Bluetooth and pair them again
• Fully reset your AirPods if nothing else works

Nothing works? Replace only the broken part

Is your AirPod still not working after all the steps above? Repairing AirPods is almost never possible, the earbuds are glued shut and cannot be opened without damage. At Apple, a replacement quickly costs the price of half a new set. The smarter option is to replace only the broken part. At Swappod, you can buy a single AirPod, left, right or just the case, for every generation. Every earbud is 100% original Apple, refurbished and tested with a 12-point quality check on sound, battery, microphone and connection. You get a 6-month warranty and we ship within 24 hours. Want to know more? Visit our warranty and repair page.

Not sure which generation you have? First run the check via Which AirPods do I have? and then find the right part among all single AirPods and cases. That way, you complete your set again without spending money unnecessarily.

Frequently asked questions

Why did my AirPod suddenly stop working?

The most common causes are a dead battery, dirty contact points in the case, a clogged speaker mesh or a Bluetooth connection issue. Start by charging and cleaning, then pair your AirPods again. In most cases, your AirPod will work again without anything needing to be replaced.

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