AirPods may be the best wireless headphones around. In part, thanks to how seamlessly they connect to your other Apple devices. But many users report the left or right AirPort isn’t recognized anymore and there’s a flashing green light on the case.
Like any sensible person would, you’d probably assume your AirPod ran out of charge if the left or right one stopped getting recognized. But users found that the light on their AirPods charging case flashed green when they plugged it in.
That’s not normal.
Find out what’s going on and the best ways to fix it below.
It could have run out of charge or your iPhone might be set to mono. Maybe it’s physically damaged or suffers from a manufacturing defect. Truth be told, there are lots of reasons one of your AirPods might not be recognized anymore.
But the telltale sign of a problem is if the case flashes a green light when you try to charge them.
Why is there a flashing green light on my AirPods case?
The status light normally tells you if AirPods are charging or ready to pair. Image from Apple.
The first-generation AirPods case has a status light inside the lid. The second-generation case and Airpods Pro case has it on the front of the case. Normally the status light shows if your AirPods or case are charged, charging, or ready to pair.
A flashing green light seems to show a problem.
For many users, the green light stops flashing when they remove the dodgy AirPod from the case. This implies that AirPod wasn’t charging properly. But without more information from Apple, we’ve no way to know for certain.
Still, whatever the cause, you can fix it with our tips below.
How do I fix a flashing green light on my AirPods case?
We’ve put together the best tips for troubleshooting your AirPods when there’s a flashing green light on the case.
However, many users weren’t able to find a permanent solution. In the end, they had to visit the Genius Bar at their nearest Apple Store for a replacement AirPod.
Press and hold the setup button on the back of your AirPods case to reset them. Image from Apple.
The first troubleshooting step is to reset your AirPods. I would normally suggest a restart, but since you can’t do that with AirPods this is the next best thing.
When you reset your AirPods they forget all the devices they’ve paired with. Instead, they act just like they did when you first took them out of the box.
So you need to pair them with your device again after the reset.
How do I reset my AirPods?
Unpair your AirPods from their current device.
On iOS: go to Settings > Bluetooth.
Tap the icon next to your AirPods, then choose to Forget This Device.
On macOS: Go to System Preferences > Bluetooth.
Click the X next to your AirPods.
Return your AirPods to the charging case and close the lid.
After 15 seconds, open the lid again.
Press and hold the setup button on the back of the charging case.
Keep holding the button until the status light flashes from amber to white.
Now pair your AirPods with your device again.
Hopefully, that resolved your AirPods issues. But many users with the flashing green light problem were also unable to reset their AirPods. If that happened to you, move on to the next step.
No Amber Light when trying to Reset AirPods?
Unfortunately, for some users, the amber light never shows when the reset button is pressed and held on the AirPods case. The status light simply continues to show the white blinking light and the reset operation is impossible.
If you find yourself stuck in this situation with your AirPods, check the following steps:
Reset Network Settings on your iPhone. Tap on Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings ( Please make a note of your Wi-fi credentials before resetting as you will need to enter them again)
Once the Reset Network operation has completed, disconnect the AirPods by tapping on Bluetooth in settings and choosing to forget.
Now Try and use the Reset operation on the case.
If the steps above didn’t solve your issue, take a look at the contacts at the bottom of your AirPods
Clean the charge contacts on your AirPods as well as the contact points in the case.
Insert your AirPods into the case after the cleaning
Now Try Resetting the AirPods and you should see the Amber status light and the reset operation should work.
2. Update the firmware on your AirPods
Check the current firmware version on your AirPods from your iPhone settings.
Firmware lives in your AirPods and tells them how to work. It’s their programming. Occasionally, Apple releases an update to the AirPods firmware, which installs through your Apple devices.
A flashing green light with one AirPod that doesn’t work could be due to a problem with the firmware.
You can see the latest AirPods firmware version on the Apple AirPods Wikipedia page. Compare that to the firmware version currently on your AirPods.
How do I see what firmware is on my AirPods?
Connect your AirPods to an Apple device.
On the Apple device, go to Settings > General > About.
Scroll down and tap on AirPods.
Find the Firmware Version here.
Unfortunately, the firmware update process is automatic and there’s no way to manually trigger it. But you can make sure your AirPods are in a state to receive any firmware updates should they need one.
How do I update the firmware on my AirPods?
Make sure your Apple device is connected to a working Wi-Fi connection.
Update the software on your Apple device through the settings:
On iOS: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
On macOS: Go to System Preferences > Software Update.
Download and install any available updates.
Make sure both AirPods are in the charging case.
Plug your Apple device and your AirPods into power.
Keep your AirPods next to the Apple device.
Wait for at least an hour.
3. Clean your AirPods and charging case
Some users suggest that one of your AirPods might not be recognized because of a dirty connector in the charging case. This can’t be true for everyone — else a single AirPod replacement wouldn’t fix anything. But it has been an effective fix for some.
Use a clean, dry cotton swab or interdental brush to get clean the grill and seams on your AirPods
Clean your AirPods with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. You can often remove stubborn marks with a rubber eraser. And clean the small ports and seams using a clean, dry cotton swab or interdental brush (we recommend using the brush.)
For the charging case, use a microfiber cloth to clean the inside and outside. You can slightly dampen the cloth using 70% isopropyl alcohol to loosen dirt. But don’t let any liquid get inside the AirPods or charging case.
Make sure you AirPods are charging after cleaning them. Image from Apple.
Pay particular attention to the metal plates inside the AirPods charging case. If there is dirt on them, it could interfere with your AirPods when they charge and sync.
After thoroughly cleaning your AirPods and charging case, return the AirPods to the case and connect it to charge. Use the status light and your Apple device to make sure the AirPods are charging.
4. Visit the Genius Bar for a replacement
As we mentioned earlier, these tips won’t work for a lot of users with a green flashing light on their AirPods case. Unfortunately, most of them need to get a replacement AirPod from Apple.
If your AirPods are under one year old, they should still be covered by Apple’s warranty.
Select Battery, Power & Charging under the AirPods menu. Then you can choose to Bring in for Repair without chatting to Apple Support first.
Visit an Apple Store to see about a replacement AirPod. Image from Apple.
Let us know in the comments what’s going on with your AirPods. Did you manage to fix the flashing green light using our tips? Or did you need to get a replacement AirPod from Apple?
Dan writes tutorials and troubleshooting guides to help people make the most of their technology. Before becoming a writer, he earned a BSc in Sound Technology, supervised repairs at an Apple Store, and even taught English in China.
I had slow blinking green light when the left airbud was in the case. When it was removed the light went out. I knew it was making a connection because of this so it was definitely charging. I tried forgetting them from my phone and when I re-paired them the behavior was still happening. Thinking maybe, just maybe, one of my airbuds got mixed up with my daughter’s…nope. But when I put mine in her case the light started flashing amber/orange. So I put her’s in my case and the same thing happened. When I returned mine back to my case the light went solid green and it now works like normal. Don’t know what happened, but swapping them seemed to do the trick. Hopefully this will work for others when their case gets “confused”.
Hello my AirPod pros were brand new for Christmas and they were working until they had to charge so I put them on charge overnight and then when I tried to connect them again it said they were unable to connect so then I pressed forget device in order to Rest them. After I opened the lid and pressed on the button on the back but the light was/is just staying green I tried cleaning them but nothing is working the light is not moving from green pls help me
I have experienced this problem myself. I believe there is a high failure rate with these things. I would return them to the store. If you can’t do that, contact Apple for a replacement.
I was having the same problem of the flashing green on my AirPods. For 2 days I looked for ways of fixing this issue, I read about restarting my phone and than resetting the AirPods and I made the mistake of pressing forget device to intent to connect them again and they stopped showing up. I then left the case open maybe about 2 hours to drain the case battery and suddenly it started blinking white and I quickly open my Bluetooth page on my iPhone and my AirPods showed again and was able to connect them again. That worked for me hopefully it does for you!
I’ve had the same problem with my AirPods 2nd gen. Out of the blue the right airpod wasn’t syncing. When I took the right one out of the case the green light was on without flashing, but when I put it back in, the green light kept flashing and I wasn’t able to hard reset it either. No amber light, just the white light blinking. I’ve tried all the possible troubleshooting solves, but nothing seemed to work, so I gave it a last shot and left it plugged into the charger all night. When I woke up the amber light was on, so I waited a few more minutes until it was green again and the AirPods started working again. Hope this will help other people with the same problem. 🙂
Had the green flashing light problem when I first got the AirPods. I couldn’t even connect them to my phone initially, so left the case open overnight with the pods removed–drained the battery fully and recharged. They connected perfectly after this.
i just ordered my airpods and got them in the mail today, unopened packaging and everything. i open them, they refuse to connect and wont stop blinking green, wtf.
I got my airpods last sept 2018 and it’s been working fine until the left airpod stopped working and wouldn’t charge anymore. I tried everything (cleaninf, resetting, checking cable and all that) but nothing seems to work. There are times wherein it would charge but it wont go up to 100% now it wont even charge 🙁 help
My AirPods were working fine for about 6 months until suddenly only the left air pod would work, after some inspection I noticed a green light flashing on my case but only when the right AirPod was in the case.
I tried resetting the AirPods, I forgot the device, even updated my phone and still only the left AirPod works.
If anyone knows of a way to fix this issue pls lmk cause I’m about to have a titty attack
Same here! Bought Dec 2018 and just now, right airpod won’t connect. Case won’t reset! It’s just flashing green all the time when the right airpod is in the case. The left one works properly.
Use these quick tips if there’s a flashing green light and only the left or right AirPod is recognized:
I had slow blinking green light when the left airbud was in the case. When it was removed the light went out. I knew it was making a connection because of this so it was definitely charging. I tried forgetting them from my phone and when I re-paired them the behavior was still happening. Thinking maybe, just maybe, one of my airbuds got mixed up with my daughter’s…nope. But when I put mine in her case the light started flashing amber/orange. So I put her’s in my case and the same thing happened. When I returned mine back to my case the light went solid green and it now works like normal. Don’t know what happened, but swapping them seemed to do the trick. Hopefully this will work for others when their case gets “confused”.
Hello my AirPod pros were brand new for Christmas and they were working until they had to charge so I put them on charge overnight and then when I tried to connect them again it said they were unable to connect so then I pressed forget device in order to Rest them. After I opened the lid and pressed on the button on the back but the light was/is just staying green I tried cleaning them but nothing is working the light is not moving from green pls help me
I have experienced this problem myself. I believe there is a high failure rate with these things. I would return them to the store. If you can’t do that, contact Apple for a replacement.
I was having the same problem of the flashing green on my AirPods. For 2 days I looked for ways of fixing this issue, I read about restarting my phone and than resetting the AirPods and I made the mistake of pressing forget device to intent to connect them again and they stopped showing up. I then left the case open maybe about 2 hours to drain the case battery and suddenly it started blinking white and I quickly open my Bluetooth page on my iPhone and my AirPods showed again and was able to connect them again. That worked for me hopefully it does for you!
I’ve had the same problem with my AirPods 2nd gen. Out of the blue the right airpod wasn’t syncing. When I took the right one out of the case the green light was on without flashing, but when I put it back in, the green light kept flashing and I wasn’t able to hard reset it either. No amber light, just the white light blinking. I’ve tried all the possible troubleshooting solves, but nothing seemed to work, so I gave it a last shot and left it plugged into the charger all night. When I woke up the amber light was on, so I waited a few more minutes until it was green again and the AirPods started working again. Hope this will help other people with the same problem. 🙂
It’s not working
Had the green flashing light problem when I first got the AirPods. I couldn’t even connect them to my phone initially, so left the case open overnight with the pods removed–drained the battery fully and recharged. They connected perfectly after this.
My AirPods light was flashing red and couldn’t connect to my iPhone or Mac.
I tried resetting them, but it did not work.
Suddenly, the light started flashing green instead, but I still had the same problem.
I tried a bunch of stuff and I reset the network settings on my phone, but the light just went from flashing green to red.
Now, nothing happens when I try to reset them.
They are pretty new and I really want them to work. What should I do?
my airpods are not connecting to my devices
i have charged it but it still does not connect to my phone
Unfortunately it’s not working for me I’m very upset because I have received this and it hasn’t even been a week
same here. Ive had these for 2 days.
i just ordered my airpods and got them in the mail today, unopened packaging and everything. i open them, they refuse to connect and wont stop blinking green, wtf.
I got my airpods last sept 2018 and it’s been working fine until the left airpod stopped working and wouldn’t charge anymore. I tried everything (cleaninf, resetting, checking cable and all that) but nothing seems to work. There are times wherein it would charge but it wont go up to 100% now it wont even charge 🙁 help
This has happened to me and I don’t know what to do! I’ve tryed everything! Someone HELP US I’ve only had them for a month
My AirPods were working fine for about 6 months until suddenly only the left air pod would work, after some inspection I noticed a green light flashing on my case but only when the right AirPod was in the case.
I tried resetting the AirPods, I forgot the device, even updated my phone and still only the left AirPod works.
If anyone knows of a way to fix this issue pls lmk cause I’m about to have a titty attack
HI Sosa,
Take a look at the tips in this article: AirPods or Headphones Only Playing in One Ear, How-To Fix
I’m literally having the exact same problem. I’m stressed af ♀️
Same here! Bought Dec 2018 and just now, right airpod won’t connect. Case won’t reset! It’s just flashing green all the time when the right airpod is in the case. The left one works properly.