Why are my airpod pros not working

1. Put both AirPods back in their case and make sure they're charging. Let them charge for 30 seconds.

2. Open the case's lid near your iPhone or iPad and wait for them to pop up on screen.

3. Put both AirPods in your ears and try playing music or a video to make sure audio is working.

How to reset your AirPods

1. To get started, make sure your AirPods are in their charging case with the lid closed.

2. After 30 seconds, open the lid to connect your AirPods with your iPhone or iPad. Launch the Settings menu on your mobile device and tap Bluetooth.

Why are my airpod pros not working

Open the Bluetooth section in your iPhone's Settings menu.

Screenshot by Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

 3. Find your AirPods in the list of Bluetooth devices and tap the i symbol next to it.

Why are my airpod pros not working

You can tap the i symbol to get more information about your AirPods or to reset them.

Screenshot by Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

4. Choose Forget this device. You may have to scroll down to find this option.

Why are my airpod pros not working

Tap Forget This Device to reset your AirPods. 

Screenshot by Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

5. Once your AirPods are forgotten, open the charging case's lid and hold down the button on the back for about 15 seconds. The light on the front should flash white.

6. Now, hold your AirPods in their charging case with the lid open near your iPhone or iPad. You should see on-screen instructions for pairing them again, just like the first time you set them up.

Got your hands on a pair of Apple AirPods Pro headphones, but find that they aren’t meeting the Apple mantra of it just works? No matter the issue, we got you covered with our comprehensive breakdown of possible fixes and tips to get your pods back to what they are supposed to do!

  • Share your audio & announce messages using your AirPods and iOS 13
  • Why the AirPods are Apple’s Best Product in Years
  • “Hey Siri” not working on your AirPods 2? Here’s how to fix it!
  • Are the new AirPods Pro waterproof?

Contents

  • AirPods Pro vs Beats Solo Pro
  • How to reset AirPods Pro
  • Cannot set up AirPods Pro with your iPhone
  • Update AirPods Pro Firmware
  • Change the force sensor options
  • AirPod pro tap functions not working?
    • So if you are tapping your force sensor as you did on earlier AirPod models, try squeezing and see if that works for you!
  • How to enable Noise Cancellation with just One AirPod
  • Use Shortcuts to set the ‘Noise Control Mode’
  • Slow down gesture interaction
  • Setting up AirPods Pro Shortcuts to switch between modes
  • Are my AirPods Pro still wirelessly charging?
  • Can you add AppleCare+ after purchasing?
  • Want to get the best sound? Learn more tips for AirPods Pro today with our top AirPods Pro video tips!
  • Conclusion

AirPods Pro vs Beats Solo Pro

How to reset AirPods Pro

Before you try any other methods of fixing your AirPods Pro, you should attempt to reset them. This process is simple and straight forward, as it forces the AirPods to forget any paired devices.

Here is how to reset the AirPods Pro:

  1. Place both AirPods buds in the charging case
  2. Ensure that the charging case has some battery remaining
  3. Locate the small button on the back of the case
  4. Press and hold the button for at least 15 seconds

While you are pressing the button, watch the charging light on the front of the case. The light will flash white and then amber after a few seconds. Once the light turns amber, the AirPods Pro have been reset.

Then, just open the case, unlock your iPhone and pair the two products together just like you did on launch day. It’s important to note that the AirPods Pro will unpair themselves from any of your iCloud-connected devices, in addition to the iPhone.

Cannot set up AirPods Pro with your iPhone

As this is a new product, there may be some complications with your AirPods Pro not working even when trying to set up with your iPhone. The first step you need to take is to ensure that your iPhone or iPad is updated to iOS 13.2.

If you are seeing a red exclamation mark when trying to set up your new AirPods Pro, it might be related to a bug that is causing glitches when setting things up. Please check the article below to see if it helps.

  • How to fix red exclamation point errors on AirPods Pro

This version of iOS was just released a few days ago and is required in order for the AirPods Pro to properly connect. Here’s how you can check to see what version of iOS you are running:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone
  2. Select General
  3. Tap About

From this panel, you will see the name of your iPhone at the top, and right below it will be the software version. If you are running an earlier release, you will need to properly update the software by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

Update AirPods Pro Firmware

After updating your iPhone to iOS 13.2, there are some reports stating that the Pro still won’t pair properly. This is because Apple shipped an older firmware version that needs to be updated. Some users have reported seeing version 2B576, when the most current release is 2B584.

Why are my airpod pros not working
Why are my airpod pros not working

Why are my airpod pros not working
Why are my airpod pros not working

Why are my airpod pros not working
Why are my airpod pros not working

Not only does this new firmware version fix any potential pairing issues, but it also fixes possible charging problems. Here’s how to check your firmware version:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
  2. Select General
  3. Tap About
  4. Scroll down and select your AirPods Pro

This panel will display different bits of information including the serial number, and firmware version. If you are not running the latest 2B584, updating the firmware is easy-ish. Since you cannot force your iPhone to update the firmware for the AirPods, here’s a workaround.

  1. Ensure that your AirPods are paired and connected to your iPhone
  2. Listen to music for up to one minute
  3. Place the AirPods Pro back into the charging case and charge them for at least 30 minutes

Once you have finished charging them, you can head back into the About panel and see if the firmware automatically updated. This should be the case, and you should no longer have any more concerns.

Change the force sensor options

The AirPods Pro is really the “Swiss Army Knife” of headphones, and Apple has included many customizable features. With these new earbuds, you are provided with Active Noise Cancellation, along with Transparency which makes it easy to hear external sounds.

Apple has added a few customization settings for those who want to add or remove the ANC or Transparency features.

Why are my airpod pros not working
Why are my airpod pros not working

Why are my airpod pros not working
Why are my airpod pros not working

Why are my airpod pros not working
Why are my airpod pros not working

Here’s how to do so:

  1. With your AirPods connected, open the Settings app on your iPhone
  2. Tap Bluetooth
  3. Hit the blue “i” next to the name of your AirPods
  4. Tap either Left or Right to reveal more options

From here, you can choose what options are available for each independent AirPod, versus having settings defaulted for both. You can even dedicate a specific AirPod to using the Force Sensor for activating Siri, if “Hey Siri” isn’t your thing.

AirPod pro tap functions not working?

On the AirPods Pro models, Apple changed from a tap system to a squeeze (press and hold) system.

Why are my airpod pros not working
Why are my airpod pros not working

So if you are tapping your force sensor as you did on earlier AirPod models, try squeezing and see if that works for you!

  • Squeeze once to play or pause music or when a call is incoming to answer the call
  • Press it twice to skip forward on a track
  • Squeeze three times to skip back on a track
  • Press and hold that squeeze to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode

If your AirPods Pro do not respond to your squeezing, contact Apple Support or set-up an appointment to get them checked out!

How to enable Noise Cancellation with just One AirPod

Out of the box, noise cancellation is only available when both AirPods are in your ears. However, there’s a hidden feature, found under the Accessibility settings, that allows you to enable ANC with just one AirPod.

Why are my airpod pros not working
Why are my airpod pros not working

Why are my airpod pros not working
Why are my airpod pros not working

Why are my airpod pros not working
Why are my airpod pros not working

Here’s how to access that and turn it on:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone
  2. Scroll down and select Accessibility
  3. Scroll down and tap AirPods
  4. At the bottom, toggle Noise Cancellation with One AirPod to the On position
  5. Restart

Once completed, you will be able to get noise cancellation with just one AirPod, versus needing to have both of them inserted. This is a fantastic little feature if you enjoy the better sound quality offered when ANC is enabled.

Use Shortcuts to set the ‘Noise Control Mode’

If there was some type of Shortcuts integration, it would only make sense for Federico Viticci to find it. The myth, man, and legend spotted a new Shortcut that allows you to set the Noise Control Mode without hopping into Control Center.

Why are my airpod pros not working
Why are my airpod pros not working

Why are my airpod pros not working
Why are my airpod pros not working

Why are my airpod pros not working
Why are my airpod pros not working

Here’s how you can create the Shortcut for yourself:

  1. Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone
  2. Tap the “+” button in the top right-hand corner
  3. Using search, type AirPods into the search-box
  4. Tap Set Noise Control Mode
  5. From the main panel, tap Route within the shortcut and select your AirPods Pro
  6. Then, tap on Noise Control Mode

From here, you can select what you want to the Shortcut to do, and here are the options:

  • Off
  • Noise Cancellation
  • Transparency
  • Ask Each Time

Regardless of whether you are a regular Shortcuts user, or a novice, this feature can come in super handy. It removes the need to swipe down from the top right to access Control Center and instead can be run directly from the Shortcuts widget, or your home screen.

Slow down gesture interaction

The AirPods Pro are designed with speed and flexibility in mind, but there are instances where that “speed” may be too fast. Luckily, Apple has included some Accessibility options to adjust the speed when using the gestures.

Why are my airpod pros not working
Why are my airpod pros not working

Why are my airpod pros not working
Why are my airpod pros not working

Why are my airpod pros not working
Why are my airpod pros not working

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone
  2. Scroll down and select Accessibility
  3. Scroll down and tap AirPods

From here, you are presented with three different categories: Press Speed, Press and Hold Duration, and Noise Control. We want to focus on the former two categories for Speed and Hold Duration.

Under Press Speed this will adjust the speed required to press two or three times on the stem of your AirPod. The Default is already enabled, with there also being options for Slow and Slowest. As for Press and Hold Duration, this adjusts the duration required to press and hold the stem of your AirPods to invoke different actions. Other than Default, you can adjust the settings to Short or Shorter.

Setting up AirPods Pro Shortcuts to switch between modes

You can in fact set up new shortcuts that will help you switch easily between the ANC mode and the transparency mode when using your AirPods Pro.

  • Use AirPods Pro Shortcuts to quickly control ANC and Transparency mode

Are my AirPods Pro still wirelessly charging?

For some strange reason, Apple decided to give folks a bit of a scare when wirelessly charging the AirPods Pro. When you set the charging case on a wireless charging pad, you can see the green or amber light flash and then it disappears.

Why are my airpod pros not working
Why are my airpod pros not working

This does not mean that the charging has stopped, merely seconds after placing the case on the pad. Instead, Apple opted to have the lights fade out, leaving you to figure out on your own whether it’s still charging.

There is a little trick that you can do in order to see whether your AirPods Pro are still charging. When the case is placed on a charging pad, double tap on the light on the front of the case. The light will flash either Amber or Green, letting you know whether it’s finished charging or if it needs more time.

Can you add AppleCare+ after purchasing?

A big frustration with Apple products was the fact that you had to purchase AppleCare+ at the same time as your device. The company has finally relaxed on those rules and you can finally purchase AppleCare+ after you purchase a device.

  • Yes, you can renew Apple Care for your iPhone, iPad, & Apple Watch!

There is a bit of a “catch” if you want to call it that, as you only have a certain amount of time before you can no longer buy AppleCare+. As with other Apple products, the AirPods Pro can have AppleCare+ coverage added after the fact, provided that you sign up for it within 60 days from the date of the purchase.

Why are my airpod pros not working
Why are my airpod pros not working

With AppleCare+, the fee for incidents is just $29 and covers just about anything that could potentially happen. In comparison, if you lost an AirPod or needed to replace the wireless charging case, the cost would be $89 for either one.

For just $29, you get two years of AppleCare+ coverage with two “accidental” incidents at the $29 rate. If you lose your AirPod or the case, you will be forced to pay the $89 warranty fee, regardless of whether you own AppleCare+ or not.

Want to get the best sound? Learn more tips for AirPods Pro today with our top AirPods Pro video tips!

Conclusion

We are still testing out our AirPods Pro and are learning more and more about what you can do with them. Let us know if you were a Day One adopter and if you have already replaced either the AirPods or AirPods 2 with these.

If you continue running into issues, sound off in the comments and we’ll be more than happy to help! In the meantime, share some of your favorite current songs that sound great on AirPods Pro.

Andrew Myrick

Andrew is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US.

He has written for a variety of sites over the years, including iMore, Android Central, Phandroid, and a few others. Now, he spends his days working for an HVAC company, while moonlighting as a freelance writer at night.

How do I fix my AirPod pros?

Hold down the setup button on the back of the case for 15 seconds (or until you see the LED light flash amber). The AirPods is now reset, and you can repair to new devices as if it was fresh out of the box.

Why are my AirPod pros connecting but not working?

Put AirPods Back in the Case Turning them off and back on will force them to reconnect, which should resolve the issue. Place both AirPods into the case and close the lid. That will force them to turn off. Reopen the lid and take the AirPods out.

Why are my AirPods pro acting up?

Follow these steps. Make sure that you have the latest software on your connected iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. Check that your connected device is nearby, and there's no wireless interference or obstructions between you and your device. Listen to audio from a different app to see if the app causes the issue.