Although the Apple AirPods have been a fave ever since their launch, it is not uncommon to hear complaints about disconnection issues.
The occasional disconnection may not have posed a huge hindrance at first (because of the initial excitement with which the innovation was received), but it has become more irritating over time.
No doubt, it can be a pain – and a bother when your left or right AirPod keeps disconnecting randomly. Imagine if it happens in the middle of an important phone call or an office zoom meeting. You’d probably miss out on some important details, and you can’t have that.
But not to worry, we’ve got you covered. Read on to find out what can cause such issues and how to fix them.
Left or Right Airpod Keeps Disconnecting? Possible Causes
Your left or right AirPod may keep disconnecting due to (but not limited to) the following reasons.
Low battery
This is often the most common reason why your AirPod keeps disconnecting. Your AirPods will automatically disconnect from any paired device when they run flat, after notifying you of the battery level. In some instances, this can also happen randomly if the battery is almost depleted. Hence, it is recommended that you keep them charged to prevent poor performance.
Incompatible Bluetooth versions
AirPods work well with Bluetooth 5.0 devices, but if your windows PC or other devices use an older Bluetooth version, the AirPods are forced to reduce connection to match your audio device. Consequently, the range and connection quality will be lower than the optimal capacity of the AirPods.
Hardware problem
A problem within the electronics of the AirPods can cause them to keep disconnecting randomly. This may happen if your AirPods have suffered physical damage, thus making the electronics inside them faulty and performing irregularly.
Firmware issues
Outdated firmware can make your AirPods keep disconnecting. Some AirPods users having this issue usually complain about many audio problems including, but not limited to AirPods shutting down after around 30-45 minutes of music playback, AirPods disconnecting after a few seconds in calls, AirPods disconnecting when switching from music playback to calls.
Left or Right Airpod Keeps Disconnecting? Best Fixes
Why does my left or right AirPod keep disconnecting?Some of the reasons for this problem have been discussed above, but how can you fix your AirPods and make them work normally? Check out a few fixes outlined below.
FIX 1: Check your AirPods battery
Whenever your AirPods randomly disconnect from your device, the first thing you should do is check the battery status. Either your left or right AirPod’s batteries may be low. This happens when you use a single AirPod for a longer time.
To check the battery of AirPods, go to the control center on your iPhone >> and then the music card >> then tap on the icon located at the top-right corner to reveal the battery status >> After this, put the AirPods back in the case, and then wait for a few seconds >> Then check if the AirPods are working fine or not.
FIX 2: Re-pair AirPods
If your left or right AirPod keeps disconnecting, you can try forgetting it from your iPhone’s Bluetooth devices list and re-pairing it.
Open Bluetooth from your phone’s settings to see your AirPods in the list of devices connected to your iPhone’s Bluetooth, then tap the ‘i’ icon on the right, and tap the “forget this device” at the bottom.
Now put back both the AirPods in the case and re-pair from the start. Open the lid and hold the button of the case for a few seconds. Then pair when you see the AirPods on your iPhone’s Bluetooth devices list. After pairing, test to see if both AirPods are working.
Read also: Why Are My AirPods Flashing Red, Orange, White, Green & Blue?
FIX 3: Update your AirPods’ firmware
Outdated firmware might be the cause of your left or right AirPod disconnecting.
You’d have to check if your firmware is up to date by first connecting your AirPods to your iPhone, then go to Settings >> tap “Bluetooth” >> locate your AirPods in the list of devices and tap the “i” icon beside them >> On the next page, check whether the firmware version is up to date.
If it is not up to date, update the firmware on your AirPods by placing AirPods in the charging case and connecting it to a power source, then place your iPhone very close to the charging AirPods for an auto-update. Wait for about 30 minutes, then, you can now use your AirPods which should have been updated at that time.
FIX 4: Keep your AirPods and phone closer
Make sure to keep the distance between your phone and AirPods within 30 feet as there are higher chances that your AirPods won’t stay connected if you move too far away from your phone.
FIX 5: Reset your AirPods
If your AirPods still keep disconnecting randomly, you can try to reset them. Put the AirPods in their case and hold down the status button until the indicator flashes amber. Then take them out and follow the onscreen prompts on your iPhone to re-connect them.
FIX 6: Update your iOS
The latest iOS updates for the iPhone come with bug fixes that could help resolve connectivity issues with your AirPods.
Go to your phone settings, tap “General” >> then tap “software update” to update your iPhone. If there are no pending updates, try to restart your iPhone. Once you shut down your phone, wait for about 30 seconds before booting it.
It is important to note that AirPods are designed to be portable items, so you can carry them with you anywhere and everywhere. But you should get a protective case for them to live in and also clean them regularly to prevent damages from accumulated debris or wax build-up, which may cause hardware faults.
We hope we have been able to solve the issue of your left or right AirPods disconnecting.
We are sure that at least one of the fixes suggested above will help you fix the issues with your AirPods, but if after trying them your left or right AirPod keeps disconnecting still, you may want to contact Apple support for assistance as you’re likely dealing with a hardware defect. They may even swap the AirPods with new ones if the faulty ones are still under warranty.
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John follows everything happening in the tech industry, from the latest gadget launches to some of the big-name moves in the industry. He covers opinionated pieces and writes on some of the biggest names in the industry. John is also a freelance writer, so he shares articles on freelancing every now and then. email: john@tekpip.com Learn more about tekpip and the team here on our about us page.