While AirPods are well-designed and convenient, they aren’t perfect. These innovative earbuds offer the convenience of wireless connection and flawless sound quality, but they also come with occasional connection and battery issues.
One issue that users commonly encounter is their AirPods constantly flashing orange. This indicator LED light essentially means “something is wrong,” but troubleshooting and diagnosing the issue is primarily left up to the user.
While it can be irritating trying to figure out what the orange light could mean, there are many effective ways to identify and resolve the issue. This article will cover some of the most common problems a blinking orange light indicates and how to fix them.
How to Fix AirPods Flashing Orange
It can be a frustrating issue when your AirPods are flashing orange. We all know that a green light generally indicates something is “ready to go,” with AirPods being no exception.
A solid green light will indicate that your AirPods are charged and ready for use, while a solid orange or amber light may mean that your Airpods battery is low. But what about when that solid orange light becomes a flashing orange light?
While an orange light indicates something is wrong, it doesn’t provide much information to help you fix the issue. Luckily, there are simple troubleshooting methods you can try to get your AirPods back to functioning as usual. Here are some of the best solutions to fix AirPods flashing orange.
Reset Your AirPods
The first troubleshooting method you should try is to reset and reconnect your AirPods. Since flashing orange lights usually indicates an issue with the connection, resetting your AirPods can help because it eliminates any settings or errors that may have caused the bad connection.
You can reset your AirPods in just a few simple steps.
- Settings > Bluetooth
- Find your AirPods in the device list, and click the 🛈.
- Click Forget Device.
- Place your AirPods in their case and shut the lid. Wait several seconds and take your AirPods back out of the case.
- Click the setup button on the back of your AirPods charging case, hold it and wait until the LED begins flashing white.
- Pair your AirPods with your device and see if the connection is successfully established. Pairing your AirPods with your device is an easy process.
- Go to the home screen of your iPhone. Put your AirPods case and iPhone or other device close together.
- Wait until a prompt with an animation of AirPods appears on your phone screen.
- Select Connect. Wait for the connection process to complete, and then tap Done.
Disconnect Your AirPods and Charge Them
If your AirPods are at low battery, it can cause them to malfunction, not connect properly to the paired device, and even cause issues with other components like the microphone.
Luckily, if this is the cause of the blinking orange lights, then resolving it is as simple as charging the AirPods and their case. Ideally, you would pair this with the previous method to ensure it works as effectively as possible.
Using the previous steps, after you place your AirPods in their case and shut the lid, you should leave the AirPods in the case and allow them to charge for at least 20 minutes. If the case is not fully charged, you should also plug the charger into the case to ensure that the AirPods can receive a full charge.
After the AirPods have been allowed to charge, click the setup button and continue with the previously outlined steps. Many users have found that adding this additional step to resetting the AirPods fully resolves the issue with the flashing orange indicator lights.
Restart Your Phone
If you’ve found that resetting your AirPods didn’t work, you may need to restart your phone for them to connect successfully. Luckily, the process of restarting your phone is simple.
iPhone X, Xs, Xr, 11, 12, 13, 8, SE 2nd Generation
- Click and immediately release your phone’s volume up button.
- Click and immediately release your phone’s volume down button.
- Hold your phone’s side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. Then, release the button and wait for your iPhone to restart.
iPhone 7
- Hold your phone’s volume down button and the power button down simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
- Release your phone’s buttons and wait for your iPhone to restart.
iPhone 6, SE 1st Generation
- Hold the home and power buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
- Release the buttons and wait for your iPhone to restart.
After your phone has restarted, you should reset and reconnect your AirPods using the above methods.
Clean Your AirPods
If you’ve found that none of these solutions have worked, there is one unexpected but straightforward method you can use to fix them. As you use your earbuds, grime like dust, dirt, and ear wax accumulate all over the earbuds.
If the grime builds up too much, it can cause issues with the function and charging of the AirPods.
Cleaning your AirPods is very simple. You should start by using a dry, lint-free cloth to wipe all surfaces of the AirPods and the case, including the speaker meshes and the tips of the earbuds. You can also use a non-abrasive brush or a cotton swab to get the speaker meshes extra clean or use a slightly damp cloth or swab to remove any hardened gunk.
Avoid using wet or abrasive materials for cleaning.
Update Firmware
One common cause of AirPods blinking orange is the firmware. Essential updates to the AirPod firmware are frequently released.
Still, because updates only install automatically when your AirPods are connected to your iOS device, you may find that the updates don’t install on your AirPods. While there isn’t a direct way to update the firmware on your AirPods, many users have found a method that can prompt the AirPods to update.
- Connect your AirPods case and your phone to a charger.
- Play audio through your AirPods for around one minute.
- Put the AirPods inside the wireless charging case, and leave the phone and AirPods charging next to each other.
- Wait one hour to see if the firmware has updated. You can check by navigating Settings > Bluetooth > AirPods > 🛈 > About and finding where the firmware version is listed.
It’s important to note that this method does not always work since you can only wait for the device to update automatically. However, it does put your AirPods in the ideal conditions to update.
If you find that your AirPods didn’t update, you should confirm that they are connected and that your phone has internet access.
What to Do if Nothing is Working
If you’ve found that none of the above troubleshooting methods have worked, it may be time to get in touch with a professional.
Hardware issues with your AirPods can sometimes result in a connectivity issue, including the flashing orange indicator lights. As long as your warranty policy still applies to your AirPods, you may be partially or fully covered for the repair.
Contact Apple Support
To use your warranty and repair or replace your AirPods, the process is as simple as getting in touch online or visiting your local Apple store. From there, the Apple geniuses will be able to diagnose and resolve the issues preventing your AirPods from connecting. Depending on your warranty, you may be partially or fully covered for the repair.
Why Good Maintenance Matters
Now that you have a clear understanding of what to do when your AirPods start blinking orange, let’s take a minute to discuss the importance of regular maintenance.
AirPods, like any electronic devices, have a finite lifespan. But with the right care and maintenance, you can significantly prolong their usage time and ensure top performance.
Remember, the little things matter. Cleaning your AirPods regularly helps keep the speaker meshes and charging contacts clear, ensuring proper function and battery life.
Moreover, keeping your AirPods’ firmware updated can prevent many technical issues from occurring in the first place. Lastly, ensuring your AirPods have enough charge before using them not only improves their performance but can also extend their battery life.
Other Common AirPod Issues and Their Solutions
While a flashing orange light is a common problem with AirPods, it’s not the only one. Users often report that one AirPod is making a beeping noise, they connect while in the charging case, or that the sound quality deteriorates over time. Some complain that their AirPods mic doesn’t work, the AirPods keep pausing for seemingly no reason, or that the case isn’t charging correctly.
If you encounter any of these problems, don’t worry. Most issues can be fixed with simple solutions like adjusting the volume balance, cleaning your AirPods, or resetting them. Make sure to keep these methods in mind, as they can help keep your AirPods in optimal condition.
Final Thoughts
While some AirPod issues are beyond a quick fix, many simple and easy troubleshooting methods can effectively resolve blinking orange lights.
If you are experiencing flashing orange or amber lights, try the methods above before going to a professional. You do not want to spend unnecessary time and money on a fix you could quickly have done yourself!
FAQs
Why are my AirPods not charging even when plugged in?
There could be several reasons for this. It could be an issue with your charging port, your charger, or the AirPods themselves. Try using a different charger or charging port. If the problem persists, the issue might be with your AirPods, and it would be best to contact Apple support.
Can I overcharge my AirPods?
No, you can’t overcharge your AirPods. The AirPods and their case are designed to stop charging once they reach full capacity.
Why does one AirPod die faster than the other?
This could be due to battery degradation in one of the AirPods, or it could be a software issue. Try resetting your AirPods as described in the article, and if that doesn’t work, consider contacting Apple Support.
Can I use AirPods with non-Apple devices?
Yes, you can. AirPods use Bluetooth technology and can be paired with any device that supports Bluetooth, including Android phones, tablets, and laptops.
How do I keep my AirPods clean?
You should use a dry, lint-free cloth to wipe all surfaces of the AirPods and the case. You can also use a non-abrasive brush or a cotton swab to clean the speaker meshes. Avoid using wet or abrasive materials for cleaning.
