AirPods Pro are wireless earbuds that can connect to your MacBook via Bluetooth. They offer noise cancellation, transparency mode, adaptive EQ and spatial audio features. However, sometimes they may have difficulty connecting to your MacBook or staying connected. Here are some possible reasons and solutions for this problem.
AirPods Pro Won’t Connect to MacBook: Troubleshooting Connection Issues
| Issue | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods not showing up in Bluetooth devices list | Bluetooth is off on MacBook | Turn on Bluetooth in System Preferences > Bluetooth |
| AirPods not selected as output device | MacBook is using internal speakers or another device | Click the Bluetooth or volume icon and choose AirPods as the output device |
| AirPods connecting to another device | Bluetooth is on on other devices | Turn off Bluetooth on other devices that have paired with AirPods before |
| AirPods not pairing with MacBook | Charging case lid is closed or battery is low | Open the charging case lid and press the setup button until the status light flashes white. Connect the case to a power source if needed |
| AirPods keep disconnecting from MacBook | Interference from other wireless devices or objects | Move away from microwaves, routers, cordless phones, metal objects, etc. |
| AirPods have poor sound quality or no sound at all | Volume is too low or muted on MacBook | Adjust the volume on your MacBook or use the touch controls on your AirPods |
| AirPods have different sound levels or noise cancellation issues | Ear tips are dirty, damaged or not fitted properly | Clean the ear tips with a soft cloth and replace them if needed. Make sure they fit snugly in your ears |
| AirPods have low battery life or not charging properly | Charging case or AirPods are dirty or damaged | Clean the charging case and AirPods with a soft cloth and check for any debris or damage. Replace them if needed |
| AirPods have compatibility issues with macOS | macOS is outdated or not supported | Update macOS to the latest version that supports your AirPods model |
| AirPods still not working after trying all solutions | AirPods need to be reset | Put both AirPods in the charging case and close the lid. Wait 30 seconds, then open the lid. On your MacBook, go to System Preferences > Bluetooth and click the X next to your AirPods. Press and hold the setup button for 15 seconds until the status light flashes amber and then white. Select your AirPods from the list of devices and click Connect |
Possible Reasons for Connection Issues
- Low battery: Your AirPods Pro or their charging case may have run out of power and need to be recharged.
- Outdated macOS: Your MacBook may not have the latest version of macOS that supports AirPods Pro or fixes some bugs that affect Bluetooth connectivity.
- Bluetooth interference: Other devices or sources of wireless signals may interfere with the Bluetooth connection between your AirPods Pro and your MacBook.
- Incorrect settings: Your MacBook may not have Bluetooth enabled or may not have selected your AirPods Pro as the output device for audio.
- Compatibility issue: Your AirPods Pro may be paired with another device that has priority over your MacBook or may not be compatible with some apps or features on your MacBook.
Basic Troubleshooting Steps
If you encounter connection issues with your AirPods Pro and your MacBook, you can try the following steps to resolve them:
- Charge your AirPods Pro and their charging case: Make sure they have enough power to connect and work properly. You can check their battery level by opening the lid of the case near your MacBook or by clicking the Bluetooth icon on the menu bar and hovering over your AirPods Pro.
- Update macOS to the latest version: Go to System Preferences > Software Update and check if there is a new version of macOS available. If there is, click Update Now and follow the instructions. Updating macOS can improve the performance and security of your MacBook and add support for newer devices like AirPods Pro.
- Turn on Bluetooth: Go to System Preferences > Bluetooth and make sure the Bluetooth status is On. You can also click the Bluetooth icon on the menu bar and select Turn Bluetooth On if it is off.
- Select your AirPods Pro as the output device: Click the volume icon on the menu bar and choose your AirPods Pro from the list of output devices. You can also go to System Preferences > Sound > Output and select your AirPods Pro there.
- Turn off Bluetooth on other devices: If you have paired your AirPods Pro with other devices like your iPhone or iPad, turn off Bluetooth on those devices to prevent them from connecting to your AirPods Pro instead of your MacBook. You can also unpair them from those devices by going to Settings > Bluetooth and tapping the i icon next to your AirPods Pro and then Forget This Device.
Advanced Troubleshooting Steps
If the basic troubleshooting steps do not work, you can try some more advanced steps to fix the connection issues:
- Reset your AirPods Pro: Put both AirPods Pro in their charging case and close the lid. Wait for 30 seconds and then open the lid. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white. Then release the setup button. This will reset your AirPods Pro and make them ready to connect again.
- Reconnect your AirPods Pro: After resetting your AirPods Pro, hold the charging case with the lid open near your MacBook. A pop-up window should appear on your MacBook screen asking you to connect your AirPods Pro. Click Connect and follow the instructions. If the pop-up window does not appear, go to System Preferences > Bluetooth and click Connect next to your AirPods Pro in the list of devices.
- Clean your AirPods Pro and their charging case: Dust or debris may block the sensors or contacts on your AirPods Pro or their charging case and affect their connectivity. Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe them clean. Do not use any liquids or sharp objects to clean them.
- Contact Apple Support: If none of the above steps work, you may have a hardware issue with your AirPods Pro or their charging case. Contact Apple Support for further assistance or visit an Apple Store or an authorized service provider for a repair or replacement.
Summary Table
| Reason | Solution |
|---|---|
| Low battery | Charge your AirPods Pro and their charging case |
| Outdated macOS | Update macOS to the latest version |
| Bluetooth interference | Turn off Bluetooth on other devices |
| Incorrect settings | Turn on Bluetooth and select your AirPods Pro as the output device |
| Compatibility issue | Unpair your AirPods Pro from other devices |
| Reset your AirPods Pro | Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white |
| Reconnect your AirPods Pro | Hold the charging case with the lid open near your MacBook and click Connect |
| Clean your AirPods Pro and their charging case | Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe them clean |
| Contact Apple Support | Visit an Apple Store or an authorized service provider for a repair or replacement |