Red Blinking Lights On My Apple AirPods (Hard Reset Guide)

If your AirPods are acting up, they might be showing red blinking lights. What does it mean, and how can you fix them?

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If your AirPods are acting up, they might be showing red blinking lights. What does it mean, and how can you fix them?

There's no doubt that the AirPods are Apple's most popular wireless earphones. However, even a perfect wireless device is bound to have some issues at some point in time. But what can you do when you start experiencing problems with your AirPods or if they fail to respond to your voice commands?

If you see a red blinking light on a single AirPod or both, this indicates that their battery levels are low and need charging. Once you charge your AirPods again, they should start working normally again. But if the battery is charged and working fine, your AirPods are likely having firmware issues.

If they still keep showing red blinking lights and do not respond to voice commands, you can check and do a couple of things.

As electronic enthusiasts, we know all about Apple AirPods and their issues, including the blinking red light. Hence, we have put together this guide to help you understand why your Apple AirPods might be acting up and how to fix them. Here, we will discuss various reasons why your Apple AirPods might be showing the red blinking lights and how to deal with it.

Table of Contents

Why are My AirPods Showing Red Blinking Lights?

If you're wondering why your AirPods are showing red blinking lights, there could be a few reasons. Sometimes, it may just mean that your AirPods need to be charged. However, if the red blinking light is accompanied by an error message or other symptoms, it could indicate a more serious issue.

Here are a few potential reasons why your AirPods might be showing red blinking lights:

Your AirPods Need to Be Charged

One of the most common reasons for red blinking lights on AirPods is simply that they need to be charged. If you see a solid red light on one of your AirPods, it means that the battery is completely depleted and needs to be charged. Alternatively, you may see a red flashing light on both AirPods, indicating that the case must be charged.

There's an Issue With the Connection

If your AirPods are connected to your iPhone or iPad, but you're still seeing red blinking lights, it could mean an issue with the connection between the devices. In most cases, this can be resolved by restarting your iPhone or iPad. If that doesn't work, you may need to forget the connection and reconnect your AirPods.

There's a Hardware Issue

In some rare cases, red blinking lights on AirPods may indicate a hardware issue. If you're seeing other symptoms like crackling sounds or static, it's possible that your AirPods or charging case is damaged. You'll need to contact Apple for further assistance if this is the case.

Things to Check Before Performing a Hard Reset

When your AirPods show red blinking lights, the most common solution is to hard reset them. Doing so removes any glitches within the firmware. However, there are a few things to check before resetting your AirPods to eliminate other possibilities.

Before resetting your AirPods, you need to check if there's any apparent physical damage to your earphones. If there's visible damage to your earphones, you should get them replaced as soon as possible.

Make sure your AirPods are running the latest version of their firmware. You can do this by opening the AirPods case near your iPhone. You need to do that if you see a message on your iPhone asking you to upgrade your AirPods.

Make sure your AirPods are connected to your iPhone or other devices. You can do this by opening the AirPods case near your iPhone. Your AirPods are not connected if you see a message on your iPhone to connect your earphones or pair them again.

You should also check if your iPhone's Bluetooth is turned on. You can do this by opening the Control Center on your iPhone or identifying the Bluetooth symbol in the top right corner of the screen.

How to Hard Reset AirPods

If your AirPods are showing red blinking lights or are not responding to your voice commands, you can hard reset them with the following steps:

  1. Put the AirPods in the charging case and ensure the lid is closed correctly.
  2. Wait for 30 seconds before opening the lid.
  3. Open the lid and unpair your AirPods from your iOS device. To do this, go to the Bluetooth settings of your iOS device, locate AirPods, and tap "Forget."
  4. Open the lid of your AirPods charging case.
  5. Now, press and hold the button on the charging case's back for at least 15 seconds. You'll see a red flash on the outside of the charging case.
  6. The AirPods inside the case will start blinking rapidly, and you'll hear sound confirmation. You'll need to keep holding the button until the AirPods inside the case stop blinking and flashes white. You will also hear a sound confirmation once it stops. This might take up to 60 seconds.
  7. Once your earphones are reset, they'll automatically turn on. This reset will also clear any pairing information and remove the pairing from other devices.

How to Avoid Similar AirPods Problems

The AirPods are excellent earbuds and are bound to become your favorites as soon as you use them. However, taking care of and maintaining them well is essential to avoid causing your AirPods to blink red again. Here are a few simple steps to keep your Apple AirPods in their best shape:

Keep them Clean

Just like any other electronics, keeping your AirPods clean is essential. Make sure to wipe them with a soft, dry cloth after each use. If they start to look dirty, you can also lightly dampen the cloth with water or alcohol-free cleaner before wiping.

Don't Expose them to Extreme Temperatures

You should avoid exposing your AirPods to extreme cold or heat, as this can damage the internal components. If you're using them in a cold environment, keep them in your pocket or a warm place when you're not using them. Similarly, don't leave them in a hot car or in direct sunlight for extended periods.

Handle them With Care

Store them in the charging case when you're not using your AirPods. Be careful not to drop or bump the case too hard, as this can damage the AirPods or the case itself.

Keep the Charging Case Closed

The charging case for your AirPods is designed to keep dust and other particles out. Ensure to keep the lid closed when you're not using the AirPods to prevent any dirt or debris from getting inside.

If your AirPods show red blinking lights or fail to respond to your voice commands, you need to check if you've done any of the earlier checks. You also need to try restarting your AirPods. If nothing works, you can try performing a hard reset to get your AirPods working correctly again.

Remember, in most cases, red blinking lights simply mean that your AirPods must be charged. However, if you're seeing other symptoms or the problem persists, there may be a more serious issue. Performing a hard reset on your AirPods usually solves most issues. However, if the problem persists, contacting Apple support should be your next step if the problem persists.

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