Why Are My AirPods Max Not Connecting? 9 Fixes to Try

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Get your Apple earphones to connect
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Are your AirPods Max not pairing properly? If your AirPods Max aren't connecting to your device, you can perform a hard reset to quickly fix any errors, including the 3 amber blinks. This can also fix AirPods that are connected but have no sound. Here's how to fix AirPods Max not connecting to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac device.

Fixing AirPods Max Connection

To fix AirPods Max not connecting, reset the earphones by pressing and holding the noise control button and Digital Crown button until the light flashes amber/orange, then white. Open your Bluetooth settings and pair the earphones again by holding the noise control button for 5 seconds.

Section 1 of 2:

Troubleshooting AirPods Max

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  1. A simple restart can fix connection issues. To restart your AirPods Max, press and hold the noise control button and the Digital Crown button until the light flashes amber. Release the buttons. Try connecting the AirPods Max again.
  2. To properly connect your AirPods Max to your iPhone , iPad, or Mac, you must have Bluetooth enabled. This process will differ depending on your device.
    • iPhone and iPad : Open the Settings app, and tap Bluetooth . Make sure the switch is toggled on (green).
    • Mac : Click the Apple menu, and select System Settings . Click Bluetooth . Make sure the switch is on (blue). [1]
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  3. If the AirPods Max are connected but have no sound, select the device in the Bluetooth menu, and select Forget This Device . To sync it again, do the following:
    • iPhone or iPad : Open the Settings app, and tap Bluetooth . Press and hold the noise control button for 5 seconds or until the light flashes white. Tap AirPods Max on the screen to pair it again . [2]
    • Mac : Click the Apple menu, and select System Settings . Click Bluetooth . Press and hold the noise control button for 5 seconds or until the light flashes white. Click AirPods Max on the screen. Click Connect .
  4. To ensure the charge isn't the issue, make sure you charge your AirPods Max to at least 50%. For the best experience, let it charge to 100%. Use the USB-C or Lightning cable that came with your device to charge your earphones.
    • It's best to use Apple-certified cables; third-party cables may be incompatible with your device and can cause a faulty charge .
    • To check the charge status, press the noise control button while it's connected to the charging cable. If the status light is green, the AirPods Max are at least 95% charged. If the status light is amber, it is under 95% charged. [3]
  5. If the restart didn't fix the connection issues, you can hard reset the AirPods Max to its factory settings. Keep in mind this may forget previous devices it's been synced to. Do the following:
    • Press and hold the noise control button and the Digital Crown button until the light flashes amber, and then white. Release the buttons. Try connecting the AirPods Max again.
  6. If your AirPods Max are connected to your device but you hear no volume, make sure the volume is set higher than 0. You can adjust the volume using the physical noise control button on the earphones, or in your device's settings.
  7. If you have an older version of iOS, iPadOS , or MacOS, you may have trouble connecting to newer devices such as the AirPods Max. To check for updates, do the following:
    • iPhone and iPad : Open Settings and tap General . Tap Software Update . If there's an update available, tap Update Now . [4]
    • Mac : Click the Apple menu and select System Settings . Click General , and then click Software Update . On older devices, you'll need to click System Preferences and then Software Update . [5]
  8. If you're seeing an amber light that flashes three times, some users have reported that placing the AirPods Max (in its case) in the freezer for 30 minutes may help. If you want to try this method, place it in a secluded area of the freezer and keep a close eye on the time.
    • This is not a method advised by Apple. Be prepared for any damage to your earphones.
  9. If your AirPods Max continues to have issues with connection or sound, you may need to replace the device. You can contact Apple on their website at https://getsupport.apple.com/ .
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Section 2 of 2:

Why is my AirPods Max not connecting?

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  1. If your AirPods Max have trouble connecting to your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or other device, you may need to restart or reset your earphones. This usually fixes common connection errors.
    • AirPods Max earphones may not connect if the battery is lower than 50%. To quickly check the charge, press and hold the noise control button while it's connected to a charger. If the light is green, you can try connecting again.
    • An outdated iOS, iPadOS, or MacOS version can also prevent your AirPods Max from connecting properly. New updates provide fixes and better compatibility with newer devices. Make sure the connecting device is running the newest available update.

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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/104983
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/airpods/pair-airpods-with-an-apple-device-dev7c85810f2/web
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/118262
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/118575
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/108382

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