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AirPods Flashing Green? (What It Means + FIXES!)

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Writer, Apple

Over the last decade, Farhad has gained hands-on experience with smartphones, laptops, accessories, wearables, printers, etc. If he's not writing, you can bet he's trying to keep up with the latest technology. He oversees coverage of iPhone, iOS, and Apple Watch for Gotechtor.

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AirPods flashing green can be a frustrating experience, especially if you’re using them for an important call or listening to music or podcast.

But what does it mean, and why this happens? This guide explains why your AirPods might be flashing green and how to fix the problem.

Why Are My AirPods Flashing Green?

A flashing green light indicator means that your charging case can’t recognize one of the AirPods, which indicates a problem with either the AirPods, the case, or both. There could be a battery issue with the AirPods or a pairing issue that prevents the AirPods from recognizing each other.

Knowing several factors could be at play, you should understand why the AirPods are acting up before jumping into the guidelines to fix them.

Here are the top possible issues behind a flashing green indicator:

  • Pairing Malfunctions: As mentioned in the previous paragraphs, one of the most potential reasons behind the issue is the AirPods not getting recognized by the case due to pairing conflicts.
  • Charging Difficulties: Additionally, the issue surfaces when one or both AirPods aren’t in the proper position while in the case, or something’s blocking the device from getting charged.
  • Mono Mode: Apple lets users choose whether to use one or both earbuds using a Mono Mode feature. So, you could see a flashing light when your phone pairs with only one AirPods.
  • Physical Damages: Users also report facing the problem when one or both earbuds suffer physical damage or have manufacturing defects, forcing them to contact Apple-certified repairs.
  • Inconsistent Audio: Sometimes, the AirPods deliver uneven audio, meaning whether one doesn’t play anything or the sound cuts out frequently, resulting in a flashing green light indicator.
  • Outdated Firmware: Apple releases updates to eliminate possible errors, boost the audio experience, and add features. Obsolete firmware could lead to several issues, including the flashing status.

Note: The AirPods are water and sweat resistant but not entirely waterproof. So, if you’ve recently got them wet, contact Apple Repair immediately.

Knowing the possible reasons behind AirPods flashing green light indicator, you can try different approaches and fix them for good.

How to Fix the AirPods Flashing Green Problem?

AirPods flashing green and not connecting is quite typical, and many users have already dealt with it and successfully managed to eliminate it.

1. Remove and Reinsert Your AirPods into the Case

The most straightforward approaches are often the answer to the most challenging situations.

Accordingly, removing and reinserting your AirPods is an excellent starting point to fix the issue or rule out several guesses.

Here’s how to remove and reinsert your AirPods:

  1. Find and open the Settings app on your device.
iPhone Settings App
Go to iPhone Settings. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor
  1. Tap the Bluetooth section.
Bluetooth in Settings app
Tap on the Bluetooth option. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor
  1. Turn off the toggle to Disable Bluetooth pairing.
Disabling bluetooth
Disable Bluetooth. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor
  1. Remove the AirPods from the case and reinsert them back.
  2. Close the lid, and wait a few minutes before opening it.

Check if the light returns to a standard, static green.

2. Reset Your AirPods

Resetting the AirPods is an excellent go-to troubleshooting technique that restores the device’s primary state.

So, any possible software conflicts or misconfigurations that may have occurred after you bought your AirPods will perish when your reset the earbuds.

Here’s how to reset your AirPods:

  1. Place the AirPods inside the case, close the lid, and wait for more than 30 seconds.
  2. Navigate to the Settings app on your iOS device.
  3. Open the Bluetooth section.
Bluetooth in Settings app
Navigate to the Bluetooth menu. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor
  1. Find your AirPods from the list and tap the “i” icon.
Bluetooth i Icon
Tap on the i icon. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor
  1. Select the Forget This Device option to remove them from your Apple ID.
Forget This Device
Select Forget This Device. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor
  1. Press and hold the Setup Button at the back of the case until the status indicator changes to white.
  2. Keep the AirPods near your iOS device, open the lid, and choose Connect when prompted.

If your AirPods are still flashing green, move to the following approach.

3. Charge Your AirPods and the Case

Low batteries are another possible reason behind connectivity issues with the AirPods. If one or both AirPods aren’t adequately charged and die, the case doesn’t recognize them, and therefore the green flashing light appears.

Here’s how to find your AirPods battery level on iOS:

  • Keep the AirPods near your iOS device, open the lid, and check the battery level from the prompted message.
battery level on iOS
Check AirPods battery Status on iPhone. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

Here’s how to find your AirPods battery level on macOS:

  • Click the Bluetooth icon from the top bar and check the battery level.
battery level on macOS
Check AirPods Battery on Mac. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

Here’s how to find the battery level on Android:

  1. Download and install third-party battery apps like AirBattery.
  2. Open the software while AirPods are connected and check the battery life.

Note: Apple AirPods run on lithium-based batteries and should ideally charge between 30-80% to maximize battery health.

4. Clean Your AirPods

Apple AirPods get charged through physical contact between their tails and the pins at the bottom of the charging case. As a result, dirt and dust can build up and cause interference between the two devices.

clean AirPods kit
AirPods cleaning kits. Herby Jasmin/Gotechtor

Here’s how to clean your AirPods:

  1. Moisten a swab with rubbing alcohol and clean the AirPods.
  2. Dampen another swab with alcohol and clean the inside of the charging case.
  3. Use a wooden toothpick to remove earwax and dirt buildup.

Check if the AirPods function correctly.

Dirty AirPods are known to cause other problems, such as AirPods having low volume or unbalanced sounds. Read our guide for more information on how to clean your AirPods properly.

5. Update Your AirPods’ Firmware

Apple automatically finds, downloads, and installs firmware updates when the AirPods connect to an iOS device or macOS.

However, if the process fails due to connectivity issues or similar problems, the firmware remains outdated, leading to issues like the AirPods flashing green.

Here’s how to check the AirPods’ firmware:

  1. Navigate to the Settings app on your iOS device while the AirePods are linked.
Open settings app
Navigate to the Settings menu. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor
  1. Open the Bluetooth section.
Bluetooth in Settings app
Go to the Bluetooth option. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor
  1. Find your AirPods from the list and tap the “i” icon.
Bluetooth i Icon
Select the i icon next to AirPods. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor
  1. The number next to Version indicates your firmware.
  1. Cross-reference the number to firmware details available at Apple.

If it turns out your AirPods’ firmware is outdated, follow the steps below to fix it:

  1. Place the AirPods inside the charging case and close the lid.
  2. Charge your case using a wired/wireless connection.
  3. Place the AirPods and your iOS device within two inches of each other and wait at least 15 minutes.

Note: Your device requires a solid internet connection before updating the AirPods’ firmware.

Check if the firmware gets updated.

6. Contact Apple Support

If none of the solutions we listed above resolve your issue, your AirPods may have suffered hardware damage or are otherwise defective. If that’s the case, contact Apple support to see if they can fix or replace your AirPods.

Wrap-Up: AirPods Flashing Green

Fortunately, the flashing green light on your AirPods usually does not indicate any serious damage. Bu following the fixes above, your AirPods should be working fine.

I hope this assisted you in fixing your AirPods flashing green. If you fixed the problem with any other solution, please share it in the comments section.

Writer, Apple

Over the last decade, Farhad has gained hands-on experience with smartphones, laptops, accessories, wearables, printers, etc. If he's not writing, you can bet he's trying to keep up with the latest technology. He oversees coverage of iPhone, iOS, and Apple Watch for Gotechtor.

Farhad Pashaei

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