AirPods keep stopping randomly? 6 ways to fix it!

When you’re listening to your favorite podcast or music on your AirPods or AirPods Pro, if the sound cuts out abruptly, it’s bound to annoy you! There can be several reasons for this erratic silence. In this article, I have discussed these problems and their possible solutions. Using these solutions should fix your AirPods that keep freezing!

1. Check the AirPods Bluetooth Range
2. Disconnect AirPods from Multiple Devices
3. Disable automatic ear detection
4. Disable double tap on AirPods
5. Low battery
6. Other major fixes

1. Check the range of the Bluetooth AirPods.

Check if both devices are in the appropriate range to connect. If the distance is too great, it may cause audio interruption and occasional pause.

In addition to distance, physical obstacles such as walls or tables can interfere with the connection. Overlapping sound waves or changing amplitude can also contribute to the problem. To solve this problem, make sure both devices are close and there are obstacles between them.

2. Disconnect AirPods from multiple devices.

One possible explanation for your AirPods constantly stopping or losing connection could be that they are connected to many devices at the same time, such as your iPhone and Mac. Doing so may cause music or sound playback to fail.

To resolve this issue, switch back to the device you want to use or disable any additional associated devices. Follow the instructions below to disconnect your AirPods from your device.

Disconnect AirPods from iPhone

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone → Tap Bluetooth.
2. Find your AirPods and click the (i) button next to their name.
3. Click “Forget this device”→ confirm your choice by selecting “Forget device”.

Disconnect AirPods from Mac

1. Click on the Apple logo () in the upper left corner of the screen.
2. Navigate to “System Preferences”from the drop-down menu. You’ll find it in System Preferences on macOS Monterey or earlier.
3. Go to Bluetooth.
4. Click the (i) button next to your AirPods name.
5. Select “Forget this device”in the pop-up window.
6. Select Forget Device.

3. Disable automatic ear detection

When you take your AirPods out of your ears, the auto-ear detection feature causes the music player to pause music playback. You can turn this setting off if your AirPods freeze from time to time.

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Click on your AirPods name displayed under your Apple ID.
3. Turn off the button next to “Automatic Ear/Head Detection”.

What’s more, if you want to tweak some other settings, see our post on how to change your AirPods or AirPods Pro settings.

4. Disable double tap on AirPods.

AirPods are great because they let you control music with hand gestures. The best part is that you can customize what happens when you make a certain hand movement. However, this handy feature can sometimes cause the music to stop suddenly.

This is because a double tap can be assigned to pause audio. Just follow the instructions below to change what happens when you double-click.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone → tap the name of your AirPods.
2. Select “Left/Right”under “Double Tap Airpods”.
3. Choose one of the following options and your problem will be solved:
   • Siri
   • next track
   • Previous track
   • Turn off.

Note. This fix will not work for AirPods Pro. Read our article to learn how to master all the other AirPods controls and gestures.

If your AirPods keep stalling when you’re listening to something, it might be because your device’s battery is dead. While AirPods have decent battery life, they won’t last forever and will eventually run out of battery.

5. Low battery

When the battery is low, you will hear a sound in your AirPods to let you know that there is only 10% battery left, and another sound when they are about to turn off. But if you want to instantly check the battery percentage of your AirPods, here’s how you can check the battery level on AirPods and their charging case.

6. Other major fixes

If you’re facing the annoying issue of your AirPods constantly pausing audio, don’t worry. Here are a few other basic fixes you can try.

• Reconnect your AirPods: You may be able to fix the problem by reconnecting or repairing your AirPods to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
• Update your AirPods: There is a reasonable chance that your issue is related to a software bug that was fixed in the most recent device update. In this case, all you have to do is update your AirPods or iOS or macOS firmware and the problem should be fixed.
• Restart AirPods: Here’s another simple workaround that only takes a few seconds. You need to put your AirPods back in their charging case for at least 15 seconds before removing them. In most cases, the issue will be resolved after following this step. However, if the problem persists, you can try other methods.
• Reset your AirPods: If none of the above solutions have returned your AirPods to their original functioning, there is another option worth trying. You can try restoring your AirPods to their original factory settings by resetting them.

Contact Apple Support if nothing works

If all the previously mentioned solutions have failed to fix your AirPods random pause issue, then the last option available to you is to contact Apple Support. With their vast knowledge and experience, they can offer you the advice and assistance you need to get your AirPods back up and running.

However, if you have an Apple Care+ subscription, you may be eligible for a replacement, making the whole process even easier and more convenient. You can also visit the Apple Service Programs page for information on Apple’s free repair of defective products. It is recommended that you check this page to see if your AirPods are among the items listed, as this could be a manufacturing issue.

FAQ

In my opinion, the buildup of wax, sweat, dirt, and other substances on your AirPods can hurt their performance and lifespan. In addition, it can also lead to ear canal irritation or infection. However, AirPods can be tricky to clean due to their hard-to-reach areas, and improper cleaning methods can cause even more damage.

The automatic ear detection feature can be the main reason for your AirPods to stop during a call.

That’s all!

I’m sure the troubleshooting steps above should have helped you resolve the issue quickly and resume using your AirPods without interruption. Remember to keep your AirPods clean, up to date, and keep your devices well charged to avoid any complications in the future.

In addition, it is important to remember that the problem may not always be caused by your AirPods, but by the device they are connected to. Let me know in the comments which fix worked for you!