We’ve all been there – jamming to our favourite tunes, deeply immersed in a podcast or binge-watching YouTube videos when suddenly, our trusty AirPods start pausing for no apparent reason.
It’s frustrating and can
disrupt the flow of an otherwise seamless audio experience. So, what could be causing these unwelcome interruptions?
In this blog post, we’ll explore some
common reasons why your
AirPods keep pausing and provide
helpful solutions to get your
wireless earbuds back on track.
Quick Summary
- Poor Bluetooth connection and malfunctioning Automatic Ear Detection sensors are common reasons for AirPods to keep pausing during use.
- To fix random pausing with your AirPods, try resetting them, checking Bluetooth connection and range, updating firmware, and cleaning them regularly.
- Adjusting audio settings on your device can also help reduce issues with pausing during music playback and interruptions in audio quality while using wireless earbuds.
- Keeping your AirPods clean and updated with the latest firmware is important to ensure optimal performance.
Reasons For AirPods Keep Pausing
Poor Bluetooth connection and malfunctioning
Automatic Ear Detection sensors are two common reasons AirPods may pause during use.
Connectivity Issues With Bluetooth
One common reason behind
AirPods pausing randomly might be
connectivity issues with Bluetooth.
These issues can stem from various factors, such as
interference from other electronic devices,
physical barriers like walls and furniture, or
outdated software on your connected device.
To optimize your listening experience and eliminate audio interruptions, it’s essential to maintain a strong Bluetooth connection between your
AirPods and the paired device.
You can do this by keeping them within proximity (typically about 30 feet) and away from metals or items that may obstruct their signal.
Malfunctioning Automatic Ear Detection Sensors
If your AirPods keep pausing randomly even when you’re wearing them, the Automatic Ear Detection sensors may be
malfunctioning.
These sensors detect whether or not your AirPods are in your ears and automatically pause music playback when you remove them from your ears.
A faulty sensor can cause audio to pause and play inconsistently during use, frustrating users who purchased these high-end earbuds specifically for their convenient wireless features.
In addition, irregularities with Automatic Ear Detection may increase
battery drain on one or both earphones because they are constantly on standby mode, causing issues with the intended lifespan of the product.
Low Battery Levels
I’ve experienced instances where my AirPods keep pausing, and it turned out to be because of
low battery levels. When the battery level of your AirPods is low, they
may not function optimally or can sometimes
cease to work altogether.
To check the battery level of your AirPods, simply place them in their case and open it next to an iPhone or iPad that is connected to them via Bluetooth.
Always ensure that your AirPods are adequately charged before use and recharge as needed between uses.
A fully charged set of Apple AirPods can stay active for up to five hours of listening time or three hours of talk time continually – long enough for most activities without interruption due to a dead battery.
Distance From Connected Devices
It is important to note that
distance from connected devices can also cause AirPods to keep pausing.
If the Bluetooth signal between your device and AirPods becomes weak due to distance, your audio playback may repeatedly cut in and out or pause altogether.
This issue typically occurs when you move away from your connected device while
wearing AirPods.
In addition, if there are obstacles such as walls or doors between your device and AirPods, it can impact signal strength and cause audio interruptions.
So if you experience a lot of air pod disconnections at home or in an office setting with a lot of rooms, try moving closer to the connected device or adjusting any physical barriers that may be obstructing the Bluetooth signal.
Solutions For AirPods Pausing Randomly
To fix random pausing with your AirPods, try resetting them, checking Bluetooth connection and range, updating firmware, and cleaning them regularly.
Check Bluetooth Connection And Range
One reason why your AirPods may keep pausing is due to
poor Bluetooth connection.
To fix this issue, you can try the following:
- Check that both devices are within the appropriate range for Bluetooth connectivity.
- Turn off and then turn on your device’s Bluetooth.
- Forget your AirPods device from the list of connected devices and then pair them again.
- Reset your network settings to default and then reconnect your AirPods.
You can ensure seamless audio playback with your AirPods by checking your Bluetooth connection and range.
Reconnect AirPods After Keeping Them In Their Case
If you’re experiencing
random pausing issues with your AirPods, try reconnecting them after keeping them in their case.
Here’s how to do it:
- Open the case and remove both AirPods.
- Close the case and wait for a few seconds.
- Open the case again and place both AirPods inside.
- Press and hold down the button on the back of the charging case until the LED light starts flashing.
- Pair your AirPods with your device again.
This process can help reset your AirPods’ Bluetooth connection and fix any connectivity issues causing random pausing problems.
Remember to keep your AirPods clean and updated with the latest firmware to ensure optimal performance.
Reset AirPods
If your
AirPods keep pausing randomly,
resetting them may help.
Here’s how to do it:
- Put both AirPods in their charging case.
- Close the lid of the case and wait for about 30 seconds.
- Open the lid of the case and press the button on the back until the LED light flashes white.
- Reconnect your AirPods to your device.
Resetting your AirPods can help
fix any software issues that are causing them to pause randomly during use. Remember to ensure that both AirPods are fully charged before attempting this solution.
Update Firmware
To ensure that your AirPods are working at their best, it’s important to keep the
firmware updated.
Here are the steps to update your AirPods firmware:
- Ensure that your AirPods are connected to your device.
- Go to Settings > General > About on your iPhone or iPad.
- Find your AirPods and tap on them.
- Check the firmware version listed next to “Firmware Version.”
- If a new firmware update is available, connect your AirPods to a charger and leave them next to your device with a strong Wi-Fi connection.
- Wait for the update to download and install automatically.
Updating the firmware can help fix bugs or issues causing your AirPods to pause randomly during use. It’s important to keep in mind that firmware updates may take some time and require a
stable internet connection for successful completion.
Clean AirPods Regularly
As a regular AirPods user, it’s important to keep them clean to ensure they work properly and avoid any interruptions in music playback.
Here are some tips for cleaning your AirPods:
- Use a soft-bristled brush or dry cotton swab to gently remove dirt and debris from the speaker mesh and microphone.
- Avoid using water or liquid cleaners on your AirPods, which can damage the internal components.
- If necessary, use a damp cloth to wipe down the exterior of the AirPods and charging case, being careful not to get any moisture inside the charging port.
- For more stubborn dirt or grime, you can use rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab to spot clean, but be sure to avoid getting any on the speaker mesh or microphone.
- It’s also important to regularly remove any earwax buildup from the ear tips using a soft cloth or dry cotton swab.
By keeping your AirPods clean and debris-free, you can ensure that they function properly and provide uninterrupted audio playback when you need it most.
Troubleshooting Audio Stopping And Starting
To troubleshoot audio stopping and starting with your AirPods, check your connection and network settings, clear the cache on streaming apps, and adjust audio settings.
Check Connection And Network Settings
To troubleshoot the pausing issue with my AirPods, I also checked my connection and network settings.
Here are the steps to take:
- Make sure that both AirPods and the device they are connected to have sufficient battery life.
- Check if there are any software updates available for your device or AirPods. If yes, update them to the latest version.
- Disable Bluetooth on all other devices nearby, except for the one you want to connect your AirPods to.
- Turn off Wi-Fi when using AirPods if it interferes with Bluetooth connectivity.
- Restart your device and try connecting again.
- Forget your AirPods from your device’s Bluetooth settings and then re-pair them.
By checking and adjusting these settings, you can improve your
AirPods’ connectivity and reduce interruptions during audio playback.
Clear Cache On Streaming Apps
If you’re experiencing
pausing issues with your AirPods when streaming music or audio,
clearing the cache on your streaming app may help resolve the issue.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Open the streaming app on your device.
- Go to settings.
- Select “clear cache” or “clear data”.
- Confirm that you want to clear the cache by selecting “ok” or “Yes”.
- Once the cache is cleared, try playing music again with your AirPods.
Clearing the cache will remove any temporary files causing playback issues, allowing for a
smoother and uninterrupted audio experience with your AirPods.
Adjust Audio Settings
To avoid audio pausing and cutting out with AirPods, adjusting audio settings on your device could be the solution you need.
Here are some steps to
adjust audio settings:
- Open Settings on your device.
- Select Bluetooth and locate your AirPods.
- Tap the “i” icon next to your AirPods’ name.
- Scroll down to find ‘Microphone’ and tap it.
- Select “Always Left AirPod” or “Always Right AirPod”.
- Return to the previous screen by tapping on the back arrow in the top-left corner of the screen.
- Scroll down to find ‘Press and Hold AirPods’ in this same menu.
- Choose “Next Track” for both the left and right ear.
- Test your audio playback after making these changes.
By adjusting these settings, you can
reduce issues with pausing during music playback and interruptions in audio quality while using your wireless earbuds.
FAQS
Discover how to fix common AirPods pausing issues through our FAQ section. We’ve got you covered from stopping audio playback when one earphone is removed to fixing pauses during music playback on Apple Music and Spotify.
How To Stop AirPods From Pausing When One Earphone Is Removed
If you experience pausing when one AirPod is removed, you can adjust the settings to prevent it from happening:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap on Bluetooth and then select your AirPods from the list.
- Toggle off the Automatic Ear Detection switch.
- Test if the issue is resolved by removing one of your AirPods while playing audio.
Alternatively, you can also keep Automatic Ear Detection enabled and
change what happens when one AirPod is removed:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap on Bluetooth and then select your AirPods from the list.
- Scroll down to find the option “Left” or “Right” under Double – Tap on AirPods.
- Select either Left or Right and choose “Off”.
- Test if the issue is resolved by removing one of your AirPods while playing audio.
By disabling Automatic Ear Detection or changing what happens when one earphone is removed, you can prevent any issues caused by this sensor’s functionality while using Apple’s wireless earbuds.
How To Stop AirPods From Playing Music Automatically
If you’re tired of your
AirPods automatically playing music every time you put them in your ears, here are some steps to stop that from happening:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Scroll down and tap on Bluetooth.
- Find your AirPods in the list of connected devices and tap on the “i” icon next to it.
- Toggle off the switch next to “Automatic Ear Detection.”
- Now when you put your AirPods in your ears, they won’t automatically play music.
It’s important to note that
disabling Automatic Ear Detection also means that
removing one or both AirPods will not pause audio playback anymore.
But if you prefer not having music start playing automatically, this is a
simple solution to try out.
How To Fix Pausing On Apple Music And Spotify
If you’re experiencing
pausing issues while using
Apple Music or Spotify with your AirPods, several solutions can help:
- Make sure your AirPods are connected properly to your device.
- Restart your device and the Music/Spotify app.
- Check if there are any software updates for your device and install them if necessary.
- Turn off Automatic Ear Detection in your AirPods settings.
- Reset your AirPods by placing them in their case, then holding down the button on the back until the LED light blinks white.
- Clean your AirPods to remove any dirt or debris that may interfere with their functionality.
By following these steps, you should be able to fix any pausing issues you are experiencing while using Apple Music or Spotify with your AirPods.
Conclusion
If you’re wondering why your AirPods keep pausing, a few common causes may be at play. From
poor Bluetooth connectivity to
low battery levels or even
malfunctioning sensors, these issues can all cause audio interruptions and frustration during playback.
However, by following
simple troubleshooting techniques, such as resetting your AirPods or cleaning them regularly, you can help address these problems and enjoy uninterrupted listening on the go.