My AirPods Won’t Connect to My MacBook (10 Ways To Solve It)

AirPods make it easier than ever to quickly pair with Bluetooth devices and listen to your favorite shows, podcasts, and songs. However, they don’t always pair with devices as quickly and smoothly as they should. So, why won’t my AirPods connect to my MacBook?

Your AirPods won’t connect to your MacBook if Bluetooth is disabled or if the battery level is too low. Update your MacBook and AirPods whenever updates are available to ensure they connect quickly. Many Redditors have also pointed out that your AirPods should automatically connect to your MacBook if you put them in your ears when you’re within range.

Try not to touch your AirPods too much or you may interrupt the pairing process and they won’t connect. If no Bluetooth devices will connect to your MacBook, you must reset the Bluetooth module. Follow along as we explore why AirPods won’t connect to your MacBook and highlight how to fix it.

What to Do if AirPods Won’t Connect to MacBook

Try Another Device

Have you tried connecting your AirPods to another device? If it works, then that’s a sign that something is wrong with your MacBook and not your AirPods. This will tell you that it’s time to troubleshoot your MacBook instead of your AirPods by resetting it, updating it, restarting it, or changing the Bluetooth settings.

Enable Bluetooth

You must enable Bluetooth on your AirPods and MacBook, or they won’t connect. First, you must put your AirPods in the charging case with the lid open. Next, open your MacBook, click the Apple icon on the menu bar, and select “System Settings”.

Click “Bluetooth” on the sidebar to pull up a list of available Bluetooth devices. Hold the setup button on the back of the AirPod charger case. After a moment, the light on your charger case will flash white. Select your AirPods from the available devices list on your MacBook to connect them.

Charge Your AirPods

Whether your AirPods are dead or low on battery, they won’t likely connect to your MacBook until you charge them. To charge your AirPods, simply put them in the charger case, close the lid, and plug it into the wall. You can charge your AirPods without plugging the case in, but only if the case itself is charged.

Reset Your AirPods

You can fix many problems with AirPods if you simply reset them. If Bluetooth is enabled on your MacBook but your AirPods won’t connect, it’s likely a glitch with your AirPods. To reset your AirPods, you must first put them in the charger case and close the lid.

Keep your AirPods in the case for 30 seconds, then remove them and put them in your ears. Open your MacBook, go to the list of Bluetooth devices, and your AirPods should appear. Your AirPods should connect to your MacBook automatically if you’ve paired them before.

Update Your AirPods

When your AirPods are behind on the latest update, you will experience audio issues and they will struggle to connect to devices. Updates for your AirPods typically install automatically, but only if you connect them to an Apple device, such as an iPhone or MacBook. To update your AirPods, you must first put them in the charger case.

Make sure your AirPods are paired with a nearby MacBook, iPad, or iPhone. Close the lid and charge your AirPods until the status light on the case is green.

Don’t Touch Your AirPods

Were you touching your AirPods when they failed to connect to your MacBook? If so, that could be the reason why they won’t connect. The controls on your AirPods are sensitive, and you can cancel the pairing process if you touch them while they are still connecting to your MacBook.

Restart Your MacBook

When was the last time you restarted your MacBook? You can encounter glitches and Bluetooth connectivity problems if you haven’t restarted your MacBook in several weeks. Simply click the Apple logo on the menu bar at the top of the screen to pull up the menu and select “Restart”.

Wait a moment for your MacBook to restart and try to connect your AirPods to it again.

Update Your MacBook

Your AirPods won’t connect to your MacBook if you are behind on the latest macOS update in many cases. Click the Apple icon on the menu bar, select “System Settings”, “General”, and “Software Update”. Install the software update if one is available and reconnect your AirPods to your MacBook once it’s downloaded.

Reset the Module

If Bluetooth-enabled devices such as AirPods and external speakers won’t connect to your MacBook, you may need to reset the module. Corrupted data and connecting excessive Bluetooth devices to your MacBook can overwhelm the module. To reset the module, you must simply press and hold the Option and Shift keys simultaneously.

Click on the Bluetooth icon at the top right side of the screen while holding the keys. Select “Reset Bluetooth Module” and click “OK” to confirm. It will only take a moment to reset the module, and you can connect your AirPods to your MacBook once it’s done.

Disable Bluetooth on Nearby Devices

Can you pair your AirPods with other Bluetooth devices, but they won’t connect to your MacBook? If so, it may simply be because your AirPods automatically default to connect to the other devices. The best way to get around this is to disable Bluetooth on nearby devices that your AirPods automatically connect to.

Go to the Apple Store

Visit the Apple Store if nothing helps and your AirPods still won’t connect to your MacBook. Both are Apple products, so they should be able to at least diagnose the problem. You can visit the Apple Store any time, but it helps to set up an appointment at the Genius Bar so you don’t have to wait too long.

So, How Do I Get My Mac to Recognize My AirPods?

Restart your MacBook, reset your AirPods, and disable nearby Bluetooth-enabled devices if your AirPods won’t connect to your MacBook. You can also connect your AirPods to your MacBook if you reset the Bluetooth module. Make sure you have the latest macOS version for your MacBook, or you may not be able to connect your AirPods to it.