Apple AirPods is one of the best wireless earbuds in today’s market. Apple users brag about how seamlessly AirPods are connected and the sound quality it offers.
Just like other Apple devices, AirPods have great longevity. However, some users claimed that after using the earbuds for a while, one of the earbuds became unrecognized. Moreover, your charging case is flashing a green light.
You might think that the pod has run out of juice. So, you try to plug it in with the cable. But when you plug it in, the case flashes green. That is not normal. If you have the same problem, this article will help you out.
In this article, we will discuss why your AirPods case is flashing green light and how you can fix it.
Why is my right/left AirPod not recognized?
One of your AirPod may become unrecognizable for a lot of reasons. We have listed some of the common reasons why your AirPod becomes unrecognizable.
- Maybe the earbud has run out of charge.
- Another possible cause is if you have set your iPhone to mono. It means only one of the earbuds will work.
- The earbud has manufacturing defects or suffered some physical damage.
Your AirPod can become unrecognizable for other reasons as well. But if you see the AirPods flashing green light when you try to charge them, it’s a sign of a problem.
Why do I have a flashing green light on my AirPods case?
The AirPods case have a led light on the body indicating the status of it. Most users see a flashing green light on their AirPods case when one of the earbuds becomes unrecognizable. Apple doesn’t mention what this light means and how you can fix it. But trust us when we tell you this is a problem.
The status indicating light normally indicates the charging status of the AirPods or if they are ready to pair. The light is inside the lid of the 1st gen AirPods case. AirPods 2nd gen and AirPods Pro have the lights on the outside. A green flashing light means that you have a problem in this case.
However, many users stated that the light stopped flashing when they took the dodgy AirPod out of the case. This means maybe you didn’t place the AirPod properly for charging. But we don’t have any confirmation from Apple to back this up.
No matter the reason behind this issue, we are here to help you out. Follow the tips we give you. Hopefully, they will work out.
How to fix a flashing green light on my AirPods case
Here we have some troubleshooting tips for you to fix that green flashing light on your charging case. However, we cannot assure you that this will fix your problem permanently.
If your problem persists, the only solution is to make an appointment with the Genius Bar at the nearest official Apple outlet. You can replace your AirPods there or fix the problem.
If you can get your AirPods fixed at the Genius Bar, you won’t have to wait long to get a replacement for your AirPods. Also, you can cancel the appointment if you manage to fix the earbuds by yourself.
Unpairing and resetting your AirPods
The first thing you should do is unpair and reset those AirPods. In order to do that, first, unpair your AirPods. Now, press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for a few seconds to reset them. When the resetting process is complete, you will see the AirPods flashing orange light.
After you have reset your AirPods, they have unpaired from all the devices you ever connected. The earbuds act like how they were when you first used them. Now, you need to pair the device again.
How can I reset my AirPods?
If you don’t know how to reset your AirPods, follow these steps.
- Unpair your AirPods first.
- If you’re using an iPhone or an iPad, go to Settings and then go to Bluetooth.
- Select the icon beside your AirPod and select Forget this Device.
- If you are on a Mac, go to System Preferences and then go to Bluetooth.
- Click the cross (X) mark next to the AirPod.
When you are done with this, follow these steps.
- Put the AirPods back into the charging case and shut the lid.
- Open the lid after 15 seconds.
- Press the setup button and hold it for a few seconds.
- Hold down the button until the status indicating light rechanges from amber to white.
- You can now pair the earbuds with your device again.
You will be able to fix your issues in this way, hopefully. If you are having trouble resetting your AirPods, follow the next step.
Why is there no amber light when trying to reset AirPods?
Unfortunately, some people didn’t see a flashing amber light when they pressed and held on the setup button. No matter how long they did, the light did not turn amber.
The indicator light flashes white blinking light continuously. It’s impossible to reset the AirPods in this situation. If you are stuck in a similar situation, you need to follow these steps.
- You need to reset the Network settings from your iOS device. Go to Settings, then General, and then Reset.
- Now reset the Network settings. [Pro tip: Save your wifi credentials if you haven’t already because you will need to retype them.]
- When you are done resetting the network functions, disconnect the earbuds by going to Bluetooth and forgetting the device.
- Now try resetting the AirPods by pressing and holding on the button on the case.
If these steps didn’t work out, look at the bottom of the AirPods case for contact information. You can also try these things.
- Clean the area where the earbuds charger connects. You should also clean other contact points on the case.
- Put the AirPods back in the case after cleaning.
- Finally, try resetting the AirPods again, and this time you should see the light should turn amber.
Updating the software on your AirPods
You need to check the current firmware of the AirPods and make sure they are up to date. Firmware guides your earbuds on how to work. If there are bugs in the programming or the firmware’s outdated, your AirPods may malfunction.
Apple releases software updates for the AirPods, which can be found through the iPhone. You could have a firmware problem that is keeping the AirPod from working and the case flashing a green light.
You can look on the internet to know the latest firmware version for your AirPods (1st gen, 2nd gen, AirPods Pro) and see whether your AirPod runs on it or not.
- First, connect the AirPods to an Apple device.
- Access the Settings on the Apple device and go to General > About
- Scroll down until you find AirPods and tap on it.
- Find out about the firmware version there.
The software update process is automatic and, unfortunately, cannot be done manually. But you need to be sure that your AirPods are in the right state to receive software updates if they need them.
How to update the software on the AirPods
You need to ensure your earbuds are connected to a wifi network.
Go through the settings on your Apple devices to update the software. On iOS devices, go to Settings, General, and Software Update in the given order. On Macs, go to System Preferences and select Software Update.
If there are any available updates, you will find them here. Download and install them. It would be best if you kept both of the AirPods inside the case while you are doing this.
Plug your AirPods and the Apple device into power. Keep the AirPods and the iDevice close. Wait for at least 60 minutes and try again.
Clean your AirPods and the charging case
Some people say AirPods may become unrecognizable because of dirt. Well, this isn’t the only reason and isn’t true for all, but you can try it. Cleaning both the AirPods and their charging case has worked for some people.
You have to clean your AirPods with a soft and clean cloth. Make sure the cloth is lint-free and dry. You can use rubber erasers to remove stubborn marks.
It would help if you cleaned the ports using clean, dry cotton swabs or small-haired brushes. The Apple AirPods also has a delicate case. You should clean it with a microfiber cloth. You can slightly soak the cloth in 70% isopropyl alcohol and clean the case.
Be careful while cleaning the earbuds and the case holding them. If any liquid gets inside of the earbuds, you are doomed! However, you need to clean properly.
Dirty metal plates inside the AirPods charging case might prevent your AirPods from charging and syncing. When you are done cleaning your AirPods properly, connect them to the charger and look at the status light to make sure they are being charged.
Get your AirPods replaced
Like we said earlier, there’s no guarantee you will get results from your AirPods using the methods we shared. Maybe you have a different problem altogether.
Unfortunately, this flashing green light issue cannot be fixed easily. Many people had to get replacement AirPods to fix the issue. If your AirPods’ usage is under 12 months, they should be covered by Apple’s warranty unless you have damaged the earbuds somehow.
Depending on the problem, you can get your AirPod replaced between $50-$70 if your device has crossed the warranty period.
Please make an appointment at the nearest official Apple store from the Get support option from its website. You need to select Battery, Power, and Charging from the AirPods options.
Now you can select the Bring in for Repair option to get started!
Final Words
Having flashing green lights on the Apple AirPods case is a sign of a problem. Sometimes, AirPods can blink white too. Some users also face AirPods flashing red issues. It can be frustrating to have it. You can try out the methods we suggested for you. Many people have tried them and found success.
If these don’t solve your problem, take your AirPods to the Genius Bar. It is the best solution if you are willing to spare some money. Hopefully, you have found this article helpful.
Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading!