AirPods Troubleshooting: Fixing The Cutting Out Problem

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Summary: The audio on your AirPods may cut out due to many apps running in the background or interference with the Bluetooth connection.

In this post, I’ll be discussing the reasons why AirPods’ audio is cutting out. The AirPods audio getting distorted is a common issue which can be due to various reasons. However, fear not, as I’ll also share some troubleshooting methods on how to resolve it.

The first AirPods were introduced in September 2016 and became available to customers in December 2016.

It is estimated that over 150 billion units of AirPods have been sold so far and as of 2021, it has a revenue of $12.9 billion in sales alone.

For now, let’s divert our focus to finding out why the AirPods’ audio is cutting out and how to fix it. So, read on!

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Why is my AirPods audio cutting out?

Here are common reasons why there might an audio glitch on your AirPods:

REASONS	EXPLANATION
Bluetooth interference	Wireless connections are prone to Bluetooth interference. In addition, concrete objects and other Bluetooth connections can interfere with connections between devices resulting in audio problems.
AirPods sensors settings	When Automatic Ear Detection is on and you remove one of the AirPod from your ear, it pauses the audio but resumes when both AirPods are on.
low battery	Insufficient power (usually less than 20% of battery life) can cause an audio glitch on your AirPods.
outdated firmware	Outdated firmware is likely to have bugs that can cause sudden cut offs on your AirPods.
manufacturing defect	Damage or defect in the AirPods’ hardware affects the internal electronic system causing audio issues. This is common with AirPods Pro released in 2020.
audio source issues	When there are too many apps running on the audio source, Bluetooth interference occurs resulting in AirPods’ volume issues.

Reasons Why AirPods Audio is Cutting Out

Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting and cutting out?

As mentioned, there are various why your AirPods keep disconnecting or cutting out such as congested connections, low battery power, running too many apps on the audio source, and distance between the AirPods and your source.

Allow me to explain…

If you’re in an area with tons of wireless connections nearby, chances are, you’ll encounter connectivity issues while searching for your device to connect. Sometimes it picks up the frequency another device is using and when these devices get within each other’s range, it can cause connection dropouts.

Also, in some cases, AirPods’ audio disconnecting or cutting out is correlated to low battery power. Not only that but low battery power on your AirPods is also associated with poor performance. That said, make sure your AirPods’ battery health is in good condition.

Moreover, if you have too many things going on in the background, or your processor is running too hot, it can cause connectivity issues and audio loss. The same goes when you’re connected with too many devices despite the AirPods as your default device.

How do I fix my AirPods when it keeps cutting out or disconnecting?

Here’s how to fix AirPods when it keeps cutting out or disconnecting:

Reset your AirPods.
Charge the AirPods if the battery is low.
Install updates.
Turn off Automatic Ear Detection.
Disconnect and reconnect.
Check Bluetooth connection.
Contact Apple support.

How do I deep clean my AirPods?

Here are ways to deep clean your AirPods:

Use a dry cotton swab to gently clean the microphone and speaker meshes.
Use a clean dry soft-bristled brush to remove debris and dirt from the meshes.
Use soft, dry, and lint-free cloth.

Warning: DO NOT SOAK THE AIRPODS IN WATER.

The video demonstrates how to clean AirPods. Watch it!

How do I update my AirPods?

AirPods updates are automatic. Your AirPods will pick up the latest firmware updates when it is charging and within the Bluetooth range of your iPhone or iPad or Mac.

Make sure your iPhone or iPad is using the latest iOs or iPadOS if you want to check if your AirPods’ firmware is updated. To do that, navigate to Settings > Bluetooth > tap the Info button. Scroll down to the About section to check the firmware version. Download updates if there are any.

If you’re using Mac to check your AirPods firmware, here’s how to do it:

Make sure your device is running on the latest macOS.
Go to the Apple menu and navigate to System Settings.
Tap Bluetooth and click the Info button.
Download updates if there are any.

Note: If you don’t have an Apple device, set up an appointment with Apple Store or find an Apple-authorized provider to update your AirPods software.

Why is my Bluetooth cutting in and out?

The following might be the reasons why your Bluetooth is cutting in and out:

damaged headphones
Bluetooth signal interference
outdated music app
the source device may be too far
Bluetooth device volume too high

How long do AirPods last?

It depends on what type of AirPods you have!

Check this table for reference.

AirPods	Battery Life
1st gen	24 hours listening time up to 18 hours of talk time
2nd gen	24 hours listening time up to 18 hours of talk time
3rd gen	up to 30 hours of listening time up to 20 hours of talk time

How Long Do AirPods Last?

The battery life of AirPods depends on how many of its features are in use when it’s playing.

To charge your AirPods, simply put them back in the case. Put it on the case when you’re not using them to keep them fully charged.

In Summary

AirPods cutting out is a common issue and can be fixed with a few methods. These include charging the device, resetting the AirPods, disconnecting and reconnecting from the source device, and checking the Bluetooth connection.

For more AirPods troubleshooting tips, check this article!