Why Is My Mac Rejecting My Airpods? [With 9 Best Solutions]

It’s quite surprising to see a MacBook rejecting AirPods, especially given how crazy serious Apple is with their “Apple Ecosystem”. But if you’re wondering, “why is my Mac rejecting my AirPods” you’re not alone. Luckily, the problem is quite easy to solve… well, in most cases.

There can be many reasons behind your Mac to reject the Airpods; major and minor. The basic ones are multiple device usage with the same Bluetooth frequency, outdated firmware of the devices, or physical damage to the AirPods.

If the problem resides within the software part, you can easily fix these without going to an expert. It will save you both time and money. But you may not be so lucky if it’s a hardware issue with the AirPods.

Stay with us till the end to find out why your MacBook keeps rejecting the AirPods and the ways you can fix the issue.

Quick Facts

• Airpods are entirely wireless. It does not use physical connections with the mother devices like iPad, MacBook, or iPhone.
• The Airpods are connected using Bluetooth Technology with the Macbook. Therefore, a faulty connection may be the prime reason for MacBook rejecting the AirPods.
• Software based issues are easy to fix while you may need professional help for physical damage to the AirPods.

Why Is My Mac Rejecting My Airpods?

The two major causes of the Airpods not connecting to the Macbook can be either hardware or software issues.

Getting to know the causes of the error of AirPods not connecting to the Macbook makes diagnosing the problem manageable.

Lack of Charge

This is the most fundamental reason that can cause your Macbook to reject the Airpods. If the battery level in your Airpods or the charging case is too low, it cannot provide the device with minimum power.

Due To Multiple Connectivity

It crashes if you pair your AirPods using Bluetooth technology with too many different Apple products. Therefore, pairing with new devices shows errors while connecting with the Airpods.

Besides, the devices paired with it earlier can also cause the error for the same reason.

Dirt and Clouds of Dust

When you do not clean your AirPods or keep the charging case exposed to dirt, the components observe a clog. Airpods and their charging case are very sensitive to dirt.

Dust and residue often interrupt the signal, leading to a static noise, or sometimes rejecting the connection completely.

Internal Damage

Both AirPods and its charging case contain a sophisticated and shock-sensitive circuit board and a wireless connectivity chip. However, a sudden and intense shock or vibration can easily cause internal physical damage.

This damage causes the AirPods to not connect with the host device because of a lack of power or signal. Hence it gets rejected by the MacBook.

Mismatched Firmwares

If either of your MacBook or the AirPods firmware gets updated while connected, it may cause some issues with the connection.

Due to the older and newer firmware mismatched, your Macbook fails to connect with the AirPods. On the other hand, if the AirPods fails to connect with the iCloud and Bluetooth, the same can happen as well.

A Problem with the MacBook

Sometimes the host or, in this case, the Macbook can create the issue.

Being connected to the internet, bugs, malware, or bloatware can attack the device and interrupt the connectivity to output devices such as AirPods. This results in rejecting incoming signal from the AirPods.

Not Selected as the Output Device

Sometimes when your MacBook is connected to more than one audio output device, it rejects the Airpods.

The automated output device selection scheme does not work, which results in not connecting with the Airpods.

Issues with the Preferences

Generally, the Airpods get connected to the recognized devices automatically after a successful pair.

But, this does not work due to some bugs with the software and requires manual connectivity also to make it work.

Problem with the iCloud

The iCloud works as the bridge for all the Apple products, including the Macbook and the Airpods.

If for some reason, the iCloud account fails to recognize either of the devices, it rejects the other while pairing or making a connection.

Bluetooth Application Issue

The Bluetooth technology is the main point of connectivity between the MacBook and the Airpods. A MacBook can fail while connecting with the Airpods if the Bluetooth software does not work correctly.

Software Outdated Devices

All the Apple products require regular systems and security updates. If the host device is outdated, and the Airpods are updated, it creates conflicts between the two, resulting in connection failure.

How Fix Airpods Not Connecting To My Mac?

Most of the causes for Airpods getting rejected by a Macbook is software base. These can be fixed very easily at home. The potential fixes for AirPods and Macbook connection issues are stated below.

Reset the Airpods

Resetting the Airpods cleans all the previous data and paired devices saved in the Airpods and makes it fresh for pairing. Here’s how to do it.

• Firstly, insert the Airpods inside the charging case.
• Press and keep holding the Setup Button of the charging case.
• An amber light will pop up then it will shift to white light. Release the Setup button at this point.
• Now, reconnect the AirPods to your MacBook in the usual way.

Sometimes AirPods won’t connect after reset. Then you have to move to your Macbook to solve the problem.

Clean the AirPods and Charging Case

Cleaning the AirPods is quite straightforward, however, you’ll need a few tools at your disposal. These tools include- a cotton swab, a clean piece of cloth, a brush, a hairdryer, etc.

Here’s how to clean Apple AirPods.

• Take out the AirPods from the case.
• Clean the internal connecting points of the Airpods and the chargers using a soft clean cotton swab.
• You can use a non-abrasive brush for deep cleaning.
• Blow the internals using a hairdryer with maximum power and minimal temperature settings.

Charging the AirPods

It is better to charge the AirPods and the Charging Case to their maximum power before connecting to a PC.

• Insert the AirPods inside the case.
• Connect the case with an authorized Lightning cable and allow the case and the AirPods to get charged fully.
• You can also use the wireless charger to charge the charging case without a wire. The charging case will charge the Airpods later.
• The charging will turn Green when it gets completely recharged.

Update the Airpods Profile on MacBook

For doing this, you have to forget the previously connected AirPods from your Macbook.

• From the main screen, open the System Preferences on your MacBook.
• After that, select Bluetooth and search for your AirPods profile.
• Click on the icon, press the “X” button, and tap the Remove option to un-pair the AirPods.
• Finally, try reconnecting the AirPods to your Mac.

Restart the MacBook

Well, hold on a sec. I know it sounds too obvious, but resetting actually solves a lot of problems. You already know how to reset a MacBook, but I’ll give a quick overview just in case.

• Go to the drop-down menu by pressing the Apple logo located on the top corner of the screen.
• From the confirmation dialogue box, click on Restart and wait for a while.
• Reconnect the Airpods after a successful booting of the Mac.

Set the Airpods as the Main Output Device

If you have some other devices such as Bluetooth speakers or anything, maybe it’s best to set the AirPods as default instead. Here’s how you can do it.

• Keep your Airpods in range and turn on the Bluetooth in your Macbook.
• Select the Sound option from the System Preferences of the Apple logo.
• Click on the Output and select your AirPods profile for making the primary output devices.

Manually Connect to Bluetooth

Well, manually connecting basically refers to connecting in general.

• Turn on and open the charging case of the Airpods and turn on the Bluetooth of the MacBook.
• From the System Preferences, select Bluetooth and check for the available devices nearby.
• Search for your AirPods device from the list and double-click on it to connect with the MacBook.

Bluetooth Pairing Mode of the Airpods

• Open the case with the AirPods inside.
• Press and hold the Setup button until a white light starts blinking.
• Go to the Bluetooth option in the Macbook to check the availability of the Airpods and press the connect button for pairing manually.

Update the Operating System

The most familiar reason for Airpods getting rejected is outdated Mac OS. Updating the OS will clear your confusion about how to connect AirPods to MacBook.

• Click on the Apple Logo.
• From the drop-down menu, select the “About This Mac” button.
• From the popped-up dialogue box, click on the Software Update to manually update your Mac OS.
• After a successful OS up-gradation, try connecting the Airpods.

Why Do My AirPods Keep Disconnecting From My MacBook?

The AirPods getting suddenly disconnected from the device is very annoying. To fix the issue, you have to address the causes first.

Charging Issue

The AirPods charging case has shallow battery life. Besides, it gets drained very quickly. This results in not charging the Airpods, which can disconnect the Airpods due to a lack of enough power.

Multiple Device

Keeping your Airpods connected to multiple devices simultaneously can cause improper function of the Airpods. This conflictive connection rejected AirPods MacBook air.

You have to disconnect the Airpods manually from other devices if you don’t want to hear from them in your Airpods.

Firmware Issue

Outdated firmware in your Airpods can cause it to get frequently disconnected from the Host device. You have to update the Firmware of the Airpods from any compatible Apple product such as iPad, MacBook, or the iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are still facing problems with your Airpods, the following asked questions from the user may help you to know more.

Can I Connect Two AirPods to One MacBook?

Just like the iPhone or iPad, you can listen to audio in two sets of Airpods from the MacBook. All you need to do is pair both Airpods to your Macbook.

You can create multiple output devices from the Audio MIDI Setup application from the same MacBook. Click on the Plus Sign “+” and select “Create Multi Audio MIDI.” Finally, tick both AirPods profiles.

How to Reset AirPods?

Firstly, put back the Airpods inside the charging case. Keep the lid of the case open. Turn over the charging case, press and hold the setup button for 2-3 seconds until the status light blinks white.

You have now successfully reset Airpods Pro. It is also known as the pairing mode of the Airpods.

Do AirPods only work with iPhones?

Airpods are designed to get paired with all the Apple products such as the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook with the latest software version.

Besides, you can connect the Airpods with Android smartphones, tablets, and Windows OS laptops. For this, you have to apply a different approach to learn how to connect AirPods to laptop with Windows OS.

Can I Pair My Fake AirPods with my MacBook?

The wireless Bluetooth communication technology of the MacBook makes it possible to pair with the fake Airpods. Hence you can connect the cheaper yet versatile fake AirPods using the Bluetooth pairing option of the MacBook.

Conclusion

Though most of the time, Airpods easily connect with the MacBook. But sometimes, the MacBook rejects the Airpods frequently. In such cases, you may wonder why does my MacBook reject my AirPods.

But before jumping to any conclusion and taking the AirPods to the Apple workshop, you can perform a complete diagnostic at home.  This will likely solve your AirPods connecting issue with MacBook without spending any money. But if none of the methods above works for you, maybe it’s time to pay a visit to professionals.