How to Repair AirPods Stop Connecting to MacBook Pro/iMac

December 13, 2019Nicole Jones

The AirPods work flawlessly with iPhone and iPad. You might find the AirPods cannot connect to your MacBook. Why? Do AirPods works with a MacBook? AirPods are designed primarily to work with iOS devices. It also works with other Apple products, such as MacBook and Apple TV.

If you pair AirPods with your MacBook, you might discover that the AirPods cannot connect to your Mac. This article will show you 10 proven solutions to fix the related problems. You can always get a satisfied troubleshooting with ease.

Fix AirPods Won't Connect to MacBook

Part 1: Top 10 Methods to Fix AirPods Not Connecting to Mac

When you find the AirPods stop connecting to Mac, here are 10 easy methods that fix and repair the problems you should know. Just check out the details as below now.

Method 1: Update macOS of Your MacBook

AirPods are not working with any versions of Mac. If you are using the macOS lower than Sierra, it is the time to update your macOS.

Step 1:
To fix AirPods are not staying connected due to outdated Mac, click the "Apple" menu and choose "About This Mac".
Step 2:
Click the Software Update button to get the latest version of Mac. Then you can try to connect AirPods to Mac again.
Update macOS

Method 2: Charge AirPods

When AirPods do not have enough power, it will not connect to your MacBook. So, you'd better charge your AirPods when it stops connecting to Mac as the following steps.

Step 1:
Place your AirPods into the charging case and make sure the status light is on.
Step 2:
Connect the Lightning cable to the connector on the charging case.
Step 3:
Connect the other end of the cable to a wall charger or USB port. When your AirPods is fully charged, connect it to Mac again.
Charge AirPods

Method 3: Turn on Bluetooth on Mac

Bluetooth is important to connect your AirPods with a nearby MacBook. When AirPods are not showing up on Mac, you should check the status of Bluetooth and enable it.

Step 1:
Open the "System Preferences" dialog from your "Apple" menu.
Step 2:
Choose Bluetooth and click "Turn On Bluetooth". After that, your Mac will tell you Bluetooth: On. Now, your AirPods should connect to your Mac normally.
Turn on Bluetooth

Method 4: Pair AirPods with Bluetooth

After enabling Bluetooth on Mac, you also put AirPods in Bluetooth Pairing Mode to fix the issue that AirPods keep disconnecting. Here are the steps you should know.

Step 1:
Put your AirPods into the charging case and keep the lid open.
Step 2:
Hold down the setup button on the back of the charging case until the status light begins to flash white.

Now, your AirPods are in the Bluetooth pairing mode, and you can connect again.

Blue-tooth not working on Mac? Check it in details here.

Method 5: Connect AirPods to Mac Manually

If your AirPods cannot connect to your MacBook automatically, you can also manually connect the device to your Mac as below.

Step 1:
Put your AirPods into the charging case, and open the System Preferences dialog from Apple menu.
Step 2:
Click the Bluetooth icon, choose your AirPods on the list, and click "Connect" to pair AirPods with Mac.
Connect AirPods to Mac

Method 6: Make AirPods as Output Device

When your Mac is connecting to another Bluetooth device, and then the AirPods connection will fail. In such case, you should select AirPods as output device with the following steps.

Step 1:
Turn on Bluetooth on Mac and open the "System Preferences" dialog.
Step 2:
Click "Sound" and go to the "Output" tab. Next, select your AirPods.
Step 3:
Adjust the Balance and Output volume until your AirPods work as usual.
Make AirPods as Output Device

Method 7: Forget AirPods

When you just had an update for the AirPods or MacBook, AirPods won't connect to your MacBook, you can fix this problem by forgetting your device as the steps below.

Step 1:
Also, open the "System Preferences" dialog on your Mac, and click "Bluetooth".
Step 2:
Choose your "AirPods" under the Bluetooth menu, and then click the "Delete" icon.
Step 3:
Hit "Forget Device" when prompted. Wait for a few minutes, and then connect AirPods to Mac again.
Forget AirPods

Method 8: Clean AirPods

In addition to software issues, hardware may be responsible to AirPods keep disconnecting with Mac, such as dust. You can clean your AirPods to get rid of the problem.

Use a soft and lint-free cloth to clean your AirPods and charging case, including the port. You should do it gently. Plus, clean the debris with a toothbrush.

Clean AirPods

Method 9: Reset AirPods

It is well known that resetting can fix various problems on iPhone, so does AirPods. In another word, when left or right AirPod is not working, you can fix it by resetting.

Step 1:
Hold down the setup button on your charging case until the status light flashes a few times and turns white.
Step 2:
After your AirPods are reset, connect it to your Mac again to find whether it works now.

Method 10: Repair AirPods

AirPods are hardware and it can be damaged due to various factors. When it is broken, the AirPods connection will fail. In such case, you can repair your hardware. If your device is still within the return window, you should bring it back to the store. If not, you can repair them with Apple's online support or third-party services.

Part 2: Best Method to Diagnose and Fix AirPods Not Connecting to Mac

When your AirPods are able to connect to your Mac, but fails to connect to your iPhone, what should be the easiest method to fix the iPhone related problems for connecting with AirPods? Aiseesoft iOS System Recovery is the ultimate solution to diagnose and repair your iPhone in different scenarios.

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Conclusion

The article shares the different solutions to fix AirPods not connecting to MacBook Pro/iMac. If you have encountered the same trouble, you can follow our steps to get rid of the problem quickly. Aiseesoft iOS System Recovery can help you to fix the similar problem happens on your iPhone. If you have other troubles, please leave a message below this article.

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