Why are my AirPods ringing in the case?

If you've ever wondered, "Why are my AirPods® making a ringing noise?" You're not alone. This unexpected noise can be startling and confusing, especially if it starts out of nowhere. Many AirPods users have encountered this issue, often leading to annoyance and concern about potential damage to their device.

Why stress over device drama? Asurion’s here with the expert care your family's tech deserves, keeping your digital life balanced and protected. Here’s our guide on what you can do to fix AirPods that won’t stop ringing.  

What is that ringing sound coming from my AirPods?

Whether it's a persistent ringing, a sporadic chirping, or an intermittent beep or high-pitched noise, understanding and addressing these noises is key to enjoying your audio content seamlessly.

What causes AirPods to ring in their case?

Several factors can contribute to your AirPods emitting a ringing noise when placed in their charging case. Understanding these can help you identify and resolve the issue:

• Low battery warning. AirPods might make a sound to indicate that the battery is low, prompting you to charge them. This is more common if the AirPods are not properly seated in the case or if the case itself is low on power.
• Connection issues. Sometimes, if the AirPods lose connectivity with the paired device while in the case, they might attempt to reconnect, causing a ringing or beeping sound. This could happen due to interference or distance from the connected device, for example, if you walk from your office to the bathroom or kitchen.
• Software glitches. Occasionally, software issues can cause the AirPods to behave unexpectedly, including making unwanted loud noises. These firmware issues are generally resolved with updates.
• The Find My feature. This feature on iOS® devices can cause your AirPods to emit a sound to help locate them. This feature might be activated accidentally or if someone else with access to your Apple® ID is trying to find the AirPods.

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Is Find My causing my AirPods to ring? 

One way to get your AirPods to ring is to access them in the Apple Find My® app. This handy trick makes your headphones play a sound to help you find them if they get lost. But if you aren’t sending out the search signal, who is? 

Someone else may be picking up your AirPods on their Find My app. That app alerts you if an Apple Bluetooth-enabled tracking device is near you. It then allows you to “play a sound” to help the user identify the item tracking them. 

To prevent this, you’ll have to remove your AirPods from Find My. Removing them comes with its own risks, as you won’t be able to use the app to find them if they do get lost. To remove the device from the app, place your AirPods in their case, open the Find My app, select the AirPods, and select Remove This Device. 

How to fix AirPods ringing in case

To address the ringing noise, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check your settings. Go to your Bluetooth® settings and ensure that your AirPods are properly connected. Disconnect and reconnect if necessary.
2. Reset your AirPods. Place your AirPods back in their case, and hold the Setup button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the status light flashes amber, then white, indicating a reset.
3. Disable Automatic Ear Detection. Turning off automatic ear detection can help if your AirPods are playing sounds unexpectedly, even when not in use. Here’s how you can turn this feature off:
   • Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad that's paired with your AirPods.
   • Tap Bluetooth, and find your AirPods in the list.
   • Tap the "i" icon next to your AirPods. Then, turn off Automatic Ear Detection.
4. By turning this off, your AirPods won’t automatically transfer audio from your device to your AirPods when you put them in your ears.
5. Update your devices. AirPods firmware updates can improve functionality and fix bugs. These updates happen automatically when your AirPods are connected to your Apple device, but here’s how to ensure they update:
   • Place your AirPods in their case and connect the case to a power source.
   • Ensure your paired iPhone or iPad is connected to Wi-Fi.
   • Bring the paired iPhone or iPad close to the AirPods with the lid open to facilitate the automatic update process.

Need help updating your iPhone® or Android™? Check out our guides.