AirPods or Case Blinking Orange Light? Here's How to Fix It

Learn how to fix your AirPods when they're blinking orange

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: April 6, 2025 Fact Checked

In most cases, an orange flashing light on your Apple AirPods means there's a charging issue. However, this can be due to unpaired devices and software issues. Here's how to troubleshoot the flashing orange light on AirPods and AirPods cases.

1

Charge your AirPods.

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Make sure your AirPods and case are fully charged. When the AirPods or AirPods case is low battery, you'll see a flashing orange light on your device.^{[1]
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- Place your AirPods in the case, and then connect the case to a proper charging cable. This is the best way to charge both at once.

2

Check the charging source.

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If you're using a wall charger, make sure the block is working, too. If your AirPods are blinking orange and it's not reacting to being charged, try a different cable and/or block.^{[2]
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3

Pair your AirPods again.

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Sync your AirPods to your case again. Sometimes, AirPods can fall out of sync with its case. This can happen if you have a replacement case, borrow someone else's, or have mismatched AirPods.^{[3]
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- To sync your AirPods again, disconnect them on any connected devices, then place them back in their case.
- If you open the case and the light is amber, it's synced. If it isn't, press and hold the button on the back of the case for a few seconds.

4

Clean the charging connectors.

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Dirt and dust can lodge itself in the charging port of the case and within the case itself. Clean your AirPods and AirPods case using a microfiber cloth and a dry, soft-bristled brush.^{[4]
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5

Restart your devices.

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Whether you're trying to listen to your AirPods on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or computer, restart your device. This may help any connectivity issues on your device's end.^{[5]
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6

Factory reset the AirPods.

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Reset the AirPods to factory settings. Once reset, you'll need to pair them to your device again. Do the following:^{[6]
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- Place the AirPods in their case and close the lid. Wait for 30 seconds.
- Open the lid, and then press and hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds.
  - The light will flash amber and then white.

7

Contact Apple Support.

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If the AirPods still flash orange, contact Apple for help. This may be a hardware issue, and you may still be covered by Apple's warranty.^{[7]
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- You can contact Apple on their website at https://getsupport.apple.com/.