AirPod Case Blinking Red: Why and How to Fix It?

The convenience and versatility of AirPods make them a go-to accessory for many, and being aware of the troubleshooting steps can help maintain the seamless experience they offer. This article explores the possible culprit behind the blinking red light. Identify the causes and follow the suggested steps to resolve the issue and ensure they function optimally.

The AirPods case features different status lights that provide important information about the device. In the case of a blinking red light, it typically indicates a specific issue that needs attention. Understanding the reasons behind the blinking red light is crucial to identify and resolve the problem effectively. In the article, we will explore some common causes for the blinking red light on your AirPods case and guide you on addressing them.

Table Of Contents

Difference Between AirPod Lights Inside and Outside the Case

The location of the light on the case depends on the type of AirPod you have. Apple’s first and second-generation Lightning charging case comes with LED light in the case between the earbuds. The third-generation Lightning, MagSafe, and wireless charging cases will show the light in front of the case.

Different LED Colors on your AirPod Case

1. White

This light indicates that you are in pairing mode and ready to connect to a device such as your phone or laptop. This light will also come up when connected to the charger before it turns green.

2. Green

The green color indicates your case is fully charged and can be disconnected from the power source. For your wireless AirPod, this will be from the Qi-certified charging mat and the Lightning cable for a wired connection. It will take about an hour to be fully charged. However, a blinking green light is a sign that one of your AirPods is not detected.

3. No light

When there’s no light on your case, this simply means that your device is completely drained. Connect to a power source to get back the status light.

4. Red/Amber

A solid red light when the AirPods are in the case usually means they’re charging. They should be left until fully charged. When the red light appears when the AirPods are not in the case, it’s a warning that the case should be charged.

Blinking Red/Amber Light on the Airpod Case?

A blinking red light on your AirPod case differs from a solid red light and indicates a problem. Here are reasons why this might happen and how you can rectify the situation.

1. Pairing Error

The blinking red light may indicate issues with the pairing process between the AirPods and your device. The poor connectivity can be addressed by resetting the AirPods back to their factory settings. Before doing so, disconnect the Bluetooth connection from your smartphone and any other connected devices. For the rest, here are simple steps you can follow.

Have the AirPods in their case and leave the lid open.
Push the small reset button at the back of the case for 15 seconds or less.
Hold the button until the light changes from red to white.
With the lid still open, make the Bluetooth connection by following the pairing instructions provided by Apple for your specific device model to ensure a successful pairing.

You can play some music to see if the issue has been resolved upon completion.

2. Firmware Update

While the AirPods are known for their seamless connectivity and user-friendly interface, occasional software glitches can occur. Apple periodically releases firmware updates to improve performance, add features, and address software bugs. Ensure that your AirPods are connected to an iOS device, and check if a firmware update is available through the Settings app under General > About > AirPods.

3. Incorrect AirPods Detected

If your AirPods case blinks red, it might indicate that the wrong AirPods are inside the case. This can happen if you have multiple sets or if someone else's AirPods were accidentally placed in your case. It means that the AirPods are not matched to your Apple ID. In such cases, the AirPods case recognizes that the inserted AirPods do not match the expected ones, triggering the red blinking light.

4. Contact Apple Support

If the blinking red light persists even after attempting the troubleshooting steps mentioned above, it is advisable to contact Apple Support for further assistance. They can provide specific guidance tailored to your situation and offer additional solutions or arrange a repair if necessary.

How to Spot Fake AirPods?

Here is how to spot fake AirPods.

Serial number

This code uniquely identifies your AirPods and can be seen on the bottom of the right earbud and the underside of the charging case lid. It is also found on the original packaging next to the barcode. To verify your serial number is authentic, enter it at checkcoverage.apple.com and see if Apple recognizes it.

Connect to an iOS device

When you pair AirPods with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you should see a little AirPods icon in the Bluetooth settings menu next to your device. You can clearly see the serial and model numbers once connected. Fake AirPods may not show these details or may show incorrect information.

Inspect the packaging and the earbuds

Fake AirPods may have poor packaging, typos, misspellings, or wrong logos. The earbuds may also differ from the original ones in color, shape, size, or material. Fake AirPods may feel softer or more pliable than real ones and may not fit snugly in your ears or inside the case.

Test the earbuds for AirPod features

Fake AirPods may not have some of the signature features of real ones, such as noise cancellation, spatial audio, wireless charging, touch controls, or automatic ear detection. You can test these features by playing music, making calls, adjusting settings, or using Siri. If something doesn't work as expected or sounds bad, you may have fake AirPods.

Final Thoughts

As AirPods continue to gain popularity as a preferred choice for wireless earbuds, it's important to understand and address any issues that may arise. Hopefully, the article has shed some light by addressing the blinking red light on your AirPods case. At least one of the solutions is bound to solve this issue, allowing you to enjoy uninterrupted use of your wireless earbuds and make the most of their features.