How To Fix Touch Controls Not Working on AirPods Pro

Are your AirPods Pro touch controls not responding? This common issue can be frustrating when you’re trying to switch between noise control modes or play and pause your music. You can fix AirPods Pro touch controls by checking the battery level, restarting your devices, cleaning the AirPods sensors, or adjusting the touch control settings in your iPhone’s accessibility menu.

Many users don’t realize that AirPods Pro have three noise control modes (Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and Off) that can be controlled by pressing and holding the force sensor. When these touch controls stop working, it’s often due to simple issues like low battery, outdated firmware, or dirt on the sensors. Sometimes, the problem might be with your touch control settings that need adjustment.

Simple fixes like putting your AirPods back in their case for a reset or updating the firmware can solve most touch control problems. If basic troubleshooting doesn’t work, you may need to check your iOS settings or consider contacting Apple Support for more help.

Troubleshooting Your Unresponsive AirPods Pro Controls

It can be incredibly frustrating when the intuitive touch controls on your AirPods Pro suddenly decide to take a break. These controls are central to the seamless experience, allowing you to manage music, calls, and noise cancellation without reaching for your device. When they fail, it disrupts your flow. Thankfully, before considering more drastic measures, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to revive those handy gestures.

The First Line of Defense: Simple Fixes

Often, the issue with your AirPods Pro touch controls is temporary and can be resolved with a quick reset or cleaning:

• Clean Your AirPods Pro and Your Hands: Believe it or not, dirt, sweat, or even lotion on your fingertips or the touch-sensitive areas of your AirPods Pro stems can interfere with their responsiveness. Gently wipe down the stems of your AirPods Pro with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Ensure your hands are clean and dry before attempting to use the controls.
• Restart Your Connected Device: Sometimes, the problem isn’t with your AirPods Pro themselves but with the connection to your iPhone, iPad, or other paired device. A simple restart of your phone or tablet can often resolve temporary software glitches that might be affecting Bluetooth communication and control signals.
• Toggle Bluetooth Off and On: On your connected device, try turning Bluetooth off for a few moments and then turning it back on. This can refresh the connection between your AirPods Pro and the device, potentially restoring the touch controls.
• Ensure AirPods Pro are Properly Seated: Make sure your AirPods Pro are securely and correctly placed in your ears. A loose fit might sometimes affect the sensors and their ability to register touch accurately. Experiment with different sized ear tips to find the best and most secure fit for your ears.

Diving Deeper: Software and Settings Checks

If the simple fixes don’t do the trick, the issue might lie within the software or settings of your AirPods Pro or your connected device:

• Check Your AirPods Pro Battery Level: While seemingly unrelated, a very low battery level can sometimes cause erratic behavior in AirPods Pro, including unresponsive controls. Ensure your AirPods Pro are adequately charged by placing them in their charging case.
• Update Your iOS or iPadOS (or other OS): Outdated operating system software on your iPhone, iPad, or other connected device can sometimes lead to compatibility issues with your AirPods Pro. Make sure your device is running the latest available version of its operating system.
• Verify Touch Control Settings: Although less common, it’s worth checking if the touch control settings for your AirPods Pro have been inadvertently changed. On your iPhone or iPad:
  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Bluetooth.
  3. Tap the “i” icon next to your AirPods Pro in the list of devices.
  4. Scroll down to the “Press and Hold AirPods” section.
  5. Here, you can customize the actions for the left and right AirPods when you press and hold the force sensor. While this setting primarily affects the press-and-hold gesture, reviewing it ensures there isn’t a software glitch misinterpreting other touch inputs.
• Reset Your AirPods Pro: As a more comprehensive troubleshooting step, try resetting your AirPods Pro. This process can resolve deeper software conflicts. You can find detailed instructions on how to factory reset your AirPods Pro in a separate article. After resetting, you’ll need to re-pair them with your devices.

When Hardware Might Be the Issue

If you’ve exhausted all the software and settings-related troubleshooting steps and your AirPods Pro touch controls still aren’t working, there’s a possibility of a hardware issue. This could involve a faulty sensor in one or both of your AirPods Pro.

In such cases, your best course of action is to contact Apple Support or visit an authorized Apple service provider. They have the expertise and tools to diagnose and address potential hardware malfunctions.

While unresponsive touch controls on your AirPods Pro can be a nuisance, systematically working through these troubleshooting steps will often bring them back to life, allowing you to once again enjoy the seamless interaction they offer.

Key Takeaways

• Check your AirPods Pro battery level and clean the sensors to restore touch control functionality.
• Reset your AirPods by placing them in the case for 30 seconds or adjust touch settings in your iPhone’s accessibility menu.
• Update your AirPods firmware and iOS to ensure compatibility and fix known touch control bugs.

Troubleshooting AirPods Pro Touch Controls

When AirPods Pro touch controls stop working, several solutions can fix the problem. These range from simple checks to more advanced troubleshooting steps that address common issues with the force sensors on the stems.

Checking the Basics

First, make sure your AirPods Pro are properly connected to your device. Open the Bluetooth settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and check if they appear as connected. If not, reconnect them.

Examine the stems for dirt or debris that might block the force sensors. Clean the AirPods gently with a soft, dry cloth.

Try squeezing the stem harder. Many new users don’t apply enough pressure to activate the controls. The force sensors require a firm squeeze rather than a light touch.

Check your AirPods Pro settings by:

1. Going to Settings on your iPhone
2. Tapping Bluetooth
3. Tapping the (i) icon next to your AirPods Pro
4. Verifying that touch controls are enabled
5. Confirming the press-and-hold action is set to your preference

Resetting Your AirPods Pro

If basic checks don’t solve the problem, reset your AirPods Pro:

1. Place both AirPods in their charging case
2. Close the lid and wait 30 seconds
3. Open the lid
4. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth
5. Tap the (i) icon next to your AirPods Pro
6. Select Forget This Device
7. With the case lid open, press and hold the button on the back for about 15 seconds
8. Wait for the status light to flash amber, then white
9. Reconnect your AirPods Pro to your device

This process returns the AirPods Pro to factory settings and often fixes touch control issues.

Updating Firmware for Improved Functionality

Outdated firmware can cause touch control problems. Apple automatically updates AirPods firmware when they’re connected to an iOS device, but you can check and help the process along.

To check your current firmware version:

1. Connect your AirPods Pro to your iPhone
2. Go to Settings > General > About
3. Scroll down and tap on your AirPods Pro
4. Look for the “Firmware Version” number

To encourage a firmware update:

• Place your AirPods in their case
• Connect the case to a power source
• Keep your iPhone nearby with Wi-Fi enabled
• Leave them connected for at least 30 minutes

Apple regularly releases firmware updates that fix bugs and improve touch control functionality, including Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode features.

Customizing Touch Control Settings

AirPods Pro touch controls can be tailored to match personal preferences through device settings. These customizations allow users to adjust how the force sensors respond and what functions they trigger.

Configuring the Press and Hold Function

To customize what happens when you press and hold the force sensor on your AirPods Pro, start by opening the Settings app on your connected iPhone or iPad.

Tap Bluetooth and select the info icon (i) next to your AirPods Pro. In this menu, you can modify the press-and-hold action for each AirPod separately.

By default, press-and-hold switches between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode, but you can change this. You can set either AirPod to:

• Switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode
• Turn Noise Control off
• Activate Siri

If your touch controls aren’t working, make sure they’re not accidentally disabled. Check the Left and Right settings and confirm that touch controls are turned on for both AirPods.

Adjusting Press Speed and Duration

AirPods Pro touch sensitivity can be fine-tuned through accessibility settings. These adjustments help users who find the default settings too fast or too slow.

Open Settings on your iPhone, then go to Accessibility → AirPods. Select your AirPods Pro from the menu to view all customization options.

Here you can adjust two important settings:

1. Press Speed: Controls how quickly you must press the force sensor for multi-press actions (like double-press or triple-press)
2. Press and Hold Duration: Determines how long you need to hold the force sensor before the press-and-hold action triggers

These settings are especially helpful for users who have mobility challenges or prefer different response times. The customization options make AirPods Pro more accessible and comfortable for daily use.