While I was using my AirPods during my workout the other day, I noticed that they kept pausing for some reason. This was frustrating so I decided to investigate the cause of my issues and different ways to resolve them.
If your AirPods keep pausing, try checking the Bluetooth connection to make sure it is working properly. Also, check that your AirPod proximity and ear detection settings are calibrated correctly. Finally, reset your AirPods to the factory settings and check your device settings to ensure they are set up properly. If nothing works, consider contacting Apple Support to resolve your issue.
This guide will provide you with several troubleshooting methods that you can consider for resolving issues that could be causing your AirPods to keep pausing.
There will also be a detailed FAQ section located at the end to provide more details regarding common questions people have about AirPods.
Troubleshooting AirPods Keep Pausing
Check Your Double-Tap Actions
You should ensure that your double-tap settings are set up properly or else you could experience issues with your AirPods pausing constantly. Your double-tap setup dictates the different controls that the double-tap action conveys to your AirPods.

If you have accidentally gestured to activate the double-tap feature, it could cause your AirPods to pause playback automatically due to the user settings regarding the double-tap controls. To edit these settings and ensure they are set up properly, follow the steps below:
1. On your Apple device, open up the Settings menu and enter the Bluetooth submenu. This menu will look like the following photo.

2. Next, tap on the “i” icon next to your AirPods in this list to enter the More Info menu for the device.
3. In this menu, you will be able to edit your double-tap settings so that they perform the function of a graphical user interface and application that you wish. Description automatically generated.
4. If you see the playback control option selected for one of your AirPods, this is likely the cause of your constant pausing issue. Try changing this setting to Siri or track skipping to avoid this problem.
If this did not resolve your issue, then you could be experiencing connection issues. These problems will be detailed in the section below.
Connection Problems
Your AirPods might be pausing constantly due to a connection issue. This could be a connection issue stemming from the AirPods themselves or a Bluetooth issue. You should attempt to resolve connection issues by simply putting the AirPods in the case for 30 seconds and reconnecting them.

If this does not work, you can attempt to manually reset the connection using the following method:
1. Slide down on your Apple device’s homepage and open the Control Center.

2. Once in the control menu, tap the upper-right corner of the Now Playing box and select your AirPod devices.

3. If this does not resolve your issue, consider restarting the Bluetooth connection on your phone and reconnecting your AirPods.
If this troubleshooting method did not resolve your pausing issues, you should consider checking the settings on your AirPods to resolve your issue. Details on these settings will be provided in the sections below.
Related Read: Why Do AirPods Pick Up Background Noise?
Check Automatic Ear Detection
Your automatic ear detection settings could be causing your pausing issue with your AirPods. The automatic ear detection settings are what control when your AirPods turn off and on automatically when it detects it is no longer inserted into your ear.
While this feature works properly in most circumstances, there are some cases where your automatic ear detection feature could be causing your audio to pause constantly due to an error it has encountered.
You should consider disabling the automatic ear detection feature to resolve this issue. The process to do this is quite simple and will only take a few minutes. The steps have been detailed below:
1. Open the Settings menu on your iPhone or other Apple device.
2. Enter into the Bluetooth menu of your device from the Settings menu.
3. In the Bluetooth menu, tap on the “i” icon to the right of your AirPods in the list of devices.

4. In the menu that is now displayed, locate the Automatic Ear Detection settings near the bottom of the screen.
5. Slide the green indicator to the left to disable this feature on your device.

This will cause the automatic ear detection feature to be disabled on your device until you enable it sometime in the future. If this did not resolve your issue, there is one more setting covered in the next section of this guide that you should alter to attempt to resolve your problem.
Check AirPods Proximity Sensors
You should consider checking the proximity sensors for your AirPods to see if they are causing your pausing issues. If the proximity sensors on your AirPods determine that they are too far away from the device currently utilizing them, this will cause playback issues such as constant pausing.
You should ensure that the device that is using your AirPods is close enough to properly connect and stream the audio without pausing constantly. Your AirPods have a proximity range of around 15 feet. This means that any space beyond this will cause you to experience issues with playback.
There are also instances where your proximity sensors could have become damaged, in which case you will need to have them repaired or replaced to use them properly.
If you have determined that the proximity sensors are not the cause of your issue, you will need to consider the following method for resolving your problem.

Reset AirPods
Resetting your AirPods is another good way to resolve issues with constant pausing. The process to reset your AirPods is simple and only takes a few minutes to complete. The steps to do this have been detailed below:
1. First, place your AirPods inside the charging case and close the lid.
2. Leave them closed for at least thirty seconds before opening the lid.
3. After the thirty seconds have passed, open your device’s Settings menu and enter into the Bluetooth menu.
4. In the Bluetooth menu, tap the blue icon to the right of your AirPods in this list.
5. In the menu that pops up, select the Forget This Device option.
6. Confirm your choice and exit the settings menu.
7. Open the lid of your AirPods charging case and hold down the button on the back of the case.
8. Hold this button for at least 15 seconds or until the amber indicator light flashes and turns white.
9. Once the indicator light has flashed and turned white, hold your AirPods case with the lid open near your device to start the pairing process.
Related Read: How To Fix Muffled AirPods
Contact Apple Support
If you are experiencing many persistent issues with your AirPods pausing constantly, you should consider contacting Apple support so they can investigate your issue further.
You should only consider this once you have attempted all of the troubleshooting methods listed here, as Apple support will likely suggest many of the methods on this list.
You can contact Apple Support on their website or through the app. There you will find detailed instructions on how to report your issue. First, you will need to provide a detailed account of your problem which will then be investigated by someone at Apple Technical Support.
Apple Support will walk you through any potential troubleshooting methods that you might have missed and offer detailed suggestions on how to successfully solve your issue.
This method requires some patience, as dealing with customer service on the phone can be frustrating. Rest assured that Apple Support will do all it can to get your application functioning properly.
Can You Connect AirPods To Multiple Devices?
Yes, a single pair of AirPods can be connected to multiple devices but will only be able to be utilized by one device at a time. This means that attempting to use a single pair of AirPods on two devices at once will not work properly.
You can only connect your AirPods using Bluetooth to one device at a time. This feature is not supported by most Bluetooth devices.
Can You Use Two Sets Of AirPods At Once?
Yes, you can use two sets of AirPods on one device at the same time. Apple devices feature an Audio Sharing feature that will allow you to hook up two pairs of AirPods to a single Apple device. You can both connect to the same device by simply opening your AirPods case near the desired device.
Once both devices are connected, you will be able to simultaneously stream the same audio feed to both your AirPods from the same device.
AirPods Keep Pausing Spotify
If your AirPods keep pausing your Spotify stream, you should check the automatic ear detection settings of your AirPods to ensure that they are not set up in a way that could be causing your AirPods to pause automatically.
Also, check that your Bluetooth settings are calibrated properly and if not, reset your Bluetooth connection. Finally, consider checking your internet connection for network issues that could be causing your Spotify playback issues.
You should also go through the troubleshooting methods detailed in this list to help you resolve any issues that you might be having that are causing your AirPods to automatically pause your Spotify. These troubleshooting methods will help resolve most issues regarding playback with your AirPods.
Related Read: How to Find AirPods When Dead
So, Why Do My AirPods Keep Pausing Suddenly?
If your AirPods pause suddenly, check your double tap actions, check connection problems, or check for automatic ear detection. Finally, if this doesn’t work, check AirPods proximity sensors or reset your AirPods altogether. If nothing else works, contact Apple support.
This guide can help you accurately identify and resolve your issue quickly and easily. It is important that you first identify your issue so that you can apply the proper troubleshooting method to resolve it.