Airpods Max Wired Mode Not Working: How To Fix [2023]

The AirPods Max, besides its wireless functionality, also can be used in wired mode. But this feature is known to be a bit clunky, oftentimes, to not work, to say the least.

After having had my fair share of experience with the Airpods Max, I have to say, it is really good. For the most part, using the Airpods Max wired hasn't been a problem for me.

But I do get the occasional hiccup when using them in wired mode; they tend to not work, to be more precise. After implementing a plethora of troubleshooting steps, I did eventually get it to work properly.

If Airpods Max does not work in wired mode, check the cable and refresh the headphone. Use only Apple-certified cables for wired mode. Furthermore, turn OFF the auto-detection feature while using the Airpods Max in Wired mode, and ensure the firmware is up to date. Factory resetting the headphones may also work.

Keep reading the article for detailed steps on how to execute troubleshooting methods.

Refresh Your Airpods Max

The first troubleshooting method you should try when met with this issue is to refresh your AirPods Max.

Your headphones might have run into a temporary bug or glitch.

So restart your AirPods Max before connecting via the 3.5 mm audio jack to eliminate any possible errors with its configuration.

To refresh your AirPods Max, follow the steps below:

• Your AirPods Max has a dedicated 'Noise Control button' and the 'Digital Crown'. Find both of these buttons.
• Press and hold the 'Digital Crown' and the 'Noise Control button' at the same time until the LED indicator under the right earcup flashes an Amber/Orange light.
• Wait for the AirPods Max to initialize, and then connect the cable to the 3.5 mm audio jack.
• Check if the refresh has resolved the wired mode audio capability.

Check the Cable

To use Airpods Max in wired mode, you need to connect a compatible cable to the 3.5 mm audio jack. Issues with the cable or the port could render the wired mode invalid.

A potential reason why you are having trouble with the wired mode could be a faulty 3.5 mm audio cable.

So inspect your cable and make sure that it does not have lead port damage or any exposed wiring which could lead to faulty functionality.

Use Apple Certified Cables

Are you using official Apple-certified cables? If the answer is No, then you have your culprit for the said issue.

Get your hands on the original cable from Apple to steer clear of any issues resulting from the cables.

You can also rely on Apple-certified third-party cables for the best results.

Update Airpods Max

Apple regularly rolls out firmware updates for the AirPods line of devices which includes AirPods (2nd-Gen), AirPods (3rd-Gen), AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max to introduce features and bug fixes.

They also improve the speed of charging, extend battery life, improve audio quality, and features like spatial audio and automatic seamless switching between devices.

But how do you update your AirPods Max?

First, make sure that the iOS device you have connected the AirPods Max to is running the latest firmware. Updates for the AirPods Max are done automatically, but you can check the same to make sure.

Follow the steps below to ensure you have the latest firmware for your AirPods Max:

• Pair the headphones with your iPhone or iPad.
• Open 'Settings' and navigate to 'General' and then 'About'.
• Find and select your AirPods from the list of devices.
• Here, you can check the firmware version that your AirPods Max is currently running.

Cross-check the device firmware version with the current firmware version put out by Apple.

If you find that your AirPods Max is running an older version, you can also try to initiate the firmware update manually.

To manually update your Aipods Max, pair your AirPods with your iPhone or iPad and place them inside their charging case. Plug the case so that they are being charged.

There is no dedicated button or sequence you can do to initiate an update for the AirPods. They are automatically executed once you have done the steps above.

Disable Auto Ear Detection on Airpods Max

The AirPods Max has a cool Auto Ear Detection feature that can identify when you have your headphone on and when you don't.

Accordingly, the AirPods play audio when you have them on and pause it when you take them off.

While this feature may sound like a great little quirk, it might not be the best of features when using the AirPods Max in wired mode.

Try disabling this feature and using your AirPods Max in wired mode to check if the issue is resolved.

To disable this feature, follow the steps below:

1. On the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch: Open 'Settings' and tap the name of your AirPods Max near the top of the screen and then turn off Automatic Ear Detection from there.
2. On the Mac: Click on the Apple menu and navigate to 'System Settings'. Click on the name of your AirPods in the sidebar and turn off 'Automatic Ear Detection'.

Factory Reset Airpods Max

If you have exhausted all of the troubleshooting methods suggested above and still can't get over the issue, it might be time to try factory resetting your AirPods Max as a final measure.

A factory reset should reset the AirPods Max firmware and eliminate bugs and glitches in the process. Keep in mind that this will remove all connection history you have made with the headphones.

Factory resetting is also one of the recommended fixes for resolving the Airpods Max disconnecting issue.

To factory reset your AirPods Max, follow the steps below:

• On the top part of the right earcup of the AirPods Max, you can find a 'Digital Crown' button and the 'Noise Control button'.
• Press and hold the two buttons together till the LED indicator under the right earcup turns Amber/Orange and then White.
• If you see this pattern, you have successfully reset your AirPods Max.

Pair the AirPods Max once more with your host device. Connect the 3.5 mm port to see if the factory reset has solved the wired mode issue.

Final Thoughts

The Airpods Max, unlike the Beats Studio 3, features one of the best sound output quality of all headphones you can get right now.

Apart from nuanced issues like Aipods Max leaking sound, the Airpods Max is indeed solid device for the most part.

But an outright inhibition when using them in wired mode is not a hiccup that can be ignored.

Fortunately, the many troubleshooting steps mentioned above will be of much help to you in fixing this issue.

If you find that none of the troubleshooting methods has managed to solve your problem, the only path for you to do is to hand over the problem to the experts.

You can get in touch with Apple Support to raise a ticket and get solutions to the problem you have been facing when using your AirPods Max with the 3.5 mm Audio Jack.

Hope the suggestions in this article have helped you resolve the wired issue with your AirPods Max.

Have a Good Day!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why do my wired Airpods keep cutting out?

If you find that your AirPods keep cutting out, it could be due to a lack of power. If you are using AirPods with less than 20% of total battery life, you can expect such issues. On a full charge, the AirPods can last up to 5 hours and the charging case can give you around 4 to 5 cycles of full charge.

Which Airpods are being recalled?

If you find that your AirPods Pro noise cancellation feature is not working, along with loss of bass, cracking, and static interference in the audio, then they may be covered under Apple's AirPods recall. Contact Apple Support if you feel that this is true. Keep in mind that the recall is not applicable to the AirPods Pro Charging Case.

How do I clean the Airpod charging port?

You can use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a thin soft object to clear out any dirt or dust accumulated in and around the connector. Remember that using a sharp object to clean the charging ports could damage the metal contacts and lead to impaired functionality.

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