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Dirty contacts are the #1 cause. Look at the bottom of each AirPod stem and inside the case at the magnetic charge points. You'll see small gold pins.
Cheap or counterfeit cables fail more than the case. Use a known-good Apple-branded MFi cable. Test in 2 different outlets.
If your case supports wireless charging (most do): place on a Qi pad. If wireless works but wired doesn't, your case's port is dead — replacement case is $99 from Apple.
Sometimes the firmware gets stuck. Settings → Bluetooth → tap (i) next to AirPods → Forget This Device. Then place case near iPhone with lid open and re-pair.
Open the case lid. Look at the small LED. Amber when charging, green when full. If no LED at all: the case battery is fully dead and might have failed entirely. Try charging for 30 minutes and re-check.
Settings → Bluetooth → tap (i) next to AirPods. If a firmware version number doesn't appear, plug case into power, place near iPhone, and wait 30 min — Apple pushes firmware automatically.
If cleaning + cable test + re-pair don't work, you need a replacement case ($99 Apple, $29 with AppleCare+) or replacement set. Apple doesn't repair AirPods cases — they swap them.
The mesh headband is a known cracking point on AirPods Max. Cracks affect sound quality and structural integrity. Here's what repair costs.
With AppleCare+ ($79–$99 for 2 years), accidental damage including headband cracks costs $90 per incident. Without it, out-of-warranty repair is expensive.
Independent repair shops charge 20–30% less ($200–$300) but use aftermarket parts. Few shops repair AirPods Max because the headband is fused to the audio drivers—replacement isn't simple.
The headband is glued to the internal speaker drivers. Removing it requires careful heating and prying without damaging the drivers. Even professional techs find it challenging. Mistakes can ruin the audio permanently.
Don't attempt this. The headband is structural and cosmetic. A cracked headband looks bad but usually doesn't affect function immediately. Repair requires soldering-level precision to avoid frying the electronics.
If your headband cracked, the internal structure might also be compromised. This can lead to:
Professional diagnostics confirm if internal damage exists before committing to headband replacement.
AirPods Max cost $549–$649. If headband repair is $300+ and the headphones are already 2+ years old, replacement might be smarter.
If DIY repair isn't for you, our certified technicians can fix it fast.
Start a Mail-In Repair →Out of warranty, Apple charges $315-420 for headband replacement depending on configuration, with a 3-7 day mail-in turnaround. With AppleCare+, accidental damage including headband cracks costs just $90 per incident, which is why the $79-99 two-year plan pays for itself on this repair.
DIY headband replacement is not recommended. The headband is glued directly to the internal speaker drivers, and removing it requires careful heating and prying with soldering-level precision — even professional technicians find it challenging, and mistakes can permanently ruin the audio. Few independent shops take the job for the same reason.
It depends on age and cost. AirPods Max cost $549-649 new, so if headband repair runs $300+ and your headphones are already 2+ years old, replacement is often the smarter move. Third-party repair runs $200-300 (20-30% less than Apple) but uses aftermarket parts.
Always store them in the Smart Case, which protects the headband from pressure. Avoid hanging AirPods Max around your neck for extended periods since that stresses the headband, and don't drop them or set them down on hard surfaces. Note that a crack can also signal internal damage — loose connections, rattling in the ear cups, or driver stress — so get diagnostics before committing to a headband replacement.