AirPods only work for a few seconds

Hello,

I did not have the same problem, but there are some things that I would try in your situation.

Are your airpods connected/paired only with one device or more?

If more, try to pair them only with one device.

If only one, I would try to clean light sensors that causes sound pause when removed from your ears.

Or

In settings of AirPods I would try to set off "Automatic ear detection"

After all give a try to complaint about AirPods in Apple certified reseller or better in Apple store.

Not at all!

I am not tech specialist so these are just my ideas, so sorry if nothing of my sugestions works.

If they are paired with multiple devices I believe Apple managed to programed AirPods to work only with currently used device, but you give nothing by trying pairing them with only one.

Light sensors are those black dots on sides of AirPods if they work right it should stop sound when sensors are out in light (or further from subject blocking light) So that was maybe bad sugestion because if they are dirty it should not stop music -> dirt will cover them from light and that should cause not pausing the sounds.

I've personally tried to blow into my AirPods to blowing out the dirt, but not sure if it helped. :D

But if sensors are broken, setting off "Automatic ear detection" should solve your problem.

In the other hand if sensors are broken I would go to servis. (If you need service for your AirPods or Charging Case, there's no charge if the issue is covered under the Apple One Year Limited Warranty, AppleCare+, or consumer law.)

https://checkcoverage.apple.com