Airtag does not work

Hello Whyiseverthingsocomplicated,

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!

If your AirTag is not working even after placing a new battery, you may want to try to reset the AirTag. Look over and follow the steps on this page to learn how: How to reset your AirTag - Apple Support.

Here's how to reset your AirTag:

1. Press down on the polished stainless steel battery cover of your AirTag and rotate counterclockwise until the cover stops rotating.

2. Remove the cover and the battery.*

3. Replace the battery.

4. Press down on the battery until you hear a sound. This sound means that the battery is connected. 

5. When the sound finishes, repeat the process four more times, removing and replacing the battery, then pressing down on the battery until you hear a sound. You should hear a sound each time you press on the battery, for a total of five sounds. The fifth sound is different from the previous four. This indicates that the AirTag is now ready to pair.

6. Replace the cover by aligning the three tabs on the cover with the three slots on your AirTag.

7. Press down on the cover.

8. Rotate the cover clockwise until it stops rotating.

We hope this information helps you out.

Best wishes!

I had the same problem. I used batteries coated with bitter taste coating to keep kids from eating them. I cleaned them with alcohol wipes and they all worked.