Problems with USB-C earpods

Hello everyone,

I recently switched to the iPhone 16 from the XR. For the new phone I got the USB-C earpods. Since getting them, I’ve been having problems which I have never experienced before.

The earphones and the phone work fine until the following situation happens: I listen to music (I use YouTube Music). After 30 seconds, the phone locks and the screen turns off. Then after some time, I pause the music using the earpods control. To resume the music, one usually just clicks on the middle button on the earpods control. But that doesn’t happen. When I click on the button, nothing happens. Volume buttons, long press, double click on the controls. Nothing. So I then try to play the music manually from the phone. The music plays but there is no audio from the earphones.

In the music section of the control center, it shows that the earpods are connected.

The only way to fix this is to remove the earpods and connect it again. Then everything works as it should until the phone locks and the screen turns off.

I have never had this problem with the lightning earpods. My iPad uses lightning and I can leave a video or music paused on YouTube for more than 2 hours. And when I return I can click the earpods and the video or music will resume.

I have replaced the USB-C earpods once after reading this thread. It did not fix the issue:

USB-C EarPods Button not working correctly - Apple Community

I am also following this thread but it might not be the correct one: USB C Headphone lead on iPhone 15 SOLVED … - Apple Community

I have also tried the solutions from the following threads but to no avail:

If your USB-C headphones stop working on … - Apple Community

iOS 18 bug in Apple Music app - Apple Community

I am now not sure if the problem is the earpods or the phone. I hope somebody can help me out with this issue.

Thank you in advance and happy holidays!