New first-gen AirPods not connecting or resetting

I have a brand new set of first gen AirPods which I have had on charge for several hours so they are fully charged. When I open the lid of the case the led blinks green. It won’t come up on any of my Apple devices to connect (I’ve tried all) and they are not visible in Bluetooth. If you remove the right AirPod from the case the green light goes static. I’ve tried all the steps to do a factory reset/ connect but no luck. When I hold the button on the back of the case the light turns static white but nothing else happens no matter how long I hold it. Can anyone help please? Thank you in advance

iPhone 11, iOS 26

Posted on Feb 7, 2026 1:24 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 7, 2026 2:38 PM

AmyMcM358 wrote:

I have a brand new set of first gen AirPods

Um... no. Those were discontinued in 2019. There is no such thing as a pair of "brand new first gen AirPods".


Even if they were still sealed in the original box, "new" is not a word one could reasonably use for them.


which I have had on charge for several hours so they are fully charged. When I open the lid of the case the led blinks green. It won’t come up on any of my Apple devices to connect (I’ve tried all) and they are not visible in Bluetooth. If you remove the right AirPod from the case the green light goes static. I’ve tried all the steps to do a factory reset/ connect but no luck. When I hold the button on the back of the case the light turns static white but nothing else happens no matter how long I hold it. Can anyone help please? Thank you in advance

Given the fact that the best case scenario is that they've been sitting an a box for almost 7 years, the batteries in both the ear-buds and the case are almost certainly toast.


Toss them in the recycle bin if you can't return them to wherever you got them and get your money back.


4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 7, 2026 2:38 PM in response to AmyMcM358

AmyMcM358 wrote:

I have a brand new set of first gen AirPods

Um... no. Those were discontinued in 2019. There is no such thing as a pair of "brand new first gen AirPods".


Even if they were still sealed in the original box, "new" is not a word one could reasonably use for them.


which I have had on charge for several hours so they are fully charged. When I open the lid of the case the led blinks green. It won’t come up on any of my Apple devices to connect (I’ve tried all) and they are not visible in Bluetooth. If you remove the right AirPod from the case the green light goes static. I’ve tried all the steps to do a factory reset/ connect but no luck. When I hold the button on the back of the case the light turns static white but nothing else happens no matter how long I hold it. Can anyone help please? Thank you in advance

Given the fact that the best case scenario is that they've been sitting an a box for almost 7 years, the batteries in both the ear-buds and the case are almost certainly toast.


Toss them in the recycle bin if you can't return them to wherever you got them and get your money back.


Feb 7, 2026 3:12 PM in response to AmyMcM358

Sorry to hear that.


The batteries in AirPods and most modern electronics do not react well to being left uncharged for long periods of time. Those are undoubtedly toast.


I understand you wouldn't want to throw them away, but one of the hallmarks of failed Lithium-ion batteries is that they have a tendency to catch fire. Please dispose of them responsibly. You don't need them to become a fire hazard.

New first-gen AirPods not connecting or resetting

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