Did your AirPod start beeping after it got wet — maybe from rain, a sink splash, or even going through the washing machine?
That sound isn’t just random. It’s a sign that something might be wrong inside your AirPods.
But don’t worry — this guide will show you what’s going on and how to fix it, step by step.
In this article, you’ll learn:
Why AirPods beep after getting wet and what it means
What to do right away to stop more damage
Easy ways to keep your AirPods safe from water in the future
👉 Don’t wait — take the right steps now to save your AirPods and avoid expensive damage!
Why Are My AirPods Beeping After Getting Wet?
Why is my AirPod beeping after getting wet? First off, it’s important to know that AirPods are not waterproof. The AirPods Pro models are water-resistant, meaning they can handle light splashes or sweat, but they are definitely not designed to be submerged or exposed to significant moisture. When water gets inside your AirPods, it can interfere with the delicate electronic components inside.
The beeping sound you’re hearing is actually a warning signal. Many users, including myself, have noticed that after accidental exposure to water—whether from rain, sweat, or worse, being dropped in a puddle or washing machine—the AirPods emit a repeated beep. This beep usually signals that the internal moisture sensors have detected liquid inside the device. Essentially, your AirPods are alerting you that there’s a risk of short circuits or damage if you continue to use them while wet.
Water is a conductor of electricity, and inside the AirPods, even a small amount of moisture can cause unintended electrical pathways, leading to short circuits. This can trigger the beeping as a safety mechanism or even cause erratic behavior like sudden disconnections, volume issues, or rapid battery drain.
Moreover, the lithium-ion batteries inside the AirPods are particularly sensitive to moisture. Exposure to water can cause the battery to malfunction, which might also produce warning sounds or erratic charging behavior.
From my experience and confirmed by Apple’s own discussions and multiple user reports across forums like Reddit and Apple Support Communities, the beeping is often a symptom of:
Moisture triggering internal sensors or circuits
Battery protection warnings due to abnormal voltage or current
Potential short circuits or corrosion beginning to form inside the unit
If your AirPods start beeping after getting wet, it’s a clear sign to immediately stop using them and follow proper drying and care steps. Ignoring the warnings can cause permanent damage and might void warranty coverage if water damage is confirmed.
Immediate Actions to Take When Your AirPods Get Wet
1. Turn Off AirPods Immediately
Your first move should be to stop using them. If they’re still connected to your device and playing audio, disconnect them immediately via Bluetooth settings. Then, place them in their charging case and close the lid. While AirPods don’t have a power button, closing the case puts them in a low-power state, which helps prevent electrical activity while moisture is present.
Avoid the temptation to “test” if they still work. I’ve learned (the hard way) that trying to use wet AirPods can cause the water to bridge electrical contacts and create short circuits, damaging the logic board or battery.
2. Wipe with a Microfiber Cloth
Next, gently dry the outside of the AirPods and case using a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth. These cloths are ideal because they absorb moisture without scratching the surface or pushing water deeper into speaker grilles or microphone ports.
Don’t use paper towels, tissues, or anything that could leave behind lint or break apart when wet. And never use a wet or damp cloth—you want to remove water, not add more.
3. Open the Case and Prop the Lid Open
Now here’s a step many people overlook: open the charging case and prop the lid open. I usually set the open case face-up on a dry surface with good airflow—ideally near a window or fan (but never in direct sunlight). The goal here is simple: allow any trapped moisture inside the case and AirPods to evaporate naturally.
You can also place the AirPods themselves outside the case, on a dry towel or napkin, upright so that gravity can help pull moisture out of the stem and speaker ports.
Pro tip: If you have silica gel packets—the kind that come in electronics packaging—place a few around your AirPods. They’re more effective than rice at drawing out moisture, and they don’t leave dust or debris.
4. Avoid Using Heat Tools
This might be the most important tip: don’t use heat to dry them. That means no hairdryers, no microwaves (yes, I’ve seen people try), no ovens, and definitely no direct sunlight.
Excess heat can warp the plastic housing, damage the battery, or fry internal circuits that were otherwise still salvageable. AirPods are tightly sealed, so using heat usually just forces water deeper inside rather than pulling it out.
Instead, let time and air do their job. A little patience here can make the difference between saving your AirPods and ruining them for good.
Cleaning Both AirPods and Charging Case Interior
Here’s exactly what I did (and what I recommend):
I started with a dry, clean microfiber cloth. This material is gentle enough to avoid scratching the AirPods’ finish, but absorbent enough to lift away moisture and particles that may have gotten in through the speaker mesh or charging contacts.
For the AirPods themselves:
I gently wiped down the entire surface, paying extra attention to the speaker grill and sensors. These tiny components can trap moisture more than you’d think. I never used any cleaning solutions or alcohol — just the dry microfiber cloth. Anything wet or abrasive could push moisture further in or damage the hydrophobic coating on AirPods Pro.
For the charging case interior:
This part is critical. Even if your AirPods seem dry, the case can hold hidden moisture, especially around the charging contacts at the bottom of each slot.
To clean inside the case, I wrapped a corner of the microfiber cloth around a plastic toothpick (or a soft-tipped cotton swab if you prefer) and gently cleaned the inside of each well where the AirPods sit. I was especially careful around the metal charging pins — moisture or grime there can cause charging to fail or short. If there’s gunk or salt residue from sweat or seawater, it’s even more important to wipe it out completely.
Why this matters:
Moisture isn’t always the main problem — it’s the combination of moisture and dirt that leads to corrosion. Once corrosion starts on the tiny metal contacts (either in the case or on the AirPods stem), it can degrade performance over time. I’ve seen people report one AirPod not charging or staying connected — often, this traces back to a dirty or slightly corroded contact.
That’s why cleaning isn’t just cosmetic — it’s preventative care. If your AirPods have gotten wet, cleaning and drying both the earbuds and the case thoroughly is non-negotiable if you want to avoid long-term issues.
Testing Your AirPods After Drying
After giving your AirPods and charging case adequate time to dry, the next important step is testing their functionality — but doing it carefully and methodically. At this point, you want to verify that everything works as expected without forcing anything or risking further damage.
Here’s how I personally go about it — and what I recommend anyone in this situation do:
✅ 1. Check Bluetooth Connectivity
I started by placing both AirPods in the case, opening the lid, and holding it near my iPhone to trigger the pairing screen. If your AirPods don’t automatically show up, try holding the setup button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes white — that’s reset mode.
If they still don’t connect:
Double-check that Bluetooth is on
Try pairing with a different device to rule out a phone-specific issue
If pairing repeatedly fails, it may be a deeper hardware fault due to water damage inside the case
🎧 2. Test Audio Quality
Once they were paired, I played several audio tracks I’m familiar with — music with clear highs and deep lows, plus some spoken word (like a podcast or audiobook). This helps detect:
Distortion or crackling
Muffled sound from speaker mesh blockage
Imbalance between left and right
If one side sounds off or the volume is extremely low, that could mean residual moisture is still inside, or there’s speaker damage — often caused by water affecting the diaphragm.
🔋 3. Monitor Battery Behavior
Next, I fully charged the AirPods and watched the battery stats via the iPhone widget. If you see:
Battery drops abnormally fast
One AirPod shows 0% or charges inconsistently
The case doesn’t hold a charge or shows no indicator light
…then you might be dealing with battery degradation or damaged charging contacts.
🎙️ 4. Verify Microphone and Controls
I used the Voice Memos app on my iPhone to record myself speaking with each AirPod (left and right separately). If the playback sounds distant, muffled, or robotic — it may mean microphone moisture damage.
Next, I tested the physical controls:
Double-tap or stem-squeeze (depending on your model) to pause/play audio or skip tracks
If these don’t register, it could be an issue with the capacitive sensors, which sometimes fail after water exposure
👂 5. Test Automatic Ear Detection
This is one of the most overlooked features to test — and often one of the first to stop working after water exposure.
Here’s what I did:
Played music with both AirPods in
Removed one — music should pause
Put it back in — music should resume
If this doesn’t happen, the proximity sensors may be fogged up or malfunctioning. These tiny sensors detect whether the AirPod is in your ear — and they don’t like water.
How to Prevent Future Water Damage
🧠 Know Your AirPods’ Water Resistance Rating
First off, not all AirPods are created equal when it comes to handling water.
AirPods Pro (1st & 2nd Gen) and AirPods (3rd Gen) are IPX4-rated. That means they can withstand light splashes of water — like sweat or light rain — but they are not waterproof. You can’t submerge them, wash them, or take them swimming.
AirPods 1st & 2nd Gen have no water resistance at all. Even a quick drop in water or being caught in the rain can cause real problems.
Knowing this difference is critical. I used to assume all AirPods had some level of protection — I was wrong. If you’re using older-generation AirPods, extra caution is absolutely necessary.
🛡 Use Waterproof Cases or Skins
One of the best things I did after my beeping AirPod incident was to invest in a water-resistant silicone case for my charging case. These cases act like a safety buffer — especially useful if your bag gets wet, or if you accidentally drop your case on a wet surface.
There are also adhesive waterproof skins that wrap around your AirPods for splash protection, though they don’t make your AirPods waterproof. Just keep expectations realistic: these accessories add protection, but don’t make your AirPods invincible.
Some options to look for:
Silicone or hard-shell waterproof charging case covers
Anti-sweat skins for gym use
Carabiner cases that keep AirPods off the ground
🔒 Pro Tip: Look for accessories that are tested for IP67/IP68 protection if you’re serious about waterproofing the charging case itself.
🧽 Maintain Clean and Dry Charging Ports
This is a big one that often goes unnoticed. The charging ports inside the case are tiny and delicate — but they’re also where moisture can linger undetected. Even if your AirPods are dry, residual moisture in the case can trigger corrosion or interfere with charging.
Here’s what I do regularly:
I check the charging wells with a flashlight.
If I notice any moisture, I leave the lid open and let it air dry fully before placing AirPods back inside.
Once a week, I gently clean the charging contacts with a microfiber cloth or a dry, soft-bristled brush.
I also make it a rule never to put AirPods into the case immediately after a workout. Sweat can be just as damaging as water, especially when it builds up over time.
FAQ
How to get water out of AirPods?
To get water out of AirPods, gently shake them to remove excess liquid, then wipe them with a soft, dry cloth. Leave them in a dry, warm place or use silica gel packets to absorb moisture. Avoid using heat sources like hair dryers.
What to do if AirPod falls in water?
If an AirPod falls in water, immediately remove it and dry the outside with a soft cloth. Do not use or charge it until fully dry. Place the AirPod in a dry environment or use silica gel packets to speed up drying.
Can AirPods survive the washer?
AirPods are not designed to survive being washed in a washing machine. Exposure to water and detergent can cause permanent damage and void warranty coverage. Immediate drying may help, but survival is unlikely.
Why do my AirPods make a beeping noise?
AirPods make a beeping noise as a warning signal, often triggered by moisture inside, low battery, or connectivity issues. If beeping occurs after getting wet, it usually means internal sensors detected water and you should stop using them immediately.
Conclusion
We hope this guide helped you understand why your AirPod is beeping after getting wet — and more importantly, what you can do about it. From the causes and risks to step-by-step solutions and long-term prevention tips, we’ve aimed to answer all your questions clearly and practically.
If you found this article helpful, you’ll love the rest of our content — our website is packed with useful tips, troubleshooting guides, and expert insights on audio gear, headphones, speakers, and all things sound.
💬 Got another question or personal experience to share? Drop a comment below — we’d love to hear from you and help if we can!
Monica Rivas is a Reviewer and Content Manager of Audiofavorite, she is an audiophile for many years and she helps people to learn all they need about audio, speakers, sound etc.