I’d been looking forward to listening to new albums by Sloan and Taylor Swift but I needed to put something on ice first.

In fact, I needed to put my AirPods Max in the freezer. If that sounds strange, it is indeed. And yet it allowed me to listen to The Life of a Showgirl. At least for a while.

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The three amber lights of death

I bought my AirPods Max in 2021 and have used them nearly every day since. After becoming increasingly frustrated with other Bluetooth headphones that required manual connection to different devices,I felt justified in spending $500 on headphones that,for the most part,work as intended. Plus, the over-ear design is more agreeable for me during long stretches than having AirPods Pro jammed into my ear canals.

Lately, tho, my AirPods Max have had some issues, requiring a reboot to activate. That involves holding the noise-control button and the Digital Crown for several seconds untill the indicator light blinks amber. (dear heavens, Apple, why couldn’t you include a simple on/off switch?)

Two fingers holding the physical buttons on AirPods Max.

The reboot process has become increasingly frequent.Sometimes it’s once a day, other times multiple times an hour. And then, a few days ago, all three indicator lights turned amber. This, according to the internet, is a sign of a more serious problem.

I scoured Apple’s support pages and various forums. The suggested fixes ranged from resetting the Bluetooth connection to, well, putting the headphones in the freezer.

Yes, the freezer.

Apparently, a cold shock can sometimes reset the internal circuitry. I was skeptical, to say the least. But I was also desperate. So, after wrapping the AirPods Max in a plastic bag (moisture is the enemy!), I placed them in the freezer for about 15 minutes.

And… it worked.

For a while, anyway. The amber lights disappeared, and I was able to connect to my phone and listen to Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl. The album is excellent, incidentally. But the relief was short-lived. Within an hour, the amber lights were back.

I repeated the freezer trick. And again, it worked. But the intervals between freezes are getting shorter. It’s a temporary fix, at best, and I’m starting to worry about the long-term effects of repeatedly subjecting expensive headphones to sub-zero temperatures.

I’ve contacted Apple Support, and they’ve suggested sending the headphones in for repair. But given that the warranty expired last year, that’s going to cost me.

So,for now,I’ll continue to enjoy the music while it lasts,and keep a close eye on those three amber lights.And maybe, just maybe, I’ll start looking for a more reliable pair of headphones.Ones that don’t require a trip to the freezer to function properly.

## Yes, I Put My AirPods Max in the Freezer

Online advice suggests letting them chill for at least 30 minutes, but I ended up leaving them in for over an hour just to be sure.

When they came out, I removed them from the now-stiff case, put them over my ears, and sure enough, heard the chime that indicates a successful Bluetooth pairing with my device. Aside from wiping them down to remove condensation — and dealing with chilled ears for a few minutes — the headphones worked just like they should.

## why would freezing AirPods Max work?

As I listened to my new tunes, I c“`html

AirPods Max Freezing? Here’s How to Thaw Them Out

Some AirPods Max owners are reporting a frustrating issue: their headphones freezing up and becoming unresponsive. This seems to be notably prevalent in colder climates, but can happen even in moderately cool temperatures. Fortunately, there’s a relatively simple fix, and understanding why it happens can definitely help you prevent it in the future.

Why Are My AirPods Max Freezing?

The core of the problem lies in the connection between the earcups and the headband. Apple uses a magnetic connector for this, and it appears that cold temperatures can cause a temporary loss of conductivity in this connection. This disrupts the communication between the two sides of the headphones, leading to the freezing issue. It’s not a software glitch, but a physical reaction to the cold.

How to Fix Frozen AirPods Max

The fix is surprisingly straightforward: warm up the connection points. Here’s what you can do:

1. Remove the Earcups: Gently detach both earcups from the headband. You may need to apply a bit of force, but they should come off without excessive struggle. Some users report a slight turning motion helps with removal.
2. Clean the Contacts: Use a clean, lint-free cloth lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol to wipe the metal contacts on both the earcups and the headband. This removes any potential oxidation or debris that might be interfering with the connection.
3. Reattach the Earcups: Snap the earcups back onto the headband. Again, you might need to apply a firm, but gentle, pressure. Ensure they click securely into place.
4. Let them Warm Up: If the headphones are very cold, allow them to warm up to room temperature for a few minutes before attempting to use them.

Preventing the Freeze

While the fix is easy, preventing the issue is even better. Here are a few tips:

• Store Them Indoors: When not in use, store your AirPods Max in a warmer surroundings.
• Warm Up Before Use: If you’re taking them out into the cold, let them warm up in your hands or pockets for a few minutes before putting them on.
• Consider a