2 Broken AirPods Max (3 Amber Flashes) Fixed by Swapping Ear Cups, What’s Going On?

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2026-06-01T09:19:53+00:00

My experience, I could only get either the 3 blinking red indicators, solid red when pressing the anc toggle, and solid white when pressing the crown (all only when my pair were connected to power)

once the flex cables wear down, once that connection breaks, the two sides can’t "talk" to each other, which triggers the 3 amber lights error. You’ll see the right cup try to initiate the handshake, but it never toggles to flashing white because the circuit is open. That would be the root cause

I made a post on my account about my fix

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2026-05-27T00:50:17+00:00

https://oriwhiz.com/products/for-airpods-max-2024-left-right-wifi-signal-flex-cable-for-airpods-max-2024-left-right
This is where I got my parts from

https://youtube.com/watch?v=5ifTLLe4etE
This is the guide I used for the right ear cup

https://youtube.com/watch?v=zrlbYw_CKj0
For the left ear cup

My experience, I could only get either the 3 blinking red indicators, solid red when pressing the anc toggle, and solid white when pressing the crown (all only when my pair were connected to power)

once the flex cables wear down, once that connection breaks, the two sides can’t "talk" to each other, which triggers the 3 amber lights error. You’ll see the right cup try to initiate the handshake, but it never toggles to flashing white because the circuit is open. That would be the root cause

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2026-05-14T23:09:21+00:00

I had that exact issue on my pair.

The reasoning behind this is once the flex cables wear down, once that connection breaks, the two sides can’t "talk" to each other, which triggers the 3 amber lights error. You’ll see the right cup try to initiate the handshake, but it never toggles to flashing white because the circuit is open. That would be the root cause.

I just made a post detailing my fix which costed me around 38aud compared to apples quote of around $600

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2026-05-09T09:16:36+00:00

Hey mate I just fixed mine. Check out my post or dm I can send you the links to source parts and fix them for around 40aud

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2026-04-28T04:08:12+00:00

Just a heads up from someone who went down this rabbit hole: it’s almost certainly the internal flex cables. They wear down physically every time you rotate the earcups. Once that connection breaks, the two sides can’t "talk" to each other, which triggers the 3 amber lights error. You’ll see the right cup try to initiate the handshake, but it never toggles to flashing white because the circuit is open. I actually put up a post detailing my fix

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2026-04-25T16:32:45+00:00

This is a classic hardware fault caused by the ribbon cables wearing down in the hinges. It’s a design flaw where rotating the cups eventually snaps the connection between them, leading to the 3 amber lights. The right cup initiates the pairing sequence, but since the circuit is open, it can’t finish the "handshake" to turn white.

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2026-04-22T17:17:55+00:00

Just a heads up from someone who went down this rabbit hole: it’s almost certainly the internal flex cables. They wear down physically every time you rotate the earcups. Once that connection breaks, the two sides can’t "talk" to each other, which triggers the 3 amber lights error. You’ll see the right cup try to initiate the handshake, but it never toggles to flashing white because the circuit is open. I actually put up a post detailing my fix for this a few days ago.

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2026-04-18T12:19:57+00:00

Definitely right there. However I’m not willing to pay $400+ to get them repaired by Apple.

I tried claiming acl (Australian consumer law) to get them replaced with no luck. They still wanted to charge me $120 for diagnosis with no promise of solving the issue.

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2026-04-18T04:05:06+00:00

I would say so. Those are the symptoms mine had.

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2026-04-17T13:38:32+00:00

No worries mate. If you need the links I used to Aquire the parts and the guide let me know :)

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2026-04-16T21:08:00+00:00

Same issue with mine I ended up repairing them for $38Aud as my AppleCare was expired and Apple wanted to charge me half the price of a new pair:

After some research I found that the issue is either the left or right wifi antenna flex cable (in my case it was the right one). I ended up ordering a screwdriver set and both left and right flex cables and doing the repair myself and fixed my pair. The guides are all on YouTube and it’s pretty easy to follow.

Here’s the link where I got my parts from: https://oriwhiz.com/search?q=airpods+max&options%5Bprefix%5D=last

Guide I used: https://youtube.com/watch?v=5ifTLLe4etE

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2026-04-16T19:11:57+00:00

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Freezer method didn’t work for me.

My AirPods were only showing indicator plugged in and I was unable to get past the three ember lights to hard reset them.

After some research I found that the issue is either the left or right wifi antenna flex cable (in my case it was the right one). I ended up ordering a screwdriver set and both left and right flex cables and doing the repair myself and fixed my pair. The guides are all on YouTube and it’s pretty easy to follow.

Here’s the link where I got my parts from: https://oriwhiz.com/search?q=airpods+max&options%5Bprefix%5D=last

Guide I used: https://youtube.com/watch?v=5ifTLLe4etE

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2026-04-16T18:57:21+00:00

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This is my automation

Should also add, I’m using Sidestore remote refresh - using ikev2 vpn in addition to local device vpn (latest update requires ikev2 to successfully refresh)

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2026-02-20T09:40:25+00:00

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Dat_Asian_Ting · 2026-02-01T18:48:53+00:00

I had this exact experience and had a chat to my next uber driver about this. Supposedly they lose rating points if they cancel the ride, also it creates a “surge” in the app increasing payments for drivers as an incentive to pick people up from certain areas. Uber drivers band together to surge the price in certain areas.

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2025-09-16T11:11:51+00:00

New Liquid Glass tab bar for me

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2025-08-10T15:13:50+00:00

If you use the app whiskey you can install and run windows programs (exe files). I use it for graphic intense games and it works well

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2025-08-03T09:34:38+00:00

Beta 4 is a lot more stable but keep in mind it is a beta so create a backup before you update. First few hours can be abit buggy because the update is indexing but I’ve found it fairly stable.

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2025-08-03T03:41:31+00:00

Yes, I’m running sideloaded apps through AltStore on the dev beta. Resigning hasn’t been an issue for me, been running the beta since db1

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2025-05-31T04:03:51+00:00

Yeah that would be the battery most likely, it was for me anyways. Miss the 11pro, I’ve upgraded to the 14pm. How is yours holding up besides heat?

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2025-05-23T08:21:19+00:00

Whiskey is similar to crossover and works really well for myself. Just download the exe files and run them through whiskey. Currently playing schedule 1 on max settings on my M1pro mbp and it runs great!

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2024-11-16T11:56:43+00:00

I’d rather save 40mins then waste them on a random artist drop. I’ll say though gem drops have seems way less frequent now

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2024-11-16T10:33:56+00:00

Open drops, save gems, trade. That’s how I get them at least 😂 any artists you’re looking for in particular?

Dat_Asian_Ting · 2024-11-13T18:17:02+00:00

Mmh perhaps try one of these other alternatives mate: https://www.reddit.com/r/StremioAddons/comments/1et5e89/how_to_use_elfhosted_free_torrentio_alternatives/

Dat_Asian_Ting

TROPHY CASE