Three amber lights of death: Defective Apple AirPods Max sometimes repairable via freezer

Apple's AirPods Max can be temporarily repaired by placing them in a freezer for an hour (Image source: Sam Grozyan)

For years, users of the Apple AirPods Max have complained about a problem called the "three amber lights of death". The LED on the expensive over-ear headphones flashes amber three times, but the headphones no longer work. As it turns out, the AirPods Max can sometimes be repaired by placing them in the freezer for about 60 minutes.

Hannes Brecher (translated by Enrico Frahn), Published 11/11/2025 🇩🇪

On Reddit and Threads, Apple AirPods Max owners have been reporting a defect that renders the headphones practically unusable and can be identified by a blinking LED. In most cases, these "three amber lights of death" cannot be fixed by restarting or resetting the device to factory settings.

However, Reddit user Crush145 now claims that the problem can be temporarily resolved by simply placing the over-ear headphones in the freezer for 40 minutes. CNET tried this, and after an hour at subzero temperatures, their AirPods Max were indeed working again. CNET speculates that the issue may be caused by microscopic cracks in the internal wiring, which temporarily close due to the low temperature and consequent contraction of this material. Unfortunately, this "repair" is not a permanent fix.

In CNET’s case, the AirPods Max only worked for a few days after they were removed from the freezer. For some users, the issue may also be caused by a dirty Lightning charging port, so a simple cleaning can sometimes solve this problem as well. Apple has not yet commented on this defect, so it remains unclear what actually causes the "three amber lights of death" or how widespread they are. It’s also unclear if the latest AirPods Max with USB-C (from $499 on Amazon) is affected, since this defect typically appears after several years, and the refreshed AirPods Max only hit the market in September 2024.

Source(s)

Cnet | Threads | Reddit | Sam Grozyan (teaser image)

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Editor of the original article: Hannes Brecher - Senior Tech Writer - 19176 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2018

Since 2009 I have written for different publications with a focus on consumer electronics. I joined the Notebookcheck news team in 2018 and have combined my many years of experience with laptops and smartphones with my lifelong passion for technology to create informative content for our readers about new developments in this sphere. In addition, my design background as an art director at an ad agency has allowed me to have deeper insights into the peculiarities of this industry.

contact me via: @HannesBrecher, LinkedIn, Xing

Translator: Enrico Frahn - Managing Editor Accessory Reviews, Tech Writer - 5702 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2021

My fascination for technology goes back a long way to the Pentium II era. Modding, overclocking and treasuring computer hardware has since become an integral part of my life. As a student, I further developed a keen interest in mobile technologies that can make the stressful college life so much easier. After I fell in love with the creation of digital content while working in a marketing position, I now scour the web to bring you the most exciting topics in the world of tech. Outside the office, I’m particularly passionate about motorsports and mountain biking.

contact me via: LinkedIn

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