Osteoclasts are multinucleated giant cells, responsible for bone resorption. Osteoclast differentiation and function requires a series of cytokines to remove the old bone, which coordinates with the induction of bone remodelling by osteoblastâmediated bone formation. Studies have demonstrated that AMPâactivated protein kinase (AMPK) play a negative regulatory role in osteoclast differentiation and function. Research involving AMPK, a nutrient and energy sensor, has primarily focused on osteoclast differentiation and function; thus, its role in autophagy, inflammation and immunity remains poorly understood. Autophagy is a conservative homoeostatic mechanism of eukaryotic cells, and response to osteoclast differentiation and function; however, how it interacts with inflammation remains unclear. Additionally, based on the regulatory function of different AMPK subunits for osteoclast differentiation and function, its activation is regulated by upstream factors to perform bone metabolism. This review summarises the critical role of AMPKâmediated autophagy, inflammation and immunity by upstream and downstream signalling during receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaâB ligandâinduced osteoclast differentiation and function. This pathway may provide therapeutic targets for boneârelated diseases, as well as function as a biomarker for bone homoeostasis.