If one of your AirPods isn’t working, something is wrong, and various things could be the cause. It could be a primary or complex network or audio setup issue. Whatever the case, there are numerous options for resolving this problem.
Fixes For One AirPod Not Working
When Apple developed its AirPods, it was easy for the world to accept it, coming from a manufacturer as trustworthy as Apple.
However, Apple’s credibility didn’t stop its AirPods from having issues like other devices. AirPods are generally straightforward devices and are pretty easy to use until one AirPod stops working.
It could be the left or right AirPod that is not working, and there are various causes for these issues, which we will cover in this article.
First, ensure that you charge your AirPods. If you discover that one AirPod is not working, the cause could be that the battery is dead.
Each AirPod consumes power at different rates; even if you charge them simultaneously, one may run out of power before the other.
So, always check the battery life of your AirPods or glance at your battery widget to see if you need to charge them. If that doesn’t work, you can try any other fixes in this article.
Here are some causes and fixes for one AirPod that is not working below:
1. One AirPod Not Working Due To Poor Stereo Balance
On iOS devices, there’s a setting under the Accessibility settings that lets you alter the audio balance between the left and right AirPods.
It’s possible that this setting is out of balance, causing all sounds to play on only one AirPod.
How to fix it:
To correct this, follow these steps below:
- Click on Settings.
- Click on Accessibility.
- Click on Audio/Visual.
- Balance and drag it to the middle.
2. Poor Bluetooth Connection
Sometimes, when there’s a faulty Bluetooth connection, you may find that one of your AirPods won’t work.
How to fix it:
To correct this error, try resetting the Bluetooth by doing the following:
- Click on Settings.
- Select Bluetooth.
- Then drag the Bluetooth slider to Off/White.
- Wait a few seconds,
- Then move it back to On/Green.
3. Poor Network Settings
Your smartphone’s settings determine how it connects to different networks, including Bluetooth devices.
If there’s an issue with those settings, your AirPods can stop working correctly.
How to fix it:
If you reset the settings, you’ll have to re-pair Bluetooth devices and re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and other necessary passwords.
- Go to Settings.
- Click on General.
- Select Reset.
- Select “Reset Network Settings.”
4. Dirt Inside The AirPods
You may think that one AirPod is not working, but you just cannot hear the audio because it has accumulated dirt.
How to fix it:
Examine your AirPods and clean them if the speakers appear to be clogged. To avoid dirt getting into your AirPods, clean your outer ear regularly.
Tips on how to clean your AirPods:
- You can use a cotton bud, Q-Tip, wet cleaning wipe, or a soft-bristled toothbrush to cleanse your AirPod carefully.
- Scrub them until they shine like new once more.
- Do not use water on them because they might become faulty.
Note: If you must clean your AirPods with a liquid, use a small amount of alcohol because it dries quickly. Otherwise, you risk destroying critical internal components if you use too much.
It’s also a good idea to clean the charging case! Clean the charging case where the defective AirPod connects with a Q-tip. There will be no sound from the AirPod if it isn’t getting a reasonable charge. Clean the pot and let it charge for a while. Replace them and test them now.
5. Low Volume on One Airpod
If the volume on your left or right AirPod is too low, you may not hear the sound and assume it’s not working.
How to fix it:
You must check each AirPod’s microphone and speaker mesh.
You can check that there’s a balance in the volume through the Settings:
Accessibility
Audio/Visual
Make sure you set the balance in the middle.
6. No Sound From One AirPod
Sometimes one AirPod might have no sound at all.
How to fix it:
- Make sure your charging case is ultimately charged before using it.
- Allow 30 seconds for both AirPods to charge in your charging case.
- Make sure each AirPod is charging by checking the charge status on your iPhone or iPad.
- Also, test both AirPods by playing audio.
- Reset your AirPods if one of them is still not working.
7. Out-of-date Phone Software
Many people use phones with out-of-date software. To avoid potential troubles with your AirPods, always ensure your iPhone’s software is updated.
Software updates frequently include security fixes and new features for your AirPods, so keeping them up to date is good.
How to fix it:
Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update.
8. Reset AirPods with a Hard Reset
Try hard resetting your AirPods if nothing else has worked so far. Repeat the instructions from the last section for unpairing and re-pairing your AirPods.
Hold the button on the AirPods’ case for about 15 seconds, until the light flashes amber, then white. Then follow the instructions on the screen.
If it doesn’t work, try again, but this time press down the case’s button for a significantly more extended period: roughly 40-60 seconds. Let the light move through the amber five times and then continue.
9. Examine Your Device
It’s possible that your device, not the AirPods, is to blame. Whether this is the case, try connecting to another set of Bluetooth headphones and see if the problem persists.
If this is the case, the problem is with your device, not the AirPods. You’ll need to reset your device’s settings to solve this.
10. Ask Apple For Help
If you have tried everything and nothing seems to work, the only option is to seek help from the manufacturers. You can contact their customer care representatives via phone or live chat on their website.
Or, if you do not want to speak with a representative, you could visit their website to check for possible fixes.
Visit this Apple website to check your AirPods warranty coverage. The serial number on each AirPod is required, although it is tiny and difficult to discern.
Going to the Bluetooth settings on a linked device is quicker to retrieve your AirPods’ serial number (make sure that your AirPods are in your ear and connected). To reveal the serial number, tap the icon to the right of your AirPods’ name.
