One Airpod Not Working: Common Problems & Fixes

When it comes to wireless earphones, many people find that AirPods are the best option because of their portability and audio quality. However, there have been reports of one or both AirPods failing to function, and the causes have been cited as everything from improper settings to software bugs. These make using AirPods substantially less enjoyable, especially for people who rely on them for things like working out, going to work, or taking a trip. Adjusting the settings or restarting the AirPods might be all you need to do to fix the problem. But never the less, check out this article on how to fix that one AirPod of yours that is not working.

Let’s hit the road!

Why is One Airpod Not Working?

You know there’s a problem when one of your AirPods only works in one ear. Problems can include simple explanations like a dead battery or filthy AirPods, or more involved ones like malfunctioning networks or audio settings.

There are multiple potential origins for one of your AirPod not working. Following the troubleshooting steps until the AirPods operate again is the best course of action.

How to Fix One AirPod Not Working

Are you bothered about how to fix that one AirPod of yours that is not working? Check this guide on how to fix that one AirPod of yours that is not working:

#1. Charge Your AirPods

We tend to ignore the fact that a low battery could be one of the reasons why one AirPod is not working. It’s common for one of your AirPods to run out of power faster than the other. This can happen for a number of reasons. One of the reasons is that you might have used the right or left AirPod more often than the other.

Also, the battery life of your AirPods will be shortened on the side that you insert into your ears initially because that side will be using the mic. This is also true when using Siri with AirPods. No matter what happens, you can charge your AirPods by putting them in the charging case. Assessing the case simultaneously with a Lightning wire or Qi-certified charging mat will ensure that both AirPods are fully charged.

The following steps can be taken to ensure that both AirPods are getting a sufficient charge:

Use your iOS device to see if it’s still charging: To charge an iPhone or iPad, open the charging case and place it within range of the device while the device’s Bluetooth is turned on. In a few seconds, the status should appear.
Check the state of AirPods on a Mac: Turn on your charging case’s Bluetooth capabilities by opening the lid. Hovering over your AirPods in the list of devices will reveal their charging state.
Inspect the charging case’s indicator light: Once the AirPods turn green, they are fully charged; an amber or orange light indicates charging. Degradation of the battery may be to blame if one of your AirPods suddenly stops charging, especially if you’ve been using them frequently.

#2. Adjust the Stereo Balance

Changing the relative volume of the left and right channels on AirPods is a feature many users don’t know about. Stereo Balance is a typical option for the hearing impaired to control the level of their less-capable ear. All Apple products default to sending sound to only one side unless you change the settings. For instance, if your right AirPod is producing a softer sound or no sound at all, you may have slid the slider too far to the left.

Fortunately, this is not a particularly difficult problem to solve. Here’s how to tweak the AirPods’ stereo balance on an iOS device or a Mac:

The iPhone’s Stereo Balance and How to Change It
Accessibility can be adjusted in the Settings menu.
To access the audio/visual features, head to the Sensing menu and select them.
The slider should be set in the center, between L and R. If it isn’t, move it until it is.
Be sure the Mono Audio switch is in the off position.
Macintosh: Changing the Stereo Volume Level
Release the software called “System Preferences.” Select “Sound” from the menu.
Choose your AirPods’ brand and model under Output.
Under the Balance tab, move the slider until it’s centered between Left and Right.
Release the software called “System Preferences.” Achieve Accessibility by selecting the tab.
Go to the Audio section and uncheck the item labeled “Mono Audio.”

Even the earliest Macs have Bluetooth chips installed. Some adjustments (such as the stereo balance) may not be done automatically if these are present, as they could potentially disrupt the connection between your AirPods and the device. Disabling and reenabling Bluetooth on your Mac should resolve the issue.

You may also want to read: Difference Between Airpod Pro 1 and 2: All You Need

#3. Power Down and Restart Your AirPods

Sometimes it’s best to start over from scratch. It may take some time to determine why the solutions as mentioned earlier were unsuccessful. For this reason, a factory reset is the best option. When you reset your AirPods to their factory settings, all your custom settings and paired devices will be deleted. In addition, it fixes any technical issues that have been bothering you.

Just follow these instructions to perform a factory reset:

Select Bluetooth from the iPhone’s Settings menu.
Select the “i” next to your AirPods’ name to see additional information.
Followed by a confirmation, choose Forget This Device.
Close the cover of the charging case, but leave both AirPods out to charge.
Hold the case’s rear button down for 15 seconds, or until the status light cycles through amber, white, and amber again three times.
After closing and reopening the charging case, your AirPods will be ready to be reconnected to your device.

#4. Clean Your AirPods

It’s easy for dust or lint to become trapped in the AirPods’ tiny openings and cause all sorts of issues. First of all, dirt can make your sound output less clear and crisp. It can potentially interfere with your AirPods’ built-in Bluetooth sensor, leading to compatibility concerns. Lastly, dirt can get in the way of the charging pins and the Lightning port, so your AirPods won’t charge properly.

The good news is that cleaning your AirPods is pretty easy. To clean your AirPods, you’ll need the following:

Non-linting fabric
An isopropyl alcohol (70%) wipe or cloth, or a slightly wet cloth.
Dried cotton swabs
Toothpicks

Once you have gathered the aforementioned materials, you can safely clean your AirPods by following these steps:

To clean the meshes that house your AirPods’ microphone and speakers, simply dampen a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and gently wipe them down.
Carefully pick out the particles with a toothpick from the cracks.
Remove any buildup from the charging pins by wiping the bottom of the AirPods’ stems with a new cotton ball.
A cotton swab dipped in alcohol can be used to clean the charging pins within the casing. While the original and second-generation AirPods aren’t waterproof, the third-generation AirPods and all iterations of the AirPods Pro are protected against moisture and dust to the IPX4 standard. Avoid getting any moisture into the apertures, as all four versions are not waterproof.
Then, use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to wipe down all of the surfaces.
Don’t put them back in the charging case until they have dried completely.
You should never clean your AirPods with anything abrasive, like a scouring pad or bleach.

#5. Activate or Deactivate Bluetooth

It’s possible that the audio isn’t being transferred correctly from your device to your AirPods. If so, turning Bluetooth back on might help. Simply navigate to Settings > Bluetooth > toggle Bluetooth off (white), wait a few seconds, and then toggle it back on (green) on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad.

#6. Restart Your Device

The chances of restarting and fixing the issue are low, but it’s easy and fast to attempt. In many cases, an issue can be temporarily fixed by simply restarting the device in question. If your iPhone or iPad is acting up, try restarting it.

#7. Unpair and Re-pair AirPods

One of your AirPods still isn’t working properly. Get your AirPods ready for another round of setup. Go to Settings > Bluetooth > tap the i next to the AirPods > Forget This Device > Forget Device to accomplish this on an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. That will disconnect the AirPods from your mobile device. The next step is to place the AirPods in their case, press and hold the case’s button, and then adhere to the on-screen setup instructions.

#8. Reset the Network Settings on Your Device

Your device’s network settings dictate how it communicates with other devices, and several variables can affect how well or poorly that happens. You may have tinkered with a VPN program that has altered some of your settings, for instance, or you may have far too many Bluetooth or WiFi connections already set up.

Resetting your network settings to their factory defaults is the best option in these situations. In this way:

Open the Settings menu and navigate to the General submenu.
Click on the Reset tab
Click the network’s reset button.
The OS needs to be updated.

Each generation of AirPods requires a unique OS, including iOS and MacOS, to function properly. One or both of your AirPods may stop working if you’re using an out-of-date operating system.

To see if your iOS is up-to-date: Navigate to the Menu Bar and select Settings > General > About. Click the Apple menu > About This Mac to see what version of MacOS you’re running.

The solution to using an unsupported OS version is straightforward: just upgrade to the most recent version available. The steps are as follows:

You should have at least 50% battery before updating your iPhone. In addition, before installing the update, you should run an iCloud backup.
Select General from your iPhone’s Settings menu.
Choose to Update the Program.
The iPhone will search for an updated operating system for a little while while you wait.
To initiate the update, go to the Download and Install menu.
Check out Apple’s instructions for updating MacOS if you’re experiencing similar problems with AirPods.
In addition, your AirPods feature firmware that regulates how they operate internally. Most problems with older AirPods models have been resolved in more recent firmware updates.

If All Else Fails, Call Apple’s Help Line

If none of the aforementioned steps worked, the problem is likely due to a hardware malfunction. DIY repairs on headphones, and especially AirPods, are not recommended, so keep that in mind before rolling up your sleeves and getting out the tools. The proprietary parts in AirPods necessitate the knowledge of trained repair experts. More significantly, you can ruin your AirPods and end up spending more money if you try to insert them yourself. Therefore, it is recommended that you contact Apple Support for assistance.

Apple’s Self-Service Repair program is limited to fixes that are very standard across the board for the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and iPad Pro.

Preparing Your AirPods For Use: If you’ve opted to have Apple Support fix your AirPods, you can do so in a few different ways:

Consultation: Repair services are available by calling Apple’s technical support line. Another option is to visit an Apple Store and speak with a Genius there.

Carry-in Maintenance: If your AirPods ever need servicing, you can take them to an Apple-approved repair center.

In-Mail Service: Apple will provide you with a shipping box, along with postage paid, to return your AirPods. You can arrange shipping either via the website or by phone.

Whatever course of action you choose, you’ll need the following supplies for a successful repair:

AirPods serial number
AirPods charging case
Proof of purchase (original receipt or AirPods box)
If you need to send your AirPods Pro in for repairs, remember to take out the ear tips first, since they will not be returned to you.

The time it takes to get your AirPods corrected is relative to the nature of the issue. However, it often takes a week to fulfill a request for a replacement. The Apple Support page is where you may go to find out how far along your repair process is. You may learn more about AirPods’ replacement and out-of-warranty costs by visiting Apple’s website.

How Do I Reset One Airpod?

Ensure that your AirPods are charged.
Reset your AirPods. Lily Katz / SoundGuys.
Check the stereo balance in accessibility.
Clean your AirPods.

Why Is Only One Airpod Working Even After Reset?

There may be some debugging to be done if only one of your AirPods is producing sound. Problems with charging, Bluetooth, software glitches, or improper settings are just a few of the many potential causes.

How Long Do AirPods Last?

Most people use their AirPods for two to three years before they start thinking about getting a new pair. Their lithium-ion batteries are to blame for their limited lifespan. Several durability tests have revealed that AirPods are sturdy and can bear significant amounts of force.

How Can You Tell if AirPods Are Fake?

Check the packaging.
Check the serial number.
Check the charging case.
Check the AirPods themselves.
Connect to your phone.
Other signs will be painfully obvious as well, as features like “find my” earbuds won’t work with counterfeits, as they’re Apple exclusive features.

What Does Orange Light on AirPods Mean?

If the case of your AirPods has an orange or amber light, charging is in progress. When charging is complete, the light will turn green and stay on. An unrecoverable issue has occurred if the orange light on your AirPods is flashing.

Are AirPods Waterproof?

Your AirPods aren’t water-resistant. You shouldn’t wear them when taking a bath, swimming, or even walking through the rain. It’s possible that your AirPods Pro or AirPods 3 are water-resistant, but that won’t last forever. It’s better to be safe than sorry, after all.

What Should I Do if One of My AirPods Stops Connecting to My Android Phone?

If you’re having issues with your AirPods after pairing them with an Android device, you can follow the same general process outlined above for iOS. Use an app like AirBattery from the Google Play Store to see how much power is left in the battery. You may eliminate firmware-related problems by pairing your AirPods with an iPhone and making sure they have all the most recent software updates.

Why Is My Left AirPod not Working When Talking on My Phone?

If your left AirPods microphone isn’t picking up sound, you may need to switch the mic to the other earpiece. Go to Settings > Bluetooth > Microphone and choose Automatic, Always Left AirPod, or Always Right AirPod.

Final Thoughts

You won’t have to feel embarrassed because one AirPod isn’t working anymore. With both AirPods working together, you can listen to your favorite Spotify mix or watch the latest Netflix movie with full surround sound. We do hope this article gave answer to your question on why is one of your AirPod not working and how to fix it. let’s hear from you in the comment section below!

One Airpod Not Working: Common Problems & Fixes

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Why is One Airpod Not Working?