Experiencing issues with your AirPods? It’s frustrating when only one AirPod is working. This common hiccup could be due to several factors like connectivity issues, dirt blockage, or even a drained battery. Discover 15 troubleshooting steps to resolve this annoyance and enjoy your tunes uninterrupted.
Ensure Proper Charging
Check Individual AirPod Charging Status
One of the first things to do when you find that only one of your AirPods is working is to check their charging status. Here’s how you do it:
- Gently place your AirPods in the charging case. Make sure they fit snugly.
- Now, bring the charging case close to your iPhone or iPad.
- Open the lid of the charging case. Your iPhone or iPad will show a pop-up displaying the battery status of each AirPod.
If one of your AirPods is not fully charged, let them charge for a while. It’s important to know that AirPods need a good amount of battery to function properly.
Understand the Importance of a Full Charge
You might wonder why both AirPods need to be sufficiently charged. Well, AirPods are designed to work together. If one is low on battery, it might not work as well or not work at all. A full charge ensures that your AirPods are ready to provide the amazing sound quality they are known for.
Clean Your AirPods
Inspect and Clean AirPods and Case
Sometimes, tiny pieces of dirt or debris can get stuck in the little holes of your AirPods or inside the charging case. This can block the sound or even stop your AirPods from charging properly. Let’s learn how to clean them safely:
- Check for Dirt and Debris:
- Take a close look at your AirPods and the charging case. Look for any dirt or tiny stuff that shouldn’t be there. Sometimes, it’s just a little piece of lint that causes the problem!
- Get Ready to Clean:
- Grab a clean, dry cloth or a cotton swab. It’s better to use something soft so you don’t scratch your AirPods or the case.
- Gentle Cleaning:
- Gently wipe the outside of your AirPods and the charging case with a dry cloth.
- If you see dirt in the small holes of your AirPods, use the cotton swab to gently clean them out. Be careful not to push the dirt further in!
- Check Again:
- After cleaning, check to see if both AirPods are working now. Sometimes, a simple cleaning does the trick!
Reset Your AirPods
Perform a Full Reset
Sometimes, our gadgets act a bit strange and need a fresh start. Resetting your AirPods can solve many problems, like if only one AirPod is working or if the sound is too low. Here’s how to give your AirPods a fresh start:
- Get Ready:
- Place your AirPods in the charging case but keep the lid open.
- Find the small button on the back of the charging case. This is the reset button.
- Press the Button:
- Press and hold the reset button for about 15 seconds. You’ll notice the light on the case will start flashing. First, it will flash amber (which is a colour between yellow and orange), and then it will flash white. This means your AirPods are resetting.
- Pair Them Again:
- Now, you’ll need to pair your AirPods with your device again. Just open the lid of the charging case near your device and follow the on-screen instructions to pair them.
When is a Reset Necessary?
Sometimes, you might notice that your AirPods are not as loud as they used to be, or you might wonder, Why Are My AirPods So Quiet? A reset can help fix these kinds of issues by wiping away any minor glitches that are causing problems.
A reset is also helpful if:
- Only one AirPod is working.
- The battery seems to drain too fast.
- Your AirPods are not connecting to your device properly.
Check Connectivity
Inspect Bluetooth Connectivity
Our AirPods talk to our devices using something called Bluetooth. Sometimes, they might have trouble connecting, which could be why only one AirPod is working. Let’s figure out how to solve these connectivity issues:
- Check Bluetooth Setting:
- On your device, go to the Settings.
- Look for Bluetooth and make sure it’s turned on. If it’s off, switch it on.
- Pair AirPods Again:
- In the Bluetooth settings, you might see your AirPods listed.
- Tap on your AirPods and choose “Forget This Device.”
- Now, place your AirPods in the charging case, open the lid, and hold the button on the back of the case until you see a flashing white light.
- On your device, follow the on-screen instructions to pair your AirPods again.
- Check for Interference:
- Sometimes, other Bluetooth devices nearby can cause interference.
- If possible, move away from other Bluetooth devices or turn them off while using your AirPods.
Inspect Audio Settings
Check Audio Balance and Settings
Sometimes, the settings on our device can change without us noticing, or maybe we change something by mistake. This can affect how our AirPods sound. Let’s look at how to check and fix these settings:
- Check Audio Balance:
- Go to Settings on your device.
- Scroll down and tap on Accessibility.
- Now, tap on Audio/Visual, then Balance.
- Make sure the slider is in the middle. If it’s not, slide it to the middle. This will ensure that both your AirPods play sound equally.
- Volume Limit:
- In the same Audio/Visual settings, check if there’s a volume limit set. If yes, you might want to increase or turn off the limit to get better sound.
- Check Equaliser Settings:
- Go back to Settings and tap on Music.
- Now, tap on EQ (which stands for Equaliser).
- Choose “Off” if you want a natural sound. Or, explore other settings to find what sounds best to you.
Other Audio Settings that Affect Performance
Apart from balance and volume, there are other settings that might affect how your AirPods sound. For example, the Equaliser (EQ) setting can change how different types of music sound on your AirPods.
Other Troubleshooting Tips
Miscellaneous Troubleshooting Tips
Apart from the steps we discussed, there are other little tricks that might help if you’re facing issues with your AirPods. Let’s explore some more:
- Update Your Device:
- Sometimes, updating your device to the latest software can solve problems with your AirPods. Go to Settings, then General, and tap on Software Update to see if there’s an update available.
- Check for AirPods Updates:
- Yes, your AirPods have software too! They usually update automatically when connected to your device, but it’s good to check. Connect your AirPods to your device, go to Settings, then General, then About, and tap on AirPods to see the current version.
- Try Using One AirPod:
- If you’re having trouble with both AirPods, try using just one for a while to see if the problem persists.
- Check Sound Settings in the App:
- Sometimes, the app you’re using might have its own sound settings. Check if there are any settings within the app that might be causing the issue.
- Restart Your Device:
- Good old restarting can solve many problems. Turn off your device, wait a moment, then turn it back on and check your AirPods again.
Conclusion
following these troubleshooting steps can significantly improve your experience with AirPods. By maintaining, resetting, and checking settings, you ensure a seamless audio experience, keeping the musical enjoyment alive.