It can be frustrating when you’re ready to listen to your favorite audio and discover that only one of your AirPods is working. You’re not alone; this is a common issue many AirPods users experience. Before you rush to conclusions about a broken AirPod, there are several simple troubleshooting steps you can take to get both of your AirPods working again.
Common Reasons for One AirPod Not Working
Several factors can cause one AirPod to stop playing sound. Often, the issue is minor and easily resolved. Here are some of the most frequent culprits:
Charging Issues
One of the most common reasons for an AirPod malfunction is simply a lack of charge. If one AirPod wasn’t properly seated in the charging case, it might not have charged correctly, leaving it unable to play audio.
Connection Problems
Sometimes, AirPods can experience temporary glitches in their connection to your device or between each other. This can lead to one AirPod disconnecting or failing to play sound.
Audio Balance Settings
It’s also possible that your device’s audio balance settings are unintentionally skewed to one side. If the balance is shifted completely to the left or right, you might only hear sound in one AirPod.
Debris and Dirt
Earwax, dust, or other debris can accumulate in the speaker mesh of your AirPods. This blockage can significantly reduce the volume or even completely silence an AirPod.
Troubleshooting Steps to Fix a Single AirPod Not Working
Fortunately, resolving the issue of a single non-working AirPod is usually straightforward. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and get your AirPods back in sync:
Check the Charging Case and AirPod Charge
Begin by ensuring your charging case has ample charge. Then, place both AirPods inside the case, making sure they are correctly seated and charging. Leave them to charge for at least 30 seconds.
AirPods Charging in Case: Verifying AirPod Charge Status on iPhone
Next, open the charging case near your iPhone or iPad to check the charging status. Verify that each AirPod icon indicates a charge, confirming they are both receiving power.
Test the Malfunctioning AirPod Individually
Remove the AirPod that you believe is not working and place it in the corresponding ear. Keep the other AirPod in the charging case and close the lid. Play some audio on your device to test if the single AirPod is now producing sound.
If the AirPod plays sound on its own, place both AirPods back in the charging case for another 30 seconds, then try using them together again.
Reset Your AirPods
If the single AirPod still doesn’t work, resetting your AirPods can often resolve deeper connection issues. You can find instructions on how to reset your specific AirPods model on the Apple Support website by searching for “reset AirPods”.
Adjust Audio Balance Settings
On your iPhone or iPad, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Balance. Ensure the balance slider is positioned in the center. Adjust it if it’s shifted to one side, as this could be causing audio to play only in one AirPod.
Clean Your AirPods
Inspect the microphone and speaker mesh on both AirPods for any visible debris or earwax buildup. If you notice any dirt, gently clean your AirPods using the cleaning instructions provided by Apple for your specific model (search “clean AirPods” or “clean AirPods Pro” on Apple Support).
Conclusion
Having only one AirPod working can disrupt your listening experience, but it’s usually a temporary problem with a simple solution. By following these troubleshooting steps, you can often identify the cause and restore full functionality to both of your AirPods. If you’ve tried these steps and still experience issues, consider contacting Apple Support for further assistance.
