One AirPod Not Working? 10 Ways to Fix It (2024)

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There are several reasons you can't hear audio through both your AirPods. The good news is that it's likely a simple fix. Walk through our tips below for proven solutions when only one AirPod works.

Why One AirPod Isn't Working

The causes can range from the reasonably simple (low battery charge or dirty AirPods) to the pretty complex (problems with network or audio settings).

Given that, there's no single cause for this AirPods problem so there's no single fix, either. The best thing to do is walk through troubleshooting steps until the AirPod starts working again.

What to Do When One AirPod Is Not Working

The possible fixes are listed below from simplest to most complex, so try them in this order:

1. Charge your AirPods. Yes, this sounds obvious, but don't overlook this step! The simplest and most likely explanation for one AirPod not working is that its battery is dead. Also, take this time to wiggle it around in the case to make sure it's in contact with the charging components.

   AirPods can drain batteries at different rates, so even if you've charged them simultaneously, one might run out of juice first. It's easy to check the battery level of your AirPods to confirm this.

   See Also

   One AirPod Not Working? How to Fix the Problem

2. Restart your device. Restarting is a quick and straightforward fix for some tech problems, so it's definitely worth a try before we move on to the more complex solutions.

   In addition to restarting your iPhone or restarting your iPad, give your AirPods a quick reboot, too: put them in the case and close the lid for at least 10 seconds. For AirPods Max, press and hold the Digital Crown and noise control button on the right headphone, and release them when the status light flashes amber.

   AirPods Max will factory reset if you hold the buttons for too long; it should only be about 10 seconds.

3. Toggle Bluetooth on and off. The problem with your AirPods could be that the audio isn't being properly sent from your device to your earbuds. In that case, try resetting Bluetooth.

   On an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth, and move the Bluetooth slider to the off position. Wait a few seconds and then switch it back on.

4. Check the stereo balance. There's a setting hidden deep in the Accessibility options on iOS devices that lets you control the balance of audio between the left and right AirPods. This setting could be out of balance, sending sound to only one AirPod.

   To fix this, go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual. Find the Balance slider and move it to the center.

   If you're having trouble with both AirPods, you could be looking at completely different issues. Learn how to fix both AirPods when they're not working.

5. Turn off Optimized Battery Charging. This feature is intended to expand the lifespan of the AirPods by reducing the time they spend fully charged. Some users have reported that turning this off fixed the problem of just one AirPod working.

   To do this, open the AirPods case and go to Settings > Bluetooth on your device. Tap the small (i) next to the AirPods to find the option to disable Optimized Battery Charging.

6. Reset the AirPods. Put both AirPods back in the case and, with the lid open, press and hold the button on the back of the case until you see a light flash. This step requires you to pair your AirPods again, but the sound should be working now.

   If that doesn't work, try again, but hold down the button on the case much longer: around 40-60 seconds. Let the light move through the amber-then-white cycle five times.

7. Clean the AirPods. You might not hear the audio in one AirPod because the speakers are clogged, blocking sound from getting out. That could be lint or dust, or even earwax.

8. Reset network settings. Your device has settings that control how it connects to various networks, including Bluetooth devices. If those settings have a problem, that could be the reason only one AirPod works.

   After resetting, you must re-pair Bluetooth devices and re-enter Wi-Fi passwords.

9. Update your device's operating system. Every new version of the iOS and iPadOS brings lots of new features and important bug fixes. While this isn't likely to solve the problem, there's a chance you can fix AirPod audio issues by getting the latest version of your device's OS. Since updates are free, pretty fast, and bring many benefits, it's worth a shot.

   You can update your AirPods, too, but this happens automatically whenever your AirPods are in the case and placed next to your device.

10. Contact Apple about the issue. At this point, it's time to get help from the experts: Apple. You can also make an Apple Store Genius Bar appointment for in-person help.