AirPods are top-of-the-line true wireless earbuds designed to seamlessly integrate with the Apple ecosystem. However, like any other device, they can sometimes encounter peculiar issues. We understand the frustration of experiencing connected AirPods that aren’t producing sound. If you’re facing this issue with your AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max, there’s no need to panic. There are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve audio problems before considering a visit to an Apple store.
Method 1: Check the Basics
But before we delve into the solutions, let’s first go over some basics. Sometimes, even minor issues can cause your AirPods to malfunction, even if they’re connected. Here’s a quick checklist:
1. Check AirPods Battery Levels: Ensure your AirPods have sufficient battery by checking the battery levels on your iPhone or iPad. Navigate to Settings -> [Your AirPods]. If one or both AirPods are low, charge them and try again.
2. Adjust Volume Settings: Press the volume up key on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to ensure that audio is not muted or turned off.
3. Check Proximity: Make sure your AirPods are not too far from your iPhone, iPad, or any other connected device. If they are out of Bluetooth range, they will automatically disconnect, and you won’t hear any sound.
As the initial troubleshooting step, toggle Bluetooth on your connected device. This can resolve minor connectivity issues and restore normal functionality to your AirPods.
Method 2: Make Sure to Select Your AirPods as Output
There’s a possibility that your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is directing audio output to the wrong source, such as internal speakers, Apple TV, HomePod, or your car, instead of your AirPods, which are connected. In such cases, you won’t hear any sound through your AirPods.
To resolve this, access your device’s Control Center, locate the AirPlay icon (a ringed triangle), and select your AirPods as the audio output.
Method 3: Check If AirPods Are Connected to Another Device
If you’ve connected your AirPods or AirPods Pro to multiple Apple devices, it’s important to note that they should automatically switch to the device you’re actively using. For example, if you’re in a Teams meeting on your MacBook, your AirPods should stay connected to the MacBook, not switch to a locked iPhone in your pocket.
However, occasionally, your AirPods may get confused and switch to a different device, especially when you’re using multiple devices simultaneously. To avoid this, check if your AirPods are connected to another device and either change the output as described above or disable Bluetooth on the devices you’re not using at the moment.
Method 4: Turn Off Automatic Ear Detection
AirPods come equipped with a handy “Automatic Ear Detection” feature that pauses audio when you remove the earbuds and resumes playback when you put them back in. While this feature is quite useful, it can sometimes misinterpret whether the AirPods are in your ears, causing the audio to pause unnecessarily. If you suspect this feature is causing issues, you can easily disable it:
1. On your iPhone or iPad, navigate to Settings > [Your AirPods].
2. Scroll down to locate the “Automatic Ear Detection” option and toggle it off.
Method 5: Reconnect your AirPods
Occasionally, pairing problems can also lead to issues with your AirPods’ audio output. To resolve this, it’s advisable to disconnect your AirPods and then reconnect them. Simply place your AirPods back in their case and wait a few seconds before taking them out again. This action will prompt your AirPods to reconnect to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. If you’re using AirPods Max, you can skip this step.
Method 6: Forget and Reset your AirPods
If simply reconnecting didn’t resolve the issue, you can reset your AirPods to potentially fix any sound problems. In rare cases, complex software bugs may be causing your AirPods Max to be connected but not playing sound. Resetting your AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max can help address these issues by restoring them to their default factory settings.
Here’s how you can reset your AirPods:
1. On your connected device, navigate to Settings -> Bluetooth and locate your AirPods in the list of devices.
2. Tap the small “i” icon next to your AirPods’ name.
3. Go to the bottom of the screen and select “Forget This Device.“
4. Confirm your decision by tapping “Forget Device.“
After completing these steps, you can re-pair your AirPods with your iPhone or iPad. Additionally, you can connect your AirPods to a Mac, laptop, or PC if needed.
Method 7: Restart Your Device
Your iPhone or iPad may be experiencing Bluetooth-related issues, which could be why your AirPods are not producing sound. Fortunately, a simple restart might resolve any minor software bugs or connectivity problems on your device. Try restarting your Apple device and check if this resolves the issue. If you have connected your AirPods to an Android smartphone or a Windows PC, consider restarting them as well.
Method 8: Clean your AirPods
When was the last time you cleaned your AirPods? If it’s been a while or you can’t recall, it’s probably time to clean them. Regular use can lead to dirt, debris, and earwax buildup around the speaker mesh of your AirPods or the contact points of the case. Excessive buildup can result in issues like connected AirPods but no sound on Android, Windows, or Apple devices.
To clean your AirPods, use a cotton swab or Q-tip to gently clean inside the silicone ear tips, around the speaker mesh, and the contact points of the charging case. If there are any loose particles, a soft, dry toothbrush can help remove them. Avoid using sharp objects like needles or pins, as they can cause permanent damage. For detailed instructions, refer to our guide on how to clean AirPods and the charging case.
Method 9: Update AirPods Firmware
If you’re unable to hear any sound despite your AirPods being connected to your iPhone, they may require a firmware update. Apple typically pushes firmware updates to AirPods silently when they’re connected to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac with a stable internet connection. This means you won’t receive any notifications regarding firmware updates on your devices.
Firmware updates are important as they fix common bugs, address sound issues, and improve overall performance. It’s therefore advisable to check for firmware updates periodically. Additionally, if you’re experiencing unbalanced sound (one AirPod louder than the other), updating the firmware may help.
To ensure your AirPods receive any available updates, follow these steps:
1. Place your AirPods in the charging case and connect the case to a charger.
2. Keep the lid of the case open and place the AirPods and case near your iPhone or iPad, ensuring there’s a stable internet connection.
Method 10: Update Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
After updating the firmware on your AirPods, it’s important to ensure that your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is also up to date. This helps to address any bugs that may be causing audio issues with your AirPods.
1. In iPhone or iPad, go to Settings -> General -> Software Update. Download and install any available updates.
2. On Mac, go to System Preferences -> Software Update. If updates are available, click on “Update Now.”
3. For Android devices, open Settings > System > Software Update > Download and install.
4. On Windows devices, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates > Download and install any available updates.
Here are ten methods to resolve AirPods sound issues. We trust this guide has been helpful in troubleshooting audio problems with your AirPods Pro or AirPods Max. If you’re encountering low volume problems, be sure to check out our tips on boosting AirPods volume.
Which of these methods worked best for you? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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