Imagine for a moment that you were listening to your favorite song on your AirPods. Then, you noticed something odd — the sound comes from one of the AirPods only and not the other one.
No, it has nothing to do with spatial audio. Yes, it happens all the time.
Several AirPod users have reported experiencing a situation in which one AirPod seems to be slightly louder than the other. For example, the left AirPod could be louder than the right, resulting in an uncomfortable listening experience.
If you’re having this problem as well, this article outlines various ways to fix the issue so that both your AirPods have the same volume level. First, let’s explore why it happens.
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Why is One AirPod Louder Than the Other?
The most probable reason is an excessive amount of debris in one of the AirPods. Indeed, a build-up of earwax is the most common cause of AirPods being louder than the other pair. However, there are also many other reasons that this problem could be happening ranging from hardware problems to software issues.
Most of the time, the issue is not permanent and there are a lot of ways to fix this problem, which we’ll explore in the next section of this article.
Five Methods to Fix an AirPod That Is Louder Than the Other
- Check the Audio Balance Settings
- Clean the AirPods
- Reconnect Your AirPods
- Take Out and Put Back the Normal AirPod
- Connect to Another Device
1. Check the Audio Balance Settings
A possible solution is to check that your AirPods are configured correctly. If the audio balance of your AirPods is set to either the left or the right, then the corresponding AirPod will produce a higher voice than the other one. Here’s how to fix it.
AirPods 1st and 2nd Generation:
1. Open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap Accessibility.
2. Select Audio/Visual.
3. Under the Balance section, drag the slider to the center so that the audio output is balanced between both the left and right AirPods.
AirPods Pro:
1. Open Settings and go to Accessibility.
2. Scroll down and tap Audio/Visual.
3. Go to Headphone Accommodations. If it is disabled, then turn it on.
4. On the same screen, tap Transparency Mode and toggle on Custom Transparency Mode.
5. Now you’ll find a slider labeled as Transparency Balance. Drag the slider to the center so that the sound output is balanced between both the AirPods.
Note that you may have to update your iPhone or iPad to the latest version to access the settings above.
2. Clean the AirPods
The first apparent solution to the question is to clean your AirPods. Consider wiping both AirPods using soft brushes or hearing aid kits. If you don’t have access to any of those, a slightly dampened clean cloth might do the trick.
But it’s not enough to wipe the device. You also have to get rid of the ear wax. One way to do that is to suck out the gunk and test the AirPods repeatedly until it sounds just right. As disgusting as it may seem, this method actually works.
Finally, clean the bottom of the headphone. Not only does this region house the microphone, but it’s also the perfect site for dirt build-up. And that can prevent your AirPods from connecting to the charging case.
3. Reconnect Your AirPods
Another effective method is to disconnect your AirPods and then and reconnect to your iOS device.
1. Go to Settings and tap Bluetooth.
2. Under My Devices, locate your AirPods and tap on the “i” icon.
3. Select Forget This Device to disconnect your AirPods.
4. Now that they are disconnected, you have to reconnect them. Go back to the Bluetooth settings.
5. Place your AirPods in the charging case, then press and hold the button on the case until it starts to flash.
6. From the devices list in the Bluetooth settings, select your AirPods to connect.
4. Take Out and Put Back the Normal AirPod
A couple of users have suggested that the issue can be fixed by using the louder AirPod only and then putting it back in the case. Apparently, the charging case resets the audio balance.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Place both your AirPods in the charging case.
2. Now take out the AirPod that works normally (and which is louder).
3. While it’s connected to your device, use it for a few minutes and then put it back in the charging case.
4. Close the charging case lid.
The case will now reset the audio balance so that both the AirPods will have the same volume the next time you use them.
5. Connect to Another Device
If none of the methods above work, then it’s time to check if the AirPod is faulty. To do so, connect your AirPods to another device and then play a song to check if both the AirPods have the same volume. If not, then it could be that the faulty AirPod has a hardware issue and needs to be taken to the Apple Store to get it fixed.
In the case of a faulty AirPod, you may be able to get a replacement from Apple if your warranty is still valid and hasn’t expired. If not, you will have to get it repaired either from the Apple Store or a third-party certified store. The process is instant for users in the AppleCare+ program.
