Only one AirPod working: how do you get the sound back?

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Only one AirPod working, with the other silent or refusing to connect? Apple says to check the charge of both earbuds and the case first, then clean, fix the audio balance and, as a last step, reset. Allow 2 hours of drying time if you clean the grilles.

Common symptoms and causes

• One earbud stays silent: its battery is flat, or the case is too low to charge it.
• The contacts or the charging port of the case are dirty.
• The sound is weak on one side: the microphone or speaker grille is blocked.
• The sound leans to one side: the audio balance is no longer centred.
• The two earbuds no longer work together and need a reset.
• One AirPod is faulty, or it has just been replaced and needs to be set up.

Before you start

Keep your iPhone or iPad within reach. It shows the charge of each earbud and gives you access to the settings.

Work out your model too. The reset is not the same for AirPods (1st to 3rd generation) and AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation) as for AirPods 4, AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3. The AirPods 5 spec sheet helps you recognise the latter.

Warning: never puncture, bend or heat a lithium battery; a swollen battery will not charge again and goes to a collection point; work on a non-flammable surface. Do not push any object into the ports of the case.

Warning: opening the device may void the warranty, so check the warranty end date first. Repair or replacement of an earbud goes through Apple.

Solution 1: charge and test each AirPod

1. Check that the charging case has enough charge. If it will not charge, follow Apple’s support page on a case that does not charge.
2. Put both AirPods in the case and leave them to charge for 30 seconds.
3. Open the case near your iPhone or iPad.
4. Look at the charge of each AirPod on the screen that appears, or in the Batteries widget on the Home Screen.
5. Put the silent AirPod in the correct ear and leave the other one in the closed case.
6. Check that the AirPod is connected, then play some audio.
7. If the earbud works on its own, put both AirPods back in the case for 30 seconds, then test them together.

Both earbuds should now play sound. Still silent even on its own? Go to solution 4, the reset.

Good to know: a replacement AirPod has to be set up before it works with the other one. Apple describes the steps on its replacement AirPod page.

Solution 2: clean the grilles and the charging port

This cleaning follows Apple’s method. For AirPods Pro, Apple publishes a dedicated cleaning page; for the other models, see How to clean your AirPods.

1. Remove the ear tips if you have AirPods Pro, then inspect the microphone grille and the speaker grille.
2. Wipe the body of the earbud with a cloth lightly dampened with clean water.
3. Dry it with a dry, lint-free cloth.
4. On AirPods 3, 4 or 5, dampen a soft child’s toothbrush with micellar water.
5. Brush in small circles for about 15 seconds, only on the grille areas Apple indicates.
6. Dab the grille on a paper towel.
7. Repeat the brushing and dabbing, three times in all.
8. Do the same three passes again with distilled water.
9. Dust the charging port of the case with a soft, dry brush.
10. Wipe the case with a dry, lint-free cloth, lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol if needed.
11. Let the AirPods dry for at least 2 hours before putting them back in the case.

Once the AirPods are dry, repeat the test from solution 1.

Tip: get the brush, the micellar water and the distilled water out before you begin. The six passes then follow one another without a pause.

Warning: do not use running water, sharp objects or abrasive products. Do not push anything into the ports.

Solution 3: centre the audio balance

One earbud sounds weaker than the other? First remove the ear tips and inspect the grilles (solution 2). Then adjust the balance on your iPhone or iPad.

1. Open Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Balance.
2. Move the Balance slider to the centre.

The sound should come out at the same volume on both sides. If it is the noise cancellation that is fading rather than the sound, see our guide on active noise cancellation not working.

Solution 4: forget and reset the AirPods

Warning: this solution removes the pairing. You will have to reconnect the AirPods to your devices afterwards.

Whatever the model, the preparation is the same.

1. Put the AirPods in the case and close the lid for 30 seconds.
2. On the iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Bluetooth > My Devices, then tap the info button next to your AirPods.
3. Tap Forget This Device, then confirm.
4. Open the lid of the case.

AirPods 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation, AirPods Pro 1st and 2nd generation

1. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds, until the front light turns amber and then white.

AirPods 4, AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3

1. Double-tap the front of the case while the light is on.
2. Double-tap the front of the case again when the light flashes white.
3. Double-tap a third time when the light flashes faster.
4. Wait for the light to turn amber and then white.

Tip: keep your eyes on the light rather than on the phone. Its flashing sets the rhythm of the double taps.

Reconnect the AirPods

1. If the light does not turn white, close the lid for 20 seconds, reopen it and repeat the sequence for your model.
2. Put the AirPods in the open case, close to your device, and follow the instructions on the screen.

Both AirPods should show as connected and play sound together.

Good to know: according to a summary of Apple’s documentation that we could not verify, closing the case for at least 10 seconds is enough to restart the AirPods. If only one AirPod works on Android, you will probably need to pair them again, but no Apple page we read confirms the procedure.

If nothing works

Stop if the AirPod stays silent after the reset. The settings can do nothing more. Ask Apple for a repair or a replacement from the Get Support page: Apple can replace a single earbud.

Check your warranty before making the request. You may be asked for the serial number of the AirPods, but the Apple pages we read do not confirm it.

If a replacement costs more than buying new earbuds, here are three recent models to compare.

Take better care of your AirPods: our toolbox

A few simple accessories to keep your earbuds clean and charged.

Frequently asked questions

Why is only one of my AirPods working?

The silent earbud often has a flat battery, a case that is too low on charge or dirty contacts. A blocked grille or an off-centre audio balance usually gives weak sound on one side. If charging and cleaning change nothing, a reset resynchronises the two AirPods.

How do I reset AirPods?

First forget the AirPods in Settings > Bluetooth, then open the case. On AirPods 1st to 3rd generation and AirPods Pro 1st and 2nd generation, hold the button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds. On AirPods 4, AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3, double-tap the front of the case three times, following the rhythm of the light, until it turns amber and then white.

How do I clean an AirPod that will not charge?

Clean the charging port of the case with a soft, dry brush, without inserting anything into it. Wipe the earbud with a cloth lightly dampened with clean water, then a dry, lint-free cloth. Let it dry for at least 2 hours before putting it back in the case.

Can you replace a single lost or faulty AirPod?

Yes, Apple replaces a single earbud. Make the request from Apple’s support site. The new AirPod then has to be set up with the other one, following the procedure on the dedicated Apple page.