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When only one AirPods is working, the fix is usually quicker than people expect. Most cases come down to a dead battery, a dirty speaker mesh, a balance setting pushed to one side, or a stale pairing. This guide walks through each cause in the order that solves the problem fastest, so you can work through the list without guessing and get both earbuds playing again.
Why Only One AirPods Is Working
An AirPods pair is really two separate devices that talk to each other and to your phone. If one earbud stops producing sound, the problem usually sits in one of five places: the earbud’s battery, the audio path (blocked mesh or debris), the software settings (balance or Audio Accommodations), the Bluetooth connection, or the device itself. Working through them from easiest to hardest saves time, because the first two checks fix most cases.
Quick Checks Before You Start Troubleshooting
Start with a thirty-second check. Put both earbuds in the case, make sure the case lid is open, and confirm the case is charged. Then look at your phone or Mac and see whether the AirPods appear with both earbuds listed in the battery widget. If only one shows a battery percentage or one earbud shows a much lower level, you have a power issue. If both show charge but only one plays sound, you are almost certainly dealing with a settings, debris, or connection problem.
Checklist: Things to Have Ready
- A dry, soft brush or a clean, dry cotton swab
- A small piece of tacky putty or a dry microfiber cloth
- Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, with Bluetooth turned on
- The AirPods case and both earbuds
- A lightning or USB-C cable, depending on your case model
Step 1: Check the Battery in Each Earbud
Open the case with both earbuds inside and look at the battery status on your iPhone or Mac. A dead or nearly dead earbud will not produce sound. Place the earbud that is not working on the charging case for at least 15 minutes, then check the level again. If the battery reads low after charging, the battery may be failing.
If one earbud keeps draining faster than the other, that is a strong sign of a battery problem. Apple’s support documentation recommends keeping the case charged and avoiding leaving the earbuds out of the case for long periods.
Step 2: Clean the Speaker Mesh and Charging Contacts
Lint, earwax, and dust collect in the speaker mesh over time and can block sound entirely. Use a dry, soft brush to gently sweep the mesh in one direction. Avoid pushing debris deeper into the opening. For stubborn buildup, press tacky putty onto the mesh and lift it away. Never use liquids or sharp tools.
Clean the charging contacts on both the earbud and the case as well. Dirty contacts can stop an earbud from charging properly, which then makes it appear dead. Wipe them with a dry cloth. Keep the case lid closed when cleaning the outside so debris does not drop inside.
Step 3: Check and Reset the Audio Balance
A balance setting pushed all the way to one side can make it seem as if one earbud has failed. On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Accessibility, then Audio/Visual, and check the Balance slider. Move it to the center. On a Mac, open System Settings, go to Sound, and check the balance control under output settings.
Also check Audio Accommodations on your device, since some settings there can reduce audio in one channel. Restore any changed options to their defaults and test again.
Step 4: Reset the Connection and Forget the Device
If the battery and balance are fine, the pairing may have a glitch. Remove the AirPods from your device and set them up again:
- On your iPhone, go to Settings, then Bluetooth, tap the information icon next to your AirPods, and choose Forget This Device.
- Place both earbuds in the case, close the lid, wait 30 seconds, then open it again.
- Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes amber, then white.
- Bring the case near your iPhone and follow the on-screen pairing prompts.
After re-pairing, play audio and check both earbuds. A hard reset is also an option on some models: hold the setup button on the case for about 15 seconds until the light flashes. Check Apple’s current instructions for your specific model before doing this, because steps can differ between generations.
Step 5: Test Each Earbud Separately
Isolating the faulty earbud helps you decide the next move. Play a song, put one earbud in your ear, and check the sound. Then swap them and test the other. If the same earbud is silent in both positions, it is the problem. If the sound follows one earbud regardless of position, the other side is the culprit.
Also try the earbud in a different ear or with a different case if you have access to one. This quickly rules out a fault in the case’s charging or pairing function.
Step 6: Update Your Device and AirPods Firmware
Outdated software can cause pairing and audio routing bugs. Keep your iPhone, iPad, or Mac updated to the latest operating system. AirPods firmware updates install automatically when the earbuds are in the case, connected to power, and near a signed-in device. Check the firmware version in Settings, then General, then About, and select your AirPods to view it.
Step 7: Contact Apple or an Authorized Service Provider
If the earbud still produces no sound after every step, the speaker or internal hardware may have failed. Apple’s support site lets you check warranty status using your serial number, and AirPods are often covered for a year plus optional AppleCare+ coverage depending on your plan. Consult Apple support or an authorized repair provider before attempting any internal repair, since opening the earbud can void coverage and damage the internal components.
Common Mistakes
- Blowing into the mesh. Moisture from your breath can wet the speaker, and a hard puff can push debris further in.
- Using sharp tools. Pins, toothpicks, and metal tools can puncture the mesh and damage the driver.
- Skipping the balance check. Many people spend hours troubleshooting hardware when a single slider was the cause.
- Assuming the case is charged. A low case battery can leave earbuds unable to charge or pair reliably.
- Forgetting the second device. If your AirPods are still connected to another device, audio may route there instead.
Tips to Prevent the Problem
Clean the mesh every few weeks, keep the case charged, store the earbuds in the case when not in use, and avoid exposing them to heavy moisture or sweat for long periods. Keeping firmware updated also reduces the chance of pairing bugs.
Recommended gear
- A soft-bristle cleaning brush helps you sweep lint and earwax from the speaker mesh without pushing debris inward. View on Amazon
- Tacky cleaning putty lifts stubborn buildup from the mesh and charging contacts without liquids. View on Amazon
- A microfiber cleaning cloth wipes the case and contacts dry, which is safer than damp paper towels. View on Amazon
FAQ
Why is only one AirPods working after I charged them?
The dead earbud may not have charged properly because of dirty contacts or a failing battery. Clean the contacts, charge for at least 15 minutes, and check the battery level again.
Can a dirty mesh stop one AirPod from making sound?
Yes. Debris blocking the speaker mesh can muffle or silence an earbud. Gentle brushing or tacky putty usually restores sound.
Does the balance setting really cause this problem?
It can. If balance is pushed fully to one side, the other earbud will seem silent. Check the balance slider on your device and reset it to center.
Will resetting my AirPods erase my settings?
Forgetting and re-pairing the device removes the pairing but not your device preferences. You will need to set them up again on each device.
Should I replace the earbud myself?
Opening an AirPod can damage internal parts and may affect warranty coverage. Contact Apple support or an authorized provider first.
Is one dead AirPod a sign the other one will fail too?
Not necessarily. The two earbuds have separate batteries and speakers, so one can fail while the other keeps working normally.
Can I use one AirPod while the other is out of service?
Yes. Most devices let you use a single earbud for calls and audio, though sound will be mono rather than stereo.
Conclusion
When only one AirPods is working, start with the battery, mesh, and balance settings, since those fix most cases in minutes. If the earbud still stays silent, re-pair it and update the firmware before assuming hardware failure. Contact Apple support if the problem continues after every step, because internal repairs are best left to professionals.
