AirPods Connected But No Sound (Reasons and Fix Ways)

There is a high chance you are looking for ways to fix your AirPods connecting but without sound output if you are on this webpage. It is a sad tale whenever AirPods stop working when you need them the most. AirPods are durable products, but even the best electronic gadgets experience faults that cause the devices to stop working. Here is the ultimate guide to dealing with faulty AirPods that connect but fail to produce sound.

The post below is specifically curated to provide a clear-cut guide for troubleshooting faulty AirPods because the sooner you can resolve the problem, the sooner you can get back to a seamless listening experience. AirPods are premium quality products, and the device has reliable hardware and software. The quality hardware and software on every AirPods makes it possible to revive the device if it has secondary damages.

However, it is essential to highlight the possible causes of faulty sound output on AirPods to prevent the problem from recurring. The possible reasons affecting the defective sound are also important because they can help you identify the appropriate troubleshooting procedure to fix the AirPods. Below are the common causes of faulty sound output on AirPods.

Battery issues: Battery issues are one of the common reasons affecting the sound output on your device. A low battery can facilitate the pairing connection on your device but may lack the juice to power the AirPods adequately.
Bluetooth issues: AirPods rely on Bluetooth connection to stream sound, and faulty Bluetooth configuration can lead to the sound streaming problem.
Low volume: It seems too basic, but it is easy to forget that the volume setting is set too low or turn off the mute feature on AirPods, resulting in no sound output.
Hardware issue: Hardware issues on your AirPods can cause sound problems on your device. Hardware issues mainly result from defective or damaged parts on your AirPods.
Software issue: AirPods depend on Software to control and communicate with hardware parts, and any software issues interfere with the seamless link and communication between your paired devices.
Audio configuration: Audio misconfiguration on your playback device (like from third-party audio tweaking apps) can interfere with the sound output of your AirPods.
Incompatibility problems: Incompatibility issues with playback devices or third-party audio apps can also stop the seamless sound output on your AirPods.
Blocked sound path: An obstructed sound channel on AirPods hinders the seamless sound output, thus resulting in an unpleasant listening experience.
Audio routing issues: You can experience audio routing issues when operating multiple Bluetooth devices within the same space, and the sound output fails because of interference.
Unresponsive AirPods: AirPods can sometimes freeze up and become unresponsive because of hardware/software glitches.

Table Of Contents

Troubleshooting Tips for Fixing No Sound on AirPods

It is time to roll up your sleeves and get to the technical part of the troubleshooting guideline. However, the procedures below are easy, and you can perform them in the comfort of your home, even with little to no technical experience.

Troubleshooting Tip 1: Check for Debris

AirPods can accumulate ear wax buildup over time if you fail to clean the device regularly. Ear wax can attract debris and bind together, forming gunk that can clog the ventilation holes. Inspect and clean any gunk causing the AirPods to seem worn out because of the hindered low sound output.

Troubleshooting Tip 2: Check the Volume Setting

Check the volume setting on your iPhone to ensure the Volume Limit setting is Off. Follow the prompts below to check the volume setting on your iPhone.

Step : Tap the Settings icon on your iPhone before selecting the Music option.

Step : Locate the Volume Limit option and use the volume setting slider button to set the volume to Maximum.

Step : You can also use the Audio/Visual feature in the Accessibility section to balance the volume levels on the right and left AirPods.

Troubleshooting Tip 3: Cold Boot the AirPods

Hardware and software glitches on your AirPods can cause the device to freeze and stop working. However, the glitches can only cause a temporary freeze that you can resolve with a quick cold reboot of the AirPods.

Cold booting your AirPods is a simple process requiring you to return the pair of earbuds in their case.
Close the lid of the AirPods casing to switch the device off before removing the earbuds again to complete the cold reboot process and resolve any glitches.

Troubleshooting Tip 4: Turn Bluetooth Off and then On

You can switch the Bluetooth on your iPhone Off and back On if the above cold booting process does not force both devices to re-establish a seamless connection. Turn off/on the Bluetooth on your iPhone by tapping Settings and selecting the Bluetooth option.

Troubleshooting Tip 5: Re-pair the AirPods

Re-pairing the AirPods creates a new Bluetooth pairing configuration and resolves faulty Bluetooth configurations interfering with your listening experience.

Step 1: Return the AirPods inside their respective casing and close the lid before tapping the Settings icon on your iPhone.

Step 2: Tap the Bluetooth option and locate your AirPods under the MY DEVICES section.

Step 3: Tap the “i” icon at the far right and select the Forget This Device option.

Step 4: Open the AirPod casing and long-press the system button (10-15 seconds) until the amber and white LED light flashes.

Step 5: Hold the devices close to each other and press the Connect button once it pops up on your iPhone to complete the pairing process.

Troubleshooting Tip 6: Select AirPods as Primary Output Device

Ensure you select the AirPods as the primary output device on your iPhone if your device has a history log of other Bluetooth pairing history. You can choose the primary output device by accessing the Quick Access menu and long-pressing the Audio Widget to Advance Audio Outputs options.

Troubleshooting Tip 7: Reset the Network Settings

Resetting the network settings helps resolve data transfer conflicts on your iPhone.

Step 1: Start by tapping the Settings option and opt for the General option on your iPhone.

Step 2: Tap the Reset option before selecting the Reset Network Settings option.

Step 3: Enter your Passcode to complete resetting the network settings on your device.

Troubleshooting Tip 8: Turn Off Advance Features

You can access your AirPods Bluetooth connection on your iPhone before tapping the “i” icon and turning off advanced features like the Automatic Ear Detection feature to avoid overloading the AirPods at the expense of a quality listening experience.

Troubleshooting Tip 9: Check the Status of the Battery

Ensure the battery level on your AirPods is optimum by checking their charge capacity on the casing or battery app. You should subject your AirPods to a complete charge cycle to prevent rapid battery degradation.

Troubleshooting Tip 10: Update Firmware

Outdated firmware is one of the top reasons for software incompatibility. However, you can resolve the software incompatibility issue by updating the firmware on your devices. You can upgrade the firmware on both devices by pairing them, connecting to a reliable internet connection, and tapping the Settings, General, and Software Update options.

Conclusion

Having no sound output on your AirPods is not always a death sentence on the premium quality device. You can use the above post to fix and prevent damage on AirPods and enjoy your money’s worth for a long time. However, you may have to visit an Apple retail store if you have physical damage on your device or replace a worn-out battery.