Why is One Airpod Louder than the Other? (7 Solutions)

Discover why one AirPod is louder than the other and learn practical solutions to fix this audio imbalance. Find out what causes the issue and how to troubleshoot it for a more balanced listening experience.

Apple AirPods have gained popularity for their flawless performance, but like any electronic device, they are not immune to occasional issues. One common concern users encounter is when one AirPod produces a louder sound than the other. If you've experienced this imbalance in sound quality, you may be wondering why it happens and how to fix it. Continue reading to learn the reasons behind this problem and explore various solutions to help you resolve it.

Table Of Contents

Why Does One AirPod Sound Louder Than the Other?

One common issue that can disrupt your music experience is when one AirPod sounds louder than the other. This disparity may lead you to believe that your AirPods are defective. There are a few possible reasons for this sound imbalance:

Audio signal balance problems: The sound variation could be due to issues with the audio signal's balance.
Connection malfunction: A damaged AirPod connection can also make one AirPod louder than the other.
Dirt accumulation: Another reason for the imbalance could be the accumulation of dirt, particularly earwax, in one AirPod. This dirt can cause the main speaker to become dirty.

To resolve this issue, it is essential to carefully clean your AirPods thoroughly, ensuring all areas are free from dirt.

How to Resolve Uneven Volume in AirPods

1. Maintain Proper Left and Right Audio Balance

If you notice a discrepancy in volume between your AirPods, EarPods, or other headphones, it may be due to an imbalance caused by adjusting the audio volume balance on your device. Here's how to address the issue:

For iPhone and iPad users:

Step 1: Access the Settings app and tap on Accessibility.

Step 2: Scroll down and select Audio/Visual.

Step 3: Adjust the balance slider to the center position at 00.

Step 4: Setting the audio balance to 0.00 allows you to eliminate any disparities between the left and right AirPods.

Note! Ensure that the audio balance on your other Apple devices, such as your Mac, is also set to the center position if it was already in the middle. If the problem persists, proceed to the remaining solutions.

For Mac users:

Step 1: Click on the Apple icon and choose System Preferences.

Step 2: Select Sound and go to the Output tab.

Step 3: Verify that the balance slider is positioned in the center, equidistant from the left and right ends.

2. Reboot Your iPhone

To restart your iPhone, follow these simple steps:

Press and hold the power button until a sliding bar appears on the screen.
Swipe the bar from left to right to shut down your iPhone.
After about 20 to 30 seconds, press and hold the power button again to turn it back on.

3. Clean your Apple AirPods

The small earbuds means that debris can easily block the tiny openings responsible for sound transmission. To ensure effective cleaning, gather a few materials, including cotton swabs, rubbing alcohol, a clean toothbrush, and paper towels. Take your time and be thorough during the cleaning process to avoid overlooking any debris or causing damage to delicate components.

4. Keep your AirPods up to date

Regularly update the firmware of your AirPods to avoid potential issues. Firmware is the software that runs on your AirPods. Neglecting firmware updates can lead to problems like inconsistent volume levels in your music. Follow these simple steps to update the firmware:

Step 1: Open the Settings on your iPhone.

Step 2: Select the General option.

Step 3: Locate your AirPods in the settings.

Step 4: Check if the latest firmware update is available.

Step 5: If not, proceed with the firmware upgrade process.

Note! Since updating the firmware takes time, it's best to do it overnight. Ensure your phone and AirPods' charging case are nearby for a smooth upgrade process.

5. Calibrate Your AirPods' Volume

Sometimes AirPods can have uneven sound due to a lack of synchronisation with the audio source device. This hampers their ability to control the volume properly. To address this issue, you can recalibrate your AirPods with your iOS device. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Connect your AirPods to your iPhone/iPad and start playing music.

Step 2: Press the Volume Down button until the volume is muted.

Step 3: Open the Control Panel and disable Bluetooth by tapping the Bluetooth icon, disconnecting your AirPods.

Step 4: Exit the Control Center and resume playing music using the device speaker.

Step 5: Once again, press the Volume Down button and mute the music.

Step 6: Launch the Control Panel and enable Bluetooth by tapping the Bluetooth icon.

Step 7: Hold down the Bluetooth symbol until your device displays a list of nearby Bluetooth devices. Choose your AirPods to reconnect them.

Step 8: The recalibration is complete, and your AirPods can now fully use audio and volume controls.

6. Replacement or Repair

Contact Apple support or visit an Apple repair facility to inquire about the possibility of replacing your AirPods. Another option is to visit your nearest Apple store. Once the warranty period is over, you can still submit a request for repair if it's available. If none of the solutions works, the only remaining option is to invest in a new pair of Apple AirPods, which can be quite expensive.

7. Reconnect the AirPods to Your iPhone

To address the issue of imbalanced volume between your AirPods, follow these steps to reconnect them to your iPhone successfully:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iOS device and select Bluetooth from the menu.

Step 2: Locate the symbol resembling an "i" near your AirPods and tap on it. Then choose the Forget option.

Step 3: Confirm the forgetting process and wait a few minutes.

Step 4: Finally, reconnect your AirPods to the network.

Bottom Line

That's all there is to it! If you're facing the issue of one AirPod being louder than the other, don't worry. There are simple solutions to fix this audio imbalance. Clean your AirPods, maintain proper audio balance settings, update the firmware, calibrate the volume, or explore replacement or repair options. And if needed, reconnect your AirPods to your device. Enjoy a more balanced listening experience!