Why is One Airpod Louder Than the Other & How to Fix

Find out why one of your AirPods is quieter than the other and what you can do to fix it.

It’s unsettling when one of your AirPods that has been working like a dream one day just starts to sound louder than the other.

It can be difficult to listen to music or even make a proper phone call when the audio feels off-balance. When your productivity eventually suffers, this becomes even more annoying!

In this helpful guide, we’ll explain some potential causes of one of your AirPods sounding quieter than the other as well as offer a few fixes. Find out how by reading on!

Why is Your One AirPod Louder Than the Other?

One of your AirPods may be louder than the other for a variety of reasons, including firmware, file, or audio setting problems in software or a hardware issue.

The issue is that before attempting any solutions, it is best to understand the underlying cause. By doing so, you’ll be able to comprehend the appropriate fixes and perhaps even steer clear of having the problem again.

Let’s review some of these possible causes below:

• Firmware problems
• Audio file issues
• Hardware problems
• Audio source setting issues

Firmware Problems

To enhance performance and add new features, Apple occasionally updates the AirPods’ firmware.

Additionally, these updates aid in resolving any bugs, problems, or unintentional errors that might be preventing your AirPods from operating as intended. Therefore, if your AirPods’ firmware isn’t updated, they could still be experiencing these problems, which would ultimately lead to an unbalanced sound.

To check whether your AirPods’ firmware is updated using your iOS device, follow these steps:

1. Open the ‘Settings’ app, tap ‘General’ then ‘About.’
2. Then tap on your ‘Airpods’ to check the firmware version they are on.

As Apple doesn’t release notes for new firmware updates, it might be challenging to know if your AirPods are running the most recent version. The most recent AirPods firmware, however, is 4E71 as of the time of writing this article.

Audio File Issues

You might occasionally fail to consider the possibility that the audio file itself has an uneven sound profile.

The majority of audio files that we listen to are stereo tracks, which send an audio signal to left and right on separate channels. These audio files are frequently modified by sound engineers and artists using software to produce more immersive soundscapes.

One such method that can change how far apart sounds in a stereo track’s left and right speakers are heard is audio panning. Producers can, for instance, attenuate certain instruments so that they stand out more on one speaker than the other, giving listeners a distinctive aural experience.

You can put your AirPods in Mono Mode to see if it really is your audio file that sounds choppy.

Switching to mono audio turns off the stereo output and plays the same audio file through both speakers. With the aid of this feature, you can easily check if your audio file has uneven sound on either of the speakers and stop any audio panning that may be present.

Here’s how you can switch your AirPods to mono audio:

1. Open Settings and tap on Accessibility.
2. Select Audio/Visual under Hearing by scrolling down and tapping it.
3. Toggle Mono Audio on.

Here is a detailed explanation of the distinctions between stereo and mono if you want to enjoy the best audio quality but are unsure which to choose.

Hardware Problems

It might just be an issue with the hardware and internal mechanism of your AirPods, excluding software-related issues like an unbalanced audio file or out-of-date firmware.

For example, dust accumulation inside your AirPods can disrupt the internal circuitry and obstruct sound transmission. Earwax can build up on the speaker grill mesh of your AirPods if you don’t clean them frequently, which will prevent sound from coming through.

Audio Source Settings Issues

If none of the aforementioned reasons apply, your audio source may actually be the problem. Technical issues affecting sound output may exist on your phone or computer.

Another potential cause is having incorrect audio enhancement settings. The wrong settings can give the impression that your music is too soft or unbalanced, despite the fact that they’re intended to produce a more customized sound.

Try attaching another set of AirPods or other wireless headphones to your audio source to see if this is the case. It’s likely that the settings for your audio source are the culprit if the uneven sound volume persists.

If you’re experiencing audio issues while using AirPods with a Windows PC, take a look at these audio fixes.

How to Fix One AirPod is Louder Than the Other

One AirPod may sound louder than the other due to a hardware or software problem. An audio balance problem, a connectivity problem, or a defective AirPod could be to blame for the problem. The most likely cause of this problem, though, is too much dirt in one of your AirPods.

One AirPod is louder than the other. Here’s how to fix it.

Solution #1 Adjust Left and Right Channels Audio Volume Balance of Your IPhone

You can make one side of your headphones louder than the other by adjusting the balance to the left or right. Nowadays, a lot of people wear earbuds, and it can be annoying if the volume of the music they are playing changes. The volume of the AirPods has been maintained by changing this parameter and making sure the sound is balanced rather than reduced to the absolute minimum.

Make sure all of the settings are in the proper places by checking them again.

Checking Audio Volume Balance Slider

Step 1: Open the settings app on your iOS device.

2. Scroll down and choose General.

Third step: select the accessibility menu.

There should be a slider that displays the letters R and L, which stand for the left and right channels, respectively. The slider should be in the center to ensure that the sound is transmitted equally.

Using Mac Device

Step 1: Go to System Preferences > Sound > Output

Step 2: Pick your AirPods from the Sound Output menu section.

Step 3: Place the slider now in the middle of the L and R.

The fourth step is to go back to the System Preferences menu and choose Accessibility.

Step 5: Return to the Audio tab and deselect Mono Mode.

Check to see if one airpod is no longer louder than the other after you have corrected the left and right channel audio balance.

Solution #2 Clean AirPods

Your AirPods can be made a little louder by cleaning them. Cleaning them will get rid of anything on the surface preventing the sound from escaping. The fact that Apple’s AirPods aren’t dust- or water-resistant is one of their biggest shortcomings. As a result, ear wax can accumulate on your AirPods over time, especially if you store them in the charging case where additional dust can accumulate.

Your AirPods can be effectively cleaned by brushing the speaker grills with a soft toothbrush. Take a clean cloth and give it a quick wipedown after each brushing. A cotton swab can also be used to gently clean the speaker grills.

Examine your AirPods to see if they are producing sound equally after a thorough cleaning.

Solution #3 Suck on the AirPod

This works because the AirPods collect ear wax, which muffles all external sound. We appreciate the poster in the Apple Support Communities thread for suggesting this approach. You’ll only need to do this as a last resort if you’ve already tried cleaning them as previously explained and one AirPod still sounds louder than the other.

If you notice that cleaning them isn’t as effective as it should be, ear wax buildup in the mesh is to blame. After drying, the wax becomes more like an adhesive in texture. It can only be taken off after being submerged in water for a long period of time. This is accomplished when you clean them. Make sure you have a lot of suction and only use this method when the AirPods are still damp.

Apply this to both of your Apple AirPods to stop one of them from being louder than the other. In order to prevent wax from entering your lungs, use your tongue as a barrier. With the speaker facing the ground, turn them into your mouth. This enables gravity to help with the removal of the last of the wax and water. It’s best to avoid taking in too much air because moisture can damage the AirPods’ internal components.

Now determine whether the volume of your AirPods is consistent.

Solution #4 Try to Charge AirPods

It’s possible that one AirPod’s battery died while the other was charging. One AirPod may be quieter as a result when the battery is running low. The AirPods are probably broken if one of them won’t charge properly. It would need to be replaced with fresh AirPods or fixed. Place the charging case over the two AirPods, which should be connected to an authentic Apple lightning cable. Charge them for at least 30 minutes to make sure there isn’t a charging issue. To view the battery percentage of your AirPods, you must add a widget to your iPhone’s home screen. Start by pressing and holding a free area on your home screen. Select the Airpods charging widget by clicking the add button in the upper left corner now. You can now check to see if they are charged equally by sliding all the way to the left on your home screen.

Solution #5 Reset AirPods

As soon as you have established whether your AirPods are truly broken, connect them to one of your other devices, such as your PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, etc. Once the AirPods are paired, play a movie or song to hear how well they sound. Your original device’s settings might need to be reset if the AirPods work properly on the second one.

Here’s how to reset your iPhone or iPad’s settings app:

Resetting AirPods

Go to the settings app on your iOS device in step 1.

Step 2: Select General by scrolling down.

Step 3: Select Reset.

Step 4: Select Reset all settings.

Resetting all settings involves clearing or resetting your network settings and WiFi passwords, the keyboard dictionary, the Home screen layout, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards. Your information or media is not erased.

Solution #6 Check Sound Settings App

Your AirPods might not sound as loud as they should because you altered your sound settings.

Although Spotify or other third-party music apps are not necessary if you use Apple Music, you can still learn a few things from this solution.

This could be the problem if your audio is silent on both Airpods and not just one. The EQ settings offer a variety of options for softer-sounding music.

The way sound is delivered to your ears is changed by equalization, a sound quality adjustment. The options available to you include base enhanced and echo. Leaving it on its default setting guarantees that you won’t experience any sound setting issues.

Even though this setting has nothing to do with why one AirPod’s music is louder than the others, it can change how loud your AirPods are.

Checking the Settings

Start by selecting the Settings tab.

Step 2: Scroll down and select Music.

In the third step, press the EQ button.

Step 4: Confirm that Off is chosen.

Solution #7 Calibrate AirPods Sound and IPhone

If none of the previously mentioned techniques work, you’ll need to calibrate the sound in your AirPods to increase the volume. Calibrating the sound between the two devices merely entails changing the sound to take into account environmental factors. Your iPhone and AirPods will now have the same audio quality.

You can hear the effect of changing the volume right away as the sound level rises or falls. Calibration of the sound should balance out the volume on both AirPods if one seems to be louder than the other.

Calibrating AirPods

First, turn the volume all the way down.

Turn off your AirPods in Bluetooth Settings, step two.

Step 3: Verify that your AirPods are in the proper ear canal position.

Step 4: Play music through the iPhone speakers.

Step 5: Totally lower the volume on your iPhone.

Step 6: Reconnect your AirPods.

Step 7: Turn up the volume again to check if it works.

Solution #8 Visit Apple Or Contact Apple Support

Your AirPods might be experiencing hardware issues if none of the aforementioned fixes work. To speak with someone and learn if you qualify for a replacement of a new pair, go to your neighborhood Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. Contact them for assistance so you can perform a mail-in repair if you don’t want to waste time driving to the store and then speaking with them and would rather have an online option.

Feel Free to Visit Our YouTube Channel for Additional Support and Troubleshooting Guides on Various Devices and Gadgets.

Conclusion

No matter how old or new your AirPods are, if you don’t know how to identify and fix the problem, having one AirPod sound quieter than the other can be a nuisance.

Fortunately, you now have a variety of options to try in order to solve this audio balance issue. If your friends ever experience the same issue, you might even be able to spare them from needless trouble.

Which of the aforementioned fixes do you think is the most helpful? Have you found any additional solutions to the problems this guide may have overlooked? Please let us know in the comments section below.

13 Tips to Help You Put Yourself First

At first, it may seem strange and even self-centered to learn to love oneself while in a relationship. However, it is a tried and true method of demonstrating how others can respect and love you.

Furthermore, by learning how to prioritize your needs in a relationship, you’ll be able to spend more time with your partner because you’ll be calmer and less stressed.

Thus, by learning to prioritize your needs, you’ll open the door for mature and assertive communication on the path to shared development. In the end, partnerships that allow for mutual growth and development are the most successful.

In this article, I’ll show you practical ways to start putting yourself first so that you can stop bending over backwards for everyone and give your back a break.

The Importance of Taking Care of Yourself

Prioritizing yourself first might appear selfish at first. But how in the world are you supposed to make other people happy if you can’t even make yourself happy?

This assertion is supported by research, which shows that putting your needs first and being kind to yourself can lead to higher levels of happiness.

I once questioned why, despite being so busy with activities I believed to be meaningful, I felt dissatisfied with my life. However, I eventually understood that engaging in worthwhile activities does not always imply that you are looking after yourself and communicating your needs.

You really need to heed the flight attendant’s advice both on and off the plane, as cliché as it may sound. The only way you can save yourself in life and save others is by putting your own oxygen mask on first.

Why People-pleasing Doesn’t Set You Up for Success

Everybody wants to be liked. When others enjoy and value you, it makes you feel good.

But you’re setting yourself up for disappointment if you make pleasing other people the center of your life. According to a study conducted in 2000, trying to please others makes you depressed and less satisfied with your interpersonal relationships.

I recall an instance where I gave in to my in-laws’ demands while putting my own needs on the back burner in an effort to make them happy. However, what ultimately happened was that I began to subtly harbor anger toward this in-law, which began to affect our relationship. When I established boundaries, I noticed that our relationship was able to flourish and that there was less tension between us.

When you put your attention on pleasing others, you don’t please yourself. Furthermore, you deserve happiness just as much as those other people do.

Here is an entire article on how to stop being a people-pleaser if you want to learn more about the detrimental effects of this behavior.

13 Ways to Put Yourself First

Start using these 5 suggestions right away if you’re ready to put your oxygen mask on first so you can finally breathe and enjoy life more.

1. Remind Yourself That You Will Never Be Able to Make Everyone Happy

Read that sentence once more. Additionally, internalize it as truth rather than just dismissing it.

It is impossible to make everyone happy because we all have different needs and unique personalities, no matter how hard you try.

When I try to plan a dinner with my friends, I have to use this advice. Like trying to get Americans to agree on anything political, getting my friends to agree on one restaurant for dinner that will satisfy everyone is a challenge.

What ultimately happens is that when I decide where we are going, one or two of my friends will always complain. And if it’s that important, they can always decide not to participate.

You will always feel less stressed if you keep in mind that it is not your responsibility to ensure that everyone else is happy, whether the decision is about where to eat dinner or something more significant.

2. Say No More Often

Self-care can occasionally look like saying “no.”

I used to be the kind of employee who would always agree to my boss’ requests, regardless of how inconvenient they were for me. I wanted to impress my boss and demonstrate what it meant to be a hard worker.

For the first few years of my career, I had to stay later and forgo my social life as a result of this. And as usual, I started to dislike my job and would say yes when I really wanted to say no.

I hit a breaking point and finally learned how to say that simple two-letter word: no.

I stopped feeling burned out after doing this, and I started to enjoy my work again.

Saying no and prioritizing your needs is not a sign of a bad person. When you say yes, you want to be able to give it your all, so you’re just trying to keep your mind and positive energy in check.

3. Set Up Healthy Boundaries in Your Relationships

We frequently worry the most about pleasing those who are closest to us when it comes to pleasing the people in our lives. And while it is important to some extent to see to it that the needs of those you care about are met in your relationships, you can’t always put aside your own needs and let someone take advantage of your generosity.

In high school, I had no idea what it meant to set boundaries in a relationship, and my boyfriend at the time was aware of this. When he was too busy to do it himself, he would ask me to get him lunch or help him with his homework, which was a big help to him.

I complied with his demands because I was an naive teenage girl who was fixated on the concept of love. And as a result, I frequently failed to complete my own assignments or broke up with friends.

I feel queasy when I think back on what I did at the time. I failed to establish boundaries that prioritized my needs, which led to the unhealthy nature of that relationship.

Be unlike Ashley from high school. In order for your relationships to be long-lasting and satisfying for both parties, set clear boundaries.

4. Slow Down and Assess How You Are Feeling

Sometimes you have to prioritize your needs over those of others because you’re too busy trying to please everyone else to even be aware of how you’re feeling.

And in some instances, this rushing around to keep yourself busy is a way for you to hide your true feelings and a more serious problem.

You must take the time to assess how you’re feeling in order to ascertain what you need in the first place if you want to start truly caring for yourself and experience a sense of contentment in life.

It is a recipe for burnout and frustration to keep working hard and hustling for other people while neglecting your own needs. Make the effort to sort through your emotions so that you can determine the best course of action for addressing your own needs.

5. Lead by Example

Identifying whether you are following someone else’s lead or leading from your own vision, priorities, and goals is one of the simplest ways to determine whether you are being true to yourself. Because if you constantly follow someone who might or might not have your best interests in mind, you risk sabotaging those very same interests and sacrificing yourself in the process.

Instead, create your own path. Because you’ll be completely in tune with yourself and the Universe, you won’t ever be led down a path that leads nowhere if you stay in alignment with your intuition and inner needs. You’ll have established yourself as a leader.

You can do it if I can, who is six years old.

6. Stick to Your Values.

What are your fundamental beliefs? Do you take great pride in your ability to communicate clearly and honestly? Are you dependable, loyal, and consistent? What about being imaginative and courageous?

Outline these characteristics in detail so that you can better understand yourself and determine whether a particular circumstance respects them. I like to think that I am sincere and open in almost everything I do, as an illustration. Say one of my close friends asks me to keep a secret from another friend because he doesn’t want that friend to be invited to a specific event. What should I do?

The request from my close friend is obviously out of line with my values of honesty and transparency, so I shouldn’t purposefully withhold the information. Having said that, I also wouldn’t make a special effort to inform the other friend about the occasion because I don’t want to cause a commotion. However, I will be open and truthful about the specifics of the incident if the other friend specifically asks.

The key in this situation is to use your values as landmarks on your journey. Say no whenever someone or something asks you to go against your morals. You maintain your integrity and live in your light in this manner. That is how you remain true to yourself.

7. Be Clear About Your Intentions and Motives.

Why are you acting in this way? What drives you to do or not do whatever it is you’re considering, in all seriousness? This straightforward inquiry is a profound and effective way to ascertain whether you are acting for the right motives—or for yourself—or not—and to get to the heart of your intentions. Additionally, it serves as a powerful reminder that even if something is amusing or enjoyable at the time, you shouldn’t do it if you don’t intend for it to be.

8. Do Things That Help You Become a Better Version of You

Keep doing it if it is assisting in your development, allowing you to share your gifts with the world, and allowing you to be a force for good and love. Don’t if it doesn’t. Simple as that.

9. Keep Your Eyes on the Long Term

What are the similarities between your feelings and your thoughts? The reason it’s so crucial to rise above them and put your faith in things like your intuition, your values, and your boundaries is because doing so helps you stay focused on a higher purpose for your life. It honors the essence of who you are and makes things available to you that are in line with who you are and what you are meant to do.

You can determine whether or not you’re on the right path using this long-term outlook and vision. You’re bound to fall off the wagon and behave in ways that don’t respect your presence in this world if you’re only concerned with short-term things, like instant gratification. However, if you step back and view things from a different perspective, you’ll act from a different part of yourself—from a higher self and a higher frequency of energy. You’ll make decisions based on love.

10. Focus on the Route of the Highest Possible Good

In this world, you are an inspiring and energizing force. Start holding yourself to that standard now. It’s time to advance so that you can continue to spread that uplifting force by looking beyond your immediate needs and desires. Now is the time to concentrate on the best course of action.

When we’re exchanging energy with someone, we frequently focus more on what we can get from them than what we can offer in return. When we put our attention on giving from our true gifts—from our higher selves—we not only raise our own energy but also the energy of the exchange as a whole. That is what it means to go the direction of greatest good.

Consider what it’s like to give from a core gift like compassion, honesty, or vulnerability rather than simply viewing life as a transaction. You might be astonished by how well it’s received by others and by how much influence you actually have.

Being that source of light in the world is a fulfilling feeling in and of itself, even if other people don’t always see its value. And letting the world know that helps you stay true to yourself.

11. Act on Faith, Not Fear.

Although fear can take many different forms, it is always a force of lower-frequency energy that prevents you from being in alignment with love. Contrarily, faith is a firm belief in your inherent goodness and deservingness. From fear to freedom, faith helps to construct a bridge. Acting out of fear makes you feel out of balance and out of alignment with who you really are because it devalues your essence and saps your energy. Instead of moving gracefully in the direction that is intended for you, it feels like you are hanging off the side of that very same bridge.

However, when you take a step of faith—when you decide to move forward despite not knowing what is waiting for you on the other side—you step into an energy field of potential and possibility that draws joy and love into your life.

So, when you feel off and just can’t explain why, you’re probably indulging your fear and need to release the lower frequencies that you are allowing to block energy from moving within and through you. Instead, embrace faith and love, and you won’t stray too far from the path meant for you.

12. Focus on What Helps You Elevate Your Energy.

Dynamic energy manifests physically as every form of life in the universe. You are not an exception, but you won’t always encounter individuals or circumstances that resonate with your frequency of energy. The important thing, regardless of what you may experience in your day-to-day life, is to remain energetically unlocked and open; to not close off your heart and trap your love inside.

This openness will draw like-minded individuals with compatible energy frequencies into your life. and assist you in improving yourself while maintaining your integrity throughout.

13. Ask for Help

I have a tendency to refer to help as a dirty four-letter word. And that is my undoing all too frequently in life.

But oftentimes prioritizing one’s needs means seeking assistance.

There was a time when I was engaged in a significant work project. To avoid bothering any of my coworkers, I was determined to complete this project on my own.

In actuality, this project was much too large for just one person, and by attempting to complete it all by myself, I was depriving myself of sleep and quality time with my husband for weeks on end. Without a doubt, I was a cranky Ashley at work.

I finally asked my coworkers for help after attempting to complete the work on my own for weeks and after receiving a stern warning from my husband. The project was completed in half the time I anticipated when they helped because it turned out to be no big deal to them.

You should seek assistance if you are unable to meet your own needs. It turns out that the four-letter word isn’t so bad after all.

Wrapping Up

You might forget how to bend forward for yourself if you spend years of your life putting others before yourself. By using the advice in this article, you can have your needs met and still develop deep relationships with others. And when you prioritize your needs, you might discover the joy and profound sense of satisfaction you’ve been missing out on all this time.

When was the last time you really put yourself first? Is the strain of everyone around you still causing your back to hurt? Comment below and let me know what you think!