Learn 12 Quick Solutions To Fix Left Or Right AirPod’s Microphone Not Working!
Are you facing a problem with your left or right microphone on AirPods? And due to this, the sounds are unclear which creates a problem for you.
If YES, then you can try some DIY solutions to fix AirPods not working problem. Here, you will know what you need to do if your right or left Microphone on AirPods is not working. So, keep going through this guide until the AirPods start working fine.
- Solution 1: Charge Your AirPods
- Solution 2: Clean Your AirPod’s Microphone
- Solution 3: Reconnect Your AirPods To Your Device
- Solution 4: Disable And Enable Bluetooth
- Solution 5: Restart Your Smartphone
- Solution 6: Check AirPods Microphone Settings
- Solution 7: Reset And Reconnect Your AirPods
- Solution 8: Update The AirPods Firmware
- Solution 9: Update Your iPhone
- Solution 10: Reset Network Settings Of iPhone
- Solution 11: Check Stereo Balance
- Solution 12: Repair Or Replace Your AirPods
- Related Frequently Asked Question [FAQs]
Before moving to the solutions to fix AirPods Microphone, let us first look at a real user’s practical scenario.
Practical Scenario: A User Is Facing Problem With Both Left Or Right AirPods Mic
Hi All,
Weird issue with my AirPods (Apple are refusing to help as they’re a couple of months past the warranty – as is their service these days).
The Mic on my AirPods has stopped working – but it’s both sides (if I manually choose a side, they still don’t work). Also having one in doesn’t help.
Since they’re independent – I’m assuming something else is wrong other than just a bad mic – any ideas?
Source: MacRumors Forums
Like this, many users are going through this problem. I know you are also one of them. But you don’t need to worry as there are some solutions that will help you to fix AirPods microphone not working problem.
So, let’s dig into the solutions.
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Solution 1: Charge Your AirPods
If your AirPods mic is not working then you should check whether it is charged or not. To check them, simply connect your AirPods to your iOS device and check the battery percentage of the AirPods on your iPhone.
If the battery is low then this can create problems with the functioning of your microphone on your AirPods. So, to fix this, you need to charge your AirPods.
Solution 2: Clean Your AirPod’s Microphone
If there are dust particles inside your AirPod’s microphone then it will not work properly and you can’t hear sounds. So, check that it is clean. If it is not then you need to clean. Firstly, clean the exterior part of your AirPods with a clean cotton cloth. After that, with the help of a toothpick or dry toothbrush clean the microphone of the AirPods. While cleaning microphone holes avoid pressure into the microphone’s holes.
After this, reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone and check if it is working fine or not. If not, then move to the next solution.
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Solution 3: Reconnect Your AirPods To Your Device
If your AirPods microphone is not working then you can try to reconnect them again. For this, just take out your AirPods from their case, close the lid and then put the AirPods to your ears. Doing this will reconnect your AirPods to your smartphone. Now, test your AirPods microphone and check whether the problem is solved or not.
Solution 4: Disable And Enable Bluetooth
You can also fix left or right AirPod microphones not working by simply disabling and enabling Bluetooth on your iOS device.
To do this, head to Settings > Bluetooth. Now turn off (white) the Bluetooth and then wait for a few seconds and then turn it on (green) by tapping on the Bluetooth icon on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
Solution 5: Restart Your Smartphone
It may be possible that there is no problem with your AirPods mic but with the device, you are connecting. In this situation, you need to restart the device that you are connecting with your AirPods.
Once you have restarted your device, connect it with the AirPods to see if the problem is resolved or still not.
Solution 6: Check AirPods Microphone Settings
If your right or left microphone on AirPod is not working then you should check your AirPods’ settings. Maybe there are some wrong settings are enabled in AirPod’s microphone settings.
Before you follow the steps to fix it, put your AirPods in your ears and check that they are connected to your iPhone.
Step 1: On your iPhone, run the Settings app.
Step 2: Then tap on Bluetooth.
Step 3: After this, look for your AirPods under My Devices and hit on info icon.
Step 4: Now, tap on Microphone.
Step 5: Then check that Automatically Switch AirPods is selected. If another option is selected then select this option by tapping on it and you will get a tick mark beside it.
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Solution 7: Reset And Reconnect Your AirPods
You can also reset your AirPods and then reconnect them. This method has helped many users to fix their right or left AirPod isn’t working problem.
Here, learn how to reset Airpods.
Step 1: Firstly, put your AirPods in their charging case and then close the lid. You need to leave them for 30 seconds.
Step 2: After this, open the charging case and leave the AirPods inside the case.
Step 3: Now, go to Settings on your iPhone and then hit on Bluetooth.
Step 4: Then beside AirPods tap on info icon.
Step 5: Next, hit on Forget This Device.
Step 6: Then confirm your choice by tapping on Forget Device.
Step 7: You need to again confirm this by hitting on Forget Device again.
Step 8: Now, the charging case that has been opened with the AirPods, press and hold the setup button. You will find it in the back of the charging case. Keep hold it unless the status light flashes amber and then white.
Step 9: Next, hold your charging case near your iPhone (keep the lid open).
Step 10: After this, you will get a “Not Your AirPods” notification on your iPhone screen. Hit on Connect.
Step 11: Then follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 12: Once your AirPods are reconnected to your iPhone, hit Done.
Now, check your microphone on AirPod is working well or not.
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Solution 8: Update The AirPods Firmware
If your AirPods firmware is not updated then it can also cause left microphone on AirPod not working.
Below, learn how to update AirPods firmware.
Step 1: Go to Settings > General.
Step 2: After that, tap on About and then on AirPods to find the latest firmware version.
Step 3: If you find an outdated version number then update the firmware. You can check the latest update of AirPods on AirPods Wikipedia page.
To do this, connect your AirPods to a charging source and kept them beside your iPhone and they must be connected to your internet. It will be updated after 30 minutes.
Solution 9: Update Your iPhone
It can be also possible that the device you have connected with your AirPod is not updated and due to this your right microphone on AirPod is not working.
So, to fix this, you need to update the device that you have connected with your AirPods.
If you have connected it with your iPhone then to update it, you need to go to Settings > General > Software Update. And then download and install it and check whether the problem is occurring or not.
Solution 10: Reset Network Settings Of iPhone
You can also fix your AirPods microphone by resetting the network settings of your iPhone. It happens when your device network settings are not correct. And to fix this you need to reset the network settings of your iPhone to default and then check the error is solved not.
Below, follow the simple steps to reset the network settings of iPhone.
Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Then tap on General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Step 3: After this, hit on Reset and then on Reset Network Settings.
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Solution 11: Check Stereo Balance
The Stereo balance is a setting hidden on your iOS device that allows you to control the balance of audio between your right or left AirPods.
The issue can be this setting is not active and that’s why it is sending all sounds to only one AirPod.
So, to fix this, follow the below steps.
Step 1: On your iPhone, tap on Settings icon.
Step 2: Next, hit on Accessibility and then on Audio/Visual.
Step 3: Now, find the Balance slider and check that it is set to middle.
Solution 12: Repair Or Replace Your AirPods
If you have tried all the solutions but still your AirPods microphone is not working on both AirPods then you need to repair or change your AirPods.
Your AirPods microphone can be damaged if you have the habit of dropping it.
You can contact Apple Support or book an appointment for your AirPods at the nearest Apple Store for repairing your AirPods or for replacement. You can visit Apple’s AirPods Service and Repair page for more details about it.
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Related Frequently Asked Question [FAQs]
Answer 1 – You can follow some tips to test your AirPods microphone. They are mentioned below.
Answer 2 – If you have enabled Always Left AirPod, or Always Right AirPod in the settings then only one AirPod will work at a time. To change this you can follow the below steps. Step 1: On your iPhone, run the Settings app. Step 2: Then tap on Bluetooth. Step 3: After this, look for your AirPods under My Devices and hit on info icon. Step 4: Now, tap on Microphone. Step 5: Then check that Automatically Switch AirPods is selected. If Always Left AirPod, or Always Right AirPod option is selected then select Automatically Switch AirPods option by tapping on it and you will get a tick mark beside it.
Answer 3 – If the charging contacts are dirty and have grime on the AirPod stem or inside the charging case or on both, then your left AirPod will not charge. It happens because the dust prevents the electrical charge from passing through it perfectly. But you can fix it by cleaning the AirPod.
Answer 4 – Your AirPod’s microphone is situated at the bottom of the main shaft. It is a thin silver section with matching grills.
Answer 5 – There are some factors that are responsible for your right/left AirPods Pro or AirPods Microphone from working. They are listed as follows:
Answer 6 – Nobody can’t hear you on your AirPods due to following reasons:
Wrap Up
So, this guide was all about what you need to do if your right or left Microphone on AirPods is not working. I hope you were able to fix it and now your AirPods microphone is working without any problem.
Now, you have fixed the issue and enjoy listening to music or receiving calls through your AirPods.

Max Field
Max Field is a founder of recoveriphone-data.com. He is an iOS lover and loves to write tips, tricks, fixes for errors, data recovery solutions and more related to iOS, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, iTunes and iCloud.