4 ways to fix the error that one side of the AirPods headset is louder than the other

Usually, you can fix this problem easily by cleaning your AirPods, resetting them, or adjusting their settings. However, if the hardware fails, you have very few options.

1. Clean AirPods

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Just like any other device, you should clean your AirPods regularly. Over time, you may observe a buildup of earwax around the speaker grilles of your AirPods. This buildup not only has the potential to hinder sound output, but can also reduce overall sound quality.

To safely remove earwax buildup, you can use a Q-tip or cotton swab to thoroughly clean around the speaker grille. Remember to remove the headphone tips before cleaning if you own AirPods Pro. If you still find smaller particles stuck inside, you can use a soft brush to gently remove any remaining debris.

Warning: Attempting to remove debris with a hard, sharp object such as a toothpick may cause permanent damage to your AirPods.

2. Adjust sound balance

You may also feel that one AirPod is louder than the other due to an ear problem or partial hearing loss in one ear. Luckily, you can adjust the volume balance between the left and right earbuds by following these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on iPhone
2. Go to Accessibility > Audio & Visual.
3. Adjust the Balance slider to your needs. Moving it towards the left will make the left AirPod louder, and moving it towards the right will make the right AirPod louder.

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Note: While it's recommended to center the slider to balance the volume between the right and left AirPods, the final adjustment depends on your personal hearing preferences.

3. Turn off Spatial Audio that tracks head movements

The Spatial Audio feature includes a mode that uses sensors in your AirPods to track head movements. It automatically adjusts the right and left audio channels to enhance an immersive, theater-like experience.

Sometimes this can cause one AirPod to sound louder than the other, especially when moving from moving to stationary. You can try turning this feature off by following these steps:

1. Make sure to connect your AirPods to your iPhone.
2. Open Control Center on iPhone by swiping down from the top right corner of the screen. If your iPhone has a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen instead.
3. Press and hold the volume slider.
4. Tap the Spatial Audio (or Spatialize Stereo) option, then select the Fixed or Off setting based on your preference. Remember that you will need to repeat these steps for every app that supports this feature.

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4. Reset AirPods

If the above methods do not help, you can try resetting your AirPods to factory settings. To do that:

1. Open the Settings app and tap Bluetooth.

2. Tap the i (info) button next to your AirPods.

3. Scroll down and tap Forget This Device, then confirm by tapping Forget Device.

4. When you receive the prompt stating that the AirPods will be disconnected from all devices associated with your iCloud account, tap Forget Device again.

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5. Place the AirPods back in the charging case and leave the lid open.

6. Press and hold the Setup button on the back of the box for about 15 seconds. You will see a flashing amber/orange status light, followed by white to confirm that you have reset your AirPods.

7. Reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone.

Experiencing unbalanced audio output or having one AirPod sound louder than the other can be frustrating. However, you can resolve these issues with the troubleshooting steps above.

If none of these tips help you, your AirPods problem is most likely hardware-related. In such cases, you should make an appointment with an Apple Store or Apple authorized service provider to service your AirPods.

Kareem Winters

Update 27 February 2024