13 Fixes For Right/Left Airpod Not Working (2023)

One Airpod not working issue can be caused due to multiple reasons. Some of the recognized issues such as audio playing via only one AirPod, either left or right. Various firmware versions of the AirPods also cause “One AirPod not working problem.” There’s also the possibility that one AirPod works because the other is (most likely) battery-dead.

It’s a particularly annoying problem when one AirPod loses connection intermittently or stops working altogether for no apparent reason. If this issue has afflicted you, the steps listed below should help you get rid of it.

Turn off Bluetooth on the Paired device (iOS or another smartphone), wait a minute, and then turn it back on to see if the audio is playing through both AirPods.
Restart the Paired device (iPhone, Apple Watch, etc.) and verify that the pair is working correctly.

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Methods To Fix “One Airpod Not Working”

The only one left or right AirPod bud will occasionally cease working. The issue maybe with the connection, but it could also be due to a hardware default. You may do a few things to fix an AirPod that isn’t working on your own.

Clean Wax/Dust from AirPods And The Charging Terminals
Adjust Stereo Balance For Your AirPods
Unpair And Re-pair AirPods
Reset AirPods To Their Defaults
Update Firmware Version Of The Airpod
Reset Network Settings Of Your Device
Check AirPods Battery Status
Update Your Apple OS
Why Are AirPods Not Working On My Mac?
Set AirPods As The Output Device
Unpair AirPods From Mac
Check MacOs Compatibility
Turn Bluetooth Devices Off

1. Clean Wax/Dust from AirPods And The Charging Terminals

The problem may be simply that your AirPods Pro isn’t clean. Make sure both AirPods Pro are thoroughly cleaned. They will not work if they are clogged with earwax. Either the volume will be reduced, or they will cease to exist.

Use a cotton bud, wet cleaning wipe, or a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean it gently. Scrub them until they shine like new once more. AirPods Pro is waterproof to some extent.

You should not use water because it may harm or spoil them. If you must clean your AirPods with a liquid, use a small amount of alcohol because it dries quickly. Only use a small amount; otherwise, you risk destroying critical internal components.

It’s also a good idea to clean the charging case. Clean the charging case where the defective AirPod makes its connection with a Q-tip. There will be no sound emanating from the AirPod if it is not fully charged. Clean the port and let it set for a while.

2. Adjust Stereo Balance For Your AirPods

An audio balance issue could also be to blame for “one Airpod not working.” Many people are unaware that their devices can customize the sound output on the left and right AirPods. Adjust Stereo Balance is a setting that deaf and hard-of-hearing users frequently use.

Unless this setting is disabled, any Apple device can only distribute sound to one side. If no sound comes from your right AirPod, for example, you may have mistakenly shifted the slider to the left.

Select Accessibility from the drop-down menu in the Settings app.

Tap Audio/Visual in the Hearing category.

Now, move the slider halfway between L and R.
Then, directly above the slider, “disable mono audio” option.

Mac

To do so on a Mac, go to System Preferences, Sound, and then Output.

Select your AirPods from the Sound Output dropdown.

Adjust the slider halfway between Left and Right near the bottom of the screen.

Open Accessibility in System Preferences once more.
Uncheck the Mono Audio checkbox in the audio category.

3. Unpair And Re-pair AirPods

A lousy Bluetooth connection causes problems with AirPods like “one Airpod not working.” As a result, merely reconnecting your AirPods to your smartphone may be the solution.

This one may have previously occurred to you, but it’s still worth a try. Disconnecting and reconnecting your AirPods is one of those essential remedies that works most of the time (much like turning something off and on).

Open Settings, then Bluetooth, and the “i” icon next to your AirPods on your iPhone, then Don’t Use This Device.
Go to System Preferences, then Bluetooth, and the “x” button next to your AirPods on your Mac. Ignore the Device.
Close the charging case and wait around 30 seconds for both AirPods to charge.
Hold down the setup button until it flashes white, then release it.
Close the lid on your Mac or iPhone and re-pair the AirPods with your device.

Return to the Bluetooth settings app and tap your AirPods to reconnect them to your phone once more.

4. Reset AirPods To Their Defaults

It’s sometimes easier to start afresh with a blank page. If the following procedures don’t work, determining the root problem can be time-consuming. As a result, a hard reset is the most effective option.

You can choose “reset settings” of your AirPods. All of your previous settings are erased and replaced with factory defaults. AirPods won’t recognize any previously connected devices. A “hard reset settings” will get rid of any technical issues you’ve been having.

Check to see if the charging case is charged.
Place both AirPods in their charging cases and charge them.
Open the charging case’s lid.
Locate the little button on the rear of the case (near the bottom).

Now, for at least 15 seconds, press and hold the button mentioned above. To reset your AirPods, make sure you press and have the button for a long enough time.

Your AirPods will appear in pairing mode if you don’t push long enough (not in reset mode).
Close the charging case’s lid and then open it again.
Bring your AirPods case with an open lid close to your iPhone, and the iPhone will recognize the AirPods and display a popup to connect them.
Connect your AirPods and see if the issue has been resolved.

5. Update Firmware Version Of The Airpod

A single AirPod’s firmware is not compatible with the firmware of the other AirPods. As a result, both AirPods will not be able to connect. Go to General, then About, then AirPods in the Settings app to verify the AirPods software version.

Determine which AirPods have the older firmware version. Then leave this one attached to the iPhone while you charge the AirPod in the charging case. Allow 2 to 3 hours for the AirPod to receive the update. Leave the iPhone with an active internet connection.

6. Reset Network Settings Of Your Device

In other cases, the issue is caused by a large number of Bluetooth devices producing interference. You may be encountering a connectivity difficulty if you have many Bluetooth devices connected to your iOS device. On your iOS device, you’ll lose all of your saved Bluetooth devices and WiFi passwords.

Go to ‘Settings’ and select ‘General.’

Tap ‘Reset’ at the bottom of the page.

Find and tap ‘Reset Network Settings,’ then confirm.

7. Check AirPods Battery Status

When one AirPod is used for a more extended time than the other, it’s typical for one AirPod to have lower power. Before immediately disconnecting, the pod will notify you of the low power. The other pod, which has enough juice, remains linked.

Make sure your AirPods case still has at least 20% battery life.
Get to the Widgets page, slide left. Scroll down and select Edit from the drop-down menu.
The page Add Widgets should now display.
Next to the Batteries option, click the “+” icon. It should appear on the Widgets page and beneath your added widgets.
On the Widgets page, look for the battery status. Both your right and left AirPods’ battery levels should be shown. If it doesn’t appear, it’s most likely because the AirPod is out of battery or isn’t working correctly.
Remove the AirPods from the case and replace them.
Check if the AirPods are working again after a few seconds.

8. Update Your Apple OS

Obsolete software is at blame for a lot of our technical issues. It also applies to the Bluetooth communication feature that your AirPods rely on to function properly. It causes “one Airpod not working problem.”

Although software difficulties usually affect both AirPods, it’s worth giving an update a shot. To upgrade your Apple device, follow these steps:

9. Update Operating System

On your iPhone device, navigate to the Settings app and then General.

Select Software Update from the menu.
Tap Download and Install if one is available.

On a Mac, Update Operating System

In the upper left-hand corner of your Mac, tap the Apple icon.
Select System Preferences from the drop-down menu.
Select Software Update from the menu.
To upgrade macOS, click Update Now and follow the on-screen instructions.
Connect your AirPods when the updates have finished seeing if your problem has been repaired.

Why Is AirPods Not Working On My Mac?

Your AirPods won’t connect to your Mac. It’s either a Bluetooth issue, an older version of macOS, or a problem with your AirPods. The great thing is that at least two of these “Bluetooth and incompatible macOS” are easily fixed.

1. Set AirPods As The Output Device

Check the output settings to make sure the Bluetooth pairing is working correctly.

Go to System Preferences, then “Sounds” and “Output” with your AirPods connected.
As the output device, make sure your AirPods or AirPods Pro are selected.

2. Unpair AirPods From Mac

It may seem self-evident, but unplugging your AirPods may be the answer. In the menu bar, select the Bluetooth icon. Toggle Connect/Disconnect while setting your AirPods.

Try “forgetting” your AirPods and then reconnecting them to your Mac:

Toggle the “x” button next to your AirPods in System Preferences. Then Bluetooth and Forget the Device.
Close the charging case lid and wait around 30 seconds for both AirPods to charge.
Hold down the setup button until it turns white.
Place your AirPods near your Mac, open the lid, and pair them with the computer.

3. Check MacOs Compatibility

The macOS requirements are the same for both AirPods and AirPods Pro. macOS Sierra is required for AirPods (1st generation). macOS Mojave AirPods (2nd gen). The AirPods Pro is compatible with macOS Catalina.

So, if you’re having trouble connecting, macOS compatibility is worth investigating.

In the corner (top left), click the Apple icon.
Select About This Mac > Overview from the drop-down menu.
Check your macOS version and see if there are any pending upgrades by going to Software Update.

4. Turn Bluetooth Devices Off

Your device’s Bluetooth difficulties could be the source of the AirPods’ misbehavior. Bluetooth can be turned off in the Bluetooth settings. Though the Control Center has a button to disconnect Bluetooth devices, this does not indeed turn off Bluetooth.

Wait a minute or two after turning Bluetooth off thoroughly before turning it back on. Check that both of your AirPods is operating once more.