Listen up. Do your AirPods seem quieter than they used to? If they’re acting all hush-hush even when you've cranked up the volume, something could be messing with the sound. Whether it's dirty stuff clogging up the speakers, or settings that need adjusted, we'll help you discover why your AirPods are so quiet – and hopefully get them sounding as good as they used to.
Why are my AirPods so quiet?
There are a few reasons why your AirPods might seem quieter than usual. If you think the volume is lower than normal, or the sound quality isn’t what it should be, here’s what might be causing it.
AirPods going quiet
If your AirPods are going quiet, it could be one of these common issues:
Earwax build-up. Yuck, but yes - earwax accumulation on the mesh of your AirPods can dampen down the sound.
Weak Bluetooth. A poor Bluetooth connection or interference from other devices can affect the sound quality of your AirPods.
Software issues. If your AirPods haven’t had the latest software update, it could be the cause of your problems.
Battery life. Batteries that are running low might also affect sound quality.
Settings. The audio settings on your device might be at the wrong volume or balance. It happens.
One AirPod is quieter than the other
If one of your AirPods is quieter than the other, your balance settings could be wrong. Go into your device's settings and check. If needed, you can then adjust the left-right balance to make one AirPod louder than the other.
If that doesn’t fix the issue, try these:
Clean your AirPods. Brush them gently with a soft, lint-free cloth or a small brush.
Try a different device. Test your AirPods on a different device to see if the problem persists.
Restart your device. Sometimes a quick restart is all you need to resolve audio issues.
Forget and reconnect. In your device's Bluetooth settings, forget the AirPods and then reconnect them. This can help reset the connection.
Reset your AirPods. As a last resort, you can perform a factory reset on your AirPods. To do this, go to the Bluetooth settings on your device, select your AirPods and "Forget this device." Then simply press and hold the setup button on your AirPods case until the LED flashes white.
AirPods sound quality getting worse
The sound quality of your AirPods might get worse over time due to factors similar to those that affect the volume. The most common cause is dust and debris inside the speaker. Battery age can also be a factor, and software updates might affect the quality of sound processing on your AirPods.
How to make AirPods louder
Now you know the issues might be affecting the sound quality of your AirPods, you can try to fix them. Here’s how to sort the most common problems.
Clean your AirPods
Even a small amount of waxy buildup in your AirPods can have a huge affect on sound quality.
Apple recommends that you clean the speaker mesh inside your AirPods with a dry cotton swab, as liquids can cause damage. Gently wipe or swab away any debris, being careful not to push anything into the speaker mesh. Just scrape gently across the holes.
Recharge and reset your AirPods
It might look like your AirPods have got lots of charge left, but there could be an issue with the battery life indicator itself. To make sure that isn’t the case, recharge them and try using them again.
If your AirPods volume is too low on one device but not on another one, there’s either an issue with your device or Bluetooth. Follow these steps to reset, which might solve the problem:
1. Put your AirPods in their case, go to the Apple menu on your device and choose System Settings, then Bluetooth.
2. Right click on AirPods, choose ‘Remove’ and confirm.
3. Open the lid of your AirPods case, and press down the setup button until it starts flashing.
4. Go into System Settings, Bluetooth, and select AirPods when it appears.
Check the volume
Here’s an obvious one, but it’s always worth checking… has the volume been turned down too low? You can check the volume by asking Siri “What's the volume?", or by pressing the volume button on your device.
Check your settings
Go to System Settings ‘Sound’, and make sure your AirPods are selected. Make sure the mute box isn’t checked, and that the volume slider is all the way up. The Balance slider should be right in the middle — if it’s not, that’s why one of your AirPods is quieter than the other!
If your AirPods volume is too low only when you use them with your iPhone, go into the Settings app, then Sound & Haptics > Headphone Safety. Make sure the ‘Reduce Loud Sounds’ toggle switch is set to ‘off.
You should also check Accessibility settings, as these can sometimes make your AirPods too quiet. Go to Settings, then Accessibility > Audio/Visual. Make sure the slider is in the middle between L and R. Now tap ‘Headphone Accommodations’ and make sure the toggle switch is set to ‘on’.
FAQs
Do AirPods get quieter over time?
AirPods can appear to get quieter over time due to several factors. Accumulated dirt and earwax in the speaker grills can reduce sound quality. Additionally, battery degradation might affect volume levels as the battery ages. Cleaning your AirPods and adjusting settings can help, but if the issue persists, it may be a sign of hardware problems.
What is the lifespan of AirPods?
The typical lifespan of AirPods can vary, but they are designed to last about 2-3 years with regular use. However, this can be shorter if the battery deteriorates or there is physical damage.
Can I make my AirPods louder without damaging them?
If your AirPods are quieter than they used to be, you can try a few different methods to try and fix them safely – without damaging them. We’ve listed them above for you.
If you want to speak to someone about your AirPods, pop into your nearest Currys and chat to one of our expert colleagues as they’re always happy to help. Or treat yourself to a new pair below…
