AirPods being the substitute for earpieces are not immune to some of the issues that earpieces face.
One of these issues includes your AirPods playing in only one ear. Most of the complaints from the Apple community indicate that this is a common problem.
The working AirPods usually alternates between the right and the left, but they don’t play together.
In this article, you will learn why your AirPods only play in one ear and how to fix this problem.
Why Is My AirPod Only Playing in One Ear?
Outdated software
Having an AirPods with outdated software is one of the factors of sound only playing in one ear of the AirPods.
This is caused by the technical glitches and bugs that are a result of outdated software.
Low battery
A low or faulty battery also accounts for your AirPods playing in one ear. Either one of the AirPod is on low battery or the battery is damaged.
Not connected
Improper connection with the Bluetooth device can also cause your AirPods to only produce sound in one ear.
Audio balance shift
Having the stereo balance shifted to one side can also lead to this problem. Once the audio balance has been shift, your AirPods will only play on one ear.
AirPod is damaged
Physical damage to your AirPods can cause one ear to be destroyed, allowing only sound to come from the other ear.
Fake AirPods
The fake version of the Airpods comes with so many problems and this can be a lot to deal with.
Some of these problems are only consistent when you decide to use the knockoff version of the Airpods.
How To Fix AirPods Only Playing In One Ear
The most likely reason your AirPods is playing in one ear is low battery or audio balance shift, here’s what to do to fix it.
Fix 1: Reconnect your Airpods
Reset your AirPods by unpairing them from the Bluetooth device and trying to pair them again to your device to resolve the issue of it playing in only one ear.
Open Settings on your device > Select Bluetooth > Locate your AirPods, tap on the i button > Choose to Forget This Device > Forget Device.
This will remove the AirPods from your
device. After the successful removal of the AirPods from your phone, wait a while before pairing the AirPods with your device again.
Fix 2: Check Stereo Balance
To resolve the problem of your AirPods playing in just one ear, then we recommend that you check the stereo balance of sound distribution between the left ear and the right ear of the AirPods.
Uneven sound distribution is what will cause your AirPods to play sounds in just one ear. Fixing the stereo balance of your AirPods requires the assistance of an iPhone.
Connect and pair the iPhone to the Airpods > Open Settings on the iPhone > Select
Accessibility > Select Audio/Visual > Adjust the slider between the L and R to the middle > Turn off the Mono audio option.
Fix 3: Check AirPods Battery Percentage
Check the battery of your AirPods to know whether it is low on power. One AirPods can die out before the other and this will cause the battery-powered one to only work.
Charge the Airpods by putting them in their charging case and plugging in the charger.
To check the battery percentage of your AirPods, Open the Settings app on your mobile device > Select the Bluetooth option > On the list of devices, scan for the connected AirPods and check the displayed percentage.
Fix 4: Clean Your AirPods
Sometimes, one piece of the Airpods can be blocked by so much dirt that it obstructs the flow of sound in that specific Airpod.
Performing a regular and thorough cleaning routine on your Airpods should fix this problem.
Use a cotton bud, a moist cleaning wipe, or a Q-tip can when cleaning your AirPods by scrubbing them.
Fix 5: Use another device
Your AirPods playing sound from only one ear is sometimes a result of your Bluetooth device.
Confirm whether the issue is from your device or AirPods by pairing and connecting your AirPods to other devices. Play a song to test the AirPods out.
If you’re still facing the same issue then it is from your AirPods. If the sound plays in both ears then the problem is from your device.
Fix 6: Use original
Using the original AirPods will save you from lots of unnecessary problems and this includes your AirPods playing in only one ear.
Purchase the original AirPods from Apple via their website or any accredited Apple shop.
Conclusion
Having an Airpods and using it is a great experience but not if one ear is only working.
In this article, the reasons your AirPods are only playing in one ear has been discussed, and how to fix them.
FAQs on How To Fix “AirPods Only Playing In One Ear”
Why is my AirPod only playing in one ear?
The Airpod which is not producing any sound might be on low battery. Check the battery percentage of each Airpod and put them in the charging case to facilitate charging.
How do I get my AirPods Pro to play in both ears?
Go to your iPhone Settings > Tap on Accessibility > Select Audio/Visual > Move the slider between the L and R to the middle > Turn off the Mono audio option.
How do I turn on both ears of AirPods?
On iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual, then turn on Mono
Audio.
Further Reading
- How To Fix “AirPods Connecting While In Case”
- How To Fix “AirPods Not Working For Phone Calls”
- How To Fix “AirPod Case Flashing Red”
- How To Fix “AirPods Die So Fast”
- How To Fix “One AirPod Louder Than The Other”