Are you experiencing an issue where your AirPods seem unusually quiet, leaving you puzzled about the cause? It can be annoying when your wireless earbuds are quieter than you want, especially when you want to listen to music or talk on the phone.
In this guide, we’ll talk about why your AirPods might be too quiet and how to make them sound better. So, if you’re wondering why your AirPods are suddenly so quiet, stay tuned for insights and remedies to get your audio experience back on track.
Why are My Airpods So Quiet?
If your AirPods are too quiet, it could be due to several reasons. One common cause is earwax or debris blocking the speaker or microphone openings, affecting sound quality. Low device volume settings on your connected device can also make the AirPods seem quiet. Connectivity issues or outdated firmware may lead to sound problems. Additionally, individual hearing differences can make the volume seem low for some users.
How to Fix the Quiet Airpods?
1. Clean the Airpods
Cleaning your AirPods can greatly enhance their sound quality, particularly if they’re sounding too quiet or muffled. Earwax and debris often accumulate on the AirPod’s speakers, causing distortion. Here’s how to clean them:
- Remove the AirPods from the charging case.
- Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe the exterior of the AirPods.
- Employ a cotton swab to delicately clean the speaker mesh on each AirPod. Be cautious not to insert the swab too deeply to avoid speaker damage.
- Use a dry toothbrush to softly brush away any earwax or debris from the AirPods.
- After cleaning, return the AirPods to their charging case.
2. Recharge the Airpods
If your Airpods sound quiet, they might need a recharge. When Airpods run low on battery, their sound can be diminished. To recharge them:
- Place your Airpods in the charging case.
- The case will automatically initiate the charging process.
- Check the charging status by looking at the front indicator light on the case. If it’s green, your Airpods are fully charged. If it’s amber, they’re still charging.
3. Check the Volume
If your Airpods seem too quiet, the first step is to check the volume settings. It’s possible that the volume is low on either your Airpods or the connected device.
To inspect Airpods volume:
- Double-tap one of the Airpods to access the volume control on your device. Adjust it using the device’s volume buttons.
To examine device volume:
- Navigate to the device’s settings.
- Locate the volume controls.
- Use these controls to modify the device’s volume.
4. Airpods are Muted
If your Airpods are silent, they may be muted, causing very low or no sound at all. Several factors can lead to this mute issue:
- Accidental Mute: You might have accidentally muted them. To unmute, simply tap one of the Airpods twice. This action brings up the volume control on your device. If it’s muted, tap the unmute button.
- Automatic Ear Detection: An enabled feature could mute your Airpods when not in use. To deactivate it, access your device’s settings and locate the Airpods settings. Tap the toggle switch next to “Automatic Ear Detection” to turn off this feature.
- Software Problem: There could be a software glitch. Attempt to resolve this by restarting your Airpods. If that doesn’t work, consider resetting them.
5. Noise Cancellation Feature is Turned On
AirPods Pro and AirPods Max come equipped with noise cancellation to block external sounds, which can make them seem quieter when this feature is active. This is because they actively work to eliminate surrounding noise, affecting the overall volume of your audio.
If you feel your AirPods are too quiet with noise cancellation on, consider these steps:
- Increase the volume on your AirPods or connected device.
- Turn off noise cancellation by holding the force sensor (AirPods Pro) or using the noise control button (AirPods Max).
- Adjust the noise cancellation mode (AirPods Pro) – choose Active Noise Cancellation for maximum isolation or Transparency mode to allow some external sounds in by holding the force sensor on the stem.
6. Firmware Updates
Firmware updates for Air Pods can enhance performance and fix issues like low volume. To check for updates:
- Connect your AirPods to your iPhone or iPad.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Bluetooth.
- Find your AirPods and tap the information icon (i) next to them.
- Check the “Version” to view the current firmware.
7. Issue in Bluetooth Synchronization
If your AirPods sound too quiet, it might be due to Bluetooth synchronization problems. To address this:
- Move closer to the device you’re using with your AirPods.
- Ensure no other nearby Bluetooth devices are causing interference.
- Restart both your AirPods and the connected device.
- Attempt to reset your AirPods.
- Check for and install firmware updates for both your AirPods and the device.
8. Low Power Mode
Low power mode on your iPhone or iPad can reduce AirPods’ volume output to save battery. To check if it’s active:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Battery.
- Look for a green toggle switch next to “Low Power Mode.” If it’s on, AirPods may sound quiet.
9. Check Your Mac’s Sound Settings
When your AirPods sound quiet on your Mac, review your Mac’s sound settings:
- Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and choose System Preferences.
- Select Sound.
- Go to the Output tab.
- Ensure your AirPods are chosen in the device list.
- Adjust the volume slider to increase AirPods’ volume.
10. Check Your iPhone Settings
If your AirPods sound quiet on your iPhone, verify your iPhone settings:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Sounds & Haptics.
- Navigate to Headphone Safety.
- Ensure the Reduce Loud Sounds toggle switch is off.
- Adjust the volume slider to raise AirPods’ volume.
11. Check Music Settings
Low volume on your AirPods might be linked to your device’s music settings. To confirm:
- Open your music app.
- Locate the settings icon (usually three dots or a gear).
- Check for sound or volume settings.
- Ensure volume is set high.
- Look for other settings that might impact volume, like equalizers or limiters.
12. Run Maintenance Scripts
If your AirPods are still too quiet after trying other fixes, you can attempt running maintenance scripts. These are small programs that clean and repair your AirPods software.
To run maintenance scripts, you’ll need a third-party app like Air Buddy or AirPods Pro Firmware Updater. These apps enable you to execute various maintenance tasks, including clearing the AirPods cache, resetting their settings, and updating their firmware.
Running these scripts can help resolve any underlying software issues that might be causing the quiet sound problem with your AirPods.
13. Reset Airpods
Resetting your AirPods can resolve various issues, including sound problems. If previous troubleshooting steps haven’t fixed low volume, try resetting them:
- Place your AirPods in their charging case.
- Close the case and wait for 30 seconds.
- Reopen the case and press the button on its back for 15 seconds until the status light flashes amber and white.
- Release the button and wait for the status light to flash white.
Airpods – FAQs
Ans: Calibrate the Apple AirPods with your iPhone
You can reset the AirPods if needed, and this might clear up odd quirks in its operation. If the volume is still too low after cleaning your AirPods, you can try calibrating it with your iPhone.
Ans: To skip back, triple-press the force sensor. To turn the volume up or down, say “Hey Siri,” then say something like “Turn up the volume” or “Turn down the volume.” Or drag the volume slider in the app that you’re listening to, on the Lock Screen, or in Control Center.
Ans: Checking your device’s volume settings should be your first step if your iPhone is experiencing low volume. Sometimes the volume may have been mistakenly muted or turned down. Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics to verify your volume settings. You may change the volume from here and see if your phone is in silent mode.
Ans: Unlike iOS and macOS, there’s no button or setting to force-update the AirPods. Apple automatically downloads and installs these software updates in the background. The company states that for this to work, the AirPods should be connected to a power source and in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Ans: Connecting your AirPods to another device can help determine if the issue is device-specific or related to the AirPods themselves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, experiencing low volume on your AirPods can be frustrating, but there are several potential reasons behind this issue. It’s essential to investigate and troubleshoot these factors to enjoy the desired sound quality and volume. By checking settings, cleaning your AirPods, ensuring proper connections, and considering factors like low power mode or Bluetooth synchronization, you can address the problem and restore the volume to its optimal level. If these steps do not resolve the issue, it may be necessary to seek further assistance from Apple support or consider resetting your AirPods. Understanding and addressing these possible causes can help you enjoy a better audio experience with your AirPods.
