How to Fix If One AirPod Is Louder Than The Other

Does it sound like your right/left AirPod is slightly louder than the other?

Then most likely you have the common AirPod owner’s issue. Personally, this similar issue has happened previously for the Apple Earpods as well and it took some few researching and trying out different solutions to see which solutions worked and which didn’t. Besides, I was no way going to dish out another $50-100 bucks on a pair.

In this guide, I’ll show you precisely how you can fix an AirPod if it is louder than the other. Thee solutions shared current are consistently has shown positive feedback from our own readers (you may go through the comments below), own personal testing, Reddit, as well as feedback from Apple’s very own Support Communities forums. 🙂 Thanks goes to all who have contributed to sharing their solutions (I’ll be linking the OP sources down below for each solution).

Without further ado, let’s dive right in.

How to Fix if One AirPod Is Louder Than the Other: 5 Ways

1.  SUCC ON IT.

One of the most effective ways for which to fix if one of your AirPods is louder than the order is to try to “suck” the biggest speaker on the AirPod (that you hear as soft).

Keep sucking on it and testing the sound repeatedly until you hear your AirPod’s sound get better.

The reason this method has been so effective is due to the fact the AirPods accumulate ear wax which causes any outgoing sound to be blocked. Thanks also go out to Marie-Claude Leblanc for pointing out this trick in the Apple Support Communities thread on this topic. Here’s a great video on how to do this:

Just make sure you keep a thin cloth between as you suck on it. You may also use the cloth to wipe the AirPod each time as you blow.

Another way to tell that the sound will get better as you can feel the air go in through the AirPod.

Try it and it should be enough to fix the problem.

2. Adjust the Audio Volume Balance.

In your settings of your iPhone, you have the option to change the volume of the sound that is output with either AirPod.

For some Apple users and our own readers as well, changing this setting and ensuring that the sound is balanced and not reduced to a minimum has made sure that the AirPods are equally producing the same volume.

Here’s how you access this setting on your iPhone or iPad in iOS 13:

1. Jump into your Settings app and then tap Accessibility.

2. Next, under Hearing tap on Audio/Visual you need to check and adjust the audio volume balance slider between the left and right channels of your AirPods. Keep it aligned in the middle to have an equal volume of sound.

Note

If you’re on iOS 12 or prior versions, the steps will be Settings>General>Accessiblity>Hearing.

3. Clean It.

When was the last time you‘d wiped your AirPods or have them cleaned?

One of the biggest downsides of Apple’s AirPods is that they are not dust and water-resistant. Hence, with time, dirt and wax can accumulate on your AirPods especially since you keep it in the charging case where dust can accumulate more.

One effective way to clean your AirPods is to use a soft toothbrush and gently brush the speaker grills. Grab a clean cloth and wipe it every time you brush it.

You may also opt to use a cotton swab to gently wipe the speaker grills.

Note

You may try to lightly damp the cloth or the cotton swab with water or alcohol and then proceed to wipe it. Just make sure that you do not overly use water or alcohol on it. The speakers are delicate and having any excessive form of liquid near that end is just going to make things worse. Real WORSE.

Try combining this solution with the solution of sucking on your AirPods (above) to ensure maximum effectiveness.

4. Try Your AirPods With Another Device.

If you tried all the methods above, repeatedly, and you do not find any improvement, then you’ll need to find whether your AirPods are faulty in some way. A few have suggested that to identify whether your AirPods are really faulty, then connect your AirPods to one of your other devices like PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, etc.

Once connected, play a video or a song to find out how well the AirPods sound.

If the AirPods work fine on the other device, then your original device may require a reset in its settings.

Here’s how you reset your settings on your iPhone or iPad:

1. Jump into your Settings app and then tap General.

2. Next, select Reset.

3. Lastly, select Reset All Settings. As Apple states, resetting all settings includes  — your network settings/Wi-Fi passwords, the keyboard dictionary, the Home screen layout, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards are removed or reset to their defaults. None of your data or media are deleted.

Once the reset is complete, try testing to see if your AirPods once again work.

5. Visit Apple and Ask For Replacement.

If none of the above methods work, then a quick visit to your nearest Apple Authorized Service Provider will allow you to speak with them and also qualify for a replacement (especially if you’re on a warranty and without prior issues. It will also have to be less than a year old). If you have AppleCare then you may qualify for replacement as well.

If you feel like not wasting your time going all the way to the shop and then talking with them and you would much prefer an online solution, then why not try contacting them for assistance. 

Jump onto Apple’s Get Support website, click AirPods and then click Audio Quality and chat with them. 

Feel free to go through the many tips and advice from the many helpful comments posted by others who had the same issue below. Let us know down below if you found a better option and we will update the article with your credit.

If this guide was helpful, please share it. 🙂