The AirPods are excellent earbuds, and one of the best when it comes to sound quality and versatility. However, it is not rare for people to run into issues, such as AirPods that are connected but reproduce no sound.
Your pair of AirPods is successfully connected but is making no sound? Most of the time, this is an easily solvable issue that has to do with certain configurations in your iPhone, such as an error in the Bluetooth connection or even a pair of AirPods that is a little dirty and needs some cleaning.
In this article, we will go through several methods you can try to fix your AirPods when they are connected but reproduce no sound, plus give you a few tips and tricks on how to maintain your Apple Earbuds working flawlessly.
How to Fix AirPods that are Connected but Make No Sound?
First, we are going to list a few quick methods to try if your AirPods are connected but make no sound. These should be done before trying any complex methods since, a lot of the time, the issue is very simple to solve.
The simplest solution of all is turning your Bluetooth off and putting your AirPods in the charging case. From there, you can turn the Bluetooth on in your iPhone again and take your Apple earbuds out of the charging case as usual.
It might sound silly and obvious, but you have no idea how frequent it is that the simplest solution is the best. Always go from the simplest method to the most complex one.
Another simple solution you can try is turning off your iPhone and turning them on again. Just like the recently mentioned method, this is a no-brainer that can be done in no time and can fix a lot of potential issues.
Below, we are going to get into more detailed methods you can use in case none of the mentioned ones worked. These range from simple fixes to more complex ones you can use to make your AirPods make sound again.
Also Read: Airpods Won’t Connect? Here’s What You Do to Fix It!
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Other Methods to Fix Airpods Connected But No Sound
1. Put your AirPods in the Charging Case
Sometimes, when your AirPods aren't reproducing sound, there is a problem with syncing between the two earbuds and your iPhone. This happens quite frequently, but the solution is very simple.
Just put your AirPods inside the charging case again and take them out as you would normally do. This is the simplest solution, and you should try this before you proceed with any other method.
It is also a great idea to charge your Apple earbuds a bit to make sure the problem isn't with the low battery.
2. Clean your AirPods
It might sound obvious, but your AirPods need to be cleaned regularly. Gunk and ear wax can build up inside your AirPods, block its speakers and prevent the sound from being reproduced.
The solution is quite simple, and you just need to clean your Apple earbuds with a cotton swab. You can also dip the cotton swab in a little bit of isopropyl alcohol to help clean your AirPods further.
You must do this regularly to ensure your AirPods stay clean and work flawlessly. There are a few cleaning tools available for purchase on the internet dedicated to cleaning your AirPods that might make your life easier.
Don't forget to also clean your charging case. Don't use isopropyl alcohol on the charging case, though, since this could damage it. Just clean it with a dry cotton swab, and you should be good.
3. Reset your AirPods
A very simple way to fix a wide range of problems that may arise when using your AirPods is to reset the earbuds to their factory settings. After doing this, you will have to set them up again.
To reset your AirPods is very simple; all you got to do is go to your “Settings” app, Bluetooth, find your AirPods, and then click on the small “i” icon on the right side. There, you can select “Forget this Device.” This will disconnect your Apple earbuds from your iPhone.
Put your AirPods in the charging case if they're not already, and wait 30 seconds. Open the lid and press the setup button for about 15 seconds. After doing this, you can now reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone.
You can do this method as many times as necessary.
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4. Reset your Bluetooth
One of the most frequent problems with AirPods not making a sound stems not from the earbuds but from your iPhone. Sometimes your Bluetooth connection is faulty, and it is causing an issue.
Resetting the Bluetooth is extremely simple; you just need to go to the “Settings” app, select Bluetooth and then turn it off. Wait 30 seconds before you turn your Bluetooth on again. This is because the feature may take some time to reset fully.
If the method doesn't work, try turning your iPhone off completely so that the Bluetooth is also reset on a firmware level. This can be done in conjunction with other methods, such as resetting your AirPods and your Bluetooth at the same time.
5. Try Turning Off your WiFi on your iPhone.
That's right; your WiFi could be interfering with the connection between your AirPods and your iPhone. You can try turning it off via the “Settings” app to see if the issue is resolved. If it is, you should have your smartphone serviced.
You can also try temporarily turning off certain features that might interfere with your AirPods connection, including your mobile internet, or even putting your iPhone into Airplane Mode for a few seconds.
6. Adjust the Volume Crown (AirPods Max)
It might sound silly, but sometimes your AirPods Max makes no sound because the volume crown is turned all the way down. The volume crown is small and easy to miss by the inattentive eye.
The volume crown can be found on the uppermost part of the right ear can on the AirPods Max. You should rotate it clockwise to increase the volume.
👉Also Read: How to Increase Bass on AirPods?
7. Reset the Network Settings of your iPhone
If none of the mentioned methods so far worked, then it is time to try to reset the network settings of your iPhone. Keep in mind that this will remove all previous connections you've made, including WiFi networks.
To reset the network settings of your iPhone, go to your “Settings” app and scroll down to “General.” Next, scroll down until you find “Reset” and select it. Select “Reset Network Settings.”
After doing this, you will have to connect your AirPods to your iPhone again, which should be a simple task. Again, keep in mind this will remove all previous connections you've made, including WiFi networks.
8. Update your iPhone
Sometimes a simple update can work wonders in fixing any problems with your iPhone. Remember to keep your iPhone always up to date with the latest Apple releases. This is because the firmware is constantly updated against bugs.
You can check if there are any updates in your “Settings” app, as usual, under “General.” Just make sure to back up your data before you update your iPhone just for safety reasons.
9. Turn Off Automatic Ear Detection
Automatic Ear Detection is a feature found in the AirPods that automatically detects when you take your Apple earbuds out of your ears. This feature is great, but sometimes it might cause problems.
Try turning it off to see if this fixes anything. Go to your “Settings” app and then “Bluetooth.” Find your AirPods by their name and click on the “i” icon at the right to see more settings. There, you will see a section called “Automatic Ear Detection.” Turn it off and check.
10. Check for Interference With Other Electronics
The AirPods can sometimes get interference from other nearby electronics, and this can cause issues with your connection. If you have a laptop with Bluetooth enabled nearby, for example, try turning the feature off and see if it solves the problem.
Keep in mind that this is a temporary solution. If your AirPods are being affected by interference with other electronics, then you might have to take them to a Genius Bar to have them checked.
11. Test your AirPods with another Smartphone or Laptop
This one is very simple. All you got to do is test your AirPods with other smartphones or laptops to see if the problem isn't with your iPhones rather than your Apple earbuds. This is something that should always be done.
You can connect your AirPods to any electronics that have Bluetooth feature; they can but don't need to be from Apple. This includes tablets, iPads, MacBooks, and Windows laptops.
12. Check the Settings on your iPhone.
If the sound is coming from only one side, for example, then this could be an issue with balance. You can try going to the “Settings”, “Accessibility” and “Audio/Visual” and check if the balance slider is in the middle. If not, bring it to the middle and see if it solves the issue.
You can also check other settings such as Mono Audio playback, as well as the built-in equalizer on your iPhone. It doesn't hurt to try fiddling with these settings to see if the issue is resolved.
13. Check the Settings on your Streaming App
Certain streaming apps, such as Spotify, have their own settings apart from your iPhone. These settings could very well interfere with your AirPods, and it might be a great idea to double-check them.
You can proceed just as you would in your normal “Settings” app. On Spotify, check if your earbuds aren't set to mono mode and turn off the equalizer, for example. Try other apps as well, such as YouTube.
14. Take your AirPods to a Genius Bar and Have them Serviced.
Last but not least, if none of the methods worked, then it is time to take your AirPods to a Genius Bar to have them serviced. Don't try to open your AirPods since you could furtherly damage them. Sometimes the solution is as easy as having the batteries on your Apple earbuds swapped.
As to how much this might cost, it is impossible to give you an idea of the servicing price. It can range from a couple of dollars but shouldn't cost more than $100. If the servicing fee is too expensive, consider buying a new pair of AirPods.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are an infinite number of reasons as to why your AirPods are connected, but no sound is coming out of the earbuds. Luckily, most of the time, the simplest solutions are the most effective ones in this scenario.
We recommend that you try basic things first, such as putting your AirPods in the charging case and taking them out again or cleaning and resetting your Apple earbuds. It is also a great idea to turn your iPhone off and on again to reset the firmware inside your smartphone.
If none of these work, you can proceed to more complex methods, such as resetting the network settings of your iPhone, which is still quite easy to do even by average users.
If, after trying all of the methods listed in the article, your AirPods still make no sound, consider taking them to a Genius Bar to have your Apple earbuds serviced. It is not worth it to try fixing them on your own in that case, and a certified technician should know what to do.
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