How to Fix AirPods Mic Not Working? Is the microphone on your AirPods bothering you when you use them on your devices?
Want to talk to your friends without making any mistakes using the AirPods mic? Then you’ve come to the right place. We have issues accessing the microphone on the AirPods. According to some users, the microphone abruptly stops working.
It could be for any number of reasons, including dirt in the microphone holes, outdated drivers, and so on. You can use the best solutions provided below to resolve this AirPods Microphone Not Working issue.
HOW TO FIX AIRPODS MIC NOT WORKING?
One of the biggest attractions to AirPods is that users are able to listen to various audio content without having to worry about wires getting in the way. More than that, AirPods can connect to your phone and function as a speaker that you can not only listen to, but also talk through.
If you have AirPods and are trying to talk through them but notice that the mic isn’t working properly, read on to find out what you can do. If your AirPods’ microphone isn’t working, it’s possible that your AirPods need to be charged.
Insert both pods into the AirPod case and leave the top open to check the battery level. You will then bring the case close to your iPhone, which will display the charge level on the screen.
If you can see that the charge level on the AirPods is low, this is most likely the cause of your mic operational issue. To charge AirPods properly, securely insert both pods into the AirPod case and connect a USB charger to both the AirPods and a power outlet.
While the AirPods are charging, you will notice a red or amber light on the case; however, once the charging is complete, this light will turn green, and you will be able to see if the microphone is working properly.
WHY MY AIRPODS MICROPHONE IS NOT WORKING?
1. LOW BATTERIES
When your AirPods are running low on battery, they will struggle to perform as well as they would when fully charged. AirPods that are nearly dead may lose volume, fail to connect to your iOS device, or lose microphone control/power.
If your AirPods are nearly dead, this is most likely why the microphone isn’t working. In fact, it may still be *technically* operational, albeit at a very, very low output – so low that the person to whom you are speaking cannot hear you.
2. DIRTY AIRPODS
It’s amazing how often this is overlooked, but it’s a common cause of AirPod microphone issues.
Earwax and other dirt/grim accumulates on your AirPods over time, and if you don’t clean them on a regular basis, this gunk can become caked onto your mic, completely blocking it. Simply inspect your AirPods to see if there is gunk buildup on/in the various crevices.
3. SOFTWARE ISSUES
Is it time to update the software on your iPhone, Macbook, or iPad? If this is the case, your connected devices may not function properly. Apple products are notorious for acting strangely around the time of a software update, almost as if your devices are behaving strangely and begging you to update them.
Of course, this isn’t the case – it’s just that your apps and connected devices update automatically in anticipation of your phone updating, and waiting can cause strange things to happen.
4. MECHANICAL ISSUES AND DAMAGE
This might not be what you wanted to hear, but it could be the case that your Airpods microphone is simply broken.
If your AirPods have been exposed to lots of water or have been dropped multiple times, the electronics could be damaged. Thankfully, this is rare – AirPods and their wired predecessors, the old-school EarPods, are famously tough.
Alternative Video: How To Fix AirPods Microphone Not Working?
5. BLUETOOTH CONNECTION PROBLEMS
Bluetooth has been around for a few decades, but it is far from perfect. It gets wonky at times, just like any other wireless technology. This is especially true if you use multiple Bluetooth devices on a daily basis; there are no great explanations; it just happens.
Bluetooth connections can occasionally become spotty, necessitating a reset. If you’ve recently attempted to join a business call and discovered your AirPods mic isn’t working, a faulty Bluetooth connection could be to blame.
6. SETTINGS ISSUE
When Apple fans finally figure out why their AirPods mic isn’t working, this is one of those things that has them cursing themselves. Why? Because it’s so simple to fix, but it’s the last thing you consider!
You can customize the functionality of your iPhone and AirPods for various tasks/activities using the settings on your iPhone and AirPods. If your AirPods mic isn’t working, or if your phone/laptop mic is turned on instead of the ones in your AirPods, you may need to look into your settings to figure out what’s wrong.
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WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR AIRPODS MIC STOPS WORKING?
1. DISCONNECT AND RECONNECT YOUR AIRPODS
If you can, this should be the first thing you do to resolve the mic issue with your AirPods. The simplest way to accomplish this is to turn off Bluetooth, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on.
Your AirPods should automatically reconnect. If that doesn’t work, open your iPhone settings, go to the Bluetooth section, click the “Info” icon next to your AirPods, and then select “Forget this Device.” This causes your AirPods to be disconnected permanently.
If you select “Forget this Device,” you will have to reconnect the AirPods to your phone manually; it will not happen automatically.
2. RESET YOUR AIRPODS
If you’re unable to get your mic to work after reconnecting your AirPods, you may have to do a full reset. The full reset of AirPods, as you’d expect, returns your AirPods to their factory settings, completely erasing any connection with your phone.
However, because AirPods do not store any data, performing a full reset poses no risk. These steps will demonstrate how to do it:
- Insert the AirPods into the charging case.
- Wait 30-45 seconds before proceeding.
- Open the lid of your AirPods case, but don’t remove them.
- Tap Bluetooth in your iPhone’s settings.
- Tap the I icon next to your AirPods now.
- Tap “Forget This Device,” then tap again to confirm.
- Press the setup button on the back of your Airpods Case for 15 seconds. The status light will begin to flash red and then white.
- You can now reconnect your AirPods as if they were new.
3. CLEAN YOUR AIRPODS
Earwax and other grime will occasionally accumulate on your AirPods, covering the mic and muffling, if not completely blocking, your voice. Check and clean the mic on your AirPods on a regular basis.
Cleaning dirt and gunk from your AirPods is a straightforward process. However, because you’re dealing with sensitive electronics, you must ensure that you clean them properly. Gently remove dirt and grime from your AirPods with a clean, dry toothbrush or similar item.
You can also clean out your AirPods with a Q-Tip, just like you would your actual ears. Just be careful not to use any soap or water, as this will aggravate the blockage and risk permanently damaging the speakers.
4. RESTART YOUR IPHONE
Sometimes a broken microphone isn’t the fault of your AirPods; instead, it’s a problem with your iPhone. Frequently, a simple restart of the device is all that is required.
Turn off your phone, wait 30 seconds, and then turn it back on. That’s right – the oldest IT solution in the book is still as effective as ever! This will reset your phone and all of its connections, which is frequently enough to get your AirPods mic working again!
5. CHARGE YOUR AIRPODS
The charging case for a pair of AirPods is deceptively good – if you don’t use them frequently, it can keep them fully charged for days at a time. However, if the case dies, the individual earbuds will perish quickly.
People who forget to charge their cases may notice that their microphones are spotty, quiet, or completely unresponsive. Remember to keep your AirPods charged at all times! It’s also not difficult – your AirPods can be fully charged in under an hour!
6. CHECK AIRPODS SETTINGS
Your AirPods have a microphone in each ear, allowing you to communicate with others while only wearing one earbud, whether it’s the right or left one. If your microphone only works in one ear, there could be an issue with your settings.
When you only use one earbud, the AirPods microphone is supposed to switch between them automatically, but the settings for this can be changed. To update your AirPods Microphone settings, follow these steps:
- On your iPhone, launch the “Settings” app.
- Select “Bluetooth.”
- Locate your AirPods in the device list and tap the “info” icon (an I with a circle around it).
- Select “Microphone.”
- There are three microphone settings options for AirPods:
- Switch AirPods Automatically
- Always use the left AirPod.
- Airpods are always correct.
- Change your settings to “Automatically Switch” if they are anything other than that.
This solution will only work for a small percentage of AirPods users because it requires you to have previously changed your settings and forgotten about them. However, because of the financial implications of solution #6, it is still worth mentioning.
7. EDIT MICROPHONE SETTINGS
When you encounter the issue, the first thing you should do is change your microphone settings. This is especially important if only one of the earbuds’ microphones is not working. If you’re not sure, you can experiment with the microphone settings to see if that’s the case.
This will force the active mic on a specific earbud, which will assist you in eliminating any such possibility. To accomplish this, simply follow the steps outlined below:
- First of all, on your iPhone, open up the Settings app.
- There, make your way to Bluetooth.
- Then, under My Device, tap on the info icon (i) next to your AirPods.
- This will take you to your AirPods settings. There, tap on the Microphone option.
- Finally, play around with the options provided here. Try out different options to see if something works out.
8. FORGET AIRPODS
As it turns out, one of the solutions to the above-mentioned issue is to simply re-pair your AirPods with your device.
As previously stated, iOS updates can sometimes mess up the connection details, in which case you must simply pair again. It is quite simple to do so; simply follow the instructions provided below:
- To begin, launch the Settings app on your phone.
- On the Settings screen, select the Bluetooth option.
- Under My Devices, tap the info icon I next to your AirPods.
- After that, tap the Forget This Device option at the bottom of the screen.
- Confirm your response to the follow-up prompts.
- After that, reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone and check to see if the problem persists.
9. IF ALL ELSE FAILS, BUY NEW AIRPODS
Sometimes, replacing your AirPods is unavoidable. If this device is necessary for your work or social life and all other methods of fixing them have failed, you might just have to bite the bullet and get new AirPods.
Keep an eye on the Apple website, as well as Amazon, to see if you can take advantage of a sale – they happen all the time!
HOW TO FIX AIRPODS MIC NOT WORKING FOR PHONE CALLS?
Being on the go means having to juggle quite a few different balls while also remaining available to those around you, especially when it comes to calls. If you need to keep your hands free but also need to be able to talk on the phone while doing other things, AirPods are an excellent choice.
However, if you go to answer a call and notice that the mic isn’t working once the call is connected, keep reading to find out what you can do.
If your AirPods mic isn’t working for phone calls and you’re sure they’re connected to your iPhone, first check to see if there are any particles obstructing the mic. After that, turn off your iPhone to see if it resolves any minor temporary issues that are causing the mic to not work.
It is also worth noting that, as previously stated, if the battery on the AirPods is too low, the microphone will not work properly (or at all). This is a method of conserving battery life, and when this occurs, the operation of the microphone is frequently the first to go.
As a result, check to see how much battery life your AirPods have and, if the percentage is low, charge them for a reasonable amount of time to restore operation.
HOW TO FIX AIRPODS MIC NOT CONNECTING TO WINDOWS 10?
AirPods are incredibly versatile, which makes them even more appealing to those trying to use different systems to operate their Airpods with, such as Windows 10.
It is possible to connect your AirPods to Windows 10 in a few simple steps, but what if you are in the middle of this process and are unable to connect? What could be the problem, and what can you do to quickly resolve it? Read on to learn how to solve this specific issue so that a connection can be made.
If your AirPods mic isn’t connecting to Windows 10, make sure the AirPods are set as the default communications device. To do so, right-click on the ‘Sound’ icon on your device’s screen and select AirPods as the default communication device in the ‘Playback/Recording’ Tab.
If you still can’t connect your AirPods mic to Windows 10, you may need to manually install the most recent Bluetooth driver.
To do so, press the Windows Logo key and the letter ‘R’ on the keyboard. When the Run Box appears, type ‘devmgmt.msc’ and press ‘OK.’ Next, click ‘Bluetooth’ > ‘Update Driver’ > ‘Search Automatically For Drivers’ > then follow the instructions to complete the steps before restarting your device and testing for connectivity.
CONCLUSION on AirPods Mic Not Working
A broken microphone on a pair of AirPods makes for a terrible Zoom, Facetime, or phone call experience. Fortunately, there are a few options for getting your AirPods mic back online!
Which of my suggestions worked for you? Was it a simple reset, a full reset, or did you have to buy new AirPods? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!
FAQs About AirPods Mic Not Working
Do AirPods use both microphones?
Each AirPod has a microphone, allowing you to make phone calls and use Siri. Microphone is set to Automatic by default, so either of your AirPods can serve as the microphone.
How does the MIC interact with the AirPods?
The Airpods mic works by utilizing a speech detecting accelerometer that recognizes speech. This works in conjunction with the second microphone, which is equipped with beam-forming microphones and is simply designed to block out any external noise, allowing the mic to pick up only your voice.
Why does my AirPods mic not work?
Reconnecting your AirPods to your device is another quick and easy fix for the AirPods microphone not working. Simply put your AirPods back in their case, close the lid, and then take them out and insert them into your ears.
