The microphone on your AirPods no longer works and you are annoyed? Understandable. This is not uncommon and happens to many other users too. But don't worry. In this article you will find out the most common reasons for this and quick solutions. So that your microphone will be fully functional again in just a few minutes.
Why doesn't the microphone work on the AirPods? 6 causes with solutions
Cause 1: The AirPods are clogged
Dirt may have accumulated in the microphone holes. This especially happens if you have been using your AirPods for several months without cleaning them in the meantime.
Take care when cleaning. If necessary, spray a cotton swab with a little alcohol (don't get it too wet) and then dab the microphone holes on the AirPods.
You may now be wondering where the microphones on the AirPods are located? On the AirPods or AirPods Pro, the microphone is located at the end of the AirPods stems. Note that the position of the microphones may vary depending on the model version. If in doubt, you can find the necessary information in the instructions for your AirPods.
By the way: If you are cleaning your microphones anyway, we recommend that you also clean the entire AirPods.
Cause 2: Settings for active microphone
To rule out the AirPods settings as a possible cause, follow the following steps.
Go to Settings, tap “Bluetooth,” then tap the “About icon” next to your AirPods. Now tap on the microphone and activate the option “Switch AirPods automatically”. This way you can ensure that your AirPods always use exactly the microphone that is best suited for ongoing operation.
This solution can work because in some cases the microphone problem is only with one AirPod. For example, if the problem is with the left AirPod and the left AirPod is set as the main microphone in the settings, it is no wonder if the microphone does not work.
Cause 3: Not enough battery
If your AirPods are not fully charged, this could be a reason why your AirPods' microphone is not working. Recharge your AirPods to at least 80% and then check whether the microphone is now working again.
Cause 4: Pairing problem
Sometimes the AirPods pairing does not work properly. Users report that disconnecting and reconnecting the AirPods can solve microphone problems. How to reset the AirPods:
- Place the Airpods in the charging case and close the lid
- Wait 30 seconds
- Open the lid of the charging case and insert the AirPods into your ears
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth or select Settings > [Your AirPods].
- Once the AirPods are connected, tap the “i” button (more information). Then tap “Ignore this device” and confirm your entry.
- If your AirPods don't show as connected in step 5, do this: Place AirPods in the charging case and leave the lid open.Press and hold the setup button on the back of the charging case for approx. 15 seconds until the LED light on the front of the charging case flashes yellow and then white.
- Now reconnect the AirPods. Place the AirPods in the case, leave the lid open, place them near the iPhone and follow the instructions on the screen of your iPhone.
- If for some reason only one AirPod connects, you will find the solution in this article
By the way: Sometimes restarting your iPhone helps to fix the microphone problem. So try this out too.
Cause 5: Outdated AirPods firmware
Outdated AirPods firmware can be a cause of the microphone not working properly. Typically, firmware updates for AirPods are automatically installed via your paired iOS device when connected to the internet and near the paired device.
But to be sure, you can check the firmware version of your AirPods by connecting them to your iOS device and going to Bluetooth settings. There you will find information about the current firmware version.
Installing firmware updates for AirPods is usually similar to the same, regardless of the specific AirPods generation.
Cause 6: Damage (mechanical problem)
If none of the solutions have helped so far, the AirPod is most likely damaged or broken. In this case, you can check whether your AirPods are still under warranty. If so, in the best case scenario you could get a free repair or get replacement Airpods. However, this depends on the exact terms of the guarantee.
If your warranty has already expired, it might be more worthwhile to buy new AirPods or individual replacement parts. This is because repairs are often so expensive that it is more economical to purchase new equipment.
If you find that only the microphone of a single AirPod is not working properly, we also offer separate AirPods in our online shop. The manufacturer and most online shops do not offer these, just complete sets. The advantage with us is: An AirPod replacement part is cheaper than buying a new AirPod set.
We purchase original complete packages and dismantle them into their individual parts. This ensures that you get an original product and also retain the full manufacturer's warranty, even if you only purchase a replacement part.
Frequently asked questions
Test AirPods microphone: How do I do it?
There are several ways you can test your AirPods' microphone:
- During a phone call
- Test voice memos
- Test Siri
- Test dictation function
- Testing with apps and video recordings
How do I know if my AirPods microphone is broken?
If you suspect that the microphone on your AirPods may be defective, you should first try the following solutions to rule out a defect:
- Clean AirPods microphones
- Check the settings of the AirPods
- Charge the AirPods sufficiently
- Exclude coupling problems
- Update firmware
- Restart iPhone
You can find out exactly how you can do this in this article. If, despite these measures, the following signs still exist, your AirPods or the microphone may be defective:
- No response to Siri
- Problems with Voice Memos
- No sound heard from the other person during calls
- Constant background noise or noise
Can you use AirPods as a microphone?
Yes, all models of AirPods can be used as a microphone. In this article we will show you exactly how to do it.
