As any audiophile will tell you, even the slightest asymmetry in sound can turn a soulful melody into a dissonant cacophony. And, if you’re an AirPods user, you may have experienced this firsthand—when one AirPod begins to play louder than the other, rendering your perfect stereo image into a lopsided soundscape. Don’t fret, though. I’ve been there, and I’ve discovered some surprisingly simple fixes to help you restore the balance.
1. Check The Stereo Balance
This might seem rudimentary, but before we start resetting and repairing, let’s ensure that the stereo balance settings on your device aren’t the culprit. In Windows, go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Ease of Access’ > ‘Audio’, and ensure the left-right slider is perfectly centered. On your iPhone, it’s under ‘Settings’ > ‘Accessibility’ > ‘Audio/Visual’.
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2. Clean Your AirPods
In my experience, a common cause of one AirPod sounding louder is the accumulation of dust or debris in the quieter one. A gentle cleaning with a dry, soft-bristled brush can work wonders. Apple’s official guide on how to clean your AirPods is a helpful reference.
3. Reset Your AirPods
Perhaps it’s the engineer in me, but whenever I encounter a technical hiccup, my first instinct is to ‘switch it off and on again.’ And more often than not, it works! Reset your AirPods by pressing and holding the button on the back of the charging case until the LED light flashes amber.
4. Update Your Device
A friend of mine once complained about the sound disparity in his AirPods, and guess what solved it? A simple software update. For Windows, navigate to ‘Settings’ > ‘Update & Security’ > ‘Windows Update’. If you’re using an iPhone, go to ‘Settings’ > ‘General’ > ‘Software Update’.
5. Disconnect And Reconnect Your AirPods
When the problem lies in the connection between your device and the AirPods, disconnecting and reconnecting them can often solve the issue. In the Bluetooth settings of your device, ‘Forget’ your AirPods and pair them again.
6. Adjust The Audio Volume Balance On Your iPhone
The volume balance control on your iPhone lets you change the audio output level between your AirPods. If it’s shifted towards one side, one AirPod may sound louder than the other. Here’s how to check it:
- Open ‘Settings’ on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and select ‘Music’.
- Tap on ‘Volume Limit’.
- There, you’ll find a slider for left and right audio balance. Make sure it’s centered.