Experiencing issues with your AirPods microphone can be incredibly frustrating, but thankfully, many common problems have simple solutions. This comprehensive guide will walk you through essential troubleshooting steps, from checking basic connections and cleaning your AirPods to performing software resets and adjusting settings on your connected device. By following these practical tips, you can often diagnose and resolve microphone problems yourself, ensuring clear audio for your calls and voice commands.

How to Fix AirPods Microphone?

Imagine this: you’re on an important call, confidently chatting away, only to hear the dreaded “Hello? Are you there? I can’t hear you!” from the other end. Or perhaps you’re trying to use Siri, and she just isn’t understanding your commands. If you’re an AirPods user, you know how indispensable they are for hands-free communication, listening to music, and interacting with your digital assistant. So, when your AirPods microphone decides to act up, it can quickly turn a seamless experience into a frustrating ordeal. You’re not alone; microphone issues are one of the most common complaints among AirPods users.

But don’t despair! Before you panic and assume the worst, it’s important to understand that many AirPods microphone problems are not due to a faulty device but rather a minor glitch, a simple setting misconfiguration, or even just some accumulated grime. The good news is that most of these issues are easily fixable with a few straightforward troubleshooting steps. This comprehensive guide is designed to walk you through every possible solution, helping you diagnose and fix your AirPods microphone, so you can get back to crystal-clear calls and reliable voice commands. Let’s dive in and get your AirPods microphone working perfectly again!

Key Takeaways

• Start with the Basics: Always begin by ensuring your AirPods are properly connected, charged, and that their microphones are clean from debris like earwax or lint.
• Check Device Settings: Verify microphone settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, ensuring the correct AirPod is selected for input and apps have permission to access the microphone.
• Software Remedies: Simple restarts of both your AirPods and the connected device, as well as a full AirPods reset, can often resolve persistent software glitches causing microphone issues.
• Isolate the Problem: Test your AirPods with different apps and devices to determine if the issue is specific to a particular application or device, or if it’s a broader AirPods microphone problem.
• Environmental Factors Matter: Background noise and wireless interference can significantly impact microphone performance, so try to use your AirPods in a quiet, interference-free environment.
• Test Each AirPod: If one AirPod’s microphone seems faulty, try forcing your device to use only that AirPod for input to confirm if one side is the culprit.
• When to Seek Professional Help: If all troubleshooting steps fail, and you suspect hardware damage, it’s best to contact Apple Support for further assistance or potential repair.

The Basics: Check Simple Settings First

When your AirPods microphone isn’t performing as expected, the best approach is to start with the simplest solutions. Often, the problem can be resolved without needing to delve into complex technical fixes. Think of these as your initial diagnostic checks.

Ensure AirPods are Connected and Charged

It might sound obvious, but an unstable Bluetooth connection or low battery can severely impact your AirPods microphone’s performance.

• Verify Connection: Double-check that your AirPods are actively connected to your device. Go to your iPhone/iPad’s Settings > Bluetooth, or your Mac’s menu bar Bluetooth icon. Ensure your AirPods are listed as “Connected.” If not, try toggling Bluetooth off and on, or even “Forget This Device” for your AirPods and then re-pair them. Sometimes, a fresh connection is all it takes to resolve an AirPods microphone glitch.
• Check Battery Levels: Low battery on one or both AirPods can cause intermittent microphone functionality. Place your AirPods in their charging case, open the lid near your iPhone, and check the battery widgets. Make sure both AirPods have sufficient charge.

Clean Your AirPods Microphones

AirPods spend a lot of time in your ears, where they’re exposed to earwax, dust, and lint. These tiny particles can easily accumulate in the small microphone grilles, blocking the sound input and making your voice muffled or faint. This is a very common reason for a poor AirPods microphone.

• Locate the Microphones: AirPods (1st/2nd Gen) have microphones located at the bottom of the stem. AirPods Pro and AirPods 3rd Gen have multiple microphones, including an outward-facing one on the stem and an inward-facing one inside the ear tip.
• Gentle Cleaning: Use a dry cotton swab, a soft-bristled toothbrush (like a baby toothbrush, dedicated for cleaning electronics), or a lint-free cloth to gently wipe away any visible debris. For stubborn grime, you can lightly dampen a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol, but ensure no liquid enters the openings. Never use sharp objects or excessive force, as this can damage the sensitive components inside. For the grilles, a very gentle blast of compressed air (held at a distance) can help, but use with extreme caution.

Check Microphone Settings on Your Device

Your device gives you control over which AirPod acts as the microphone. If this setting is misconfigured, it could be causing your issues.

• Access Microphone Settings: On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth > Tap the “i” icon next to your AirPods’ name. Scroll down to “Microphone.”
• Select “Automatic” or a Specific AirPod:
  • Automatic: This is the default and usually the best setting. Your AirPods will intelligently switch between the left and right AirPod’s microphone, using whichever one has clearer audio or is not in your ear.
  • Always Left AirPod / Always Right AirPod: If you’ve manually set it to “Always Left AirPod” or “Always Right AirPod,” and that specific AirPod is either dirty, malfunctioning, or not in your ear, your callers won’t hear you. Try switching it back to “Automatic” first. If the problem persists, you can try forcing it to use the other AirPod to see if one specific AirPods microphone is causing the issue.

Software Glitches: Restart and Reset

Visual guide about Microphone

Image source: static.vecteezy.com

Sometimes, the problem isn’t physical debris or a setting, but rather a temporary software bug. Like any sophisticated electronic device, AirPods can occasionally benefit from a good old-fashioned restart or a complete reset.

Restart Your Connected Device

This is a classic IT solution for a reason: it works! Restarting your iPhone, iPad, or Mac clears out temporary software glitches that might be interfering with your device’s ability to communicate properly with your AirPods microphone.

• For iPhone/iPad: Hold the power button and a volume button (or just the power button for older models) until the “slide to power off” slider appears. Slide it, wait a few seconds, then power it back on.
• For Mac: Go to the Apple menu > Restart.

After restarting, reconnect your AirPods and test the microphone again.

Restart Your AirPods (Placing them back in the case)

While AirPods don’t have a traditional “power off” button, simply placing them back in their charging case, closing the lid, and waiting a few seconds effectively restarts them. This allows them to disconnect and reconnect fresh, often resolving minor communication hiccups affecting the AirPods microphone.

Reset Your AirPods

If simple restarts don’t do the trick, a full factory reset of your AirPods can often resolve deeper software issues. This will unpair them from all your devices and restore them to their factory defaults.

• Steps to Reset:
  1. Place both AirPods in their charging case and close the lid for 30 seconds.
  2. Open the lid.
  3. On your connected device, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the “i” icon next to your AirPods, and select “Forget This Device.” Confirm your choice.
  4. With the lid open and AirPods inside, press and hold the setup button on the back of the charging case for about 15 seconds. The status light on the front of the case will flash amber, then white. This indicates the reset is complete.
  5. Now, re-pair your AirPods with your device as if they were new. Open the case near your iPhone/iPad, and follow the on-screen prompts.

This reset often resolves persistent issues, including those with the AirPods microphone, by clearing any corrupted settings or firmware bugs.

App-Specific or Device-Specific Issues

Sometimes, the problem isn’t with the AirPods themselves, but how they interact with certain applications or devices. Pinpointing this can significantly narrow down your troubleshooting.

Check App Permissions

Certain apps, especially communication apps like Zoom, FaceTime, WhatsApp, or even social media apps, require explicit permission to access your device’s microphone. If this permission is denied, your AirPods microphone won’t work within that app.

• For iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. Find the app in question and ensure its toggle is switched ON.
• For Mac: Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. Again, ensure the relevant apps have access.

It’s a common oversight, but a crucial one for getting your AirPods microphone to function across all applications.

Test with Different Apps and Devices

Is your AirPods microphone failing only when you use FaceTime, but working fine on a regular phone call? Or does it work perfectly with your iPhone but not with your Mac?

• Try different communication apps: Make a call using the standard Phone app, then try a video call on FaceTime, and then perhaps a voice note on WhatsApp. If it only fails in one app, the problem is likely with that app’s settings or a bug within the app itself.
• Connect to a different device: If you have another iPhone, iPad, or Mac, try connecting your AirPods to that device and test the microphone. If the microphone works perfectly on the second device, the issue is likely with your primary device’s settings or software rather than the AirPods themselves. This helps confirm if it’s truly an AirPods microphone problem or a device one.

Update Your Device’s Software

Outdated operating system software can sometimes lead to compatibility issues with accessories like AirPods. Apple regularly releases updates that include bug fixes, performance improvements, and enhanced accessory support.

• For iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
• For Mac: Go to System Settings > General > Software Update.

Ensure your device is running the latest available software version. An update could contain a fix specifically for AirPods connectivity or microphone functionality.

Addressing Environmental Factors & Interference

Even perfectly functioning AirPods can struggle if the environment they’re used in isn’t ideal. External factors can significantly impact how your AirPods microphone picks up your voice.

Reduce Background Noise

AirPods use beamforming microphones to help isolate your voice and reduce background noise. However, they are not completely immune to extremely noisy environments. If you’re in a very loud coffee shop, near heavy traffic, or in a bustling office, your AirPods microphone might struggle to differentiate your voice from the surrounding din, making you sound faint or garbled.

• Move to a quieter location: If possible, try to move to a quieter area when making important calls.
• Speak directly towards the microphone: While AirPods are designed to be hands-free, ensuring your mouth isn’t too far from the bottom of the AirPod stem can sometimes help, especially in louder settings.

Check for Wireless Interference

Bluetooth signals can be susceptible to interference from other wireless devices. This interference can disrupt the signal between your AirPods and your connected device, leading to dropped audio or poor microphone performance.

• Potential sources of interference: Other Bluetooth devices (headphones, speakers, smartwatches), Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, cordless phones, and even certain electronic appliances.
• Actions to take: Try moving away from these potential sources of interference. If you’re in a crowded wireless environment, try testing your AirPods microphone in a less congested area.

Proximity to the Connected Device

Bluetooth has a limited range. While AirPods generally perform well within 30-60 feet of your device in open spaces, walls, concrete, and other obstacles can significantly reduce this range. If you move too far from your iPhone or Mac, or there are too many obstructions, the connection can weaken, leading to intermittent audio or a non-responsive AirPods microphone. Keep your connected device reasonably close, especially during important calls.

Advanced Troubleshooting & When to Seek Help

If you’ve diligently worked through all the previous steps and your AirPods microphone is still causing trouble, it’s time to dig a little deeper or consider professional assistance.

Test Each AirPod Individually

Your AirPods are designed to work together, but they can also function independently. If one AirPod is damaged or malfunctioning, it could be the sole cause of your microphone problems.

• Force individual mic use: Go to Settings > Bluetooth > Tap the “i” icon next to your AirPods > Microphone. Try setting it to “Always Left AirPod” and make a test call. Then switch it to “Always Right AirPod” and test again. This can help you identify if one specific AirPod is the culprit. If one side works perfectly while the other is silent or muffled, you’ve found your problematic AirPod microphone.
• Use one at a time: Put one AirPod back in the case and just use the other for a call. Then swap them. This achieves a similar diagnostic goal.

Consider Potential Hardware Damage

If you’ve dropped your AirPods, exposed them to water (beyond their water resistance rating), or they’ve experienced any other physical trauma, there’s a possibility of hardware damage.

• Inspect for visible damage: Carefully look at the microphone grilles and the body of your AirPods for any cracks, dents, or signs of liquid ingress. Even minor damage can affect the sensitive components inside.
• Listen for static: If you hear persistent static or crackling specific to the microphone input (e.g., when recording a voice memo), it could indicate an internal hardware issue with the AirPods microphone.

Hardware issues are generally not user-fixable and would require professional repair or replacement.

Contact Apple Support

You’ve tried everything, from cleaning the AirPods microphone to resetting them completely, and the issue persists. This is the point where it’s best to reach out to the experts.

• Provide detailed information: When contacting Apple Support, be prepared to describe all the troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken. This will help them quickly understand the situation and avoid repeating steps you’ve already tried.
• Check warranty status: If your AirPods are still under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, you might be eligible for a free repair or replacement.
• Service options: Apple can guide you through mail-in repair services or help you schedule an appointment at an Apple Store or authorized service provider for a diagnosis.

Don’t hesitate to contact them if you suspect a genuine defect; that’s what they’re there for!

Congratulations! You’ve just navigated a comprehensive troubleshooting guide on how to fix your AirPods microphone. It can be incredibly frustrating when such a vital component of your favorite wireless earbuds stops working, but as we’ve seen, many of these issues have straightforward solutions. From simple cleaning and checking basic settings to performing full resets and isolating app-specific problems, there are numerous steps you can take before needing professional help.

Remember, patience is key, and working through these solutions systematically will give you the best chance of restoring your AirPods microphone to perfect working order. We hope this guide helps you get back to clear, crisp communication and full enjoyment of your AirPods. Happy listening, and happy talking!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my AirPods microphone not working during calls?

There could be several reasons, including dirty microphone grilles, incorrect microphone settings (e.g., set to the wrong AirPod), a temporary software glitch, or a weak Bluetooth connection. Start by cleaning your AirPods and checking the microphone settings on your connected device.

How do I clean my AirPods microphone?

Gently use a dry cotton swab, a soft-bristled toothbrush, or a lint-free cloth to remove any visible debris, earwax, or dust from the microphone grilles located on the AirPod stems and inside the ear tips (for Pro models). Avoid using sharp objects or excessive liquid.

What does “Automatic” microphone setting mean for AirPods?

When set to “Automatic,” your AirPods intelligently decide which AirPod’s microphone to use based on which one has the clearest audio input and is in your ear. It automatically switches between them to optimize sound quality for your calls.

Should I reset my AirPods to fix the microphone?

Yes, performing a factory reset of your AirPods can often resolve persistent microphone issues caused by software glitches or corrupted settings. This will unpair them from your devices and restore them to their default state, requiring you to re-pair them.

Why does my AirPods microphone work on one app but not another?

This often indicates an app-specific permission issue. Check your device’s privacy settings to ensure the problematic app has permission to access the microphone. Go to your device’s Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and enable access for the app.

When should I contact Apple Support for an AirPods microphone issue?

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide—including cleaning, resetting, checking settings, and testing across devices—and your AirPods microphone still isn’t working, it’s advisable to contact Apple Support. There might be a hardware issue requiring professional diagnosis or repair.