When you first put on a pair of AirPods, you might be struck by how little they weigh. That’s because almost everything that would normally make a headphone — the ear cups, the headband, the battery, and most of the electronic components — are gone.
In their place are just a tiny stem and two even tinier earbuds. They are truly wireless headphones, meaning no wires connect the earbuds. So, headphones are very convenient, but there are some drawbacks. One of which is that they can be quite quiet.
This can be frustrating if you’re trying to listen to music or a podcast in a noisy environment, like on the subway or in an office. And it’s not just you — many people have noticed that their AirPods are quieter than other headphones.
Why Are AirPods So Quiet?
There are a lot of people who are wondering why their AirPods are so quiet. The main reason is that the earbuds fit snugly inside your ear, creating a seal that prevents sound from escaping.
In addition, the AirPods are designed to be as compact as possible, which also helps reduce the amount of noise they produce.
Finally, the AirPods use a special audio codec designed to reduce the amount of background noise picked up by the earbuds. This codec is called AAC; many use it for other high-end audio devices.
Reasons Why AirPods Are So Quiet
If you wonder why your AirPods are so quiet, there are a few potential explanations. The following are some of the possible reasons:
1. Sweat, Earwax, And Moisture
Over time, the tiny mesh grilles that cover AirPods’ speakers can get clogged with sweat, earwax, or other moisture. This can muffle sound output and make your AirPods quieter than usual. The blockage can also cause audio to sound lower quality or “tinny.”
The earwax and moisture build-up can also cause connection issues. If your AirPods are having trouble staying connected to your device, it could be due to a blockage in the mesh grille.
Sweat can be especially problematic because it’s acidic and can eat away at the speaker mesh over time. If you use your AirPods for workouts or other activities where you sweat a lot, clean them regularly.
2. Low Power Mode
This is a great feature for saving battery life on your device. Low Power Mode reduces your device’s power when the battery is low. Unfortunately, this can also reduce the volume of your AirPods.
If you think Low Power Mode might be why your AirPods are quiet, you can turn it off on your device’s Settings app.
Just go to Settings > Battery and toggle off Low Power Mode.
3. Loose Or Damaged EarTips
If your AirPods are relatively new, the ear tips may not be fitted properly. Make sure the tips are snug but not too tight.
If the ear tips are old or damaged, they might not seal properly and could be letting in outside noise, making your AirPods seem quieter than they are. In this case, you’ll need to replace the ear tips.
4. Volume Limit
Phones and laptops have a mechanism to protect our hearing by limiting how loud they can get. This is usually done through software, and it’s a good thing. If your volume was 100% all the time, you could seriously damage your ears.
That is why the volume is automatically limited to around 80% once you connect the AirPods to your iPhone.
While this might be good for our health, it doesn’t make for the best listening experience. If you want to increase the volume of your AirPods, you can do so through the settings menu on your iPhone.
Simply go to Settings -> Music -> Volume Limit and increase the slider to your desired level.
5. Poor Fit
Sometimes, AirPods can be quiet because they don’t fit well in your ears. If they’re not snug enough, sound might be able to escape. Make sure your AirPods fit well before assuming there’s another issue.
6. Software Issues
Sometimes the media volume on your iPhone might be set too low, which can result in your AirPods not playing audio as loudly as they should. The software might be outdated, or you have already interfered with settings that affect the AirPods’ volume.
7. Check The Battery Level
Your AirPods may be quiet because the battery level is low. Hold the button on one of the AirPods for a couple of seconds to check the current battery level. The LED on the charging case will flash white to indicate how much charge is left.
8. Hardware Issues
Faulty hardware is one of the primary reasons your AirPods might face tough issues. There could be an issue with the speaker itself or the receiver. If you think the sound quality has decreased after using your AirPods for a while, it is most likely due to hardware issues.
How To Fix Quiet Airpods?
Experiencing sound issues with your AirPods can be frustrating. If your AirPods are quiet, there could be a problem with the connection, the charging case, or the AirPods themselves.
The following are the solutions to help you fix the problem:
1. Check The Connection
If your AirPods are not properly connected to your device, they may not output sound correctly. Ensure that your AirPods are firmly inserted into your ears and that the connection is tight.
If you’re using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you can check the connection by going to Settings > Bluetooth and tapping the “I” next to your AirPods. You should see “Connected” next to your AirPods if the connection is good.
2. Connect And Disconnect Again
Loose connections are often why your AirPods aren’t working as they should. To fix the problem, remove your AirPods from your device and put them back in. This should help to re-establish the connection and fix the problem.
You to ensure no obstructions in the way of the antennae. If you’re using your AirPods with an iPhone, make sure they’re not in your case when trying to connect them.
3. Reset Your AirPods
Sometimes, simply resetting your AirPods can fix the issue and make them work again. When you reset your AirPods, it doesn’t delete any of your data or settings. Do you know how to reset your AirPods? If not, don’t worry. It’s really easy.
All you need to do is to follow these simple steps:
- Place your AirPods in their case—keep the lid open
- Hold the button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the status light flashes white
- Place your AirPods back in your ears and see if they work
4. Power Off Low Power Mode
If you have Low Power Mode turned on, it can affect the performance of your AirPods and make them quieter. So, if you’re having this issue, you should try turning off Low Power Mode.
To do that, go to Settings -> Battery and turn off the toggle next to Low Power Mode. Once you’ve done that, check to see if the issue has been resolved. You can also try increasing the volume limit in Settings.
5. Turn Off Noise Cancellation
Noise cancellation is a great feature, but it can also be why your AirPods are quiet. This feature is designed to reduce background noise so you can focus on your music, but it can also reduce the volume of your music.
If you think noise cancellation is causing your AirPods to be quiet, you can turn it off by following these simple steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone and navigate to Bluetooth.
- Find your AirPods in the list of devices and tap the “I” next to it.
- Scroll down and toggle the noise cancellation switch to the off position.
If you’ve tried all these methods and your AirPods are still quiet, there’s possibly a hardware issue with your AirPods or iPhone. In this case, you should contact Apple Support for further assistance.
6. Charge Your AirPods
One of the reasons your AirPods may be quiet is that they need to be charged. Hold the AirPods in your hand to check the current battery level and swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone’s screen to open Control Center.
The battery level of your AirPods will be displayed next to the icon.
If the battery level is low, connect your AirPods to their charging case. Once they’re charging, you’ll see a green LED light on the front of the case.
If your AirPods are connected to your iPhone, and you’re still seeing a yellow light, it means that one or both of them is low on Battery. You can try putting one or both of the AirPods into their charging case for a few minutes to see if that helps.
7. Equalizer (EQ) Settings
This setting allows you to change the sound output of your AirPods according to your preference. Equalizer (EQ) settings sometimes fix AirPods that sound quiet.
To access your iPhone’s EQ settings, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings -> Music -> EQ.
- Then, select the “Late Night” EQ setting.
- This will make your AirPods sound louder.
8. Update Your iOS Device
Running an outdated version of iOS can sometimes be the root cause of your AirPods behaving strangely. To check for updates, open the Settings app on your iPhone, tap General, and then tap Software Update.
If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it. Once the update is installed, check if your AirPods are still acting up. You need an Internet connection to update your iOS device.
9. Clean Your AirPods
If your AirPods aren’t working as well as they used to, it might be time for some cleaning. Over time, earwax and other debris can build up on the speaker mesh, causing sound quality to suffer.
The cleaning process is simple: gently use a dry, soft cloth to wipe away any grime.
You can use a cotton swab to clean the charging port if necessary. You should also clean any build-up off the charging case on the outside and inside.
10. Set The Same Level Volume On Both Pieces Of Airpods
All you have to do is go to the Bluetooth settings on your phone and “Forget” your AirPods. Then reconnect them and ensure that both the right and left Airpods have the volume set to the same level.
This will help ensure that your audio is balanced and you’re not just hearing from one Airpod. You can also go to Settings -> Accessibility->Audio/Visual and toggle “Balance Airpods” on or off, depending on your preference.
11. Check If There Is Any Debris In The AirPods
If your AirPods are not working even after trying the above methods, then some debris might be stuck in your AirPods. To check this, inspect your AirPods and look for any dirt or debris that might be stuck in them.
If you find any, gently remove it with a toothpick or a cotton swab. You can use a liquid like alcohol to remove the debris if it is stuck too tight.
Why Are My AirPods So Quiet Even After Cleaning?
If you’re like me, you’ve probably had your AirPods for a while, and they’ve just started to get quieter. It’s frustrating because you think you’ve tried everything- cleaning them, resetting them, etc. But nothing seems to work long term.
Your AirPods may be quiet because:
- There’s a blockage in the speaker grill.
- The sound quality has diminished over time.
- The battery needs to be replaced.
Why Are My AirPods So Loud All Of A Sudden?
One of the most common complaints about AirPods is that they’re too quiet. While it’s great that they don’t blast your ears with sound, it can be frustrating when you can’t hear them properly.
There are a few possible explanations for why your AirPods might be suddenly quieter than usual. It could be a problem with the connection between your device and the AirPods or an issue with the AirPods themselves.
If you’re having trouble hearing your AirPods, try these tips:
- Make sure that your AirPods are properly connected to your device. If they’re not, they might not be playing sound at all.
- Adjust the volume on your AirPods. You can do this by double-tapping on the AirPod and then using the volume control.
- Check the AirPod settings on your device. In some cases, you might need to adjust the audio output settings.
- Clean your AirPods. If there is any dirt or debris build-up on the AirPods, it could be blocking the sound.
- Restart your device. This can often fix connection issues.
If you’ve tried all these things and you’re still having trouble hearing your AirPods, there might be a problem. In this case, you should contact Apple support for further assistance.
Why Are My AirPods So Quiet When Connected To Laptop?
When you connect your AirPods to your laptop, the sound might be quieter than usual. This is most likely due to the different audio settings on your laptop. To fix this, you can adjust the audio settings on your laptop or use an audio adapter.
If using an audio adapter, ensure it’s properly plugged into your laptop. Once it is, you should be able to adjust the volume on your AirPods.
If you’re not using an audio adapter, you can try adjusting the audio settings on your laptop. To do this, go to your laptop’s control panel and click “Sound.” From here, you should be able to adjust the volume for your AirPods.
If you’re still having trouble, you can try resetting your AirPods. To do this, put your AirPods in their charging case and hold down the setup button for at least 15 seconds. After this, your AirPods should be reset, and the sound should return to normal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do AirPods Get Quieter Over Time?
Yes, AirPods can get quieter over time. This typically happens when the battery life begins to dwindle, as the earbuds may not be able to produce as much sound. Additionally, if you use your AirPods frequently, the sound quality may degrade over time.
If your AirPods are getting quieter, it may be time to replace the batteries. You can visit an Apple Store or an authorized Apple service provider. Additionally, you may want to consider getting a new set of AirPods if the sound quality has significantly degraded.
Can I Prevent My AirPods From Getting Quieter Over Time?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to prevent your AirPods from getting quieter. However, you can do a few things to try and prolong the life of your AirPods and keep them sounding their best for as long as possible.
You can ensure you keep your AirPods clean and free of dirt or debris. This can help ensure that your AirPods’ sound quality remains high.
Another thing you can do is avoid using your AirPods in loud environments. Exposure to loud noise can cause damage to the inner workings of your AirPods, leading to them sounding quieter over time.
Finally, you can try to keep your AirPods in a cool, dry place when they’re not in use. This can help prevent them from succumbing to moisture damage, leading to sound quality issues.
Conclusion
Your AirPods might be quiet for several reasons. It could be that your AirPods are not paired correctly, or it could be that the sound settings on your iPhone are not configured correctly.
The above troubleshooting steps should help you fix the problem. You can always contact Apple for further assistance if you’re still having trouble.
