If the microphone on your AirPod is not working, it’s not the end of the world. No doubt it is frustrating when you are trying to make a call, speak a command, or even make a recording, only to notice that your microphone is not working. So, what can cause an AirPods microphone to stop working?
Many reasons could be responsible if your AirPod’s microphone is not working. When your AirPods microphone isn’t working, it could be that the battery is low, the microphone port is blocked, or there is a bug in the firmware. But there are a variety of fixes you can try to resolve the problem quickly.
When you encounter issues with your AirPods microphone, they are often mundane and have simple fixes. Before you conclude that your AirPods are damaged when the microphone stops working, you should try some troubleshooting tricks to fix it. Keep reading to learn some tricks you can use to fix problems with AirPods’ mic not working.
How To Fix an AirPods Mic That’s Not Working
Sometimes when your device is in Low Power Mode, it may interfere with the normal working of your AirPods, causing the microphone to stop working. And at other times, it could be that your AirPods are malfunctioning because of the equalizer on your device.
So, whatever the reason is that makes your AirPods mic stop working, below are some tricks you can try to fix the issue.
Fix #1: Ensure the AirPods Are Charged
One of the most common reasons your AirPods microphone stops working is because they are not charged enough. When your AirPods battery is low, they can start misbehaving, mainly when you use the microphone. If you weren’t paying attention to the battery level while it was low, it might seem like a serious problem when the battery is dead, and the microphone stops working.
So, check your iPhone to see if the AirPods are still connected; if not, it means that the AirPods are off. Or better still, return the AirPods to the charging case for them to have enough power to work normally. If you can, allow the AirPods to charge in the case for at least 30 minutes before you try them again.
Fix #2: Restart Your iPhone
Sometimes, the problem could be from your device and not the AirPods. The AirPods software driver on your iPhone or Mac could have encountered an error which is why the microphone stopped working. In such cases, restarting your device is the fastest way to get things back up and running.
To restart your iPhone, press and hold the power button for 5 seconds or until the power slider appears. Slide the power slider to the right, and press the power button again to power on the iPhone.
Fix #3: Ensure the Microphone Is Clean
It could be that your AirPods microphone isn’t working because something is blocking the microphone port. So, inspect the AirPods to see if anything is covering the microphone port. You will find the microphone port at the end of the stem close to your mouth.
If the port looks clogged with dirt, lint, or grime, or there is some foreign matter, carefully clean it. You can use a dry cotton swab to clean the microphone ports or a soft-bristled brush to remove the debris.
Fix #4: Reset and Reconnect the AirPods
Another thing you can do is disconnect the AirPods from your iPhone and reconnect it. Or you can even try to reset your AirPods; perhaps that will fix the problem.
To reset your AirPods put them in the charging case, close the lid, and leave them for 30 seconds. And on your iPhone, open the Settings app, and click on “Bluetooth”. Turn the Bluetooth option off, and then click on the “i” icon beside your AirPods name. Click on “Forget this device” and confirm the action. Next, search for Bluetooth devices close by, tap on your AirPods, and reconnect to them.
Fix #5: Check the Microphone Settings
You should also check the microphone settings on your iPhone for the AirPods. Note that there is a microphone in both AirPods, but by default, they are designed to use one in the optimal earbud. But you can specify which earbud microphone you always want to use. But for the best result, you should let AirPods switch microphones automatically.
To check which settings you have on your AirPods, launch the Settings app and click on “Bluetooth”. Find your AirPods from the Bluetooth device list and tap on the “i” icon next to the name. Select “Microphone”, and on the “Microphone” page, click on automatically switch AirPods, set it to switch AirPods automatically, then try using the AirPods again.
If you are using an iOS 16 or later version, you can access your AirPods settings from the Settings app; tap on the AirPods banner or the “i” icon beside your AirPods name.
Conclusion
Overall, if the problem persists after trying everything we highlighted in this article, it could be that your AirPods are faulty. Particularly if the AirPods are displayed as connected to your iPhone, but you cannot use the microphone for anything, including calls, recording, or saying a command.
You should contact Apple’s customer support to see if you are eligible for a repair or replacement. Some models of Apple AirPods are eligible for free services for sound issues. If you have an AppleCare warranty, you can get a replacement AirPods which can take about a week to complete.
