It’s frustrating when your AirPods are connected but have no sound, as you cannot enjoy your favorite music streaming service.
There are many reasons why this may happen, though. Fortunately, this can be an easy problem to fix, providing you know what to look for.
We’ll go through all the possible reasons why your AirPods are connected but won’t play audio and how to fix the problem.
Why Are AirPods Connected but Have No Sound?
Your AirPods might be connected but have no sound for a few reasons. The volume limit and audio balance might be set to off. Perhaps this is why your AirPods don’t sound loud enough for you to hear them.
It’s not just that. There are other reasons your AirPods may have no sound, even if they’re connected. Below are the most common:
- AirPods Bluetooth connection with the phone is disconnected.
- AirPods don’t have enough battery.
- Outdated AirPods firmware or iOS.
- AirPods have a hardware problem.
- AirPods don’t fit well in the charging case and don’t charge.
How to Fix AirPods Connected but Have No Sound
If your AirPods are connected, but there’s no sound, you need to reset and re-pair your AirPods. To re-pair your AirPods, go to Settings > Bluetooth > Info > Forget This Device. Then, hold the back button for ten seconds.
Please do not panic if your AirPods still have no sound. There is a list of other proven steps you can try to resolve this issue. Try them in order until you find the one that get it working again.
Check out this article if you have problems with one AirPod not working for step-by-step instructions.
1. Restart Your iPhone
We’ll start with the simplest troubleshooting step, which is performing a reboot. It’s been proven that restarting a device can fix so many problems.
Go ahead and restart your iPhone. For step-by-step instructions, here’s how to restart an iPhone, regardless of your model.
2. Update Your iPhone
AirPods firmware updates are automatic, but only when paired to your iPhone running the latest iOS. If your iPhone/iPad isn’t updated, you might experience sound issues with your AirPods.
Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version, then connect your AirPods again.
- Open the “Settings” app.
- Tap “General“.
- Tap “Software Update“.
- If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.
If you still have sound issues, move on to the next step.
3. Reset AirPods
Resetting AirPods solves many minor issues, including no sound problem. To reset your AirPods using iOS, follow the steps below:
1. First, put AirPods in their Charging Case.
2. Close the lid, wait 30 seconds, and open the lid.
3. After that, go to Settings.
4. Then. select Bluetooth.
5. Tap on “i” next to AirPods name.
6. Next, select Forget This Device.
7. Go back to your AirPod (make sure the lid is open).
8. Press and hold the Setup button for at least 15 seconds.
9. The white light becomes a flashing amber light, and it’s done.
10. Finally, reconnect AirPods to iPhone/iPad/iPod/Mac/Android device.
4. Disable Automatic Ear Detection
Sometimes, Automatic Ear Detection causes trouble in AirPods. Users report the AirPods are connected, but there’s no sound! Turning off this feature may solve the problem. Follow the steps below:
1. First, head to the Settings menu.
2. Select Bluetooth.
3. Then, tap on the “i” icon next to your AirPods name.
4. Finally, disable Automatic Ear Detection.
5. Remove the Volume Level Limit and Audio Balance
Enabling the “Volume Level Limit” on your iPhone or iPad could be why your AirPods are connected but have no sound.
This feature lets you control the maximum level of volume that you can hear, so you don’t damage your earing.
Note: Disabling the maximum sound level is at your own risk. The limit is in place to prevent potential hearing damage from excessively loud music.
To disable the Volume Level Limit, follow the steps below:
1. Go to Settings.
2. Then, choose Sounds & Haptics.
3. Select Headphone Safety.
4. After that, disable Reduce Loud Sounds.
While in Settings, ensure that the audio balance is centered.
To set audio balance:
1. Go to Settings.
2. Scroll down and select Accessibility.
3. Go to Audio/Visual.
4. Next, choose Balance Left or Right.
6. Update iOS
Apple releases around 10 iOS updates a year on average, and we recommend updating your iPhone as soon as possible.
If your iPhone runs an old version of iOS, there might be bugs and problems. So, if you want to prevent these types of issues, update your iPhone or iPad right after the update is released.
Here’s how to check for available updates:
1. First, head to the Settings app.
2. After that, select General.
3. Select Software Update.
4. Check if there’s any new version available or not.
7. Reset Network Settings
If your AirPods are connected but still have no sound, it’s time to reset your iPhone’s network settings.
There may be some connectivity issues, and resetting network settings may solve these problems.
Before starting the process, keep in mind that resetting network settings will remove all Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi networks, call settings, and all other settings. To reset network settings, follow the steps below:
1. Choose Settings.
2. After that, tap on General.
3. Hit Transfer or Reset iPhone.
4. Then, tap on Reset.
5. Choose Reset Network Settings.
6. Finally, enter your passcode and let the process finish.
8. Clean AirPods
When you use your AirPods for a while, dirt and debris may block the mesh, and no sound will come out.
If you clean your AirPods regularly, it won’t happen. Use a clean cotton swab, an AirPods cleaner kit, or a clean, lint-free anti-static fabric to clean every part of your AirPods carefully.
9. Charge AirPods
Low battery on AirPods may disrupt functionality and cause low or no sound when you want to listen to music.
Bring your AirPods close to your iPhone and open the lid. There will be a pop-up that shows the Charging Case and the AirPods battery level.
If there’s not enough battery, plug your AirPods into their charger, and wait at least 2 hours to fully charge them.
If you have charging issues, follow the steps in this guide to fix it when one AirPods is not charging.
10. Contact Apple Support
If none of the abovementioned solutions solve your problem, you might need to contact Apple Support for further help.
They will help you with repairing or replacing your AirPods. Sometimes, something is wrong with your hardware, and you can’t solve it with DIY solutions. Apple Support is what you need in this case.Â
Final Thoughts: AirPods Connected but No Sound
As you can see, fixing connected AirPods with no sound isn’t that difficult.
In many cases, network connectivity issues, AirPods’ low battery, outdated iOS, or hardware issues may cause this.
I hope this assisted you in fixing your “AirPods connected but no sound” problem. In case you fixed the problem with any other solution, please do share it in the comments section.
