Put both AirPods in a charged case for 30 seconds and check that each one is charging. Test the silent earbud on its own. If it is only quieter, check the audio balance and debris. If resetting is needed, match the procedure to your model: newer cases use front taps instead of a rear button.
Which symptom do you have?
Section linkScroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Symptom | First check |
|---|---|
| One side shows no charge | Each earbud’s charging status |
| One side is quieter | Centered balance and model-specific cleaning |
| Earbud plays alone | Recharge both and retest together |
| No sound after the checks | Reset for the exact model, then support |
01Check each earbud, not just the case battery
Section linkCharge the case, place both AirPods inside, and wait 30 seconds. Open it near the paired iPhone or iPad and inspect the charge status for each earbud. A charged case alone does not establish that both earbuds are charging. If one is missing from the charge display or remains uncharged, follow the cleaning link for your exact AirPods model in Apple’s no-sound guide. Do not apply another model’s cleaning method or force tools into its charging contacts.
02Test the silent side on its own
Section linkPut the affected AirPod in the correct ear. Leave the other in the case and close the lid. Confirm the AirPods are connected, then play audio at a comfortable volume. If that earbud plays, put both back in the case for another 30 seconds and test them together. Record the result: “both work separately, but one goes silent together” gives support more information than “broken AirPods.” If it remains silent, continue with the model-specific reset guidance.
03For low volume, check balance and the speaker mesh
Section linkOn iPhone or iPad, open Settings → Accessibility → Audio & Visual and place the Balance slider in the middle. If the earbud has a removable ear tip, remove it as instructed by Apple to inspect the mesh. Follow the linked cleaning instructions for that model if debris is visible. Separate “quiet” from “not charging” before changing settings. Centering balance will not address a charging problem. Avoid raising the volume sharply to compensate for a quiet side.
04Choose the reset method for your case
Section linkFor AirPods 1, 2, or 3 and AirPods Pro 1 or 2, close both earbuds in the case for 30 seconds. In the paired device’s Bluetooth settings, use the information button to Forget This Device if listed. Open the lid and hold the rear setup button for about 15 seconds, until the light flashes amber, then white. Reconnect using the on-screen prompt. For AirPods 4, AirPods 5, and AirPods Pro 3, start with the same 30-second wait and forget the listed device, then open the lid. Double-tap the case front while the light is on, double-tap again when it flashes white, and double-tap again when it flashes faster. After amber then white, reconnect. These front-tap cases do not use the older rear-button procedure.
05If it stays silent, keep the test results for support
Section linkIf the light never reaches white, use Apple’s reset troubleshooting for your model rather than inventing another button sequence. A recently replaced earbud has a separate replacement-setup procedure linked from Apple’s guide. Contact Apple if the same side still fails. Provide the model, each earbud’s charging status, the solo-audio result, balance position, and reset result. Those observations help distinguish the next checks; they do not by themselves prove a battery or speaker fault.