How to Fix: AirPods Mic Not Working
Is your AirPods mic not working all of a sudden? You might have double-checked everything you could possibly think of, but the issue seems to persist.
If this is the case with your AirPods, you’re in the right place and not the only one experiencing this exact problem.
The AirPods work perfectly with other Apple devices - your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook, but you can connect them to any other smart device. Even though they’re among the priciest gadgets of this type on the market, they have amazing quality and durability.
However, since many AirPods users are constantly on the move, or have numerous meetings throughout the day, using the AirPods built-in microphone is an absolute necessity.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a glitch that occurred for many users, where the mic simply stopped working.
If you’re wondering what you can do to fix this problem, we have you covered. Check out the fixing methods listed below!
Check out: How to Fix: AirPods Flashing White and Not Connecting.
How do I get my AirPods mic to work?
If your AirPods microphone isn’t working, we have several tips you can try before contacting Apple Support.
Method 1: Charging the AirPods
Even though this solution might sound quite simple, it’s often quite effective. Open the charging case, but make sure to hold it close to your smartphone. Check the battery status. Even if your AirPods are not completely drained, running on an extremely low battery level can cause issues with their functionality. Charge them for a while, and check if your microphone issues persist.
Method 2: Reconnect the AirPods
Reconnecting your AirPods can help establish a more stable connection. Put your AirPods back in their case, close the lid, and open it once again. Connect them to your phone, and check whether the microphone problem got fixed. If not, move to the next fixing method.
Method 3: Cleaning the AirPods microphone
The most common reason why the AirPods microphone is not working properly is due to dirt and ear wax getting into the mic. On the AirPods and AirPods Pro, the microphone is located at the end of the stems. If it’s dirty, you can take a toothpick, a dry washcloth, and one or two cotton swabs. Remove the excess dirt gently and carefully from the microphone with a toothpick, and remove the dirt using the cotton swab and the washcloth.
Method 4: Restart your iPhone
This is another one of the simplest tricks in the book - but one of the most effective as well. Restart your iPhone (or whichever smartphone you might be using), and reconnect the AirPods again. This will re-establish the connection between the AirPods and the smartphone, and might ultimately eliminate the glitch causing the mic to stop working.
Method 5: AirPods Microphone Settings
If you noticed that the microphone is completely functional on one AirPod, but not on the other, you need to check your AirPods settings.
Follow these steps:
- Put the AirPods in your ears, and open ‘Settings’ on your iPhone.
- From ‘Settings’, open ‘Bluetooth’.
- From the list of connected Bluetooth devices in ‘My Devices’, find the AirPods, and tap on the ‘i’ - info icon.
- Tap ‘Microphone’, and check whether ‘Automatically Switch AirPods’ is selected. If not, select it.
Method 6: Resetting and reconnecting the AirPods
Resetting the AirPods should be the last resort. However, if none of the quick and easy fixes above helped, try this last one.
Follow these steps:
- Put the AirPods in the charging case, close the lid, and let them rest for at least 30 seconds.
- Open the charging case, but don’t take the AirPods out.
- On your iPhone, open ‘Settings’, and tap on ‘Bluetooth’.
- Tap the info ‘i’ icon next to your AirPods, and tap on ‘Forget This Device’.
- Confirm ‘Forget Device’ on the following page.
- Keep the lid of the charging case open, and press and hold the setup button on the back of the case. Do this until the light flashes amber, followed by white.
- Hold the charging case next to your iPhone.
- A pop-up will appear, saying ‘Not Your AirPods’. Press ‘Connect’. Follow the remaining instructions.
Wrapping up
The fixing methods listed above are the most commonly used among people that had the exact same issue. If you failed to fix the problem, contact Apple Support.
