Do you have difficulty using your AirPods for phone calls or using your computer or phone to record audio? Is your left AirPod functioning well but your right AirPods aren’t able to record audio, or is it the other way around? Ten potential solutions for troubleshooting AirPods microphone difficulties on PCs and mobile devices are also covered in this lesson.
Make sure your AirPods (not the charging case) have at least a 50% battery charge before attempting the suggested troubleshooting steps below. Furthermore, we should point out that all Apple AirPods generations and models are compatible with the solutions in this article.
1. Check Your Device’s Microphone Volume
For AirPods and other audio devices, Windows and Mac PCs have discrete voice input (i.e., microphone) options. Make sure the volume isn’t muted if your computer doesn’t recognize voice input from your AirPods.
Select your AirPods under the “Input” section of Windows 11’s Settings > System > Sound, then raise the input volume.
Go to Settings > System > Sound in Windows 10 and choose your AirPods as the current input device. Use the slider to raise the volume of your AirPods’ microphone input after choosing Device Properties.
On a Mac, select System Preferences > Sound and click the “Input” tab. Increase the Input volume level or slider after selecting your AirPods from the list of devices.
2. Disconnect Other Bluetooth Devices
Your AirPods’ microphone may be tampered with by a number of Bluetooth devices (mostly audio devices) linked to your phone or computer. Ensure that the only wireless item linked to your device is a pair of AirPods. Disconnect or unplug any additional speakers, earbuds, microphones, headsets, or any wired or wireless audio input or output devices.
3. Check App Microphone Access
If you block system-wide or app-specific microphone access, your computer won’t recognize speech input from your AirPods. Verify the privacy settings on your computer and confirm that the program you’re using has access to your microphone.
In Windows, alter the microphone permissions
Turn on Let applications choose your microphone and Microphone access in Windows 11’s Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone settings.
Toggle on Let desktop apps access your microphone at the bottom of the page.
Expand the drop-down menu that says “Let desktop programmes access your microphone” after that. Make sure your AirPods mic is accessible to any apps that need voice input.
Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone on your Windows 10 computer and turn on Allow apps to access your microphone.
In macOS, alter the microphone permissions
Select Microphone from the sidebar in System Preferences, Security & Privacy, and the Privacy tab. Make sure the required apps have microphone access enabled.
If an app is deselected, you can access the Security & Privacy preferences page by clicking the lock icon in the bottom-left corner and entering your password or Touch ID.
In iOS, modify the microphone permissions
On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app, go to Privacy, hit Microphone, and allow your apps to access the microphone.
4. Enable Automatic Microphone Switching
Each AirPod’s microphone can be used by your iPhone or iPad to automatically take voice input. Make sure automatic microphone switching is on if one AirPod on your phone doesn’t record speech input. Follow the instructions below and connect your AirPods to your iPhone or iPad.
- Select Bluetooth in the Settings app by opening it.
- Tap the information icon next to your AirPods in the “My Devices” section.
- Pick a Microphone from the AirPods menu by scrolling through it.
- Select Automatic AirPod Switching.
- Check In-App Microphone Settings
Make sure your microphone is not muted if your AirPods aren’t working with voice and video conferencing apps. Examine the settings for the call interface or app and deselect the mute button.
You might also have been silenced by the call moderator or host. You can SMS the host to make sure your microphone is set to accept voice input if you can’t find a mute/unmute button during a call.
6. Clean Your AirPods
Cleaning your AirPods can make them louder and
remedy any audio or performance problems. Under the metal rings at the base of the stem, you’ll find the AirPods microphones.
To get rid of dirt or debris stuck on the stem of the AirPods, use a dry cotton swab. You may also clean your AirPods of gunk and other foreign matter with a soft-bristled brush or lint-free cloth.
None of the AirPods models are sweatproof or waterproof. Therefore, avoid cleaning your AirPods with sharp items or liquids (such as soap, water, cleaning solution, etc.)
7. Turn Bluetooth Off and On
Turn off the Bluetooth on your device, then turn it back on after 5 to 10 seconds. Go to your device’s Bluetooth settings and manually connect your AirPods if it doesn’t do so automatically.
Go to Settings > Bluetooth and tap your AirPods on Android, iOS, or iPadOS.
For Windows, pick the Connect option under your AirPods under Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
Select Connect from the context menu when right-clicking your AirPods in System Preferences > Bluetooth on a Mac.
8. Reconnect or Reset Your AirPods
Removing and replacing your AirPods will reset your device’s settings and fix any connectivity or sound difficulties.
Reset both AirPods Pro and AirPods (Gen 1–3)
- Restore both AirPods to the charging case, then snap the lid shut. Reopen the charging case lid after waiting 30 seconds and keep it open.
- Tap Bluetooth in the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- To forget this device, scroll down to the bottom of the screen after tapping the Info icon next to your AirPods.
- The confirmation pop-up will provide a Forget Device option.
- Hold the setup button on the rear of the AirPods case while bringing the AirPods up near your device. When the status light starts to flash white, let go of the setup button.
Restart or Reset AirPods Max
Before restarting or setting your AirPods Max to factory default, Apple advises charging it for a short while. Additionally, before resetting the AirPods Max, give it a restart. A charge of 10–15 minutes ought to be sufficient.
Press and hold the Digital Crown and Noise Control button for 5 to 10 seconds to restart your AirPods Max. Hold both buttons down until the charging port’s nearby LED status light begins to glow amber. If the microphones on your AirPods Max still don’t function after restarting the headphones, reset the device.
15 seconds of holding down the Digital Crown and Noise Control buttons will cause the status light to glow amber before switching to white.
Check to see if the microphone now functions when you re-pair your AirPods to your device.
9. Update Your AirPods Firmware
Periodically, Apple releases firmware upgrades that address bugs and improve performance. The troubles with your AirPods may be resolved by updating the earbuds’ software if they start acting strangely.
In the charging case and close to your iPhone, AirPods automatically install firmware updates. Low battery power and other issues, however, can prevent firmware updates from being installed automatically. You will then need to manually update your AirPods. Please see our instructions on manually checking and updating AirPods’ firmware version.
10. Update Your Phone or Computer
Updates for iOS and iPadOS also include feature enhancements and bug fixes for various AirPods models. Install the appropriate update for your iPhone or iPad by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
The most recent drivers may also be installed and Bluetooth connectivity issues may be resolved by updating the operating system on your computer. Update the operating system on your PC or Mac and recheck whether your AirPods microphones aren’t functioning.
Get Technical Support
If you’re still having trouble getting your AirPods’ microphone to function, contact Apple Support or go to a nearby Apple Store. Your AirPods’ microphone could be broken or defective. It might have hit a hard object or liquid may have gotten into the microphone aperture.