Apple’s AirPods are among the most popular headphones on the market, but that doesn’t mean they’re without flaws. You’re not alone if you’ve realized that your $250 wireless headphones are a little finicky.
If your AirPods mic isn’t working during a Zoom or Facetime call, a few things could be wrong. Physical damage, software faults, or a broken Bluetooth connection could be the cause. But don’t panic – most of these issues are simple to resolve!
This brief article will show you how to figure out why your AirPods mic is not working and how to fix it!
Why Isn’t My AirPods Microphone Working?
Low battery voltage
Whenever your AirPods run out of battery, they won’t perform as well as when fully charged.
AirPods that are nearly dead may lose volume, not connect with your iOS device, or lose microphone control/power.
If your AirPods are on the verge of dying, this is most likely why the mic isn’t working. In reality, it may still be functional, albeit at a very low volume — so low that the person you’re speaking with cannot hear you.
Dirty AirPods
It’s incredible how often this is ignored, yet it’s a common cause of AirPods mic not working issues.
Earwax and other dirt/grime accumulate on your AirPods over time, and if you don’t clean them regularly, this muck can cake onto your mic, entirely blocking it.
Remove earwax from your AirPods by regularly cleaning them.
Just take a close check at your AirPods to see if there’s any dirt on/in the different nooks.
Problems with Software
Is it past time to update the software on your iPhone, Macbook, or iPad? If this is the case, your connected devices may not function properly.
Apple products are renowned for acting oddly around the time of a software update, almost as if they are imploring you to update them.
Of course, this isn’t the case; your apps and linked devices update instantly in anticipation of your phone updating, and waiting too long can cause issues.
The simple truth is that not upgrading your iPhone can lead it to interact with your linked gadgets in unexpected ways, potentially causing your AirPods microphone to stop working.
Damage and Mechanical Issues
Your AirPods is not working because your microphone may be broken.
The electronics in your AirPods could be destroyed if they’ve been dropped several times or exposed to a lot of water.
Thankfully, this is a rare occurrence; AirPods and their wired forerunners, the old-school EarPods, are known for their toughness.
Issues with Bluetooth Connection
Bluetooth has been around for decades, but it is far from perfect. It, like any other wireless technology, can go haywire at times.
This is especially true if you use many Bluetooth devices daily; there are no good explanations; it just happens.
Bluetooth connections can become shaky at times, necessitating a reset.
If you’ve recently tried to join a business call and your AirPods mic isn’t working, it could be due to a faulty Bluetooth connection.
What to Do If the Mic on Your AirPods Malfunctions
Ensure Your AirPods Are Charged
The AirPods charging case can be misleading; it can keep your AirPods charged for days if you don’t use them frequently.
However, if the casing is dead, the individual earphones will die shortly. If people fail to keep their cases charged, their mics may become patchy, muted, or unresponsive.
Remember to keep your AirPods charged at all times! It’s also not difficult: your AirPods may be fully charged in about an hour!
Unplug and re-plug your AirPods
If you can, this should be the first thing to do to fix the mic problem with your AirPods.
Turning off Bluetooth, waiting a few seconds, and then turning it back on is the easiest way to achieve this.
Your AirPods should instantly reconnect.
If it doesn’t work, go to your iPhone’s settings, go to Bluetooth, click the “Info” symbol next to your AirPods, and then pick “Forget this Device.”
This disconnects your AirPods for a more extended period. You’ll have to reconnect the AirPods to your phone if you choose “Forget this Device”; it won’t happen automatically.
Restart the AirPods
If your mic still doesn’t function after reconnecting your AirPods, you may need to perform a full reset. The full reset of AirPods does what it says: it restores your AirPods to their original settings, wiping any connection with your phone.
However, because AirPods don’t save any data, a full reset poses no risk.
Use the following steps to achieve it:
- In the charging case, place your AirPods.
- Wait for 30 to 45 seconds.
- Open the cover of your AirPods case, but don’t remove the headphones.
- Tap Bluetooth in your iPhone’s settings.
- Then, next to your AirPods, tap the I icon.
- Then touch “Forget This Device” a second time to confirm.
- Press the setup button on the back of your Airpods Case for 15 seconds. The status light will alternate between flashing red and white.
- Your AirPods can now be reconnected as if they were brand new.
Clean Your AirPods
Earwax and other filth can accumulate on your AirPods, covering the microphone and muffling or blocking your audio. Check and clean the mic on your AirPods regularly.
Cleaning your AirPods of dirt and muck is a simple concept. However, because you’re working with sensitive electronics, you must ensure that you clean them properly.
Remove dirt and filth off your AirPods with a clean, dry toothbrush or comparable object. You may also use a Q-Tip to clean your AirPods like you would your actual ears.
Avoid using any soap or water since this would exacerbate the obstruction and risk permanently harming the speakers.
Turn on Your iPhone
A broken microphone may not be the issue of your AirPods at all; instead, it’s a problem with your iPhone.
Often, all that is required is a simple restart of the gadget. Turn off your phone, then wait 30 seconds before turning it back on. Yes, the oldest IT patch in the book is still as effective as ever!
This will reset your phone and all of its connections, which is usually enough to get your AirPods microphone working again!
