Sound problems with AirPods and their solution

If you are having sound problems with your AirPods, regardless of what model they are, don’t worry. Not that this is something normal, as they should work without showing errors, but it is not something exceptional or that has no solution. We highlight here which are the most common failures in this regard, as well as how they can be solved.

The most common sound glitches

There are a series of very common problems in AirPods and that, to a greater or lesser extent, could be easily solved by the user. Although in some cases it is necessary to go to technical support. And they are bugs that, as we already advanced, may be present in AirPods, AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.

Static or squeaking sound when placing headphones on your ear or while playing content.
Condensation , a particularly notable failure in the AirPods Max and that unfortunately has no remedy other than cleaning the headphones.
Sound that is canned or gives the feeling of listening to content in a room with a lot of echo and reverberation.
Very low volume in both headphones, even with the volume turned up to the maximum and having verified that the track being played can be played at high levels.
One earphone sounds louder than another , something that does not happen so much in the ‘Max’, but it does in the rest of the range of headphones and that no matter how much the volume is readjusted, it is not possible to balance.

Solutions that could be helpful

Unfortunately, repairing AirPods yourself is not an easy task. And it is that there are several factors that make this difficult, the first being how difficult it is to detect what exactly is wrong. On the other hand, opening the headphones and making the timely repair is complex and requires technical knowledge, as well as being very delicate in the process. The fact that there are no original parts for it makes the matter even more difficult.

Given this situation, it is logical to find yourself in doubt about what to do. And while it is true that there is a high probability that they are hardware failures of the AirPods, it is not so unreasonable to be suspicious of the firmware and software. For this, there are a series of practices that can be carried out to rule out other faults and, incidentally, save a visit to the technical service.

Visual examination and cleaning

Observing the headphones can help you rule out damage from bumps. It is true that they may have received internal damage that is visually imperceptible, but in the same way, if it is observed that it has a damaged or excessively scratched part, it can be a more than obvious indication of the cause of the problem.

Be that as it may, cleaning them is essential for this. In the case of AirPods Max , the pads should be removed and cleaned with suitable cleaning products (without abrasive liquids) and with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Image from SoundGuys)

In the rest of the headphones it is also convenient to use similar products, but especially to place special emphasis on the area of the speaker that connects with the ear, since the hole could be plugged with wax and be the cause of sound problems. For this, it is advisable to use a white bristle toothbrush and / or a normal cotton swab, but the kind that does not shed fluff.

Update the firmware

Just like the iPhone needs to have the most recent version of iOS, the same happens with the AirPods. It is convenient that they are in their most recent version, but in this case the firmware, which will ensure that the connection and user experience is the best of all.

Unfortunately there is no manual method that helps to perform the procedure in a very visual way. To do this, you have to play content on the headphones for 15-30 seconds, then leave them in their case and put them to charge via cable. The iPhone must be nearby and connected to WiFi for the connection to be established and to download the latest firmware version.

Reboot, unlink and reset

It may seem strange, but as we already anticipated, it is not ruled out that the sound problems may be due to a bad connection with the iPhone or the device in question with which it is being used. By discarding, it is convenient that you try to restart the device that you are using for it. Also that you keep the headphones in the case, deactivate the Bluetooth of the device and activate it again to proceed to connect the headphones again.

Also try to go to Settings> Bluetooth, click on the AirPods options and desenlazarlos completely to reconnect later. If it doesn’t work for you either, you will have no choice but to reset them . If they are AirPods 1, 2, 3 or ‘Pro’ it will be as simple as putting them in the case with the lid open and holding the button down for 15 seconds until the light flashes white. If they are ‘Max’, this is done by pressing the digital crown and the noise control button.

What to do if you can’t fix it

If the aforementioned options have not worked, there is no doubt that it is a fault that can only be solved by a repair by going to the technical service .

Free replacement programs

Usually, when there are very frequent and widespread problems , Apple opens programs through which you can request a repair or replacement of the product. To date, the company has only detected a massive problem in the AirPods Pro , for which it opened a program that offers free replacement.

Which AirPods does it affect?

All AirPods Pro manufactured before October 2020 may be affected by a problem that causes static or cracking sounds to be heard during playback, including here various problems derived from them such as the absence of noise cancellation and even the impossibility of getting out of this modality. Apple will replace them completely free of charge if it verifies that the drive is affected by that factory fault.

How can you apply?

You can request a face- to-face appointment at an Apple Store or SAT, as well as a remote repair through a courier service that goes to your home. To do this, you can call technical support, go to the Apple website or do it from the Support app available on iPhone and iPad.

How long will it take?

This depends in large part on whether or not the establishment you go to has a stock of spare parts. They usually have units and in that case it is instantaneous . However, if they do not have it, it could take from 3 to 7 days , the same period as if the change is requested from home.

Until when can it be requested?

At the moment there is no deadline , since Apple has been extending the terms as more users were affected. However, it must be said that this will not last forever and at some point the company will end this process considering that those affected have had enough time.

If not covered by the warranty

If your AirPods coverage has expired or it does not cover the problems they present, you are probably wondering how much the repair will cost you . Well, the first thing you should know is that the company does not make repairs to its headphones as such, but rather offers a replacement for them that must be paid for. In the same way that any other replacement would cost you, whether due to a battery or another problem, the price is the same, always taking into account that only the headphones are changed without including accessories such as a case or cable: