Owning AirPods Pro, Max, or any other model, it might be annoying to experience anything other than a crystal-clear microphone quality. As a result, here are some simple, quick fixes and easy-to-implement solutions to get back to interruption-free calls.
Quick and easy steps to fix your AirPods microphone include:
- Check The AirPods Battery Level
- Insert Your Airpods In Their Case And Reconnect
- Ensure The Microphone Settings Are Correct
- Forget AirPods, Restart Your iPhone, And Reconnect
- Ensure Your Microphone Is Clean
- Update Your Devices
Even though the remedy is simple, it isn’t always clear what it is since various problems might cause your AirPods microphone to cease working. Anything from a low battery to a clogged microphone port might be the cause, so try each solution listed here until you discover one that solves the issue. That said, this is what you need to know.
6 Ways To Fix Your AirPods When Callers Can’t Hear You
Although Airpods are typically dependable earphones that seldom create any issues, they occasionally lose their functionality. For example, when the mics appear to stop working, preventing you from placing calls or giving Siri instructions, that is one type of issue that is relatively uncommon.
Fortunately, most of the common issues with AirPods microphones are minor and have straightforward solutions. So, starting with one of the most common issues with technology to date – the battery – here are ways to remedy the problem.
- Check The AirPods Battery Level
The microphone on your AirPods might stop working if the battery is low. This is due to the possibility that one of your AirPods’ microphones is being used despite having insufficient battery life. A speedy fix would be to place your AirPods in their charging case and let them charge for at least 30 minutes before trying again.
To see the status of your AirPods battery level with the case, do the following:
- Step1: Hold your case near to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch while opening the lid with your AirPods inside.
- Step 2: After a brief period, you can view your AirPods’ battery status.
With the help of the Batteries widget on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch, you can also determine how well your AirPods are charging and their battery status. Keep in mind that the charge for your case becomes visible only when at least one AirPod is in the case.
To see the battery status on your Mac:
- Step1: Remove your AirPods from the case or open the lid.
- Step2: The Bluetooth icon may be located in the menu bar at the top right of your screen. Click it.
- Step3: When a dropdown panel appears, you can examine the battery level of your AirPods by moving the pointer over them in the menu.
- Insert Your Airpods In Their Case And Reconnect
You wouldn’t believe how many issues with your AirPods this easy method may fix, not the least of which is when the mic doesn’t seem to be working.
If the AirPods aren’t functioning as they should, put them back in the charging case (or the Smart Case in for the AirPods Max) for around 30 seconds, then take them out and give it another go. Doing this will reset your iPhone’s Bluetooth connection, which might help things go back to normal.
- Ensure The Microphone Settings Are Correct
Both AirPods have microphones and are programmed by default to use the one in the best-charged earbud. But you modify the AirPods to always utilize a certain earbud by using a little-known option.
Of course, it’s possible that you once switched this off the default setting and forgot about it or that you did so unintentionally. Nonetheless, allow the AirPods to switch between microphones automatically for the best results. Furthermore, this can also help you avoid issues, such as when one AirPod’s battery is about to or has already run out. That said, to get to that option, follow these steps:
- Step1: Ensure your AirPods are turned on and linked to your device before continuing.
- Step2: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Step3: Tap on the Bluetooth setting
- Step4: Tap the “I” symbol to the right of your AirPods once you’ve located them in the list of Bluetooth devices.
- Step5: Tap the Microphone option
- Step6: Next, choose “Automatically Switch AirPods” on the Microphone page.
- Forget AirPods, Restart Your iPhone, And Reconnect
Another fantastic way to solve Bluetooth problems is by “forgetting” and re-pairing your AirPods. This can fix microphone issues like cutting out, distortion, and static, but it will also remove any customized settings you’ve made for your AirPods, such as button configurations.
Restart your iPhone if you’ve “forgotten” your AirPods, then pair your AirPods again. Restarting your phone often helps fix glitchy software interruptions, especially for WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity issues. To forget your Airpods on your iPhone, do the following:
- Step1: Open the charging case, insert your AirPods or AirPods Pro, and close the lid.
- Step2: After 30 seconds, lift the lid. Keep the cover open.
- Step3: Next, open up the settings panel on your iPhone
- Step4: Tap on the Bluetooth setting
- Step5: Tap the “I” symbol to the right of your AirPods once you’ve located them in the list of Bluetooth devices.
- Step6: Select “Forget This Device,” then tap on confirm.
- Step7: For 20 seconds, press and hold the button on the rear of the charging case until the light flashes amber–orange and then white.
- Step8: Restart your iPhone
- Step9: Bring your AirPods close to your phone or tablet and follow the on-screen directions to pair them again.
- Ensure Your Microphone Is Clean
Likely, your AirPods are not working correctly due to a hardware impediment rather than a plausible software error. That indicates there are two possibilities: the microphones need to be cleaned, or if they are an earlier version of AirPods, they may have suffered some water damage.
To begin cleaning the microphone, start by locating the microphone ports. They are located at the end of the stem, near your mouth on the AirPods or AirPods Pro. If your AirPods appear dirty, clogged, or obstructed by dirt, grime, lint, or other foreign matter, gently clean them and remove the debris. Then try it again to check whether the problem has been resolved.
While the AirPods Pro and third-generation AirPods are water-resistant and sweatproof, none of the older AirPods models are. Furthermore, even if your AirPods are water-resistant, they are not waterproof; therefore, you should never use them in the shower or sauna, wash them, or immerse them in any liquid.
In addition, if water gets into your AirPods, it can cause your microphone (and all of your AirPods’ other features) to cease operating entirely. Fret not; AirPods are commonly known to survive most cases of water damage. Before attempting to use your AirPods once more after being wet, properly dry them out in a dry environment for at least a full day.
Remember that if your AirPods were damaged by water and you have AppleCare+, you may replace them for a meager cost.
- Update Your Devices
Finally, a love-hate relationship we humans typically have with technology is the need to update the firmware. Updates can enhance compatibility and software functionality while preventing security flaws.
Updates to the software and firmware are required to maintain the functionality of Apple products and accessories, and they may also resolve various buggy issues. So, starting with your AirPods, here’s what you need to know.
Updating your AirPods
For AirPods, Apple occasionally provides firmware upgrades. If a firmware update is required, it will immediately install when your AirPods are turned on and Bluetooth-connected to an iPhone or iPad.
Unfortunately, this does not always occur; in such rare instances, you would have to check what version your AirPods are on. One advantage of keeping the device updated is fully utilizing your iPhone’s Bluetooth functions, including the AirPods microphone’s usage. That said, do the following to check your AirPods’ current version:
- Step1: Ensure your AirPods are turned on and linked to your device before continuing.
- Step2: Next, open up the settings panel on your iPhone.
- Step3: Tap on the Bluetooth setting.
- Step4: Tap the “I” symbol to the right of your AirPods once you’ve located them in the list of Bluetooth devices. As a result, you can now see the current version details of your AirPods
According to MacRumors, Apple released a 4E71 firmware update for the AirPods 2, Max, from the older version was 4C165, that came out last year December. If you have the same AirPods and experience a version of the firmware, your Airpods may be experiencing an issue preventing it from updating. Fortunately, according to many users, the following is a simple method to get it updated again.
- Step1: Keep your AirPods connected to your iPhone
- Step2: Place your AirPods into their case and plug in the charger cable.
- Step3: If the charger cable was already plugged in after you inserted your earbuds into the case, unplug it from the case and plug it back in.
According to various users, the AirPod case, in rare cases, lags behind the charger configuration. And when the charger is removed and plugged back in, users experience that their AirPods begin their firmware updates through their Apple devices. Since updates for the AirPods are few and far between, doing this is not too much of a hassle for most users.
Updating Your iPhone
Lastly, you would also need to keep your iPhones operating system up to date. Maintaining an updated operating system ensures you have access to the most recent bug and glitch fixes.
Every year, Apple provides a significant operating system upgrade and any necessary security and bug patches. These updates occasionally address problems with AirPods, such as improving Bluetooth and audio connectivity. To manually update your iOS, do the following:
- Step1: Access the Settings app.
- Step2: Select “General” from the menu.
- Step3: Select Software Update.
- Step4: Install any available updates.
The typical download time for software updates is 10 to 15 minutes. The update preparation process takes 15 to 25 minutes. Then, between one and six minutes are spent verifying the changes. Finally, it takes around 10 minutes to complete the installation, which includes rebooting your iPhone. Hopefully, everything will be in working order with all the patience spent.
Conclusion
Nothing can be more frustrating than a device that doesn’t perform as it is supposed to. Fortunately, the above-listed solutions are some of the most favored to work through trial and error and a bit of dabbling found by Apple technicians.
However, If none of the abovementioned changes resolve the problem, there may be a more complex hardware problem. In such a case, I would advise seeking help at the closest Apple Care center.