AirPods Microphone Not Working? Here’s the Full Guide You Actually Need (Tested, Explained & Reviewed)
If your AirPods’ microphone suddenly stopped working — don’t panic. I’ve been there myself (more than once), and it’s usually fixable without rushing to a service center. Over the past few years, AirPods have become the gold standard of wireless earbuds — stylish, lightweight, and reliable. But just like any piece of tech, they have their quirks, and one of the most common ones is the microphone malfunction. Sometimes it’s quiet, sometimes it cuts out entirely — but either way, let’s fix it.
Below is everything I’ve learned from personal use, tech experience, and real troubleshooting. Let’s go through all the possible causes and practical fixes that actually work.
1. Check the Connection First
Alright, first things first. Just grab your phone or computer and go into the Bluetooth settings. Check that your AirPods are truly connected. You want to see that they’re actively playing sound, not just sitting there in the list of devices you could connect to.
If they’re not listed, reconnect them by putting both earbuds into the case, opening the lid, and holding the setup button on the back until the LED blinks white. Then pair again.
A weak or lost Bluetooth connection is often the reason why the microphone cuts out mid-call.
2. Restart and Re-pair Your AirPods
Sometimes a simple reset brings your AirPods back to life. Here’s the quick process:
Place both AirPods in the charging case and close the lid for at least 30 seconds.
Open the lid, then press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the light flashes amber, then white.
Reconnect them to your iPhone or other device via Bluetooth.
I’ve personally fixed at least three microphone issues this way — no service center, no extra cost.
Check Out: How To Clean Your AirPods at Home
3. Check Battery and Charging Contacts
Low battery can lead to strange AirPods behavior — like sound cutting out or the mic not registering.
Also, make sure both earbuds are actually charging. Sometimes one AirPod doesn’t sit right in the case, the charging contacts don’t connect properly, and that single bud dies silently. The next time you use it, it seems “broken” — but really, it’s just out of charge.
If necessary, clean the charging connectors inside the case with a soft brush or a 3-in-1 cleaning tool. Avoid moisture.
4. Review Microphone Settings
Few people know AirPods have manual mic controls.
Here’s how to check them:
Go to Settings → Bluetooth
Tap the “ⓘ” icon next to your AirPods
Select Microphone
Choose “Automatically Switch AirPods”
This lets your device decide which mic (left or right) to use automatically — perfect if one AirPod’s mic is weaker or has moisture damage. If you previously forced it to “Left” or “Right,” the inactive mic might be the reason you can’t be heard.
5. Clean the Microphone Ports (Yes, It Matters)
One of the most overlooked issues is dirt or lint clogging the mic holes. AirPods get dirty faster than most people realize — just like your iPhone’s charging port.
Here’s what to do safely:
Use a soft, dry brush or a specialized 3-in-1 AirPods cleaning tool (with a brush and small roller).
Gently clean the base and the small mic openings.
Never use water, and avoid metal tools unless you’re extremely careful (a SIM ejector pin can help, but only if you know what you’re doing).
A quick clean can drastically improve sound pickup and call clarity.
6. Test and Diagnose
Okay, your AirPods are clean. Now let’s check the microphones. Try recording your own voice for a moment, or make a quick test call. You can also just ask Siri something to see if she can hear you.
Here’s a useful tip: test each AirPod by itself. If you find out the microphone is broken on just one side, that specific earbud might have a little water inside or a small technical problem. Once we know which one is broken, we can decide how to fix it.
7. Update the Firmware
Think about how your iPhone gets updates to make it work better. Your AirPods get the same kind of thing! Apple releases tiny updates, called firmware, that quietly fix common bugs and other small issues.
To see if you have one waiting, just make sure your AirPods are connected to your iPhone. Then, pop into your Settings, go to General, tap on About, and then select your AirPods. You’ll see the current firmware version there. If there’s an update available, just follow the prompts to install it.
Honestly, this is one of the easiest things you can try. If you’re having trouble with your Bluetooth cutting out or if people can’t hear you on calls, this update frequently clears it right up.
Also Read: How to Reset AirPods to Factory Settings
8. Reset Network Settings (If Nothing Else Works)
Sometimes, the issue isn’t with the AirPods at all — it’s your phone’s network stack.
You can reset this easily:
On iPhone: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset Network Settings
On Android: Settings → System → Reset → Reset Network Settings
It clears all Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, giving you a clean start. Just make sure you know your Wi-Fi passwords before doing this.
9. Seasonal & Environmental Factors
Interestingly, AirPods tend to misbehave more often in cold weather. I’ve noticed this (and so have many other users). The mic sometimes stops working during winter because of condensation or rapid temperature changes. Keeping your AirPods dry and warm — or just giving them a few minutes indoors before using them — can help avoid this seasonal glitch.
10. When It’s Time to Visit a Service Center
If you’ve tried everything above — cleaning, resetting, updating, reconnecting — and the microphone still doesn’t work, then it’s likely a hardware failure. This is quite common after 2–3 years of use.
Apple’s official support is generally quick to help:
Visit the Apple Support website.
Select AirPods → Audio & Sound → Microphone Problems.
When you need help, just pick how you’d like to get in touch—you can start a chat, give us a call, or book a time for a repair.
Tip: if you’ve lost just one AirPod, you don’t have to buy a completely new set. You can just buy a single replacement! The price will depend on which model of AirPods you have.
11. My Honest Take After Long-Term Use
I’ve been using AirPods for over two years, and honestly — they’re amazing overall. But here’s the truth: their lifespan is short. Batteries degrade fast, and microphones often give up even before that. Most of my friends quietly follow an unspoken “AirPods rule”: subtract a year from the warranty, and start saving for your next pair.
Still, for the comfort, design, and sound quality Apple offers, it’s hard to switch. You just have to accept that these aren’t lifetime gadgets — they’re more like high-tech wearables with a 2–3-year window of peak performance.
12. Final Thoughts — Keep Them Clean, Keep Them Alive
If your AirPods microphone isn’t working well, don’t panic. They are likely not broken. Often, the problem is easy to fix. That muffled or broken sound is usually caused by something simple.
Often, it’s just a little earwax clogging the small microphone grill, your AirPods having a temporary communication hiccup with your phone, or a single setting that got switched off. Before you decide to get a new pair, the first thing you should always do is give your AirPods a gentle but good clean—it fixes the problem more often than you’d think.
Next, disconnect them from your phone’s Bluetooth and then connect them again. Then, check the settings on your phone to see if your AirPods need a software update. Also, try using each AirPod alone to see if one has the problem. It also helps to keep your AirPods clean and dry.
This good habit makes your microphone clearer and helps your AirPods last much longer. If you try all this and the microphone still doesn’t work, that’s okay! You can quickly contact Apple Support for help. Or, you can just buy one new AirPod to replace the old one, instead of buying a whole new set.
Until then, treat your AirPods like the tiny pieces of engineering they are — a little care pays off big time.
