AirPods 5 – How to Fix Only One Earbud Working, by HardReset.Info on YouTube. 3 min 45 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 45 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Check which earbud is failing by playing audio and watching the battery widget on your iPhone. Note whether it is the left or right one.
Open the case and take out both AirPods. Look inside the case for dirt or lint on the metal charging pins.
Wipe the charging pins inside the case with a dry Q-tip or microfiber cloth. Do not use water, alcohol or any liquid.
Clean the small metal contact at the bottom of each AirPod the same way. Gently rub away any grime or earwax.
Put both AirPods back in the case and charge until the case and both buds reach 100 percent.
On your iPhone, open Settings, tap Bluetooth and find your AirPods in the list. Tap the info button next to them.
Tap Forget This Device and confirm. This removes the old pairing that may be causing the one-bud problem.
With the case lid open, double-tap the button on the back of the case until the status light flashes red, then white.
Hold the case near your iPhone and pair the AirPods again by following the on-screen prompt. Test both earbuds.
Tips and common mistakes
Never use liquids or sharp tools on the charging pins, since moisture damage cannot be fixed by a reset.
Charge both the case and the earbuds to 100 percent before resetting, or the reset may not complete.
If the red light never appears after double-tapping, the case button or battery may be faulty.
If one earbud still fails after cleaning and a reset, contact Apple support as the hardware may be damaged.
Questions
Why does only one AirPod show up in the battery widget?
Dirt on the case pins or the earbud contact often stops charging, so the bud stays dead. Clean both contacts and charge fully before trying a reset.
Will a factory reset delete my AirPods settings?
Yes, the reset clears the pairing and any custom settings. You pair the AirPods again afterwards and can set them up fresh.
Can I fix water-damaged AirPods with this method?
No. Cleaning and resetting only fix dirt and software glitches. Liquid damage usually needs a repair or replacement.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
