When it comes to Apple products, one of the most popular items they have out there is the AirPods. I love my AirPods because of how versatile they are and how they change the game regarding earbud technology. However, even I have come across one issue is that the Apple AirPods seem to get quieter and quieter. So what causes this issue?
AirPods can get quieter because of dust or dirt that has accumulated over time. Alternatively, if you have Low Power Mode on your iPhone, the AirPods can also get quieter to conserve energy. Similarly, low power on your AirPods, a volume limit, or an update can cause this issue. Finally, you may also see this issue if the AirPods have some kind of damage done to them.
Suppose you want to learn more about how each of these works, you should read this article. You can learn about each of these fixes in detail by navigating to each relevant heading in the proceeding article.
Why AirPods Get Quieter
Unfortunately, there isn’t just a single reason why your AirPods get quieter over time. There are many reasons why this issue can happen with your AirPods, but you can troubleshoot to find out what is causing the problem. Luckily, we’ve narrowed the problems down so you can identify what works and what doesn’t. So, keep trying the steps we talk about in the rest of the article.
Dirty AirPods
One of the foremost reasons your AirPods can get quieter over time is that they have become dirty. Over a period of time, your AirPods collect dust, debris, and even earwax! This is because the opening in the back of the AirPods (where the music can play through) can give space for dust to get inside. Therefore, a close inspection of the AirPods is always a significant step to addressing the problem.
One of the best ways to start cleaning is to use something to gently blow air onto the back of the AirPods to clear them out. Remember not to use any heat, though, as that can damage the inside of the AirPods. Finally, you can also use tissue paper, a microfiber cloth, or a soft towel to clean the rest of the AirPods.
Once you have done this, you will surely notice that the AirPods will be much clearer. With all of the debris and dust gone, you can have much better sound quality.
Related: AirPods Keep Pausing? 9 Causes and Fixes
Low Power Mode
A cause you may not even consider when you are thinking of an unclear sound is that your phone is on Low Power Mode. When your phone is on Low Power Mode, it seeks to reduce the spending of your battery energy. Therefore, one of the things that can happen is that your AirPods might get quieter. This is because the mode is designed to help limit the battery use of apps that are draining it far too much.
Even though the AirPods are battery-operated, they are still affected by this change on your iPhone. This is why the AirPods might suddenly get much quieter than before. To fix this, all you need to do is switch off Low Power Mode and check if that changes the volume output.
Volume Limitations
One of the nifty things you can do with an iPhone is that you can control the maximum volume of the phone can be. This feature exists in iOS to help you protect your hearing and control how loud things can get. However, if you did not mean to set the maximum level, you may not understand why your AirPods are so much quieter all of a sudden.
You can change and customize the maximum volume level. To do this, you need to follow these steps:
- Open up the Settings App on your iPhone.
- Tap on General, and then choose the option Accessibility.
- At the bottom of the page, you’ll see an option titled ‘Volume Limit.’
- You can tap on this button to adjust the maximum limit.
Software Updates
Whenever there’s a sudden change in the way your iPhone or your AirPods work, there is always a chance the issue is that of software. This is because these are dynamic machines with complicated software mechanisms. Glitches are entirely typical and can happen at any point. Therefore, if none of the previous recommendations are working, you can also try updating the iOS software or the AirPods firmware.
If you want to check the firmware version of your AirPods, you need to navigate to the Settings App on your iPhone and find out the current firmware the AirPods are using. You can then cross-reference with information online to see if it is the most recent version. If not, connect the AirPods to your phone, connect the phone to a charger and the Internet, and give it some time to install any new updates.
With the iPhone software, you can install new updates by:
- Navigate to the Settings App on your phone.
- Tap on General, and then select ‘Software Update.’
- Give the phone some time to look for and install any new updates.
Related: Why Does Your Right AirPods Die Faster Than the Left?
Low Battery
This may seem obvious, but your AirPods can get quiet because of the low battery. With no battery at all, they will stop playing audio altogether. However, it is possible that with a lower battery, the volume can drop dramatically and stop working. Always charge your AirPods using the manufacturer’s recommended battery hygiene tups to resolve this issue.
Damaged AirPods
You may not want to hear this, but perhaps your AirPods are not playing audio correctly because of damage. When your AirPods have seen some damage, they will malfunction. Your only course of action is to connect to Apple support or a service center.
Conclusion
It is not uncommon to see people online talk about this issue with their Apple AirPods. However, now you have multiple ways that you can fix this issue in no time. If the issue persists and none of the recommendations above are helpful, you can also contact Apple customer support for more information.