(13 Fixes) AirPods Connected But No Sound [Updated 2023]

We all have stories about annoying tangled earphones.

So, thank goodness for the AirPods for solving that issue.

But here comes an even more annoying problem:

AirPods are connected, but they’re not playing any sound.

Luckily, I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way anymore.

Keep on reading to discover:

13 simple fixes to connected AirPods without sound.
11 clever tips to solve the AirPods sound problem on your iPhone.
A step-by-step guide to cleaning your AirPods so you can listen with sound.
7 must-know methods to fix the AirPods’ no-sound issue on your Android phone.
And this is just the beginning…

AirPods connected but no sound: 13 fixes

#1: Adjust the volume

Adjusting the volume is the first and easiest fix to the problem.

This method worked for me a lot of times.

There are moments when I just forget to turn up the volume.

But there are times that my phone’s glitching. And adjusting the volume did the work.

So, you might want to try this out first.

Here’s how to adjust the volume on your phone:

Locate the volume button on the side of your phone.
Press the top part of the button to increase the volume. And the bottom part to decrease the volume.
Keep adjusting the volume until you hear the sound again.

#2: Put AirPods in the charging case

Putting your AirPods back into their charging case is also an effective way to solve the problem.

It’s like restarting your AirPods, so it performs better.

And with that, you’ll hear sound from your AirPods again.

Here’s how to restart AirPods in the charging case:

Put your AirPods in the charging case.
Close the case.
Wait for 10-20 seconds.
Open the case.
Place the AirPods in your ears and try.

Note: Your device’s Bluetooth should be ON during the process. So you’ll be able to connect it to your AirPods without more steps.

#3: Restart Bluetooth connection

Your Apple AirPods might not be the ones that are glitching. It might be the Bluetooth connection.

In that case…

You should restart the Bluetooth connection between your device and the AirPods.

Here’s how to restart the Bluetooth connection:

Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
Toggle Bluetooth OFF.
Wait for 10 seconds.
Toggle Bluetooth ON.

After that, you can pair the device with your AirPods.

You might be interested: Reasons why AirPods keep cutting out

#4: Forget your AirPods

Before you get me wrong…

I don’t mean you should forget it. Like you’ll abandon your AirPods after they stop working.

What I mean is forgetting the AirPods on your device…

So you can pair it again and have a new connection.

And that could fix your problem.

Here’s how to forget your AirPods:

On your iPhone:

Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
Look for your AirPods on My Devices.
Tap the i on your AirPods’ right side.
Press Forget This Device.
Confirm Forget Device.

You have an Android phone? I got you.

On your Android Phone:

Go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth.
Tap the Options icon beside your AirPods.
Select Unpair.

Note: The exact steps might differ per Android device

After that, you can try to pair your AirPods again.

#5: Clean your AirPods

Earwax build-up on your AirPods is perfectly normal. So you don’t need to be ashamed.

But, you should clean your AirPods from time to time.

Because if you don’t, earwax will interfere with the connection.

And you won’t be able to hear sound from your AirPods.

Here’s how to properly clean AirPods:

Gently clean the microphone and speaker meshes using a dry cotton swab.
Wipe any residuals using a soft dry cloth.

But if you’re using AirPods Pro…

Here’s how to properly clean AirPods Pro:

Remove the ear tips. Do this by pulling them while they’re facing downward.
Rinse ear tips with water.
Wipe ear tips with a soft dry cloth. Make sure they’re completely dry.
Gently clean your AirPods Pro’s microphone and speaker meshes using a dry cotton swab.
Wipe any residuals using a soft dry cloth.
Reattach ear tips on each AirPod.

Note: Don’t use soap to clean your AirPods. Also, don’t use sharp materials to pick earwax. Doing so will cause damage to your AirPods.

If you like to follow a visual guide so you can make sure you clean your AirPods properly…

Then check this helpful video out:

#6: Restart your phone

As you already know…

Restarting your phone solves a lot of issues such as:

Glitches.
Frozen screen.
Hang problems.

With that, a restart may be able to solve your issues with your AirPods, too.

So…

Here’s how to restart your iPhone:

Press and hold the volume button and the side button together.
Slide the “slide to power off” to the right.
Wait for 2-3 minutes.
Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears to power it ON.

How to restart your Android phone

Find the Power button and the Volume down button.
Press and hold the two buttons simultaneously for 7 seconds.

Note: The exact steps might differ per Android device.

#7: Update your phone’s OS

Updating your phone’s OS or Operating System can solve your AirPods issue.

It’s because an updated phone OS can fix:

App bugs.
Lag issues.
Device malfunctions.

Although most phones automatically update their software…

You can double-check if there are updates available just to make sure.

With that…

Here’s how to manually check for updates on your iPhone:

Go to Settings > General.
Click Software Update.
Update your device if it’s available

Note: The screen will show the current iOS version. And whether it’s up to date or not.

Pro tip: You can go to Automatic Updates and toggle Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates ON. So, you won’t have to bother manually checking for any updates.

And…

Here’s how to manually check for updates on your Android phone:

Go to Settings > About Phone.
Press Check for Updates.
Click the Update button if it appears.
Tap Install Now.

Note: The Install Now may also appear as Reboot and Install or Install System Software.

#8: Adjust the audio volume balance

A disrupted audio volume balance might be the one that’s causing your Airpods issues.

Although this is a more effective method if both AirPods are connected…

But only one AirPod is working.

Here’s how to adjust audio volume balance.

Go to Settings > General > Accessibility
Locate Hearing at the bottom part.
Tap Audio/Visual.
Adjust Balance to 0.00.

After doing that, you’ll be able to hear sounds from both AirPods again.

#9: Disconnect other Bluetooth devices

If you’ve connected your phone to multiple Bluetooth devices at the same time…

Then that might be the reason why you’re having sound issues with your AirPods.

Imagine your friends are calling you from different directions.

You’d be confused about where to go, too, right?

So…

Here’s how to disconnect other devices from your iPhone:

Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
Look for Connected devices other than your AirPods.
Tap the i on these devices’ right side.
Press Disconnect.

Here’s how to disconnect other devices from your Android phone:

Go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth.
Tap the Options icon beside each connected device other than the Airpods.
Select Disconnect.

“But I want to connect to a lot of devices for convenience.”

I understand. And don’t worry, the next one might be able to help you.

#10: Set AirPods as sound preference

If you set a priority for your AirPods…

Then you’ll be able to hear sounds from your AirPods…

Even if your phone’s connected to many devices.

Here’s how to set your AirPods as the sound preference for calls:

Go to Settings > General > Accessibility.
Tap Touch > Call Audio Routing.
Select Bluetooth Headset.

But if you’re listening to music…

Here’s how to set your AirPods as the sound preference for music:

Lock your phone using the side button.
Press the side button again.
Tap the AirPlay button on the top-right corner of the music widget.
Select AirPods.

Note: The methods above are only available for iPhone users.

“But I have an Android phone.”

Don’t worry. The next method is perfect for Android users.

#11: Turn off Nearby Device Scanning

Android users may not be able to set sound preferences.

But if you turn off the Nearby Device Scanning feature.

That’ll make sure that you’ll only hear from your AirPods.

It’s because your phone won’t keep searching for others while it’s connected to your AirPods.

And that, my friend, is what you call loyalty.

So…

Here’s how to turn off Nearby Device Scanning:

Go to Settings > Connections.
Tap More Connection Settings.
Turn OFF Nearby Device Scanning.

#12: Turn on Maximum Power Saving Mode

If you’re an Android user, this is another method that could work for you.

You may be skeptical. But trust me…

Turning on the Maximum Power Saving Mode is an effective method.

Here’s how to turn on Maximum Power Saving Mode:

Go to Settings.
Type Power mode in the search bar.
Tap Maximum Power Saving
Read the prompt and click Apply.

Note: The exact steps might be different for your device. This procedure is most beneficial for Samsung users.

After doing so, you should be able to hear sound from your AirPods.

And if you do, you can then turn OFF the Maximum Power Saving Mode.

#13: Upgrade or change phone

Do you have an older iPhone?

For example, models such as the:

iPhone 5.
iPhone 6.
iPhone 7.

Or perhaps you have an Android phone?

Then either of these two might be the cause of your no-sound issue with your AirPods.

“Why’s that?”

It’s because your older iPhone’s hardware can’t keep up with the AirPods’ demands.

And an Android phone isn’t optimized to use the Apple AirPods.

So that’s why I highly recommend that you upgrade your iPhone or change your phone into an iPhone.

Believe me. You’ll get much more than just fixing your AirPods issue.

You’ll also benefit from the whole iPhone experience.

Want a tease? Here you go:

iMessage.
FaceTime.
Luxurious aesthetics.
Great image and video quality.
Powerful bionic chip processor.

With that said…

Here are the iPhone models that you can consider.