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The last thing you want when you’ve spent so much on a listening device is muffled AirPods. But we’re here not only to help you to troubleshoot your problem and find what is causing the muffle but also to help you fix the problem.
If you are an audiophile of any kind, you’ll want crisp and clear audio delivered to your ears without any kind of delay. And if you are on a call, you will want the listener to have the same listening experience. So there is no space for a muffled mic on these little devices either. So here is exactly why AirPod Pros sound muffled.
If you are wondering why your AirPods sound so quiet, there could be some other kind of issue. So be sure to click on the link above to troubleshoot the volume issues on your AirPods.
Why does my AirPods sound muffled?
Are you wondering ‘why do my AirPods sound weird?’ Well, it could be because they are slightly muffled. But this is not the kind of listening experience you would come to expect from an Apple device.
The first thing you want to check before troubleshooting any other issues is the battery on your AirPods. You don’t want to start factory resetting your little listening devices before checking this, as popping your AirPods on charge is a much easier solution.
Considering AirPods are some of the best ASMR listening devices, they usually deliver clear audio that is a notch above the rest. So if you are hearing anything remotely close to a muffle, you can rest assured that there is something else going on. As this is not the kind of audio quality you can expect from any kind of Apple device.
1. Your AirPods may have dirty speakers
As we all know, AirPods are made by one of the most reputable brands on the market – Apple. So you can rest assured that muffled AirPods are not likely due to a manufacturing issue. Rather, the sound is likely to be distorted by dirty speakers.
This is something that happens over time considering the device is inserted in your ear canal. It is rather easy for ear wax and other undesirable material to build up over time and create the muffled sound you are hearing.
This is obviously not an ideal situation. Another reason they get so dirty is that many people fall asleep with their earbuds still in their ears. This means that the AirPods are being pressed even further into your ear than they normally would be, causing them to get even dirtier than usual.
2. Bluetooth interference in your AirPods connection
But that is not the only reason your AirPods could be muffled, you could be dealing with Bluetooth interference. This could be a problem that you struggle with frequently, in which case it might be best to get them serviced.
Your AirPods shouldn’t be receiving information from more than one Bluetooth connection at a time as this causes a terrible listening experience.
3. Your AirPods need to be reset
The final reason for AirPods being muffled is that they need to be reset. Like any device, they tend to get tired with time and overuse. But it doesn’t mean they’re broken, they simply need to be reset so that their settings get back to their original state. From there, you should be able to enjoy a crisp and clear listening experience.
How to fix muffled AirPods
The most likely cause of your AirPods being muffled is because they are dirty. So first you should try to clean your AirPods.
How to clean your AirPods
The best way to go about cleaning your AirPods is to use alcohol applied to a cotton swab on your earbud. You can then clean the outside of the AirPod as well as the speaker itself. Try to do it gently to prevent any dirt from getting squashed against the speaker as this could cause further muffling in the sound of your AirPods.
How to do a deep cleaning of your AirPods
If the alcohol swab simply wasn’t enough, then you do have other options. You can use blue tack by gently pressing it against the speaker grate and quickly taking it away. Repeat this a couple of times until all the dirt has been pulled from the AirPods.
Of course, if you would rather have a professional handle the cleaning of your AirPods, then taking them in for service is the best bet. This will also mean that any other trouble they may be having will be fixed.
How to fix Bluetooth interference
If you are experiencing Bluetooth interference on a regular basis, the easiest way to fix the problem is to turn your Bluetooth on and off again. You’ll then need to reconnect your AirPods to your device. This should solve any connectivity issues.
However, if that does not seem to work, the best thing to do is to reset your AirPods. This will ensure that they go back to their original settings (which is the condition under which they operate the best). This generally will fix any connectivity issues that you were experiencing for a prolonged period of time.
However, if you find yourself having to reset your AirPods on a frequent basis, then it may be time to take them in for a service. While Apple is a reputable company, they cannot ensure that your AirPods will work correctly under any conditions. So you want to make sure that all the parts are working correctly.
Before taking them in for a service, make sure that you clearly explain to the person doing the service what problem you are experiencing so that they can help you to the best of their abilities. If after the service, you are still experiencing issues (which is unlikely), it may be best to utilize your warranty and take the AirPods back as there may be a manufacturing fault.
You need to reset your AirPods
This is something that needs to be done every so often so that your AirPods can run efficiently. But be aware that if you are having to reset your AirPods too frequently, then you may need to consider taking them in to be serviced by an Apple professional.
In order to reset your AirPods, put them into their charging case and wait for 30 seconds. You’ll then need to open the lid of the AirPods charging case. Go to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and go to Settings and then Bluetooth.
You’ll then tap ‘forget this device’ next to your AirPods and then confirm. Then, with the lid of your AirPods open, press and hold the setup button located on the back of the case for about 15 seconds. You’ll notice the status light first flash amber and then flash white. This is how you know that your AirPods have been reset.
You’ll then need to reconnect your AirPods to your device. This can be done with the lid of your AirPods open.
AirPods microphone muffled
The only thing more irritating than having muffled audio on your AirPods is delivering muffled audio to whoever you are speaking to. Having a muffled mic can cause communication issues which are more than just a little frustrating considering just how much you paid for your AirPods.
Your AirPod microphone could be set to record through the left or right side of the AirPods, rather than through both. This can cause obvious muffle issues. To check this, head to the Settings and then click on Bluetooth. You’ll then need to tap next to your AirPods name to see more info. Make sure your AirPods are recording through both sides.
To test your AirPods, record a voice memo and play it back. This will ensure that you can get a better idea as to whether your AirPods mic is muffled, or whether the connection was bad at the time of the call.
It will also rule out the fact that the person you are on a call with may have bad headphones, so that could be preventing them from hearing you clearly.
Wrapping up: Why do my airpods sound muffled
Now that you know what could be causing the problem of your AirPods being muffled, you can start troubleshooting to find the true source. Remember to start trying the simplest fixes first, as taking your AirPods in to be serviced can be a pricy endeavor.
If you are ready for clean and crisp audio delivered to your AirPods, then simply follow the steps above to take your AirPods from average, to perfect audio.