AirPods mic cuts out while on calls

I have the same problem. I can hear everything fine, but the microphone cuts in and out. This happens on both left and right, regardless of the “automatic switching” feature.

It seems like a noise gate or something. I have noticed if I talk really loudly the issue is less prominent.

I had the same issue and solved it this way:

AirPods are set by default in "auto" mode for mic. It means that the firmware decides which one of the 2 AirPods microphones should be on, the active microphone can change during the call to optimise sound quality. After some trial-error I realised that my right mic was dead and whenever the firmware was trying to use the right mic, I was in fact muted.

Have you AirPods connected to your phone then go to Settings, Bluetooth, info, scroll down to microphone and select "Always left" or "Always right" test it and figure out if you have one of the 2 mic not working. Hope it helps.

It has happened to me three times. When it happened the first time, I called Apple and they replaced my ipods because I had only had them 11 months (I didn't have applecare, but they said less than a year was replaceable at no cost). They only replaced the pods themselves, not the case/charger. The new pair started doing it within about 3 months, and Apple agreed to replace it (and I think I remember them saying something about a limited 90 days for replacements), but the tech told me on the phone "this is the last chance," which I thought was kind of reversing the roles a little, but ok. My new pair, which I have had a month, just started cutting out again. I have switched to the left side, and will see if that is a long term fix. But this is either (a) a problem with my case which has never been replaced, or more likely (b) a universal defect. It's pretty frustrating, because i use them all the time for phone calls, zoom calls, etc.

Hi there. I've had exactly the same problem and have just found a fix that works. If you go to your Settings - Bluetooth and select your Air Pods there with the information (i) button, you'll get a menu for them. Select Microphone and select Always Left.

It has cured the problem completely. I'm assuming selecting right might work too but Left worked first time so back to normal.

No idea why this works but perhaps there's been a software update that screwed up Automatically Switch Airpods!

I have the same issue. On phonecalls I can hear people perfectly but they cannot hear me. When I test the mic on voice memo it records perfectly. This has been happening to me for the past month and resetting both the airpods and iPhone hasn’t solved the problem either. This is clearly a software issue, any solutions are appreciated.

This began happening to me recently, and occurs with both my older airpods and brand new AirPod pro. Since it’s happening to both old and new AirPods, I deduced it must be something else. That’s when I finally pieced together that it started when I got my Apple Watch. So, I’m curious - for all of the posters on this string, do you have an Apple Watch? Could that be the cause: some sort of back and forth or interference between the iPhone and Watch? Any thoughts?

Hello,

See if this helps:

Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference

Good luck.

No luck, this is really bad experience

I have exactly the same issue and no way of knowing when it happens unless person at the other end tells me. Very frustrating

Even I have the same issue. Sometimes it works perfect, sometimes it does not. This is very irritating. Receiving the audio has been great. Never had any issue, but the mic only during the calls keeps getting disconnected

Same issue for me, and I personally know at least two others who have had the same issue. Has anyone had luck getting Apple to replace their AirPods given the seemingly widespread effect of this issue?

Hello pfrogge,

Many people have reported success with this:

Open the Settings app and go to the Bluetooth section. Next to the AirPods entry on the list of devices, you should see an “i” icon inside of a circle. Tap this, then select microphone, and set it to either left, right or automatic. Try switching it back and forth.

Then, test with the Voice Memos app.

Good luck.

Thank you! The changing microphone to left fixed it for me. Tested with voice memos. When I switched back to Automatically switch, it worked initially but when I put them in the case and removed. They failed my memo recording. The mic continued to work when I used Left AirPod even after in/out of case. When I tried with right AirPod it also failed. Seems to be some sort of bug.

Have you got any solution? I am having the same problem with my AirPods.