Only one Earpod works on Mac.

Only of my AirPods work while connected to my MacBook. It worked until a few hours ago

and both still work while connected to my iPhone or iPad. I hear sound on both build-in speakers and on both ears of wired ear buds. I did the AirPod reset process and it didn't help.

I recently upgraded 12.0.1 recently with no issues.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 12.1

Posted on Feb 7, 2022 3:39 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 8, 2022 2:35 PM

Hello kevink408,


Welcome to Apple Support Communities. We understand you have some issues when you AirPods are connected to your MacBook and that you've already tried resetting them. Let's look at another setting that could be causing the issue.


Since your AirPods work without issue on either your iPhone or iPad, most likely the issue is with your MacBook. While your AirPods are connected to your Mac, check the sound settings. There is a chance the speaker balance is set for one side.


  • Make sure your AirPods are connected
  • Click on System Preferences > Sound > Output
  • Adjust the balance slider to the middle if it is showing to one side or the other


If the speaker balance is showing in the middle, or that doesn't resolve the issue, we'll want to test further. Let's see if the same thing occurs when you are logged in as a new user. You'll need to create a test user profile on your MacBook (with Admin rights), log in to it, then connect your AirPods.


How to create a new account for testing


  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Users & Groups.
  2. Click the lock lock icon, then enter an administrator name and password.
  3. Click the add button (+) below the list of users.
  4. Complete the fields shown for an Administrator account, then click Create Account (or OK).


Let us know how it goes.


Take care.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 8, 2022 2:35 PM in response to kevink408

Hello kevink408,


Welcome to Apple Support Communities. We understand you have some issues when you AirPods are connected to your MacBook and that you've already tried resetting them. Let's look at another setting that could be causing the issue.


Since your AirPods work without issue on either your iPhone or iPad, most likely the issue is with your MacBook. While your AirPods are connected to your Mac, check the sound settings. There is a chance the speaker balance is set for one side.


  • Make sure your AirPods are connected
  • Click on System Preferences > Sound > Output
  • Adjust the balance slider to the middle if it is showing to one side or the other


If the speaker balance is showing in the middle, or that doesn't resolve the issue, we'll want to test further. Let's see if the same thing occurs when you are logged in as a new user. You'll need to create a test user profile on your MacBook (with Admin rights), log in to it, then connect your AirPods.


How to create a new account for testing


  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Users & Groups.
  2. Click the lock lock icon, then enter an administrator name and password.
  3. Click the add button (+) below the list of users.
  4. Complete the fields shown for an Administrator account, then click Create Account (or OK).


Let us know how it goes.


Take care.

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Only one Earpod works on Mac.

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