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Airpods (2nd gen) microphone not working even after troubleshooting

I've tried troubleshooting my airpods like forgetting the device off my phone and reconnecting, cleaning them, and switching the microphone from left to right to automatic but nothing has helped. I've tested the microphone through voice memos and the sound is either muffled, just background noise or nothing at all, and anyone I'm on a call with cannot hear me.

Posted on Aug 13, 2023 6:44 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 18, 2024 12:21 PM

If you have already applied these troubleshooting steps you mentioned, I can suggest some more like:


  • Turn off noise cancellation and see if that fixes the microphone.
  • Toggle On and Off the Automatic Ear Detection.
  • Update your AirPods firmware and your device software to the latest version.
  • Reset Your iPhone’s Network Settings
  • Forget your Airpods and Reset them and then reconnect again.


For detailed steps you can check this guide: 11 Steps to Fix Airpods Microphone not Working (skip the steps you already applied). After applying all these steps and are still facing the issue then I guess your airpods microphones have hardware issues.

53 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 18, 2024 12:21 PM in response to jesscollinns

If you have already applied these troubleshooting steps you mentioned, I can suggest some more like:


  • Turn off noise cancellation and see if that fixes the microphone.
  • Toggle On and Off the Automatic Ear Detection.
  • Update your AirPods firmware and your device software to the latest version.
  • Reset Your iPhone’s Network Settings
  • Forget your Airpods and Reset them and then reconnect again.


For detailed steps you can check this guide: 11 Steps to Fix Airpods Microphone not Working (skip the steps you already applied). After applying all these steps and are still facing the issue then I guess your airpods microphones have hardware issues.

Nov 29, 2023 7:46 AM in response to davemavelave

I am in the same boat. Everything had been fine with my AirPod Pro 2nd Gen until firmware 6A300 Was released. Right after that release around September 12th 2023 I started having this issue.


It’s super frustrating that we all pay this kind of money now and this is the return on investment. Apple really needs to get it together.


To me I feel it should be easier for Apple to maintain their ecosystem as it’s nowhere near as widespread as say Android is across all device and models etc. it’s literally Apple hardware.


If anyone else is having these issues, I bet you money it’s firmware. I cannot wait for the next update as hopefully it’ll be resolved in the next version. Already two months with this issue and it really stinks to say the least.

Dec 12, 2023 7:46 AM in response to Feldy1983

Super-frustrating is the word!

My AirPods 2nd generation also lost the use of the microphone around September. Almost certainly due to the 6A300 Release.

I’ve verified this in different applications: keyboard dictation, mobile phone, messenger phone, audio recorder.


I’ve also tried changing the settings to use the left or right microphone instead of automatic, all to no avail.


The odds of both microphones failing due to mechanical reasons at exactly he same time are tiny. It’s a firmware fault.


I’ve also discovered that the microphones on my AirPod version 1 (firmware 6.8.8] no longer work. So despite charging perfectly, ALL 4 microphones stopped working in September. That is NOT a coincidence.

Dec 21, 2023 12:23 PM in response to Sunforcer

I think I found a fix.


I also ran into this issue on Apple AirPods 2 (A2031) 6A300 today. Re-pairing didn't work for me off the bat, but after re-pairing, I went into the settings and set and re-set all the different settings such as "double tap on airpod", "Connect to This iPhone", and "Microphone". I'm not sure which settings actually fixed it, but it works for me now!

Feb 2, 2024 10:36 AM in response to jesscollinns

Bumping this thread. Was hoping the firmware 6A321 update plus latest iOS 17.3 would correct the issue of people not being able to hear me while using AirPods.


Everyone states it still sounds like I'm “far away” and that they can “hardly hear me”. I’ve done every single thing listed for troubleshooting multiple times now, and still this issue remains!


I've tested BT to other devices and microphones work as they should, crisp and clear. Absolute joke that this is going on five months now and hasn’t been fully addressed. My frustration is at peak levels at this point!


It doesn’t help that Apple doesn’t list ANYTHING in their release notes for AirPod firmware updates. It would be helpful to know what issues might have been targeted for addressing in a firmware release update…. just saying…. that’s usually what release notes are for.


This new path of large companies handling things by not addressing anything publicly is absolutely silly and absurd. “If we don’t admit it, they can’t say it’s an us issue!”.

Nov 28, 2023 3:18 AM in response to jesscollinns

An odyssey awaits you !

With headaches and loss of sleep and time!


These are now my third Airpods pro 2 !


1)

The first time I encountered a problem with my Apple headphones was quite frustrating. I had driven for an hour to the Apple store, found parking, and explained the issue with my headphones. Fortunately, the staff at Apple agreed to replace them for me. However, this was only the beginning of my troubles.


After only two weeks, the new right earphone stopped charging. I found myself back at the Apple store repeating the same process. This time, they replaced both headphones and the case. Unfortunately, the problems persisted. Two months later, the case had inflated...


At this point, I was grateful for the accommodating nature of Apple, as they replaced the case for me. However, the refurbished nature of the replacement caused even more problems with the Bluetooth connection.

Thankfully, I had purchased the headphones from Amazon, and they came to my rescue.


Amazon not only took back the headphones, including the replacements from Apple, but also refunded me the money. This allowed me to purchase new Airpods Pro 2.


At the beginning of the year the same issue with the new Airpods 2 and now again ! Same game Amazon take it back and gave me money to buy new one !


The END:

I don't know why they are so vulnerable ! maybe firmware updates have broken something or the system ... who knows..My mum has been using the first generation of airpods for 4 years without any problems!


I currently use my 6-year-old headphones for phone calls and the Apple headphones for listening to music.

I am super disappointed! I have been a loyal Apple customer for 10 years but the service and quality of your products has deteriorated so much ...






Jan 17, 2024 4:46 PM in response to Klwhite12

Having same issues. A few months ago, my first generation AirPod pros stopped receiving sound through the microphone but functioned fine otherwise. Tried all of the reset ideas and no success. I finally accepted the reality that they would only be used for music.


Today I broke down and bought new 2nd generation AirPod pros. Brand new out of the box they work great other than… you guessed it, the microphone. What in the world is going on here Apple?


I thought maybe I damaged or wore out my old ones after a couple of years use but now I can tell you there is something wrong with the firmware on the phone or in the pods.

Jan 22, 2024 6:23 AM in response to UncleThargy

To be clear, I can use a 3rd party app called 'Voice Record' to record my voice from my airpods connected via BlueTooth with zero issues. But if I use the built-in 'Voice Memos' app or the phone, I get heavily distorted, super-quiet sound, and people can't hear me on calls.


I have done all the troubleshooting steps, including resetting network settings, but nothing works.

Aug 13, 2023 7:01 PM in response to jesscollinns

Hi there jesscollinns,

I understand that you're having trouble with your AirPods microphone not working. I'm sorry to hear that!

You've already tried a few troubleshooting steps, which is great. Here are a few more things you can try:

  • Make sure your AirPods are fully charged. A low battery can sometimes cause microphone issues.
  • Check your AirPods firmware. If there is an update available, install it. The latest firmware update as of now is 5E135. Learn more about the firmware updates here.
  • Reset your AirPods. This will erase all of their settings and data, and may fix the microphone issue.
  • If you're using AirPods Pro, make sure that the microphone is not blocked by earwax or other debris.
  • Try connecting your AirPods to a different device. If the microphone works on the other device, then the problem is likely with your phone or computer.

If you've tried all of these steps and your AirPods microphone is still not working, then you may need to contact Apple Support for further assistance.

Here are some articles that you should refer to also…


I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.


Best regards,

Kyleb_27






Airpods (2nd gen) microphone not working even after troubleshooting

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