If one AirPod is louder than the other

The whole sucking thing worked for the first few times, but then it seemed permanently stuck lower. I adjusted my playback settings to force the other one a little lower, but then it kept getting worse until I can’t even hear out of one.

it’s also worth noting that these AirPods are about six months old.

That is exactly what’s happening with my AirPods after cleaning with Q-tips and alcohol gently, facing downward so not to enter. There was not much earwax to begin with, but once there was so much I thought they were broken until I looked with a magnifying glass, and screen completely covered with wax-grossness!. Gently scraping with a Q-tip, damp with alcohol, completely removed, making sure AirPod screen downward. Worked perfectly, and like brand new afterwords, letting air dry upside down. Now, the right is louder than the left, or the left is not as loud as the right! Looked to see if there was a volume or balance control - No 👎. I would think this would be an important option, as peoples’ ears vary, and not bilaterally symmetric. One may fit differently and cause a drastic difference in volume. Hope someone here has a fix. Best, Seth

You described as an amount of material that exited, and assume dried earwax exiting the speaker screen cover, yes? I did not experience or see anything come out, yet the loudness returned to near normal or normal; and, no longer required using the balance control, which only diminished the volume on the right, and creating a sound of lesser quality, it seemed. Perhaps just A lower volume, yet, by increasing the volume it did not seem quite as clear. However, it now functions nicely. Seth

This probably sounds a bit funky, but does anyone have any experience of sucking or blowing too hard and damaging the little speaker diaphragm(or it’s equivalent), Or does the plumbing between the two orifices go around, not affecting the sensitive components? My concern was blowing too hard in the side oval hole 🕳. Does anyone have a diagram of what’s going on inside the first and second GEN AirPods? The design clearly did not take into account earwax being shoved over and through the screen. This was circumvented with the AirPods Pro, which I also have, and it is offset by a small rubber covering, with three sizes. The comfort and sound is dramatically increased in quality and comfort. This small offset and no direct contact with the AirPod precludes this problem. There’s a sale going on right now at Costco for $169, $50 off their regular price, and highly recommend picking up a set if you are able. The earwax problem is no longer an issue with the AirPods Pro. Apple should provide folks here with what’s going on with the first and second GEN AirPods, that this problem is affecting so many, and the solution so bizarre. Surely this Is an embarrassment with the initial design. Someone mentioning scolding a daughter about hygiene, but that is not the problem, it is with the design of the first and second GEN AirPods. I cringe when I see someone using a Q-tip and inserting it in their ear canal. There’s only a 1 to 2 cell layer lining over the osseous canal, and easily damaged. This can cause serious infections which lead directly to the mastoid process and then to Brain tissue. You do not want Cerebritis. Do not insert a Q-tip in the ear canal. It’s states this prominently on each Q-tip package, put people don’t read the warnings, apparently, or ignore them thanking that years use means it’s OK. One mistakes is all it takes. Best, Seth

Hopefully someone will have a diagram of some kind of the inner plumbing of the first and second GEN AirPods so we know what’s going on, and why this does work. I suspect it is a bass reflect system with tiny ports for air movement and the diaphragm to move, and if this is clogged movement is prevented and And that’s a decrease in volume. Other type of speaker systems use a infinite baffle system, Which require more power for the same volume level but a tighter response and sound. What I think is going on is changing a base reflect system tour infinite baffle, which would explain what’s going on. But if anyone has a diagram of the inner workings and plumbing please post it.

I forgot I was wearing my airpods and briefly dunked my left ear unwater in the bathtub. As a result volume was very low, almost inaudible. Tried the sucking trick as recommended here. It worked! Perfect volume again. Thank you MC.

This worked for me too! I am pretty careful about keeping them clean - occasionally use a tiny amount of mouth wash on a soft rag to clean them down and ‘blown’ them out of any moisture (granted breath is moist) perhaps some moisture ingress? Sucking out buds (giggles) 100% helped.

Mine too same prbm… but mine are airpods 3rd gen… i already encountered this issue when these are in warranty… they didnt replaced… instead they did complete reset of pods.. than 1-2 minths worked fine… but now my warraty is out.. and again balance is not good… left one is getting more and right is too low… donno what to do..!!!🥲🥲

a combination of this and using a very slightly damp toothbrush head to scrub inside the main speaker worked! I was so disappointed when this was the second time I experienced this issue, and thus SO relieved when it was solved. I personally didn’t feel for the air flowing through the smaller speaker because I wasn’t 100% sure what that meant, but it definitely still worked for me. Thank you so much! :)

I am dealing with the same issue where the left airpod is quieter than the right what I have been doing is I use the slider in audio and visual and move it more left so it’s “equal” on both sides but I just want to know how to fix it so I don’t have to do that. Please help! Thanks.

Thanks, the sucking which isn't nice worked for me.👍

I seriously can't believe that actually just worked. Thank you!

Wow. Had to read all the reviews before actually convincing myself to try this sucking method and it worked! Sounds like the first day I bought them! Saved me an unnecessary trip to the Genius Bar.

I can confirm that too, it was slightly getting louder until you kept sucking and it worked fine after that

This entire thread is disgusting...

but it worked