Possible Reasons For Muffled Sound (& Fixes To Try)
While Apple's AirPods and Pro earbuds are usually reliable, problems can occasionally surface. If muffled sound is the issue, try these fixes first.
Owners of Apple’s AirPods might occasionally encounter a muffled sound. Although this might be the result of an actual problem that needs a repair or replacement, the issue could also be much simpler to fix. This is particularly true for earbuds that are older or have been used extensively over time. To make sure the problem is not serious, there are some quick and common solutions users can try to see if any of them fix the muffled sound problem.
Over time, there have been multiple reports on Apple’s support site of users encountering a muffled sound issue with their AirPods. When working correctly, AirPods should sound crisp and clear like any other pair of earbuds. But that's not always the case. If your AirPods have started to sound muffled over time, there are a few easy tips you can follow to (hopefully) make them sound new.
How To Clean AirPods To Fix Their Muffled Sound
One of the most common causes of muffled AirPods is that they've become dirty. Whether it be earwax, dust, dirt, or anything else that's found its way on the AirPods' speakers, having a bunch of gunk clogging up the earpiece is a surefire way to get muffled audio. The good news? Cleaning your AirPods takes no time at all.
If you see particularly big chunks piled up on your AirPods, carefully pick them off with a toothpick and discard them. Then put some rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab or a small cloth and gently wipe it over the speaker grille. Even if it doesn't look like you're making much progress, using rubbing alcohol and a swab/cloth should help loosen any pesky debris that's gotten stuck in the AirPods. Wait for the AirPods to fully dry, give them a listen, and the muffled sound should be a thing of the past. Users can even buy dedicated AirPods cleaning kits from brands like Belkin.
Other Ways To Fix Muffled AirPods
If the muffled sound is still there after cleaning your AirPods, another recommended tip is to reset the earbuds. The logic here is that performing a reset will refresh the connection and potentially fix any audio bugs that have popped up. Resetting AirPods is also a quick and easy procedure. To perform a factory reset, follow these steps:
- If your AirPods aren't already in the charging case, put them inside, close the lid, and wait 30 seconds.
- Open the charging case.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap 'Bluetooth.'
- Tap the ⓘ icon next to your AirPods.
- Tap 'Forget This Device' and tap it again to confirm the action.
From there, re-pairing AirPods to your iPhone is a piece of cake. With the charging case open, press and hold the circular button on the back and hold it for about 15 seconds. Once the light on the case starts flashing white, a setup prompt for the AirPods should appear on your iPhone.
Another tip for dealing with muffled AirPods audio is to disable Dolby Atmos/Spatial Audio in Apple Music. Dolby Atmos tracks in Apple Music change the audio to sound like it's playing in a 3D space around your head. While it's impressive when mixed correctly, poorly-handled Dolby Atmos songs can have a bad, muffled sound. You can turn off Dolby Atmos by opening the Settings app and then tapping 'Music,' and turning off the toggle next to 'Dolby Atmos.' This only affects songs in Apple Music, but it's worth a shot if the muffled audio persists.
Unfortunately, if the muffled sound still doesn't change after all of this, then it might mean there is a more inherent problem with the AirPods. If this is the case, then it is likely the AirPods will need to be sent in for service or repair. The easiest and quickest way to do this is by setting up an appointment at an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. Depending on their age, the cause, and whether subscribed to AppleCare+, some users may find they are better off purchasing a new pair of AirPods.
AirPods Pro Sound Issues
While muffled sound from AirPods is usually the result of a buildup of gunk or hardware issues, those who own a pair of AirPods Pro (first-gen) manufactured before October 2020 could be eligible for a replacement. The only difference is here is that the sound issues don't result in muffled audio. Instead, users may encounter cracking or static-like sounds that become more pronounced in loud environments, such as when exercising or talking on the phone.
Users might also encounter issues such as loss in bass or an increase in background sound when Active Noise Cancelation (ANC) is enabled. If users experience either of these issues with their first-gen AirPods Pro, they can take their earbuds to an Apple Authorized Service Provider where they will be checked and verified for the replacement program. If eligible, the earbuds will be replaced. However, it's worth noting that the AirPods Pro case won't be replaced as it isn't affected by the issue.
