One AirPod sounds fine. The other is noticeably quieter. Music feels off-center. Voices sound like they're coming from one side. This is one of the most common AirPods complaints, and it usually has a simple fix.
1. Clean your AirPods
The most common cause is physical: earwax or debris partially blocking the speaker mesh on one AirPod. Even a thin layer of buildup can significantly reduce volume on that side.
How to clean:
- Use a dry, soft-bristled brush (a clean toothbrush works) to gently brush the speaker mesh
- For AirPods Pro silicone tips: remove the tip and clean both the tip and the speaker mesh underneath
- Use a dry, lint-free cloth for the exterior
- Don't use: water, alcohol, compressed air, or sharp objects — these can damage the speaker mesh or push debris further in
After cleaning, test both AirPods. In most cases, this fixes the problem immediately.
2. Check the audio balance in macOS
macOS has a left-right audio balance slider that might be off-center:
- Go to System Settings → Accessibility → Audio
- Find the Balance slider
- Make sure it's exactly centered between L and R
If the slider was shifted to one side, that's your culprit. Center it and the volume should be equal on both sides.
Also check System Settings → Sound — some macOS versions have a balance slider in the output device settings as well.
3. Reset your AirPods
If cleaning and balance don't help, try resetting your AirPods to their factory state:
- Put both AirPods in the charging case
- Close the lid and wait 30 seconds
- Open the lid
- Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the status light flashes amber, then white
- Re-pair the AirPods with your Mac (System Settings → Bluetooth)
This resets any stored audio calibration and can fix software-side volume imbalances.
4. Check for Mono Audio
If macOS's Mono Audio accessibility feature is enabled, stereo audio is mixed into a single channel and sent to both AirPods equally. While this shouldn't cause volume differences, it can change the way certain content sounds and make one side seem "different."
Check: System Settings → Accessibility → Audio → make sure "Mono Audio" is off (unless you need it).
5. Bluetooth interference
AirPods communicate with your Mac via Bluetooth, and each AirPod also communicates with the other. If there's significant Bluetooth interference (WiFi routers, USB 3.0 hubs, other Bluetooth devices), one AirPod might receive a weaker signal.
Fix: Move closer to your Mac. Disconnect Bluetooth devices you're not using. If you're near a USB 3.0 hub, try moving it away — USB 3.0 is known to interfere with 2.4 GHz Bluetooth.
6. Hardware issue
If none of the above fixes work, one AirPod might have a hardware defect — a degraded speaker driver or a damaged mesh. This happens over time with heavy use.
Fix: Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store. If your AirPods are under warranty or AppleCare+, Apple will replace the affected AirPod. Individual AirPod replacements are also available for purchase outside warranty.
Better audio balance with per-app volume control
While per-app volume control doesn't fix a hardware imbalance between AirPods, it solves a related problem: when some apps are louder than others in your AirPods, it can exaggerate the perception of an imbalance.
SoundDial lets you set each app to a consistent volume level. When Spotify is at 40%, Zoom at 100%, and Safari at 60%, you know exactly what to expect from each app — no sudden volume jumps that make one AirPod feel louder because a notification just blasted at 100%.
Get SoundDial on the Mac App Store — €14.99 one-time purchase, no subscription, macOS 14.2+.