The dirt inside the microphone holes, incorrectly configured settings, and minor bugs can stop the earbuds from working correctly. Other factors may cause microphones to malfunction. People won't hear you clearly when AirPods don't pick up sounds correctly, as your voice could sound muffled on calls.
The problem could be incorrect AirPods microphone settings, low AirPods battery, outdated AirPods firmware, conflict from other Bluetooth devices, etc. This post highlights why your AirPods aren't working for phone calls and how to fix the problem.
One easy way to solve this is to buy silicon ear hooks or earbuds that you can fit on your AirPods. The ear hook will fill in the gap between your AirPods and your ear, thereby stopping sound leakage.
Set Microphone to left, right, or automatic
By default, Microphone is set to Automatic, so that either of your AirPods can act as the microphone. If you're using only one AirPod, that AirPod will be the microphone. You can also set Microphone to Always Left or Always Right.
An audio balance, connectivity glitch, or broken AirPod could be causing the problem. However, this problem is most commonly caused by an excessive amount of debris in one of your AirPods. A lot of the time, that debris is earwax that has been building up in the main speaker of your AirPod.
Clean your EarPods
Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Make sure not to get any liquid in the openings. Clean the microphone and speaker meshes gently with a dry cotton swab. Remove any debris from the meshes with a clean, dry, soft-bristled brush.
How Many Microphones Does AirPods Have? Mostly, AirPods have two microphones: one located on the stem and one on the inside of each earbud. The microphone on the stem is used for phone calls, while the microphones inside are used to pick up your voice when using Siri or giving commands.
Common causes of muffled sound include debris blocking one or both of the microphones, moisture trapped in the earbuds, and even poor audio quality from connecting devices. If these problems persist after cleaning and resetting your AirPods Pro, contact Apple Support for further assistance.
If the issue is isolated to your AirPods microphone, you should try to Reset your AirPods. You'll also want to be sure to clean your AirPods to ensure there is nothing blocking them.
Answer or end a call: Press the indent on the stem on either of your AirPods. Note: If you turn on announce calls, you can also answer or decline a call using your voice.
Apple AirPods are known for their high-quality audio and clear sound. They have built-in microphones that allow for hands-free phone calls, and they are designed to filter out background noise and focus on the person's voice. This can make phone calls with AirPods sound very clear and natural.
Apple stores provide free cleaning service for AirPods. They can also give advice on how to maintain and clean them at home. If your AirPods have audio issues, it is best to visit your local store and have them checked out. You may be eligible for a replacement if they are under 1 year old.
If you are on a call and suddenly, the person you are talking to can't hear you, then the problem may be caused due to network issue. The microphone on your Android mobile device has openings and as time goes on, dirt particles can accumulate in the microphone thereby causing an obstruction.
The most common issue is that the microphone pathway is clogged with debris muffling your voice and stopping you from being heard. The pathway can be cleaned out, just be careful not to go too far in and damage the microphone. Other fixes include a restart, checking for updates, clearing the cache, and disabling apps.
On iPhone only, make sure the receiver isn't blocked or dirty. If necessary, clean the speaker or receiver opening with a small, soft-bristled brush. Make sure the brush is clean and dry. Go to Settings > Sounds (or Settings > Sounds & Haptics), and drag the Ringer and Alerts slider back and forth a few times.
When your device is in low-power mode due to very low battery, it can disable certain features, such as Bluetooth connectivity. As a result, your AirPods become quiet, and you may need to disable low-power mode to hear them again.
With multiple charges in your case, you get up to 30 hours of listening time,7 or up to 20 hours of talk time. Your AirPods (3rd generation) can get up to 6 hours of listening time (up to 5 hours with Spatial Audio enabled)9 or up to 4 hours of talk time on a single charge.
Go to Settings > Bluetooth, then tap the Info button next to the name of your AirPods. Scroll down to the About section to find the firmware version. To use your Mac to check that your AirPods are up to date, make sure that you have the latest version of macOS.
Most earbuds can only muster speakerphone-quality audio for calls, and the AirPods Pro do a slightly better job that most of the competition. You won't sound crystal clear, but the voice performance doesn't immediately indicate you might be speaking into a phone that's resting on your desk.