Why Are My AirPods So Quiet? – How to Fix & Make Them Louder!

I love my Apple AirPods, but they went super-quiet on me several times. So I did my homework to make sure it never happens again. And I think I did an OK job! Today, I’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common issues that may be causing this problem and quick, simple solutions to get your AirPods performing at maximum volume again.

Why Are My AirPods So Quiet?

Apple AirPods can become more quiet than usual for several reasons:

You left the Low Power Mode on.
Your Volume Limiter is on.
The interior is obstructed by debris.
Running on low battery.
Outdated software version.
Technical difficulties regarding hardware.
Each of these scenarios requires a slightly different approach. So take a deep breath and check out the most common issues and fixes to your “Why are my AirPods so quiet?” problem.

Reason 1: You Left the Low Power Mode On

Apple devices have a convenient function called “Low Power Mode.” It preserves as much battery as possible while enabling you to use most functions, albeit at reduced capacity. When this mode is turned on, your iPhone display won’t be as bright, for example. Similarly, the sounds coming from your device won’t be as loud. Even if your AirPods are fully charged, you’ll have low volume coming out.

Here’s how to disable Low Power Mode:

Open the iPad/iPhone Settings app.
Tap Battery.
Turn off Low Power Mode – if the slider is green (turned to the right), tap it until it grays out (turns to the left).
You can immediately check if this solution has fixed your problem. If not, let’s explore some other potential fixes.

Reason 2: Your Volume Limiter Is On

Volume limiter is an inbuilt function that sets the maximum volume limit on an Apple iPhone or iPad device. This volume control can be quite convenient at work or school, but many people forget to deactivate it. The volume limiter function is both togglable and customizable. Your iPhone/iPad will automatically use the 85 decibels settings when off. Remember that although you can set it up to 100 decibels, using volume settings over 85 decibels for extended periods is not considered safe.

To adjust the volume limit, follow these steps via Sound Settings:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone/iPad.
Tap Sounds & Haptics.
Tap Headphone Safety.
Toggle Reduce Loud Sounds to On (green slider turned to the right).
Set the decibels to your desired level using the volume slider shown in the image above.
Reason 3: Your AirPods Are Running On Low Battery

Low battery level is one of the most common reasons why your AirPods aren’t as loud as they should be. This situation is very different from Low Power Mode, as you can’t simply toggle a function to make the problem disappear. The ability to transmit and receive signals is diminished at critically low battery levels. Don’t be surprised if your AirPods periodically disconnect from your Apple iPhone and are a bit quieter than usual. This problem typically occurs when the battery drops to 10% or lower. Solution? Well, just charge your AirPods!

Reason 4: Your Apple Device Needs a Software Update

Dated software can cause a range of bugs, including muffled AirPods volume. Since all iPhone, iPad, and Mac models receive automatic software updates, you’d assume that this is not a common issue. However, there are several reasons why the device couldn’t receive an update. These include internet issues, a pre-existing bug that was not resolved with the latest update, problems on Apple’s end, or something simpler – the user deactivating automatic updates. Whatever the case, you may want to check if software updates are available for your iPad, iPhone, or Mac. To do so, simply tap “Settings,” go to “General,” and tap “Software Update “on your iPhone.

Reason 5: Your Equalizer Settings Are Not Suited for Music Listening

All modern smartphones feature inbuilt equalizers that allow users to customize frequency response and the soundstage of their phone. More specifically, an inbuilt music app is equipped with EQ settings that can be tweaked to make a custom audio setup. You may have lent your phone to a family member or a friend who did not like your equalizer settings and tweaked them to their liking. Consequentially, what used to be loud sounds may now be quieter, muffled, or barely audible noises.

To deactivate the Equalizer function, open the “Settings” app, tap on “Music,” tap “EQ,” and select “Off.”

Reason 6: Bluetooth Connectivity Problems

Bluetooth pairing is a two-way street in that both devices need to recognize and connect to each other. Sometimes, one or both devices may experience difficulties maintaining the connection and will periodically disconnect and automatically try to reconnect. Bluetooth connectivity problems can be easily solved by disconnecting and reconnecting the AirPods via Bluetooth settings.

To unpair your Apple AirPods from the playback device:

Put your AirPods in a case and keep the lid closed. Wait around 30 seconds before opening the lid.
After that, open the Settings app and tap on Bluetooth.
An option with a small “i” icon should appear next to the name of your AirPods. Tap this icon.
Now tap Forget This Device.
Long-press the button located on the charging case for about ten or so seconds. You can let go of the button once the indicator light begins flashing. This will unpair your devices, so pair them back again, and the problem should be solved.
Reason 7: Dust, Debris, Earwax, or Sweat Are Obstructing the Sound

When you bought your Apple AirPods, you received the instructions manual that describes how to charge and store them. Many people already know how to charge Apple products and skip these instructions. One of the most important parts points out that you should keep your AirPods safely tucked inside a case when they are not being used. Even though this describes the charging process, it is also a crucial element of basic maintenance.

Leaving your Apple AirPods out makes them susceptible to dust, sand, and small debris that can infiltrate the buds through tiny openings (which were designed to help the device “breathe”). Even people that are always keeping their AirPods in closed containers after they’ve finished listening to music or podcasts can experience this issue. Namely, earwax can enter AirPods as well. The quick fix I recommend for this situation is cleaning your AirPods thoroughly. To ensure this issue doesn’t come back in the future, I recommend cleaning them with a soft, lint-free piece of cloth and/or cotton swabs.

FAQs About AirPods Volume

The issue of quiet AirPods is fairly common – even if you own AirPods Pro or AirPods Max. And knowing that there are more than a few potential causes, I’m sure you have a question or two about the process, or things like the ear tip fit test. In this section, I will answer some of the most popular questions regarding this topic.

Why is one of my AirPods quiet?

If both of your AirPods are not producing the same volume, dust, earwax, or debris likely entered one of them. Routinely cleaning both AirPods will significantly reduce the chance of this problem occurring again.

How to make AirPods louder?

To make your Apple AirPods louder, you should keep the playback device charged before you play music and deactivate the volume limit (if it’s active). You can also crank the EQ settings up to make AirPods louder at the expense of sound quality.

Why are my AirPods so quiet at full volume?

There are several reasons why AirPods can be quieter than usual. The most common reasons include the low battery on the playback device, poor AirPods maintenance, and outdated software on the playback device. You may also want to deactivate the Low Power Mode and adjust the volume limiter.

Why is the sound coming from my phone even if my AirPods are connected?

If you’re running into this issue, the problem may lie elsewhere. For example, you may need to turn off automatic ear detection. That being said, we have an entire guide surrounding this problem, so make sure to check it out for more in-depth solutions.

3 Most Common Reasons Why Your AirPods Are Too Quiet

I’ll wrap this one up with three of the most common reasons why your AirPods sound quieter:

You left the “Low Power” mode on – fix it by going to Settings > Battery > Turn off Low Power Mode.
Your volume limiter is on – fix it by opening Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Headphone Safety > Turn on Reduce Loud Sounds and set the volume slider to the desired level.
Your AirPods battery is low – fix it by charging them!
I hope I was helpful today. Stay safe!