Earbuds One Side Not Working

• Restart your Device/Earbuds: Often, restarting the device is enough to fix the issue. Restarting your device also restarts the underlying software controlling services like Bluetooth, clearing up any temporary glitches impeding Bluetooth functionality.
• Disconnect Earbuds from Other Devices: Earbuds typically connect to only one audio source at a time or automatically switch to whatever device you use. If you recently used your earbuds with a device other than the one you are using, make sure your device is pairing with the in-use device.
• Charge your Earbuds: If you're finding that one of your earbuds isn't being detected, make sure that both buds you are trying to connect to are powered on, and have a full charge. If your earbuds aren't charging, check out our Earbuds Will not Charge page.
• Update your device: Updating your device can help resolve any software conflicts that might be causing issues with how your device handles Bluetooth functionality.

Other nearby Bluetooth devices or signals such as wireless routers or access points can cause interference, reducing the signal strength or causing connection conflicts resulting in an unbalanced audio experience.

• Move your Audio Source: Ensure your audio source isn't near signal-generating hardware, such as wireless routers, access points, or streaming hardware, such as cable boxes, Apple TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire sticks, etc.
• Decrease Distance from Audio Source: Being too far from your audio source or having physical barriers between you and it can weaken the Bluetooth signal, preventing a successful connection. Try to get as close to your audio source as possible, or at least try to be in the same room.

Bluetooth devices generate keys and metadata stored on your phone for automatic connection. On Android, this data is written in a system file typically named bt_config.xml, while on iOS, pairing information is stored in a secure part of the system's storage and integrated with the keychain and Secure Enclave. If this data is lost or corrupted, re-pairing is recommended to solve most Bluetooth device issues.

1. Go to your device’s Bluetooth settings.
2. Find your earbuds in the list of paired devices.
3. Select Forget Device and confirm.
4. Put the earbuds back into pairing mode and reconnect to your audio source.

Bluetooth audio sources typically include an audio balancing option to let users adjust the relative volume of the left and right channels. If this option favors one channel over the other, it can seem that one of your earbuds or headphone speakers is not playing audio. Try adjusting the balancing of your audio so that it is in the middle.

• Adjusting for iPhone: Open Settings, tap Accessibility, then Audio/Visual. You’ll need to scroll down, but there will be a Balance slider that you can adjust to favor the left or right channel.
• Adjusting for Android: Most modern Android devices include an audio balance slider in the Accessibility section. Look under Settings > Accessibility (sometimes under Hearing or Audio Adjustment) and adjust the slider to balance the left/right output. (The path may vary slightly depending on your specific version of Android.)

Firmware is specialized software embedded in your earbuds that enables communication between hardware and software. In many cases, outdated firmware might have glitches leading to frequent disconnections, pairing failures, or an overall poor audio experience. If your earbuds support it, try updating their firmware.

1. Ensure that your AirPods are within Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac connected to Wi-Fi. Place your AirPods in their charging case and close the lid.
2. Connect the charging cable to the charging case and plug the other end into a USB charger or port. You will plug your headphones in if you're trying to update your AirPods Max.
3. Wait for the firmware to update for at least 30 minutes. Don't open your Airpods case during this time.
4. Reopen the charging case lid to reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You can verify the firmware version once more through your Bluetooth settings.

1. Insert the earbuds into the charging case, leaving the lid open.
2. Navigate to and open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone or tablet, and then tap Earbud settings or About earbuds.
3. Tap Earbuds software update, and then tap Download and install. If an update is available, the update process will begin.

In some instances where updating the firmware isn't possible, you might need to factory reset your earbuds.

In some rare cases, earbuds not pairing can indicate an issue with either the earbuds internal antenna. Now earbuds have a lengthy and tempestuous histroy when it comes to repairability, however if you have some micro-soldering skills, consider checking out some of our incredible guides.