True wireless earbuds are two separate devices that have to stay in sync. When one goes quiet, the cause is usually one of three things: it is not charging in the case because of dirty contacts, the mesh is clogged with earwax, or the two buds have lost track of each other.
All three are fixable at home in a few minutes.
Try these first — 30 seconds each
[ ]Check the battery level of each bud separately in your phone's Bluetooth or companion app.
[ ]Check the audio balance slider in your phone's accessibility settings is centred.
[ ]Put both buds back in the case, close it for 30 seconds, and try again.
The full fix
5 steps in the order that solves it fastest, plus platform notes, prevention, and when to call
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1
Clean the charging contacts
Wipe the metal contacts on the bud and inside the case with a dry cotton bud or a little isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud. Dirt here stops the bud charging, so it dies first.
2
Clean the speaker mesh
Earwax blocks sound more than people realise. Use a dry soft toothbrush and gentle brushing to clean the mesh, or a small piece of reusable adhesive putty dabbed lightly. Never push anything through the mesh or use liquid on it.
3
Check the balance setting
iPhone: Settings → Accessibility → Audio & Visual → Balance. Android: Settings → Accessibility → Audio adjustment (varies by brand). Make sure it is centred and that mono audio is set how you want it.
4
Reset and re-pair
Forget the earbuds in your phone's Bluetooth settings, then reset them using the manufacturer's method (often holding the case button or tapping both buds for 10–15 seconds with them in the case). Re-pair as if new; this re-syncs the two buds.
5
Update the firmware
Open the companion app (or, for AirPods, keep them near a charging iPhone) to install firmware updates, which often fix sync problems.
Platform notes
AirPods
To reset: with the buds in the case and the lid open, hold the setup button on the back until the light flashes amber then white.
Galaxy Buds
Resets are done from the Galaxy Wearable app → Earbuds settings → Reset.
Stop it happening again
Wipe the buds and contacts weekly.
Always store them in the case so both stay charged evenly.
Avoid wearing them in heavy rain or intense workouts unless they are rated for it.
When to get professional help
If one bud never charges after cleaning, or never shows up after a reset, contact the manufacturer — replacement single buds are often available, and it may be under warranty.
This is general troubleshooting information for home users. Menus and settings differ between
device models and software versions. Back up important data before making changes, and contact
the manufacturer or an authorised repair provider for hardware faults or anything under
warranty.
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