Why are my AirPods so low on full volume?

Check AirPods Volume Settings

One possible reason your AirPods may seem quieter than expected is due to volume limits set on your iPhone. You can check if a maximum volume limit has been enabled in your Bluetooth settings, which caps the max volume for all Bluetooth audio devices like AirPods. To adjust this, go to Settings > Bluetooth and tap the “i” next to your AirPods. Turn off “Volume Limit” to remove any max volume constraint.

Additionally, certain apps like Spotify have their own volume limit setting, so the volume in that particular app may be reduced. You can go into app settings to disable any volume limits to allow full volume control. Games and video apps sometimes also have separate volume controls. So be sure to check the volume settings within the specific app or content you are listening to in addition to the system-wide volume limits.

Sources:

https://support.apple.com/guide/airpods/adjust-the-volume-of-sound-effects-dev33d32b86b/web

Check for Debris or Damage

Earwax or other debris accumulating in the speaker grill of your AirPods can muffle the sound and reduce the volume output. This buildup prevents the audio from radiating cleanly from the speakers. Over time, earwax and dirt trapped in the grill opening can harden and be difficult to remove. Regularly inspecting and cleaning your AirPods can help avoid this issue.

Damage to the delicate speaker drivers inside the AirPods is another cause of reduced volume. Dropping your AirPods or exposing them to moisture can potentially damage the speaker components and affect sound quality and volume. One sign of hardware damage is if only one AirPod has reduced volume while the other remains normal. Running a audio diagnostic test can help determine if a hardware problem exists.

For extreme cases of clogged earwax or suspected water damage, Apple recommends bringing your AirPods to an Apple Authorized Service Provider for professional cleaning and assessment.

Update Software

Outdated firmware can sometimes be the culprit behind issues with AirPods, including low maximum volume. AirPods rely on firmware to function properly and access the latest features. If the AirPods or connected devices are not up-to-date, it can cause problems.

To rule out software, first make sure the AirPods themselves have the latest firmware version. Firmware updates contain bug fixes and improvements over time. Check for available firmware updates in the Bluetooth settings on iOS devices. Newer versions of iOS can automatically install updates in the background. However, manually checking and triggering an update is recommended if experiencing problems.

Additionally, keep the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or other connected devices updated to the latest OS versions. Apple releases software updates to fix issues, so being on outdated versions can introduce bugs and glitches. Having the latest OS on all connected devices ensures proper communication and full compatibility with AirPods.

See this Apple support article for more details on applying firmware updates.

Battery Level

Lower battery charge reduces the maximum volume at which AirPods can play audio. As the battery level decreases, the peak volume AirPods can produce is scaled back to preserve battery life.

Checking the battery levels of both the AirPods and the connected device is recommended to ensure ample charge. AirPods may show around 50% battery remaining, but this may be insufficient for full-volume playback if the paired iPhone or other device has low battery as well. Fully charging both devices helps maximize volume output.

Apple recommends charging the AirPods case with the AirPods inside for at least 5 minutes to provide roughly 1 hour of playback time (Apple 1). Allowing both AirPods and the connected device to charge to 100% may restore full volume potential.

Environmental Factors

The noise level of the surrounding environment can significantly impact the perceived volume of AirPods (Apple.com, 2023). Background noise naturally makes it harder to hear your audio playback clearly. Even at full volume, AirPods may sound quieter if there is loud ambient noise from traffic, machinery, crowds of people, etc. Trying to listen in a noisy environment essentially makes your AirPods compete with the background noise.

Additionally, wind hitting the AirPods can generate sound that masks your audio. This wind noise effect can reduce the perceived volume of your music, podcasts, calls, etc. So using AirPods outside on a windy day may require turning the volume up higher than usual to overcome the wind noise interference (Apple.com, 2023).

Hearing Health

Earwax buildup or hearing loss can affect the volume you hear from your AirPods. If your ears are blocked with excess earwax, it can dampen the sound coming from your AirPods. Additionally, age-related hearing loss or noise-induced hearing loss from loud environments can make AirPods seem quieter.

If you suspect you have a hearing issue, it’s best to schedule an appointment with an audiologist for a hearing test. An audiologist can check for earwax blockages and test your hearing sensitivity across different frequencies. This can identify if you have hearing loss that is impacting your ability to hear your AirPods clearly.

Treating any underlying ear or hearing issues can often restore normal AirPods volume levels. But if hearing loss is permanent, you may need to adjust settings to boost AirPod volume levels for your needs.

AirPods Fit

One potential cause of low volume on AirPods is an improper fit in the ear. AirPods rely on forming a tight seal in the ear canal to direct sound into the ear and limit sound leakage. If the AirPods are loose in the ear, it can allow a significant amount of sound to escape rather than being directed into the ear canal. This sound leakage will make the volume seem much lower than expected.

To address a loose fit, first try adjusting the position of the AirPods in your ear to get a tighter seal. You can also try using a different sized eartip if available. AirPods Pro and some other models include small, medium, and large sized eartip options. Switching to a different sized eartip can often drastically improve the seal and limit sound leakage (source). The right eartip needs to form a tight seal in the ear canal, without being so tight that it is uncomfortable. Take some time to experiment with getting the best possible fit.

Interference

Nearby electronics like wireless routers, microwaves, cordless phones, and other Bluetooth devices can cause interference with AirPods (source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211157). The signal between AirPods and your device can be disrupted by this electromagnetic interference, leading to issues like low volume, static, or dropouts. Using AirPods away from potential sources of interference, like not placing the charging case next to a wireless router, can help minimize disruptions.

You can also try changing the channel your other Bluetooth devices use to reduce interference with the AirPods. For example, if you use a Bluetooth mouse that’s causing interference, you may be able to right click on the mouse settings and select a different channel (source: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253534920). Using AirPods in a different room than other Bluetooth electronics can help as well.

Staying within Bluetooth range of your connected device (up to 33 feet or 10 meters) and avoiding obstructions between you and the device will also minimize potential wireless interference issues affecting AirPods volume (source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211157).

Hardware Issues

In some cases, underlying hardware problems with the AirPods can cause low maximum volume. The speakers inside the AirPods can become faulty over time and degrade in performance, resulting in lower maximum volume and sound quality.

Additionally, according to Apple Support, issues with the logic board inside AirPods can also lead to problems like crackling/static sounds and reduced volume. If the connections between components on the logic board weaken or fail entirely, it can interfere with the audio output and limit volume.

These types of hardware problems often require repair or replacement from Apple, as there is no DIY fix. Checking for eligible repair/replacement programs from Apple is advised if hardware issues are suspected.

Reset AirPods

Resetting your AirPods to their default factory settings can help resolve issues with low volume levels. This resets the AirPods and clears out any problematic settings that may be causing volume problems. Here are the steps to factory reset AirPods:

1. Place the AirPods in their case and make sure the case is charged.
2. Open the lid of the AirPods case and press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes amber.
3. Close the lid and wait 30 seconds for the reset to complete. The status light will flash white once the AirPods have been reset.
4. Open the AirPods case lid, remove the AirPods, and reconnect them to your device to complete setup.

Resetting deletes any custom settings and restores volume and audio controls to default settings. This often resolves issues with low maximum volume levels (“Reset AirPods”). If volume problems persist after a reset, there may be other underlying issues with hardware or settings.