One AirPod not working is stranger than both earbuds malfunctioning, but it's a fixable problem nonetheless. The convenience offered by AirPods' simplified connection with other Apple products, in conjunction with the increasing rarity of the headphone jack, has all but secured the ubiquity of Apple's wireless earbuds. Newer releases, like the recent AirPods 5, continue to impress. With a higher price floor than their wired siblings (modern AirPods start at $129), you'll expect these earbuds to last for a while.
If only one of your AirPods is producing sound, it's probably a charging issue. Begin by cleaning the charging port of the AirPods' case and making sure the case itself is fully charged. Then, charge both AirPods for 30 seconds before opening the case near your iPhone, at which point a popup will appear showing the charge status. Assuming everything is charging correctly, test the malfunctioning AirPod.
In case it's still not working, it's time for a reset. If you have AirPods 3, AirPods Pro 2, or older models: put your AirPods in their case, wait 30 seconds, then go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone. Tap the i icon next to your AirPods and choose Forget This Device. If they don't appear, open the lid, hold the circular setup button on the back for 15 seconds, then wait for the light to flash amber and white.
If you're using AirPods 5, AirPods 4, or AirPods Pro 3, the reset process is similar but requires double-tapping the front of the case while the status light is on. Finally, inspect the earbud, clean the speaker mesh, replace ear tips if needed, restart your iPhone, and try another audio source. For unbalanced audio, go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual and ensure the Balance slider is centered.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing