Why Is Only One Earbud Working? Reasons & Quick Fixes

We’ve all been there. You’re vibing, your favorite playlist is queued up, and you slip in your earbuds like a seasoned DJ about to drop a fire set— but hold up, what? Suddenly, that immersive stereo sound turns into a disappointing solo band in your ear. Why is only one earbud working? Is it a glitch? Or did your earbuds just decide to rage quit mid-song? From Bluetooth connection glitches and tweaked audio settings to a grime-clogged speaker or a broken wire, there are several culprits to look for.

Sure, it’s annoying. But don’t go full rage-quit and toss those little yet mighty devices in the trash. In this post, we’ll unpack what’s really going on when one earbud is not working, and more importantly, 8+ tricks to fix it without losing your mind (or your playlist).

Why is sound coming out of only one earbud?

Let’s start with the million-dollar question: Why does only one earbud work? You see, earbuds might be small, but they’re packed with tiny components that need to work in perfect harmony. And just like any overachiever, it doesn’t take much to throw things off.

Here are the most common reasons why only one earbud is working, with a bit more behind-the-scenes detail:

• Loose or damaged wiring: Wired earbuds take a lot of abuse—tugging, bending, wrapping around your phone. Over time, the internal wires (especially near the jack or at the base of the buds) can break or come loose. Even a small tear in the insulation can mess with the signal going to one side.
• Audio jack issues: You might blame the earbuds, but sometimes the port they’re plugged into is the real troublemaker. A dusty, bent, or slightly misaligned jack can prevent the full signal from getting through. Imagine trying to sip a milkshake through a cracked straw. Same energy.
• Bluetooth blunders: Wireless audio devices rely on proper syncing. If only one earbud is connecting, the short-range network could be to blame. Bluetooth can be flaky that way, and this is especially common if you took just one earbud out of the case and the other stayed behind like a lazy sibling.
• Mono audio mode: Mono audio is a handy feature for accessibility, but if you turned it on by accident, you’re essentially sending the same sound to both earbuds. The problem is, only one might receive it. The other? Left in silence, wondering what it did wrong.
• Earbud grime or blockage: Let’s be real—our ears aren’t exactly sterile. Over time, earwax, dust, and pocket lint can clog up the tiny mesh speaker in your earbuds. This can muffle or completely block sound from one side. It’s gross, but fixable.

Understanding which of these is at play will help you pick the right fix—and avoid wasting time (or cash) on solutions that don’t apply.

How to Fix Your Earbuds When Only One Works (Wired or Wireless)

Before you rage-order a new pair on impulse when sound is coming only from one earbud, try these fixes. Most of them are easy, fast, and surprisingly effective. 

Check the connection

Wired or wireless, sometimes your earbuds just need a little reboot to snap out of their funk. If you’re using a plug-in pair, pull them out and pop them back in. And when only one Bluetooth earbud works at a time? Head into your device’s settings and disconnect, then reconnect your earbuds.

That old-school “turn it off and on again” trick? Still one of the most effective ways to fix earbuds that won’t pair together. If unsure of your earbud brand, it might help to unpair or “forget” them all and start fresh. 

Try a different device

Plug the earbuds into another phone, tablet, or laptop. If both sides suddenly spring to life, your original device is likely the one throwing a tantrum, not your earbuds. In that case, you need to fix some bugs on your phone to get the sound devices working again. On the flip side, if you’ve got another pair of earbuds handy, test those on your original device. If they work fine, then yeah… your earbuds are at fault. 

The charge case trick

Still wondering how to fix one earbud not working? Sometimes, your earbuds just need a quick refresh to get back in sync. Pop both buds back into the charging case; they are nice and snug in their respective ports. Then, flip the lid open while keeping the earbuds inside. This simple action often triggers a reset or re-sync between the two earbuds and your device. Wait a few seconds before removing them and trying again.

Ensure they charge properly

Another reason why one earbud stopped working? It could be simply because it ran out of juice and didn’t make it to the party. Pop both into their case and let them charge fully before testing again. While you’re at it, check the charging pins inside the case. If they’re dirty, bent, or looking a little worse for wear, that could be the culprit. A quick clean might be all it takes to get both sides back in harmony.

Check your audio settings

Most phones and computers offer a mono audio setting that combines left and right channels. Just head into your device’s Accessibility settings (look for something like Hearing Enhancements), and with your earbuds connected, adjust the Audio Balance bar until things sound right. Ideally, you want that little circle centered—unless you’re intentionally shifting sound to one side.

Hard reset your earbuds

It might be time for the nuclear option—a factory reset. Most wireless earbuds have one, usually triggered by holding down a power button on the case or earbuds themselves for 10-15 seconds after unpairing them from your phone.  Look out for a beep or a flashing light—that’s your signal that the reset worked.

With the charging case lid open, power the earbuds back on (or simply remove them from the case), then pair them to your Bluetooth device. This clears old pairing data and can iron out stubborn connection bugs. 

Clean your earbuds

Sometimes, the reason one earbud isn’t working isn’t tech—it’s gunk. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, a microfiber cloth, or a cotton swab with a dab of rubbing alcohol to gently scrub the speaker mesh. It’s amazing what a difference a little brush-up can make.

Update firmware

Many wireless earbuds come with a companion app that lets you tweak settings—and more importantly, install firmware updates. These updates can do more than just add features. They can resolve pairing issues, audio dropouts, and even improve battery life, so it’s worth checking.

Wiggle the wire

If you’re using wired earbuds, gently bend and wiggle the cord near the jack and the earpiece. Yep, those stress points are usually the first to call it quits. If the sound cuts in and out like a broken walkie-talkie, chances are the internal wire has given up on life. Find that trouble spot and try wrapping it tightly with a bit of tape—nothing fancy, just enough to hold things steady. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to bring a dead earbud back from the brink (at least for a little while). Try this hack too when one earphone is not working.

When One Earbud Isn’t Working But the Other Is on the Computer

Ah, yes, the classic dilemma—One earbud is not working, but only when connected to your computer. Try these hacks:

Re-pair your Bluetooth earbuds

Head to Bluetooth & Devices in your Settings—you should see your earbuds listed there. From the drop-down menu, click Remove to unpair. Next, switch your earbuds into pairing mode (usually by holding a button or opening the case lid), then click Add Device > Bluetooth on your computer. When your earbuds show up in the list, click to reconnect.

Restart your computer

Yes, it sounds cliché—but a good ol’ reboot really can flush out stubborn glitches. Whether it’s a driver misfire or software hiccup, sometimes a restart is the easiest way to reset everything back to normal.

Try a different app or browser

If your earbuds act up only when you’re on Zoom or using Chrome, but work fine everywhere else, the problem might not be with your earbuds at all.  Some apps just don’t play nice with audio settings. 

Try playing audio through a different app or switch browsers to see if both sides of the earbuds work.  If they do, you’ve got an app-specific glitch on your hands. You can also try resetting your sound settings or volume levels across all apps

Update or reinstall your audio drivers

Outdated drivers could explain why only one side of my earbuds works with your PC. To check, head over to Device Manager, find your audio driver under Sound, video, and game controllers, right-click it, and choose Update driver. If that doesn’t do the trick, go full tough love—uninstall it, then restart your computer to let Windows reinstall it automatically.

When It’s Time to Call It Quits

If you’ve tried every fix in the book and your earbuds are still giving you the silent treatment on one side, it might be time to move on. But don’t toss them just yet—here’s a better way to part ways with your half-working audio buddies:

1. Check the warranty

Most earbuds come with at least a 1-year warranty, and many brands make it surprisingly easy to submit a claim online. Grab your receipt or proof of purchase, head to the manufacturer’s website, and see if you’re eligible for a free or discounted replacement. It’s way better than spending money on a new pair prematurely.

2. Explore repair options

Earbuds are on the pricier side (think AirPods, Galaxy Buds, or Bose) might be worth fixing. Some brands offer in-house repair services, and third-party shops do earbud repairs for less than you’d expect. This is especially helpful if the issue is related to a damaged wire or a worn-out battery.

3. Recycle responsibly

Please don’t just yeet your bad earbuds in the trash. Electronic waste (read e-waste) contains chemicals, metal, rubber, magnets, and plastic, none of which is good for the environment. Plenty of electronics stores have e-waste bins or trade-in programs, and some earbud manufacturers will even take them back for proper recycling. It’s a small step that does your conscience (and the planet) a favor.

Not sure where to go? Head to Earth911 and search by your ZIP code to find a drop-off spot near you.  

Final Thoughts

So, why does only one earbud work at a time? Or why is only one earphone working? It could be a hardware issue, a software setting, or just a little bit of grime in the wrong place. Whether you’re dealing with wired earbuds, Bluetooth pairs, or finicky computers, now, you’ve got a solid game plan to bring back that full stereo sound. Your playlist (and sanity) will thank you. 

Ezekiel Maina

Ezekiel Maina is the brains behind ContentGenics, where he pairs creativity and strategy for B2B and B2C content. He has written for brands like House Digest, iFoundries, and BeamJobs, covering topics like home improvement, real estate, freelancing, digital marketing, and career development. By day, he’s crafting content or catching up with clients from his home office, lost in a good book, or occasionally chasing adventure outside. By late evening, he’s typically deep in a documentary rabbit hole on Netflix or YouTube.