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Dirty contacts are the #1 cause. Look at the bottom of each AirPod stem and inside the case at the magnetic charge points. You'll see small gold pins.
Cheap or counterfeit cables fail more than the case. Use a known-good Apple-branded MFi cable. Test in 2 different outlets.
If your case supports wireless charging (most do): place on a Qi pad. If wireless works but wired doesn't, your case's port is dead — replacement case is $99 from Apple.
Sometimes the firmware gets stuck. Settings → Bluetooth → tap (i) next to AirPods → Forget This Device. Then place case near iPhone with lid open and re-pair.
Open the case lid. Look at the small LED. Amber when charging, green when full. If no LED at all: the case battery is fully dead and might have failed entirely. Try charging for 30 minutes and re-check.
Settings → Bluetooth → tap (i) next to AirPods. If a firmware version number doesn't appear, plug case into power, place near iPhone, and wait 30 min — Apple pushes firmware automatically.
If cleaning + cable test + re-pair don't work, you need a replacement case ($99 Apple, $29 with AppleCare+) or replacement set. Apple doesn't repair AirPods cases — they swap them.
When your AirPods Pro 2 mic fails, calls and voice commands become impossible. Most microphone issues are software-based or caused by blocked mesh. Let's fix it.
Your iPhone must grant microphone access to apps.
On iPhone: Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone. Verify that Phone, Siri, and any calling apps (FaceTime, Telegram, etc.) are toggled ON.
AirPods Pro 2 has dual microphones (one on each earbud). If one fails, switch to the other.
During a call: Tap and hold the audio control panel on your Phone app (bottom of screen) → select a different microphone option if available. Try again.
Earwax, lint, and dust block the tiny microphone mesh, muffling or silencing your voice.
Process: Use a dry, soft brush (old toothbrush bristles work) or a dry toothpick to gently clean the mesh openings on both earbuds. Be extremely gentle—don't force anything. You're removing surface-level debris, not drilling.
A reset clears Bluetooth pairing and audio settings.
Reset: Place AirPods in the case. Go to Settings → Bluetooth → tap the info icon next to AirPods → Forget This Device. Close the case and open it. Hold the setup button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the LED flashes amber then white. Your AirPods are reset and ready to pair with any device.
Determine if the mic is actually broken or if it's an app issue.
On iPhone: Open Voice Memos app → tap Record → speak into your AirPods → stop. Play it back. If you hear yourself clearly, the mic works. If silent or very muffled, hardware is likely failing.
Try your AirPods on another iPhone, iPad, or Mac. If the mic works on another device, the original phone has a settings issue or hardware problem. If it's silent on all devices, the AirPods mic is broken.
AirPods firmware updates fix microphone bugs. They update automatically when connected to a powered iPhone/Mac, but you can force an update.
Ensure AirPods are connected, then on Settings → Bluetooth → tap info icon next to AirPods. Check for any available updates listed.
Sometimes noise cancellation interferes with microphone clarity. Try disabling it during a call to test.
During a call: Swipe up Control Center on iPhone → tap Audio control → select Transparency or Off (instead of Noise Cancellation).
If all fixes fail, the microphone MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) sensor inside the earbud is likely damaged. Signs:
Microphone replacement requires opening the earbud and soldering a new MEMS sensor. It's extremely delicate work.
Most shops replace the entire earbud rather than just the mic because opening and microsoldering is so complex.
If DIY repair isn't for you, our certified technicians can fix it fast.
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