You pop your AirPods 4 with ANC into your ears, expecting the hum of the room to fall away, and instead you can still hear the air conditioner, the office chatter, or the rumble of your commute. Active Noise Cancellation that suddenly feels weak, or that won't switch on at all, is frustrating on earbuds you bought specifically for the quiet. The good news is that the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation genuinely does have ANC built around its H2 chip, so when it stops working there is almost always a fixable reason behind it. Work through the checks below in order, starting with the quickest and safest, and save the reset for the end.
One thing to know up front. These are the open-fit AirPods 4, the version without silicone ear tips. That means there is no Ear Tip Fit Test or Acoustic Seal Test to run, since those belong to the AirPods Pro. So the steps here focus on confirming the mode is on, keeping the microphones clear, and ruling out software and firmware problems.
Confirm both AirPods are in and noise cancellation is actually selected
Active Noise Cancellation only works when the AirPods are in your ears, so start by wearing both earbuds. The official troubleshooting guidance says to verify that Active Noise Cancellation is turned on before doing anything else, because it is easy to be in Transparency or another mode without realizing it.
With both AirPods in, set the listening mode deliberately.
- 1.Open Control Center, then touch and hold the volume control.
- 2.Tap the Listening Mode button at the bottom left.
- 3.Choose Active Noise Cancellation.
You can also switch modes directly from the earbuds. Press and hold the stem on either of your AirPods until you hear a chime. If you wear only one AirPod and want ANC to keep working, go to Settings > Accessibility > AirPods > [your AirPods name] and turn on Noise Cancellation with One AirPod.
Switch off Adaptive Audio so it stops dialing the cancellation down
If ANC feels inconsistent, Adaptive Audio may be doing exactly what it is designed to do. Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts the level of noise control based on your surroundings, so what feels like weak cancellation can simply be the earbuds adapting to the room around you.
To hear pure noise cancellation while you troubleshoot, set the listening mode to Active Noise Cancellation rather than Adaptive Audio. Open Control Center, touch and hold the volume control, tap the Listening Mode button, and choose Active Noise Cancellation, or press and hold the stem until you hear a chime. Isolating plain ANC this way makes it much easier to tell whether the problem is the cancellation itself or just Adaptive Audio responding to your environment.
Keep the external microphones uncovered
On AirPods 4 with ANC, the outward-facing microphones detect external sound and generate the anti-noise that cancels it. If those mic openings are blocked, the earbuds can't sense the noise they are supposed to cancel, and ANC will feel weak or dead.
Apple's guidance is to avoid blocking or covering the external microphones. When you put the AirPods in, make sure your fingers, hair, a hat, or a case aren't sitting over the mic openings. A surprising amount of broken ANC is really just something resting against the mics.
Update your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to the latest software
The first software step in the official troubleshooting flow is to update the connected device to the latest version of its software. Outdated system software can hold back the features that ANC depends on, so update whichever device your AirPods are paired with.
This matters even more if you rely on the smarter features. Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Siri Interactions require iOS 18, iPadOS 18, or macOS Sequoia and later. Running an iPhone, iPad, or Mac on the latest version of its software is listed as the requirement for full functionality, so don't skip the update.
Make sure the AirPods themselves have the latest firmware
The earbuds carry their own firmware, separate from your phone, and outdated firmware can affect how features behave. The official advice is to ensure your AirPods have the latest firmware installed.
Firmware updates install automatically while your AirPods are charging and within Bluetooth range of an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that is connected to Wi-Fi, so there is no manual update button. To encourage one, put the AirPods in their case, connect the case to power, and keep it near your Wi-Fi-connected device for a while.
To check the version afterward on an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth > Info button next to your AirPods, then scroll to the About section to find the firmware version. On a Mac, use Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth > Info button next to your AirPods name.
Clean the meshes if the bass dropped or background noise crept back
If you notice a loss of bass or more background sound when ANC is on, debris on the earbuds can be the cause. Apple's cleaning guidance allows you to clean the meshes on AirPods 4, so gently clear away any buildup that may be sitting over them.
Follow Apple's official cleaning instructions for the exact method, and stick to it closely. As a general rule, never run the AirPods under water and never use sharp or abrasive objects on them, and let them dry fully before charging or using them again.
Test the pause behavior, then reset if needed
Before going further, run a quick check on whether the AirPods are responding correctly. With audio playing, remove one AirPod, and the audio should pause automatically. If it doesn't pause, or you still can't toggle ANC at all, it's time to reset the earbuds.
Resetting clears the existing pairing, so your AirPods will be removed from your device and you will need to set them up and reconnect them again afterward. Use the official sequence for AirPods 4, and note that these earbuds do not use the old physical setup-button hold.
- 1.Put your AirPods in their charging case, close the lid, and wait 30 seconds.
- 2.On the paired iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth. If your AirPods are listed, tap the Info button, tap Forget This Device, and confirm.
- 3.Open the lid of your charging case.
- 4.Double-tap the front of the case while the status light is on.
- 5.Double-tap again when the status light flashes white.
- 6.Double-tap a third time when the status light flashes faster.
- 7.When the status light flashes amber, then flashes white, follow the on-screen reconnection steps.
After the reset, place the AirPods near your device with the lid open and complete the setup prompts to pair them again, then re-test Active Noise Cancellation.
When ANC still won't behave, reach out for service
If Active Noise Cancellation still doesn't work as expected after you have cleaned the meshes and reset the AirPods, the hardware may need attention. The official guidance is that AirPods in this situation may need service.
From here, contact Apple Support to check your warranty and coverage or to arrange a repair. Having already worked through the software, firmware, and reset steps will make that conversation faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the AirPods 4 with ANC really have Active Noise Cancellation?
Yes. The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation genuinely includes ANC. The official tech specs list Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, and Conversation Awareness, and the official ANC troubleshooting article explicitly covers AirPods 4 (ANC).
Why is there no Ear Tip Fit Test on my AirPods 4?
This is the open-fit version of AirPods 4, which has no silicone ear tips. Because of that design, there is no Ear Tip Fit Test or Acoustic Seal Test for this model, since those are AirPods Pro features. Your troubleshooting instead focuses on confirming the mode is on, keeping the microphones clear, and updating software and firmware.
Why does noise cancellation seem to change strength on its own?
That is usually Adaptive Audio at work. It automatically adjusts the level of noise control based on your surroundings, so the cancellation can rise and fall as the environment changes. To hear steady ANC, set the listening mode to Active Noise Cancellation instead of Adaptive Audio while you test.
Do I need a special app to manage my AirPods 4?
No. There is no separate companion app. AirPods 4 with ANC are managed through the built-in Settings app on a paired iPhone or iPad at Settings > [your AirPods name], through System Settings on a Mac, and through Control Center.
How can I check that my AirPods have the latest firmware?
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth > Info button next to your AirPods, then scroll to the About section to see the firmware version. Firmware updates install automatically while the AirPods are charging and within Bluetooth range of a Wi-Fi-connected device, so keeping them in their powered case near your phone is the best way to receive them.
