Music that should sound rich and full is coming through your AirPods Pro 2 thin, muffled, or lopsided, and you are wondering whether something broke. Most sound-quality complaints on the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) trace back to fit, a dirty speaker mesh, or a setting doing exactly what it was told to do. Because these earbuds have no separate app, everything you need lives in your iPhone or iPad's built-in Settings, your Mac's System Settings, and the case itself.
The AirPods Pro 2 are noise-cancelling in-ear earbuds built on the Apple H2 chip with Bluetooth 5.3, featuring Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Transparency, Adaptive EQ, and Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking. They use replaceable silicone ear tips and support the Ear Tip Fit Test, so every fix below applies to this exact model. Work through them in order, and only move to a reset or service if the simple steps do not help.
Start With the Seal Your Ear Tips Make
Sound quality and noise cancellation on the AirPods Pro 2 depend heavily on the ear tips making a good seal with your ear canal. A poor seal is the single most common reason these earbuds sound thin or weak on bass, and Apple builds a test right into the operating system to check it.
With your AirPods Pro 2 in your ears and connected, run the Ear Tip Fit Test:
- 1.Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
- 2.Tap the More Info button next to your AirPods.
- 3.Tap Ear Tip Fit Test.
- 4.Tap Continue, then tap Play.
If the test suggests adjusting your fit or trying a different ear tip, reseat the AirPods and run it again, then try a different size. The AirPods Pro 2 ship with four silicone ear-tip sizes (XS, S, M, and L), and the right size on each ear can transform how full the audio feels. The Ear Tip Fit Test requires iOS or iPadOS 13.2 or later.
Clear the Speaker Mesh and Rinse the Tips
Debris collecting on the speaker mesh is a frequent cause of muffled or quiet audio. Remove the ear tips and look closely at the speaker mesh and the microphone for buildup before assuming anything is wrong electronically.
To clean the mesh, dip a clean, soft-bristled brush (such as a toothbrush) in micellar water until it is saturated, hold the AirPod with the mesh facing up, and brush in circles for about 15 seconds. Then repeat the same process using distilled water to rinse off the micellar water. Pull off the ear tips and rinse them with water only (no soap), then wipe them with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.
Do not run your AirPods Pro under water, and never use sharp objects or abrasive materials on them. Let everything dry completely for at least two hours before putting the AirPods back in the case or using them again.
When One Side Is Quieter Than the Other
If one AirPod clearly sounds louder or quieter than its partner, the cause may not be the hardware at all. The audio balance setting controls how much sound goes to the left versus the right channel, and a slider that has drifted off center will make one side seem weak.
Check it by going to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Balance, then make sure the balance slider is set in the middle. With the slider centered, both AirPods should deliver the same volume; if one is still quieter, return to the mesh-cleaning step, since blockage on one earbud can also cause uneven sound.
Confirm You Are in the Listening Mode You Expect
The AirPods Pro 2 can switch between Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off, and Transparency mode deliberately lets outside sound in. If you have unknowingly landed in Transparency, what you are hearing will feel different and less isolated, which is easy to mistake for a sound-quality problem.
To cycle through the modes, press and hold the force sensor on the stem of an AirPod until a chime plays; this moves between Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off. You can also open Control Center, touch and hold the volume slider, tap the Listening Mode button, and choose a mode directly.
If you want consistent noise reduction, make sure Active Noise Cancellation is on and that Adaptive Audio is not enabled. You can check Adaptive Audio by opening the Settings app, tapping the name of your AirPods near the top of the screen, and tapping Adaptive Audio; you can also reach it through Control Center by touching and holding the volume control, choosing Listening Mode, and looking at Adaptive.
Cut Down on Bluetooth Interference
When sound cuts out, stutters, or distorts, the problem is often the wireless connection rather than the earbuds themselves. Bluetooth 5.3 is resilient, but physical obstructions and competing signals still cause dropouts.
Keep your iPhone or other source device close to you, with no walls or floors between you and the device. Move away from interference sources such as crowded places, heavy Wi-Fi activity, poorly shielded cables, microwave ovens, and wireless speakers.
To rule out a streaming or network issue, play audio stored directly on the device instead of streamed content. If downloaded audio sounds clean while streamed audio does not, the fault lies with your connection, not your AirPods.
Update the AirPods Firmware
Firmware updates can resolve audio bugs, and the AirPods Pro 2 receive these automatically with no separate app involved. First, check your current version by going to Settings > Bluetooth, tapping the Info button next to your AirPods, and scrolling down to the About section to find the firmware version.
Because updates install in the background, you set up the right conditions rather than tapping an Update button. Do the following:
- 1.Make sure your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is on the latest operating system, with Bluetooth turned on.
- 2.Connect that device to Wi-Fi.
- 3.Connect your charging case to power.
- 4.Put your AirPods in the case and close the lid.
- 5.Keep them within Bluetooth range of the device.
- 6.Wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware to update.
Make Sure Noise Cancellation Is Set Up Correctly
If Active Noise Cancellation is not reducing noise the way it should, several small settings tend to be the culprit. Start by confirming your iPhone, iPad, or Mac has the latest software and your AirPods Pro 2 have the latest firmware, since ANC behavior relies on both.
Next, avoid blocking or covering the external microphones, confirm Active Noise Cancellation is turned on, and verify that Adaptive Audio is not enabled. To test whether the AirPods respond correctly, play audio and remove one AirPod; if the audio does not pause, that points to a deeper glitch and you should reset your AirPods (covered below).
Keep in mind that a loss of bass or an increase in background noise can also mean the speaker mesh needs cleaning or the ear tips are not sealing well, so circle back to the first two fixes if ANC still feels weak.
Reset the AirPods Pro 2
If sound problems persist after the steps above, resetting clears software glitches that ordinary toggling will not. This returns the AirPods to a pairing-ready state, so you will need to set them up and reconnect them afterward.
- 1.Put your AirPods in their charging case, close the lid, and wait 30 seconds.
- 2.Open the lid.
- 3.Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds, until the status light flashes amber, then white.
- 4.Place the open case near your device and follow the on-screen steps to pair again.
The amber-then-white flash confirms the reset took effect; if you do not see it, hold the setup button again until the light changes color.
Forget, Re-Pair, and Reach Out to Apple if Needed
When audio keeps disconnecting or distorting even after a reset, the next step is to remove the pairing entirely and start fresh. Removing the device clears the existing pairing, so you will need to set up the AirPods again afterward. On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the Info button next to your AirPods, tap Forget This Device, and confirm. Restart your iPhone, then pair the AirPods again.
If sound issues continue after all of these fixes, the AirPods may need service, and you can contact Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. The free AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues, which covers crackling, static, and loss of noise cancellation, applies only to first-generation AirPods Pro manufactured before October 2020. Apple states that no other AirPods models are part of that program, so the AirPods Pro 2 are not covered by it, and any service would be handled separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my AirPods Pro 2 sound thin or weak on bass?
The most common cause is a poor seal between the ear tips and your ear canal, which lets bass escape. Run the Ear Tip Fit Test from Settings > Bluetooth, tap the More Info button next to your AirPods, and try different tip sizes from the four included (XS, S, M, and L). A clogged speaker mesh can also reduce bass, so cleaning it is the next thing to try.
How do I check what firmware my AirPods Pro 2 are running?
Go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the Info button next to your AirPods, and scroll down to the About section to see the firmware version. There is no separate AirPods app; updates install automatically when the AirPods are in their case, connected to power, and in range of a Wi-Fi-connected Apple device.
Why does one AirPod sound quieter than the other?
First check the audio balance at Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Balance and confirm the slider sits in the middle. If the imbalance remains, clean the speaker mesh on the quieter earbud, since debris on one side can muffle its output even when the balance is centered.
Are my AirPods Pro 2 covered by Apple's free sound-issue service program?
No. The AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues covers only first-generation AirPods Pro manufactured before October 2020. Apple states that no other AirPods models are part of the program, so the AirPods Pro 2 are not eligible, and any repair would be handled through Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider separately.
Should I reset my AirPods Pro 2 if the sound keeps cutting out?
Try reducing Bluetooth interference and updating the firmware first. If the audio still cuts out or distorts, reset the AirPods by placing them in the case, closing the lid for 30 seconds, opening it, and holding the setup button for about 15 seconds until the status light flashes amber, then white. If problems continue after a reset, forget the device, re-pair, and contact Apple.
