When the noise cancelling on your Galaxy Buds FE suddenly sounds weaker than it did out of the box, it's usually not a hardware failure. These are Samsung's budget ANC buds, so the cancellation isn't as aggressive as the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro anyway, but there's a noticeable gap between "normal performance" and "something is wrong." Most of the time you can fix it in the Galaxy Wearable app, and sometimes just by swapping ear tips.
Check the Ear Tip Fit (It Matters More Than You Think)
ANC on the Galaxy Buds FE relies entirely on a good seal inside your ear canal. If air leaks around the tip, the active noise cancelling can't do its job properly because outside sound still gets in mechanically. Samsung includes two sets of tips: silicone and foam. The foam tips are deliberately placed in the box for a reason, they conform to your ear shape and give a tighter seal than the silicone ones for many people.
Try switching to the foam tips if you haven't already. Put them on, push the buds into your ears with a slight twist, and hold them there for a few seconds while the foam expands. If the foam doesn't feel snug, try the other size in the box. You can also buy third‑party memory foam tips made for the Galaxy Buds FE shape, and that's often the cheapest fix for weak ANC.
Make Sure ANC Is Actually Turned On and Set Correctly
It sounds obvious, but the Galaxy Buds FE can switch between ANC, Ambient, and Off with a touch‑and‑hold gesture, and it's easy to accidentally toggle it while adjusting the buds. Open the Galaxy Wearable app, tap your earbuds, and confirm the noise control mode shows Noise cancelling is active. If it shows Off or Ambient sound, just tap the option to re‑enable ANC.
While you're in that screen, check that you haven't inadvertently set ANC to a lower level. Some Samsung phones let you adjust ANC strength in developer‑hidden menus, but on the FE it's a simple on/off for each mode. Make sure the ANC toggle is blue and that you're not in Ambient mode.
Turn Off Voice Detection (Bixby or Assistant)
The Galaxy Buds FE support voice wake‑up for Bixby and Google Assistant. When voice detection is enabled, the buds constantly listen for the trigger word, and that uses the outside mics in a way that slightly reduces ANC effectiveness. More importantly, the voice detection can accidentally kick the earbuds into Ambient mode if it thinks you're speaking, which kills ANC until you stop talking.
In the Galaxy Wearable app, go to Voice wake‑up and turn it off entirely. You'll lose the hands‑free assistant feature, but you'll get noticeably more consistent noise cancelling during quiet moments. If you need voice assistant access, you can keep it on but watch for the accidental switching, which is the bigger culprit here.
Update the Firmware Through Galaxy Wearable
Samsung has released a few firmware updates since the Buds FE launched in 2023 that tweak ANC processing and improve the algorithm for lower frequencies. To check, open Galaxy Wearable, tap your earbuds, then Earbuds software update. The app will tell you if there's a new version available.
Make sure both buds are in the case with the lid closed, and keep the case near your phone with at least 50% battery. The update usually takes 8‑12 minutes. Skip using your phone for anything heavy during the update to avoid a failed download that forces you to start over.
Clean the Mesh Openings on Each Bud
The Galaxy Buds FE have tiny microphone meshes on the outside and inside of each bud. These meshes feed the ANC processor with ambient sound data. If they're clogged with earwax or pocket lint, the noise‑cancellation algorithm doesn't have an accurate picture of the outside noise, so it can't cancel it as effectively.
Take each bud out of the case and check the small grilles near the touch panel area and around the speaker nozzle. Use a clean, dry, soft‑bristle brush to sweep across them gently. A dry toothbrush with very soft bristles works well. Don't poke anything into the holes, that can push debris deeper and damage the mic membrane.
Reset the Earbuds to Clear Any Software Glitch
If the fit is right, firmware is current, the meshes are clean, and ANC still sounds flat, a full reset often fixes the issue. Open the Galaxy Wearable app, go to About earbuds, and tap Reset. Confirm the reset and wait for the buds to restart. After the reset, you'll need to re‑pair them to your phone, but the ANC profile gets rebuilt from a clean state.
After re‑pairing, run through the ear tip fit test again in Galaxy Wearable (it's under Earbud settings > Fit test). A pass means the seal is back. Test ANC afterward with a steady noise source like a fan or air conditioner and see if the difference is noticeable.
A Note on Where ANC on the Buds FE Works Best
The Galaxy Buds FE are designed to cancel low‑frequency steady noise, things like engine hum, airplane drone, and HVAC rumble. They're much less effective against sharp sounds like voices, clattering dishes, or keyboard clicks. If you're judging the ANC in a busy coffee shop or office, you're testing it in its weakest scenario. Try the same test with a fan on medium speed instead, and you'll hear what they're actually capable of.
