People can't hear you on calls with your Pixel Buds Pro 2, voice memos record silence, or one bud's mic seems dead while the other works fine. Checking settings, cleaning the buds, and reconnecting them can help you troubleshoot the problem.
Before changing any settings, it helps to know whether the buds are picking up anything at all. Connect them to your phone or computer and run a quick online mic test. Make sure the test is using the buds' microphone. If the level meter moves when you speak, that microphone is picking up audio during the test.
Check whether the calling or testing app is using the Pixel Buds microphone. If the app offers a microphone or audio device selector, choose Pixel Buds Pro 2. Then make a test call or recording to check whether your voice is being picked up.
Clean the Microphone Openings
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 have microphone mesh that needs regular cleaning. Check the mesh for earwax, lint, or other debris that could be blocking it. Buildup around the microphone openings can cause audio issues, so cleaning is worth trying when your voice sounds quiet or muffled.
For stubborn buildup, dip an extra soft toothbrush in water or micellar water and brush the mesh in circular motions for 15 seconds. Blot with a paper towel and repeat twice. Rinse the bristles, brush once more for 15 seconds, then blot and air dry for up to 2 hours. Don't clean while charging or insert anything into the openings.
Check App Microphone Permissions
The buds may be sending audio fine and the app you're using simply doesn't have mic permission. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > See all apps > find the app (Phone, WhatsApp, Zoom, etc.) > Permissions > Microphone > choose Allow only while using the app. If you're on an iPhone, check Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and make sure the calling app is enabled (there is no Pixel Buds companion app on iOS, only Bluetooth pairing).
Also, if the issue only shows up in a single app, check that app's microphone permission before changing the buds' settings.
Restart Your Phone
Try reconnecting the buds before restarting your phone. Turn Bluetooth off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. The buds should reconnect automatically; if they don't, connect them through your phone's Bluetooth settings.
If the problem continues, forget the Pixel Buds in your phone's Bluetooth settings, restart your phone, and pair the buds again. Then place a test call to check whether your voice comes through.
Reset the Pixel Buds Pro 2
If the mic still misbehaves, try a factory reset, which resets the buds' settings and preferences, including Find Hub location capability. First, forget the buds in your phone's Bluetooth settings. Plug the case into power with a USB-C cable, seat both buds inside, and leave the lid open. Hold the pairing button on the back for 30 seconds, then release it when the status light stops bouncing and turns off.
The light will blink orange and white during the reset, then bounce white when the buds are ready to pair again. Pair them with your phone and test the microphone.
Test the Mic in Voice Recorder First
If the problem only happens in specific apps like Zoom or WhatsApp, test the mic with the built-in Voice Recorder or Recorder app (Google's Pixel Recorder app is excellent). Check that the recorder is using the buds' microphone. If that recording sounds clear, check the third-party app's audio settings next. Reinstall that app or check its in-app audio device picker.
You can also compare a Google Meet or FaceTime call (if on iOS) with a regular phone call. If call audio is unclear in a noisy environment, try different ANC modes on the buds; Transparency mode may interfere with call quality.
On a Computer, Set the Right Input Device
When you connect Pixel Buds Pro 2 to a laptop or PC for calls, check which microphone the system and calling app are using. Bluetooth audio quality can change when the microphone is active. If your voice sounds distant, check the selected input device and compare a test call with another app.
On macOS, open System Settings > Sound and set both Input and Output to Pixel Buds Pro 2. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Sound, set Input and Output to Pixel Buds Pro 2 (Hands-Free) for the call. After the call, switch Output back to Pixel Buds Pro 2 (Stereo / A2DP) for music, otherwise everything stays in mono.
Update the Firmware
With automatic updates enabled, firmware downloads while you use the buds with your phone, taking about 10 minutes. Installation begins when you place them in the case, provided the buds and case have sufficient charge. On a Pixel phone, go to Settings > Connected devices, tap the gear next to your buds, then go to More settings > Firmware update (or Settings > System > Software updates > App updates and tap Settings next to your Pixel Buds). On other Android phones, open the Pixel Buds app, then go to More settings > Firmware update. If no update is mentioned there, you have the latest firmware.
If an update is available, make sure automatic updates are enabled and give the buds time to download it during use. Put them in the case for installation, which also takes about 10 minutes. An interrupted update resumes at the next opportunity. After it finishes, test the mic again.
Avoiding Conversation Detection Triggers
Pixel Buds Pro 2 have a Conversation Detection feature that automatically pauses audio and switches to Transparency mode when it hears you speaking. If unwanted pauses are the problem, try turning Conversation Detection off in the Pixel Buds app under Sound > Conversation Detection. For unclear call audio in a noisy environment, try different ANC modes, since Transparency mode may interfere with call quality.
If the mic still fails after a reset, cleaning, and firmware update, and one specific bud reliably can't record while the other works fine, that bud may have a hardware mic issue. Contact Google or the retailer you bought them from to check your warranty coverage and replacement options.