You pulled your Pixel Buds Pro 2 out after a rainy run or a splash at the sink, and now the sound is muffled, one bud has gone quiet, or you are nervous about dropping them onto the charger. The good news is that these earbuds are built to shrug off sweat and light moisture; the bad news is that water still has to be handled carefully, because mishandling it is exactly what turns a damp pair of buds into dead ones. Work through the fixes below in order, starting with the safest steps, and you give your Pixel Buds Pro 2 the best chance of drying out and sounding right again.
What the IP54 and IPX4 ratings actually cover
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds carry an IP54 rating, and the charging case is rated IPX4 (minimum), according to Google's official requirements and specifications. That means they are designed to handle splashes and sweat, but they are not waterproof. Google is explicit that water resistance is not permanent and that liquid damage voids the Limited Warranty, so every step here is about protecting the buds, not pushing their limits.
Because that resistance is not permanent, a pair you have owned for a while may handle moisture less effectively than it did when new. That is one more reason to treat any liquid exposure seriously rather than assuming the rating will save you.
Fix 1 Stop using them and do not charge while wet
The single most important thing right now is to keep the buds away from power. Google's safety guidance states plainly: "Do not charge your Pixel Buds Pro 2 when it's wet." Charging a wet device can cause a short circuit and overheating, which is the kind of damage that is genuinely hard to come back from.
If the earbuds are sitting inside the case, take them out. Set the buds and the case aside, away from the charger and any USB-C cable, and let them sit untouched before you do anything else. Resist the urge to test them immediately, because powering them on or charging them is precisely what you want to avoid until they are dry.
Fix 2 Air-dry the earbuds and case the safe way, never with heat
Drying is where most people accidentally cause harm, so follow Google's wording closely. Google instructs you to "Dry your earbuds and case after exposure to any liquids," and it warns: "If your device gets wet, do not attempt to dry it using an external heat source." That rules out hair dryers, radiators, ovens, and leaving them in direct sun.
Wipe away surface moisture gently, then let the buds and case sit in open air. After cleaning the mesh with water, Google's guidance is to "air dry for up to 2 hours to ensure it's fully dry," which is a reasonable benchmark for general moisture too. Do not get moisture into any openings, do not insert objects into those openings, and do not use alcohol, benzene, or other chemical agents anywhere on the device.
Fix 3 Keep them out of submersion and running water entirely
Even though the buds are IP54 and the case is IPX4, neither is built for immersion. Google is direct on this point: do not "submerge your Pixel Buds or its case in any liquid or hold them under running water, as doing so may damage your device." That includes holding a bud under the tap to rinse it off, which feels harmless but is not.
If your goal is to clean rather than dry, the next fix covers the approved method. For now, the rule is simple. No dunking, no faucets, and no soaking. The splash resistance is a safety margin for accidents, not a feature you should deliberately test.
Fix 4 Clean any clogged mesh once everything is fully dry
Trapped water or debris around the microphone and speaker mesh is a common reason sound goes muffled after exposure to liquid. Google's audio fix steps say to "Remove dirt around the microphone or speaker holes. Do not insert anything inside these openings." Clearing the surface gently is fine; poking into the openings is not.
For a deeper clean, Google's guidance is to gently clean the mesh with water, then let the buds "air dry for up to 2 hours." Crucially, do not clean the earbuds or case while they are charging. Wait until they are dry and disconnected from power before you start.
Fix 5 Confirm charge, then test audio and re-seat the buds
Once the buds and case are genuinely dry, run through the basics from Google's audio troubleshooting before assuming anything is broken. First, "Make sure your Pixel Buds and case are charged," and "Make sure your Google Pixel Buds are on the latest firmware." A low battery on one bud can easily look like water damage.
If the sound cuts out or only one bud works, Google offers a quick reset for the connection: "Put the earbuds in the charging case for one minute, then remove them." Keep the earbuds near your device with minimal obstructions between them while you test, since distance and interference can mimic the symptoms you are trying to diagnose.
Fix 6 Update the firmware through the Pixel Buds app
Outdated firmware can cause audio glitches that are easy to blame on moisture. In the Pixel Buds app, go to Settings > More settings > Firmware update to check your version. "If there's no mention of an available update, it means you have the latest firmware."
To force a manual update, follow these steps:
- 1.Place your earbuds securely into the charging case.
- 2.Open the Pixel Buds app and go to Settings > More settings > Firmware update.
- 3.Tap "Manual update available."
- 4.Follow the on screen instructions, which will take about 15 minutes.
For Pixel Buds Pro 2 you can also use the web companion app at mypixelbuds.google.com in Chrome or Edge, though note that this web companion app "doesn't have automatic updates," so you will need to check it yourself.
Fix 7 Forget and re-pair the buds on your phone
If the buds connect oddly or inconsistently after drying, removing the pairing and setting them up fresh often clears it. Google's guidance is to "Go to your device's Bluetooth settings and forget Google Pixel Buds." That breaks the existing connection cleanly so the phone treats them as new.
To re-pair, follow these steps:
- 1.Leave the charging case open and ensure the Pixel Buds are securely seated inside.
- 2.Press and hold the pairing button for 3 seconds.
- 3.Watch for the bouncing white case status light.
- 4.Complete setup from the pop-up notification that appears on your phone.
On some Android devices, "you may need to find your Google Pixel Buds in the Bluetooth settings menu and add them as a new device." Note that the published re-pair steps are for Android. Google does not publish iOS-specific pairing steps, and full features require an Assistant-enabled Android phone, while basic Bluetooth pairing works with Bluetooth 4.0 or newer devices including iOS.
The full reset and when to contact Google
If problems persist after re-pairing, a complete factory reset is the last self-fix. This is a destructive step that clears the buds for fresh setup, and on Pixel Buds Pro 2 the reset "also resets the ability to locate them using Find Hub," so you will need to set that up again afterward.
To reset the Pixel Buds Pro 2, follow these steps:
- 1.Go to your device's Bluetooth settings and forget Google Pixel Buds.
- 2.Plug the charging case into power with a USB-C cable, seat the earbuds in the case, and leave the case open.
- 3.On the back of the case, press and hold the pairing button for 30 seconds. Leave the charging case open the entire time.
- 4.The status light will blink orange and white during the reset.
- 5.Release when the earbuds status light stops bouncing and turns off; the status light will bounce white again, which means your Pixel Buds have been reset and are ready for pairing.
If the buds still do not work after a full reset, the issue may be physical liquid damage. Remember that liquid damage voids the Limited Warranty, and at that point your best move is to contact Google support to review repair or replacement options for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Pixel Buds Pro 2 waterproof?
No. The earbuds are rated IP54 and the charging case is rated IPX4 (minimum), which covers splashes and sweat, but Google states they are not waterproof. You should never submerge them or hold them under running water, and water resistance is not permanent.
Can I use rice to dry my Pixel Buds Pro 2?
Google's published guidance does not mention rice. What it does say is to dry your earbuds and case after exposure to any liquids and to avoid using an external heat source. The official approach is to air dry, including up to 2 hours of air drying after cleaning the mesh with water.
Why is the sound muffled after my buds got wet?
Trapped moisture or debris around the microphone and speaker mesh is a common cause. Once the buds are fully dry, remove dirt around the microphone or speaker holes without inserting anything into the openings, and consider gently cleaning the mesh with water followed by up to 2 hours of air drying.
Will charging my wet Pixel Buds dry them out faster?
No, and you should not try it. Google states plainly not to charge your Pixel Buds Pro 2 when they are wet, because charging a wet device can cause a short circuit and overheating. Let them air dry first, then confirm they are charged once everything is dry.
Does liquid damage affect my warranty?
Yes. Google states that liquid damage voids the Limited Warranty. If your buds still fail after drying, cleaning, updating firmware, re-pairing, and a full reset, contact Google support to discuss repair or replacement options.
