Only One Ear Connects

[codeman7]

Hello! I'm having consistent problems with only my left AirPod (with wireless charging case) connecting to my active device.

If I take them out of the case, put them in my ears (more often than not, left ear first), I'll get the connected sound in my left AirPod, audio plays there, and nothing happens with the right one. The only way to fix it is to put them back in the case and then back in my ears. This happens at least 50% of the time, if not closer to 75%.

This has happened despite me completely resetting the AirPods and reinstalling (without restoring a backup) all of the devices attached to my Apple ID. I have a MacBook Pro (Late 2013), iPhone XS, iPad Pro (10.5"), and Apple Watch (S5).

My previous pair of AirPods (original) did this frequently as well, so I can't tell if this is just how AirPods continue to be, or if there's something else I can try.

Thanks!

 

[dmo1028]

Did you ever get this resolved? I’m having the same issue.

 

[codeman7]

I did not, I haven’t found any good solutions outside of the “reset and repair” steps that I’ve tried repeatedly.

 

[dmo1028]

I’ve grown tired of doing the whole reset, wait for the AirPod to stop working, remove from my ear, place in the case, and put it back in my ear routine. I finally found an open appointment at my local Apple store yesterday and took them in. They replaced my right side AirPod and so far the issue is fixed. They really had no idea what could be causing the issue and since I have AppleCare they just made a few notes and replaced it.

 

[codeman7]

This is good to know. Sadly, both of my pairs are out of AppleCare coverage, and I’m pretty hesitant to buy a third pair at this point.

 

[nickdalzell1]

This has been a bug that's well, bugged me constantly. I can most of the time avoid it by putting them both in exactly the same time. I think it's assuming whichever one you put in first via ear detection is what you want the audio coming from. Similar to just placing one in, so it just ignores the other if you put in one at a time. Affects both my Pros and my Gen 2's.

Sometimes I get nothing at all, until I put them in the case and remove them again. A few rare instances I have to wake my phone display up and then it connects and shows 'connected to Nick's AirPods(Pro)' banner.

My Gen 2's have this odd bug where if the case is 50% charged (showing amber light) neither AirPod will connect, and one will make what sounds like a basketball being dropped on the ground. No, it's not the low battery sound that is quite different. It's like some sort of 'error noise'. I wish I could record it. Kinda a 'tap tap tap tap....tap tap tap' beeping style noise. My Pro's if the case dies while I'm using them will emit the 'your AirPods are dying' sound, but keep playing but if you put them into the case (which is dead) and take them out again, neither connect. Me thinks the case is required for pairing. I have also never seen a replacement case available anywhere.

 

[waw74]

it might be a H1 problem, as my powerbeat pros do the same thing.
a couple times a month when I pull them out of the case, the left one doesn't connect