One side of TWS earbuds not working: re-pairing, charging case and charging contacts

When sound only comes from one earbud, Samsung names four possible causes. The earbud may not fit well, there may be debris on the speaker mesh, the sound balance setting may be off, or the two earbuds may have a temporary connection problem. Apple separates two symptoms: one AirPod with no sound at all, or one side that is louder or quieter than the other.

Which symptom you have decides the next step. An earbud that is truly dead is usually not charged or has lost its pairing. An earbud that is only quieter is usually blocked by debris, or the balance is set off-center.

A dead earbud has often just run out of charge because it is not charging inside the case. Apple's steps start with the case: make sure it is fully charged and clean its charging port. Then put both earbuds in the case and let them charge for 30 seconds. Open the case near your phone and check the charge status of each earbud.

On a Samsung phone, the battery level of each earbud shows in the Galaxy Wearable app. Samsung also writes that a flashing red light means the earbud is not charging properly. If one earbud does not charge, the problem may be that earbud or the charging case.

Use the supplied USB cable and a charger approved by the maker, because Samsung writes that an unapproved charger can make charging fail. For new earbuds, Samsung asks for at least 10 minutes of charging before first use.

The small metal contacts on the earbud and inside the case have to touch for the earbud to charge. Dirt, dust or dried sweat on those contacts stops one side from charging. Samsung gives a cleaning method for the Galaxy Buds3 series that works as a general pattern:

1. Wipe the charging contacts on both earbuds with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.
2. For the case, dip a cotton swab in distilled water, gently wipe the charging contacts inside the case, then dry them with a dry cotton swab.
3. Leave the case open until it is completely dry, then make sure the earbuds charge again.
4. Do not use alcohol, acetone or other chemicals, because they can cause damage.

If one side is quieter, check its speaker mesh. Remove the ear tip, then clean off earwax or dust with a clean, dry, soft brush or a cotton swab. Samsung warns against excessive force or sharp objects, because the microphone holes, the speaker and the air vents can be damaged. Apple also asks you to check the microphone and speaker mesh on each AirPod and clean them if there is any debris.

A connection that is temporarily stuck often recovers with a restart. Samsung describes how to restart Galaxy Buds: put the earbuds in their slots in the case, close the case, then take them out after seven seconds or more. Another Samsung page says ten seconds or more, because the steps differ between models.

Restart the connected phone too. On a Galaxy phone, press and hold the power button and the volume down button together, tap Power off, then turn it back on.

After that, test the problem earbud on its own. Apple's method: put the AirPod that isn't working in the matching ear, leave its partner in the case and close the lid, then play audio. If that side plays sound, put both back in the case, charge them for 30 seconds, then test them together.

According to Samsung, if one earbud plays no sound at all, or one earbud was lost and replaced, the two earbuds may no longer be properly paired with each other. Pairing them again can bring the sound back. The method differs per Galaxy Buds model:

• Galaxy Buds, Buds+, Buds Live, Buds Pro, Buds2, Buds2 Pro and Buds FE: put both earbuds in the case. Then touch and hold both at the same time for 7 seconds until the light flashes and turns off.
• Galaxy Buds3, Buds3 Pro and Buds3 FE: open the case, then press and hold the connect button on the bottom of the case for 7 seconds.
• Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro: open the case, then press and hold the connect button on the back of the case for 7 seconds until the light flashes blue and turns off.

If the case light keeps flashing red, take both earbuds out, put them back, then repeat the steps. If the two earbuds run different software versions, update them through the Galaxy Wearable app. For a full reset, go to Galaxy Wearable, Earbuds settings, Reset. For AirPods, Apple asks you to reset them if one AirPod still isn't working. Other brands describe their own method in the manual.

A left and right balance setting that has shifted makes one side sound much quieter, as if it were dead. The setting can change without you noticing, for example when someone else uses the phone.

On a Samsung phone, open Settings, Accessibility, Hearing enhancements, then move the slider under Left/right sound balance. Another way is through the Galaxy Wearable app: Earbuds settings, Accessibility, then move the balance slider until both sides are equally loud. Samsung notes that the setting does not apply during calls, and that the early Galaxy Buds and Buds+ may not support it.

On an iPhone, Apple gives the path as the Settings app, Accessibility, Audio & Visual, then Balance; make sure the slider is in the middle. These menu names follow Apple's English support page, so on an Indonesian-language iPhone the names may differ.

Take the earbuds and their case to the brand's authorized service center if:

• a part is cracked, broken, bent or loose, which Samsung says points to an outside impact;
• one earbud still does not charge after you clean the contacts on the earbud and in the case;
• the case light keeps flashing red even after you repeat the pairing;
• the earbuds have been submerged or exposed to liquid, because not all earbuds are water resistant;
• the earbuds are charged but the problem remains after every step, which Samsung says calls for its service center.

If you lost one earbud, buy a genuine replacement from the same brand and pair it as its instructions describe. Do not open the earbuds or the case yourself; inside are a small battery and circuits that are not designed to be taken apart by users.