Quick Fix: The most common reason one TWS earbud goes silent is that the two earbuds have lost their internal sync with each other. Place both earbuds back in the charging case, hold the reset button for 5–10 seconds until the LEDs flash, then remove both earbuds simultaneously to force them to re-pair with each other.

Why This Happens

TWS (True Wireless Stereo) earbuds work by connecting the two units to each other first, then routing audio from your phone to both. When this internal connection breaks — due to a low battery on one side, a Bluetooth glitch, or corrupted pairing data — one earbud stops receiving audio entirely. Other common causes include earwax or debris blocking the speaker mesh, dirty charging contacts preventing one earbud from charging, or an audio balance setting on your phone that is skewed entirely to one side.

Step-by-Step Fix

  1. Check Audio Balance on Your Phone — Go to Settings > Accessibility (on Android) or Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual (on iPhone) and look for an Audio Balance or Left/Right Balance slider. If it is shifted to one side, drag it back to the centre. This single setting is responsible for one-sided audio far more often than people realise and takes ten seconds to fix.
  2. Clean the Charging Contacts — Remove both earbuds and inspect the small metal pins on the earbuds and inside the charging case. Use a dry cotton swab or soft toothbrush to gently wipe away earwax, sweat residue, or dust. In Indian climate conditions, humidity and dust can build up quickly on contacts, causing uneven charging and one earbud dying faster than the other.
  3. Recharge Both Earbuds Fully — After cleaning the contacts, place both earbuds firmly in the case — the LED for each should illuminate — and charge for at least 20 to 30 minutes with the lid closed. A deeply discharged earbud can appear completely dead. This simple step resolves the issue in many cases without any further action needed.
  4. Forget the Earbuds and Re-pair from Scratch — On your phone, open Bluetooth Settings, tap on your earbuds in the list, and choose Forget Device or Unpair. Then place both earbuds in the case, open the lid to trigger pairing mode (or hold the pairing button), and reconnect to your phone. This eliminates a corrupted Bluetooth session that can prevent proper stereo audio distribution.
  5. Perform a Factory Reset on the Earbuds — Most TWS earbuds are reset by placing them in the open case and holding the case button or both earbud stems simultaneously for 5 to 10 seconds until the LED flashes a specific pattern (usually alternating red and white, or three rapid blinks). Check your model's quick-start guide for the exact method. A reset clears all stored data and forces the two earbuds to re-establish their internal connection.
  6. Remove Both Earbuds from the Case at the Same Time — After the reset, take both earbuds out of the case together in one motion. This is critical — removing only one earbud first causes it to connect to your phone independently in mono mode, leaving the second earbud appearing non-functional. Wait for both to chime or for the LED to indicate pairing, then connect to your phone.
  7. Test on a Second Phone or Tablet — Pair your earbuds with a different Bluetooth device to determine whether the fault is with the earbuds or your phone. If both earbuds produce clear stereo sound on another device, the issue is on your phone's side. On Android, try clearing the Bluetooth cache: go to Settings > Apps > Show System Apps > Bluetooth > Storage > Clear Cache, then restart your phone and re-pair.
  8. Clean the Speaker Mesh on the Silent Earbud — Look closely at the speaker grille on the earbud that produces no sound. Earwax is one of the most overlooked causes of one-sided audio and is extremely common in Indian humidity. Use a clean, dry, soft-bristled toothbrush to gently brush the mesh in a circular motion. Never use water, alcohol, pins, or sharp objects on the mesh as this will permanently damage the internal speaker driver.

Still Not Working? Advanced Fixes

If the steps above have not resolved the issue, try these additional troubleshooting methods before concluding there is a hardware fault:

  • Update Firmware via the Companion App — If your earbuds have a companion app (such as Sony Headphones Connect, Samsung Galaxy Wearable, or a brand-specific app), open it and check for a firmware update. Outdated firmware can cause persistent one-sided audio bugs that are officially patched in newer versions. Connect to Wi-Fi, update the firmware, and then reset and re-pair the earbuds once the update is complete.
  • Disable Mono Audio Mode — On Android, go to Settings > Accessibility and make sure Mono Audio is toggled OFF. When Mono Audio is enabled, your phone deliberately sends the same single-channel audio to both earbuds but some devices or apps may interpret this differently, causing one earbud to drop out. On iPhone, check Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual and confirm Mono Audio is switched off.
  • Check for App-Level Audio Settings — Some music streaming apps — including Spotify, JioSaavn, and YouTube Music — have their own audio or equaliser settings that can redirect sound. Open the app you were using when you noticed the issue, go to its Settings or Audio Quality section, and reset any equaliser or spatial audio settings to default. Also try playing audio from a completely different app to confirm whether the issue is app-specific.
  • Try Charging the Case with a Different Cable and Adapter — A faulty USB-C or Micro-USB cable can deliver inconsistent power to the case, causing one earbud's charging bay to receive less current. Swap to a certified cable and a standard 5V/1A or 5V/2A charger. Avoid fast chargers for TWS cases as some cases are not designed to handle higher voltages and this can cause charging irregularities for individual earbuds.

When to Contact Support

If one earbud consistently produces no sound across multiple phones, after a full factory reset, after thorough cleaning, and after a complete recharge — the internal speaker driver or Bluetooth chip in that earbud is likely physically damaged. Other signs of hardware failure include the silent earbud not lighting up at all when placed in the case, the earbud feeling noticeably lighter than the other (indicating a swollen or failed battery), or visible damage to the mesh or casing. In such cases, attempting further home fixes can void your warranty. iTechArena offers a 7-day return policy on all products and stocks only genuine earbuds with full manufacturer warranty. Bring your original purchase bill, box, and all accessories to our store at SCO-1072-73, Sector 22B, Chandigarh, or reach our support team instantly on WhatsApp at +91 9023252627. You can also browse replacement or upgrade options at itecharena.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does only one TWS earbud connect to my phone while the other stays silent?

This happens when the two earbuds lose their internal sync with each other — a core feature of how TWS technology works. When only one connects to your phone, the other stays in standby or off mode. Perform a factory reset on your earbuds and then remove both from the case simultaneously to force them to find each other before connecting to your phone. This resolves the issue in the vast majority of cases.

Can a low battery cause one earbud to go silent?

Yes, this is extremely common. If dirty or corroded charging contacts prevent one earbud from charging fully, it will run out of battery quickly during a listening session and go silent while the other continues to play. Always check that both earbuds show a charging LED when placed in the case, and clean the contacts regularly — especially important in dusty or humid conditions common across India.

Will resetting my TWS earbuds delete all my paired devices?

Yes, a factory reset will erase all Bluetooth pairing data stored inside the earbuds, meaning you will need to pair them again with your phone and any other devices you use. However, your phone's other Bluetooth pairings and settings are completely unaffected. The re-pairing process is straightforward and typically takes under two minutes using your phone's Bluetooth Settings menu.

My right earbud has no sound even after resetting and cleaning — is it broken?

If one specific earbud consistently produces no sound across multiple different phones, after a full factory reset, and after thorough mesh and contact cleaning, the internal speaker driver may have failed due to physical damage, moisture ingress, or a manufacturing defect. This would be covered under warranty if your earbuds are within the warranty period. Visit iTechArena at SCO-1072-73, Sector 22B, Chandigarh, or WhatsApp +91 9023252627 with your bill for warranty assistance.

Is it safe to clean TWS earbuds with alcohol or water?

No. You should never apply liquids directly to the speaker mesh or charging contacts. Even earbuds rated IPX4 or IPX5 for sweat resistance are not designed to have liquids poured or rubbed onto them. Moisture can corrode the internal contacts and permanently damage the micro speaker driver. Always use a dry, soft-bristled brush or a dry cotton swab for all cleaning tasks.

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