Battery problems are a major pain, especially when they happen to a device you use every day. AirPods are no exception.
Ever wondered, “Why does one AirPod die faster than the other?” We completely understand the frustration. This guide was written to help you figure out the cause of your problems and to provide great tips to resolve these issues.
Let’s hop right into it!
This Article Covers:
Why Does One AirPod Die Faster Than the Other?
Does your left AirPod die much faster than the right AirPod (or vice-versa)? There are a number of issues that could be causing your problem.
1. Charging Case Issues
If one AirPod charges faster than the other or your AirPod Pros die so fast, the answer is simple: Your battery case may be experiencing some problems.
Check that the battery case is completely clean and free of debris. Sometimes, dust or gunk can block the charging contacts, leading to poor charging. You’ll need to clean your AirPods properly. If dirt doesn’t appear to be the issue, the charging case may be defective or broken. You can contact Apple for support if you think this is the problem.
2. Using Siri on One AirPod
Why does your AirPod die so fast? The answer could be Siri. AirPods are unique from other earbuds for many reasons, including the ability to program them by setting one AirPod to do a specific task.
If you have Siri programmed onto one AirPod — and it seems to be dying faster than normal — this could be the reason. Resolve this issue by disabling Siri through your phone’s settings.
- Open “Settings” > “Bluetooth”
- Locate your AirPods and tap the “i” icon
- Locate “Press and Hold Options”
- Select the faster-draining AirPod
- Change the setting from Siri to Noise Control (or a different setting)
Related: Why Do My AirPods Keep Disconnecting?
3. Using One AirPod More Than the Other
It’s easy to get into a habit of always using one side. This is especially true if you use your AirPods for calls or leave one ear free to listen to the world around you. If you reach for one AirPod more than the other, that could explain uneven battery drainage. Try using both sides evenly to see if the issue resolves.
4. The Microphone Is Only Active on One Side
If the right or left side of your AirPods seems to be draining its charge much faster than the other, you might have set your microphone to be active on one side. You can change this setting and have the microphones activated on alternating AirPods (using an equal amount of battery):
- Open “Settings” > “Bluetooth”
- Locate your AirPods and tap the “i” icon
- Tap “Microphone”
- Select the setting “Automatically Switch AirPods”
5. One AirPod is Damaged, Broken, or Defective
It’s the sad truth, but it happens: Sometimes, one AirPod is defective, damaged, or broken. If no other solutions help, this could be why one AirPod runs out of battery faster than the other. Take your AirPods to an Apple store for a diagnosis. An employee will help you determine whether you need to fix or replace them.
6. The Battery Needs Replacing
If your AirPods battery is dying fast, the answer could be simple: The battery needs to be replaced. AirPods batteries keep roughly 80% of their charge capacity after 500 charge cycles (from low to full percentage). The more you charge your AirPods, the more their capacity is reduced. Eventually, they simply won’t hold much of a charge.
Thus, if they’re a couple of years old and have been used regularly, it may be time to replace your AirPod batteries.
Related: Are you in the market for a new pair of AirPods? Get the latest model here!
7. The Firmware Needs an Update
Do you regularly lament, “Why do my AirPods die so fast?” It could be a firmware update issue. Although AirPods typically update automatically, there may be some times you might just need to do a manual firmware update.
To figure out if you need to update your firmware, first check its version:
- On your iPad or iPhone, go to “Settings” > “Bluetooth”
- Locate your AirPods and tap the “i” icon
- Check for the version number
The latest version is 5E135. If your AirPods aren’t running on this version, you can force them to update by:
- Putting your AirPods into their case
- Connecting the case to a power source
- Place your iPhone or iPad next to the AirPods case
- Look for the update to install after a short wait
8. The AirPods Need a Reset
A simple “reset can occasionally fix AirPods issues.” In other words, you’ll need to unpair and pair your AirPods once more to your iPhone or iPad. Here’s how:
- On iPhone or iPad, go to “Settings” > “Bluetooth”
- Locate your AirPods and tap the “i” icon
- Scroll down to the bottom
- Tap on “Forget This Device”
Once unpaired, the pairing should be easy and convenient: Simply hold your AirPods case next to your iOS device and open the case. Once your case appears on the screen, tap “Connect.”
Keeping the case open, press and hold the AirPod case’s button (at the back of the case). When the prompt disappears, your AirPods will have re-paired. This process may differ slightly, depending on whether you have regular AirPods or Pros.
9. Features Are Hogging the Batteries
AirPods have some fantastic features which can sometimes cause batteries to drain faster than normal. If you’re asking, “Why are my AirPods dying so fast?” check whether your AirPods have their smart features turned on when they aren’t needed.
By turning off features like noise cancellation or Siri when you don’t need them, you may find that your AirPods’ battery might start lasting longer.
Related: How to Rename AirPods
What To Do if Your AirPods Are Dying Too Quickly
Now that we’ve answered why one AirPod Pro dies faster, it’s time to look into another: Why do my AirPods die so quickly?
If you find that your AirPods aren’t lasting as long as they should, there could be several reasons. Unsurprisingly, these reasons overlap with the ones above. Your AirPods could be dying fast because:
- The batteries need to be replaced.
- The charging case may be defective.
- You may not be charging the AirPods long enough between uses.
- The AirPods need to be reset.
- Smart features are on and wasting battery.
- You may be listening at high volumes.
If you’re tired of constantly having to check your AirPods’ battery to schedule a charging routine, addressing these root causes should help.
Some diagnostic testing can also help you determine why my AirPods battery is dying so fast through trial and error. Once you figure out the reason, you can address the problem and — hopefully — fix the issue!
Related: As a Mac user, you need to clean more than just your AirPods!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Years Will AirPods Pro Last?
AirPods can last 3-5 years or longer — even with daily use, as long as you take care of them properly. The first point of failure is typically the battery (which will see a capacity reduction to 80% after about 500 charge cycles).
If your AirPods’ batteries no longer hold a substantial charge, you’ll likely need replacement batteries.
What Can I Do to Extend the Life of My AirPods’ Battery?
Do you find yourself asking, “Why do my AirPods die so fast?” Quite often, there are a few things you can do to extend the time between charges:
- When not in use, keep your AirPods in their case.
- Don’t fiddle with the AirPods case.
- Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures which can cause battery damage.
- Turn off any smart features when they aren’t needed.
- Listen at lower volumes (your ears will thank you, too).
- Aim to recharge your AirPods when they reach 20-25%.
- Avoid leaving your AirPods case charging for longer than necessary.
Conclusion
Diagnosing the underlying cause behind your AirPods’ battery problems is the first step toward finding a resolution. We hope this guide has helped answer why one AirPod dies faster than the other. Good luck!
Not sure about the AirPods? If you’re not sold on the AirPods and want something else, consider checking out some of the best AirPods alternatives.
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