Whether you have an old pair of headphones or are experiencing an issue with the earbuds that came with your new smartphone, this guide will help you fix the sound coming out of one headphone. The sound coming out of only one ear can be frustrating, and many solutions may not work or aren’t practical to implement.
Take a look at these steps to fix the sound coming out of one headphone and find the solution that works best for you.
Step 1: Check the cable
Make sure your cable is not damaged or broken. When in doubt, it’s always worth taking your headphones down to a local repair shop and asking them to have a look. Even if they can’t fix it, you’ll still get advice on what might be wrong and how you could go about fixing it yourself.
Step 2: Adjust ear pads
The first thing you’ll want to do is turn your laptop upside-down. The two ear pads are attached by a screw, which allows you to remove them. Since both ear pads are identical, it doesn’t matter which one you decide to adjust. First, remove all visible screws and then gently pull on one of the earpads until it comes off.
Step 3: Switch to Airplane Mode
The simplest way to fix sound coming out of one headphone is to switch your device to airplane mode. It makes sure you aren’t getting any texts or calls and will automatically disable Bluetooth.
Airplane mode will still allow you to listen through your headphones, though! Head on over to Settings>Airplane Mode and flip it on for about 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, flip it back off again and see if that fixes things. If not, keep reading!
Step 4: Reboot your device
This step is crucial, especially if you’re using a laptop or desktop computer. The next time you hear sound coming from both headphones, check for any strange activity in your audio controls or your device’s preferences—you may need to reboot (or restart) for things to get back in order.
Step 5: Uninstall and Reinstall Apps
After uninstalling apps one by one, you’ll quickly get a feel for whether or not an app is causing your problem. If you can solve your problem without reinstalling any apps, do so. (But if all else fails and your troubleshooting is at a loss, you may have to bite the bullet and start over.) But be careful—uninstalling apps doesn’t necessarily fix software problems.
Step 6: Reset your phone
Power your phone off for about 30 seconds, then turn it on. It has worked for many people in such situations. The reboot helps eliminate any temporary glitches and bugs that may be causing your issue. But even after a reboot, if you still can’t hear sound from both sides, it might be time to do a hard reset.
Step 7: Do not buy wireless headphones
Wireless headphones may offer convenience, but they also introduce a problem. Without a wire connecting your headphones speakers, the sound is delivered randomly to each ear.
It makes it difficult for your brain to decipher which direction a sound is coming from and prevents you from being able to make appropriate adjustments in order not to block one ear or another. As a result, wireless headphones can lead to more significant hearing loss in long-term users if used while working around loud equipment.
Conclusion
When you listen to music or watch a movie or video, both of your ears must be aware of the sound. If you only hear sound from one ear, it is important to check your headphones’ connection and check the sound settings on your device. If you are still having trouble with the sound, we recommend choosing another device or trying another pair of headphones to ensure the issue is not with your headphones.
FAQs
Why can I only hear out of one headphone Xbox?
If your Xbox Controller is paired, but you can only hear sound out of one headphone, you must disconnect and reconnect your controller. Ensure that your headset is plugged into a USB port before following these steps. To complete these steps, you will need an Xbox Wireless Controller with a 3.5mm audio jack or chat cable.
Why can I only hear out of one side of my headset?
When sound is distorted or missing, it’s usually because you’ve accidentally misconnected your headset or have a problem with your device. First, make sure that there isn’t a problem with your device. Try another headphone on your computer, phone, MP3 player, or listening device to ensure you aren’t experiencing a more widespread issue.