How to Fix Muffled Sound on AirPods on PC

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How to Fix Muffled Sound on AirPods on PC 1
How to Fix Muffled Sound on AirPods on PC

Are you experiencing AirPods sound issues? If you can’t hear audio when using AirPods on PC, this AirPods troubleshooting guide is for you. We will talk about how to fix the muffled sound, improve AirPods audio, and more. We know how frustrating it can be to not have your AirPods working well, so read on for our solutions!

Check and Update PC Drivers

The first thing you should do is update drivers. Sometimes, a Bluetooth driver update is all that you need to resolve the issue. PC audio drivers ensure that your computer can communicate with audio devices, such as AirPods, seamlessly. If the latest drivers for AirPods are not installed, you may experience connectivity or audio issues. 

Check for software updates on your Windows. Windows device driver updates are bundled into Windows updates automatically. You can also look for the Bluetooth drivers in Windows Device Manager and update them manually, for added measure. 

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Update PC Drivers

Use a Dual-Band Adapter

A dual-band adapter can extend your computer’s Wi-Fi capabilities to include the 5 GHz band, not just the 2.4 GHz band. 

Let’s talk about single-band vs. dual-band. Newer Wi-Fi technology can use the 5 GHz band, while older technologies were restricted to the 2.4 GHz frequency range. 

The problem is that Bluetooth also uses 2.4 GHz. So, if you are using both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi at the same time, it is conceivable that there can be some interference. 

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A dual-band adapter can allow you to switch to the 5 GHz band for Wi-Fi, leaving Bluetooth to operate alone on 2.4 GHz (Bluetooth can’t use 5 GHz). This can boost audio quality and improve AirPods connection by reducing interference. Thus, getting a Bluetooth adapter for AirPods can be a good choice if you are experiencing interference or muffled sound. 

Switch to Earphone Mode

You might want to consider switching to headphone mode instead of earphone mode. If you can’t find a way to optimize AirPods sound and get better AirPods audio, switching to wired headphones might be a good option.

You can reduce interference that way. Since wired headphones use a wired connection to transmit audio, you don’t have to worry about interference. Perhaps there is something in the area that is causing interference. Maybe you’re at a friend’s house and your AirPods are not working well with your PC. Using a wired pair of headphones until you get back home might improve sound quality. 

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Additional Troubleshooting Steps

Here are some tips for troubleshooting audio issues and to fix sound problems: 

  • Reduce Bluetooth interference by turning off other Bluetooth devices and devices that emit radio waves. Even a microwave can cause Bluetooth interference – you probably didn’t know that! 
  • Clean your AirPods. Sometimes, an AirPods cleaning can fix the issue. Small particles of dust can block the sound coming from your AirPods. Clean your AirPods with a damp eyeglasses cloth or wet wipe frequently. 
  • Disable audio enhancements on your Windows by going to your Sound settings (in your System settings), finding your AirPods, clicking on Device Properties, clicking on Additional Device Properties, and then disabling audio enhancements in the Advanced/Enhancements tab. 

Common Questions and Solutions

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How do I update my AirPods firmware? 

To update AirPods firmware, all you have to do is ensure that the AirPods are charging and are within Bluetooth range of your Mac, iPhone, or iPad that is connected to Wi-Fi. AirPods software updates will be delivered to your AirPods automatically. 

Ensuring your AirPods have the latest firmware will improve AirPods performance. 

You can also check your AirPods’ firmware version manually by opening the Apple menu on your Mac, pressing the Options button on your keyboard, clicking on System Information, selecting Bluetooth, and finding your AirPods. You can compare the firmware version listed there with the latest firmware versions listed here

Why is my AirPods sound still muffled after troubleshooting?

If you have persistent sound issues after trying everything in this article, you might have an AirPods hardware problem. I suggest that you can contact Apple support for further troubleshooting and explain that you have unresolved muffled sound issues. 

Can using a different PC resolve the issue? 

Only if the problem is with your PC, you can check if it’s a PC-specific issue by testing AirPods on different PCs. Troubleshoot with a different device and check your results. Do you still have audio issues? If you still have audio issues after doing the alternate device test (and you have ensured AirPods compatibility with that device), the problem is probably with your AirPods, not with your PC. 

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Hardware Considerations

A hardware upgrade might be in order. New AirPods might be the only good solution if your AirPods are very old and no longer eligible for warranty. It might cost so much to fix them that you are better off getting an AirPods replacement.

A PC hardware upgrade can sometimes improve sound quality if you have an old PC. The antenna might be old or damaged, for example, or you may have an old motherboard. 

Conclusion

If you are experiencing muffled sound on AirPods, you can resolve sound issues by following the steps in this article. Hopefully, you now understand how to fix AirPods on PC. Our final tip is to make sure your AirPods are properly charged at all times to avoid losing connection while listening on your PC.  

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Benjamin Levin

Ben is a gamer addict and hardware enthusiast who loves taking apart and building PCs. He has over half a decade of writing experience and is HubSpot certified in content marketing and SEO. He is currently pursuing a bachelor's in computer science with various certifications in the information technology field, particularly relating to hardware. He's excited to share his passion for PC hardware with you and help you create your gaming setup, whether it's your first rig or 100th. Ben has traversed the globe and speaks several languages. His passions include traveling, martial arts, going to the gym, buying random PC stuff he doesn't need, and rewatching Street Fighter and Dragon's Dogma.

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