There are a number of reasons why your airpods might sound muffled. Some of the most common include earwax buildup, an unstable Bluetooth connection, and low volume settings. Additionally, hardware issues could also be to blame, such as a faulty speaker driver or other components that are related to audio reproduction. In many cases, addressing these issues with cleaning, updating macOS, and resetting your AirPods can restore high-quality audio.
To get started with the troubleshooting process, it is important to assess your earwax levels to ensure there are no obstructions blocking the microphone’s openings. After removing the ear tips from your airpods, rinse them in plain water and allow them to dry completely before reinserting them. Additionally, try moving the location where you listen to music or podcasts. A strong signal from the source may be interfering with your AirPods’ Bluetooth connection.
If cleaning your earbuds doesn’t resolve the issue, you can also try resetting them to reset their factory settings. To do this, put your AirPods in their charging case and press the button on the back until the status light starts flashing amber. Once the earbuds have been reset, reconnect them to your iPhone or iPad and follow the steps in the previous section to pair them again.
If the problem persists, it may be time to contact Apple Support. If the issue is determined to be a hardware or software issue, you may need to replace your AirPods.