A quick reset or foam ear tip upgrade can often restore sound quality without replacing your AirPods Pro.
Dirty speaker mesh and earwax buildup are the most common causes of muffled sound—and easily fixed with careful cleaning.
Poor earbud fit or incorrect settings can dramatically reduce sound clarity, especially if noise cancellation is miscalibrated.
Why Do My AirPods Pro Sound Muffled?
Apple’s AirPods Pro are some of the most beloved true wireless earbuds on the market. With active noise cancellation, a transparency mode, and seamless iOS integration, they’ve become the go-to choice for millions of users. But even top-tier tech isn’t immune to the occasional issue.
If you’ve ever popped in your AirPods Pro only to be met with muffled, distant, or weak audio—rest assured, you’re not alone. It's one of the most commonly searched issues related to AirPods Pro, and the good news? It’s usually fixable.
In this blog, we’ll break down the most common reasons your AirPods Pro might sound muffled, how to fix them, and how to unlock their full audio potential.
What Does “Muffled” Actually Mean?
Before diving into the fixes, it’s worth understanding what “muffled” really means. For most users, it sounds like:
Audio that’s quieter than usual—even at full volume
A loss of clarity or sharpness, especially in vocals or treble
Music that sounds like it's playing from underwater or behind a wall
Distorted or uneven sound between left and right earbuds
This isn’t what you paid for—so let’s fix it.
1. Check for Earwax and Debris Buildup
It might not be glamorous, but earwax is often the number one culprit.
AirPods Pro sit deep in your ear canal, which makes them especially prone to wax and oil buildup. Over time, the speaker mesh can become partially or completely blocked, restricting the sound output and making your music sound distant or muted.
What to do:
Inspect the mesh of your AirPods Pro under a bright light.
If there’s buildup, use a soft, dry toothbrush or cotton swab to gently clean the surface.
Avoid using sharp tools, alcohol, or any liquid cleaners—they can damage the components.
Pro tip: Clean your ears, too. Regular hygiene can reduce buildup and improve the overall seal and comfort of your earbuds.
2. The Fit Isn’t Right—And It’s Affecting Sound
One of the most overlooked causes of muffled audio is improper fit. Apple’s default silicone ear tips are designed to fit most users reasonably well, but they don’t always create the airtight seal needed for peak performance.
This poor seal doesn’t just affect comfort—it significantly alters your listening experience. Without a snug fit, bass response becomes weak, treble can sound tinny, and overall volume levels drop. It’s not a speaker problem—it’s a fit problem.
Solution:
Try different sizes of the included silicone tips using Apple’s Ear Tip Fit Test. If none of them feel secure, or if the buds still sound muffled, consider upgrading to memory foam ear tips. Brands like Comply offer tips that mold to your ear canal, improving both the seal and sound quality.
3. You’ve Got the Wrong Settings
Sometimes the muffled sound isn’t hardware-related at all—it’s a software issue.
If you’ve recently updated your iPhone or your AirPods Pro firmware, your sound settings may have been reset or altered. Your audio may be running through an EQ setting that’s dulling the output, or mono audio might be enabled, shifting sound disproportionately.
What to check:
EQ settings : Go to Settings > Music > EQ. If it’s set to “Late Night,” “Spoken Word,” or “Treble Reducer,” it may be affecting your output. Try switching to “Off” or experimenting with “Rock” or “Loudness.”
Audio balance : Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual and ensure the left/right audio balance is centered.
Volume Limit : Check Settings > Music > Volume Limit and ensure it's off or turned up.
4. Noise Cancellation May Be Misbehaving
AirPods Pro use microphones to deliver Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). When working properly, ANC can make your audio sound richer and more immersive. But when miscalibrated or impacted by poor fit, it can actually worsen your listening experience.
Some users report that ANC makes their music sound faint, flat, or uneven—especially during movement or wind exposure.
How to reset ANC:
Go to Settings > Bluetooth and tap the “i” icon next to your AirPods.
Switch from Noise Cancellation to Transparency , then back to Noise Cancellation .
Alternatively, turn off ANC entirely to test if it improves clarity.
If problems persist, a full AirPods reset (outlined below) may resolve lingering calibration issues.
5. Perform a Full Reset
Sometimes the simplest fix is a reset. This can resolve pairing issues, internal sensor problems, or firmware hiccups that affect sound quality.
To reset your AirPods Pro:
Place both earbuds in their charging case.
Close the lid for 30 seconds.
Open the lid and press the button on the back of the case until the LED flashes amber, then white.
Re-pair your AirPods with your device.
It’s a small step, but it often makes a big difference.
6. Moisture or Sweat May Be Affecting Performance
AirPods Pro are sweat and water resistant—but not waterproof. If you use them during workouts, runs, or in the rain, moisture can seep into the mesh or internal components and cause sound to become muffled.
In many cases, moisture evaporates over time, but if you’re hearing muffled or crackling sound immediately after activity, give them time to dry:
Place them in a dry space with airflow
Do not use heat, rice, or compressed air
Leave the case open and allow everything to air dry
7. Firmware Updates & Bluetooth Bugs
Apple occasionally releases firmware updates for AirPods Pro that improve sound calibration, connectivity, and bug fixes. Unfortunately, some users also report that new firmware causes unexpected audio changes.
You can’t manually force a firmware update, but here’s how to check your current version:
Go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the “i” next to your AirPods Pro, and scroll down to see your firmware version.
Keep your AirPods connected to your iPhone and charging near your phone overnight to encourage automatic updates.
If you're experiencing muffled sound after a recent update, a reset might help—or you may just need to wait for Apple to issue a fix.
When It Might Be Time to Replace
Even with cleaning, software resets, and the right ear tips, some AirPods Pro simply wear down over time.
Batteries degrade, speakers wear out, and the internal components can lose their crispness—especially if your earbuds are more than 2–3 years old. If you find yourself constantly turning up the volume or struggling to hear clear sound, it might be time to:
Replace your AirPods Pro
Upgrade to AirPods Pro 2 or other newer models
Invest in high-quality ear tips to extend your current set’s life
Final Thoughts: Don’t Settle for Muffled
Muffled AirPods Pro don’t mean your earbuds are broken. More often than not, the cause is a dirty mesh, improper seal, settings adjustment, or minor glitch that’s easy to resolve. With a little troubleshooting—and the right ear tips—you can bring your AirPods back to life.
Your music deserves clarity. Your podcasts deserve depth. And your ears deserve comfort.
Need better fit and fuller sound?
Check out memory foam tips for AirPods Pro →
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How do I know if I found the right tip for my earbuds?
Use the Tip Finder tool to find the Comply™ foam tip for your earbuds. You may search device brand, model, or Comply product name to find the compatible tip. When you find your device, click on the “View Tips” button to proceed to the Comply product page. Was your earbud not listed? Please fill out our Device Request Form to notify our team about your earbuds. We have over 2000 compatible devices for Comply tips and your input helps build our compatibility library. We would love to learn about your preferred earbuds!
What Makes Comply Tips Different Than Other Foam Tips?
1. Slower recovery time gives you more time to put earbuds in with a comfortable fit ( Comply foam 10- 20 second release time, other foam 2-5 seconds ).
2. Tips don't swell in the presence of moisture, providing consistent performance.
3. Trusted and used by Global Military Personnel in high noise environments.
4. Comply tips have 50% less pressure on the ear canal than other foam tips. 5. Constructed with user-friendly materials providing a soft and gentle experience for your ear canal.
What is Comply's Guarantee?
Customers who purchase their tips from www.complyfoam.com are eligible for our Guaranteed Fit Program . If you ordered the wrong core size or tip size, email us us within two weeks of receiving your order, and we’ll provide you with a store credit for the product that you can use to replace your tip with the right fit. Please note, this program only applies to earphones that we list as compatible on our website and the customer is responsible for shipping costs of the new product. If you purchased tips through one of our online partners such as Amazon or Bestbuy.com, please utilize their return and exchange process for replacing the tips. Please note, we cannot process returns or exchanges for purchases made from other online partners. .
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