Connected, but still no sound from your AirPods Max
Your iPhone shows the AirPods Max as connected, but no sound comes out at all — or sound only plays from one side. This is one of the most common questions we get at Blue Apple, and the problem can be either software- or hardware-related. Below we go through every possible cause systematically, from the simplest to the most technical.
Step 1: check your device's audio output
The most common cause is surprisingly simple: your phone or laptop is still sending audio to a different device. Check your iPhone's Control Centre (swipe down from the top right, tap the audio icon) to confirm the AirPods Max are actually selected as the output device, and not "iPhone Speaker".
Step 2: check volume and settings
- Turn up the volume on both your device and the headphones themselves (turn the Digital Crown).
- Check whether Transparency mode is accidentally on at maximum, which can drown out music.
- Check whether there isn't an active Bluetooth connection to another nearby device "stealing" the audio.
Step 3: reset the AirPods Max
Hold the noise control button and the Digital Crown together for 15 seconds until the LED flashes amber and then white. Then reconnect them to your device. This resolves most software-related connection issues instantly.
When does it point to a hardware problem?
If sound consistently drops out from one side, or you hear static, crackling, or distorted audio, it's almost certainly a faulty speaker driver or a loose connection inside the ear cushion housing — not a software issue. Prolonged exposure to sweat or moisture can also damage the internal speaker. Do you recognise any of these signs?
- No sound from the left or right side, while the other side works fine
- Crackling, tinny, or intermittent audio
- Sound that cuts out when you move the ear cushion
- No active noise cancellation, even though it's turned on
Then we recommend bringing your AirPods Max in for a free diagnosis at Blue Apple in Amsterdam Zuid. We'll check the speaker, the ear cushions, and the internal wiring, and only repair what's actually needed.
Repair costs for sound issues
- Diagnosis: free
- Ear cushion replacement: from €63.20 (often the cause of muffled or intermittent audio)
- Cleaning (dust/moisture in speaker): from €31.20
- Water damage treatment: from €79.20
See all options on our AirPods Max repair page, or book directly for the AirPods Max (USB-C) or AirPods Max (Lightning). We offer same-day service, so you usually won't be without your headphones for long.