My AirPods work normally when I first open the case, but the left earbud soon develops a buzzing or rattling sound, especially during music with strong bass. I cleaned both earbuds, removed and re-paired them, and tried troubleshooting for about an hour, but the issue continues. They're only around three weeks old, were purchased from an authorized seller, and are covered by AppleCare. Is there anything else I can try, or is the earbud likely defective?
2 Answers
You can do one final check by testing the left earbud with another device and playing audio at a lower volume. Also inspect the speaker mesh without poking or blowing into it. If the right earbud sounds normal and the left one still buzzes, the best solution is a replacement—especially since the pair is nearly new.
Since the buzzing is isolated to one earbud and gets worse with bass, this sounds more like a faulty speaker or internal component than dirt or a pairing problem. Try listening with noise cancellation and transparency mode both turned off; if the rattle remains, arrange a warranty inspection or replacement through AppleCare. A three-week-old pair should be covered.
I tested it again and the buzzing starts almost immediately now, even after cleaning and reconnecting them. I’ll probably use the warranty rather than keep troubleshooting.