Headphones Only Work in One Ear: Common Causes and Easy Fixes

Getting only half the audio experience? Here’s your one-stop guide to fix your headphones that only work in one ear.

When your headphones only play audio in one ear, the issue could stem from system settings, software problems, or hardware damage.

This comprehensive guide will help you diagnose and fix the problem, starting with the simplest solutions.

When asked about the first steps in troubleshooting headphones that only work in one ear, Carine advised:

Headphones Only Work in One Ear: How to Fix Audio Source Issues

When your headphones work only on one side, the issue often lies with your device’s audio settings, not the headphones themselves.

Here are some simple settings-related fixes you can try:

• Adjust the sound balance
• Disable Sound Enhancements
• Update the software and drivers

Adjust the sound balance

Windows has a known bug in its sound balance settings that can automatically push more audio to one side of your headphones. This usually happens after system updates or when switching between different audio devices.

Here’s how to fix it:

• Go to Settings and select Sound.
• Click on More sound settings under Advanced.

  

• Double-click your audio output device in the Playback tab.

  

• Select Balance in the Levels tab.

  

• Adjust the sliders for left and right audio until they’re identical, then click OK.

  

Disable Sound Enhancements

Windows’ audio enhancement features can sometimes interfere with proper stereo output, especially with certain headphone models. So, disabling these enhancements often resolves one-sided audio issues.

Here’s how:

• Go to Settings > Sound.
• Under Advanced, click on More sound settings.
• Double-click your audio output device in the Playback tab.
• In the Advanced tab, uncheck Enable audio enhancements, then click Apply and OK.

  

Update the software and drivers

Outdated software and drivers can cause errors in how your system’s sound card functions. This can lead to various sound problems, from your headphones not being detected by your computer to hearing audio in only one ear.

Here’s how to update your Windows OS:

• Go to Settings > Windows Update.

  

• Select Check for Updates.

  

• Once the updates are downloaded, you can proceed to install them.

Then, let’s also update your audio drivers to cover all bases. Follow these steps:

• Right-click on the Start menu icon in the taskbar and select Device Manager.
• Double-click Sound, video, and game controllers from the list.
• Right-click your audio output device and select Update driver.

  

Wired Headphones or Earbuds Only Working in One Ear: What to Do

If system settings aren’t the issue, physical problems with your wired headphones could be causing the one-sided audio.

Here are common hardware fixes:

• Check the connection
• Clean the headphone jack
• Fix shorted wires

Check the connection

A partial connection is often a cause of headphones not working in one ear. To check this, try to remove and reinsert the headphone plug from the jack. Make sure to push until you feel a light ‘click’.

Clean the headphone jack

If you’ve tried pushing the headphone plug to the jack but it doesn’t ‘click’, there might be dirt or lint in the jack.

“Dirt or lint in the audio jack can lead to poor contact and loss of sound in one ear.” – Carine, Support Technician at Linsoul

To clean the jack, carefully use the pointed end of a toothpick or an interdental brush to loosen any dirt, then gently remove it with the brush.

Fix shorted wires

Even if your headphone cable looks fine externally, internal wiring can become damaged from regular use and cause them to ‘short’.

That’s why, there are some cases that which the headphones may work properly at the correct cable angle. This usually happens in the wire near the plug as that’s the part that usually gets tugged or bent the most.

Here’s how to test for internal damage:

1. Play audio through your headphones
2. Slowly bend the cable at half-inch intervals
3. If sound returns at a specific point, you’ve found a short
4. A short typically requires cable repair or replacement.

Wireless Headphones or Earbuds Only Working in One Ear: What to Do

Unlike wired headphones where issues are usually physical, wireless audio problems often stem from signal interference or corrupted device pairing.

Here’s how to fix your wireless headphones that only work in one ear:

• Check for low battery in one earbud
• Reset your headphones or earbuds
• Check for a halfway point issue
• Check for disconnected wires inside the earbud

Check for low battery in one earbud

True wireless earbuds have individual batteries and need separate charging, leading to different battery lives. Often, one earbud (typically the right) handles more tasks, like managing the connection to your mobile device, while the other connects to the first earbud.

This can cause one to drain faster, possibly resulting in audio loss in one earbud.

To fix this, charge both earbuds for at least 15 minutes and then check if the issue is resolved.

Reset your headphones or earbuds

Connection glitches can cause audio to play incorrectly. A factory reset can often resolve this issue.

Here’s how:

• Remove your headphones from audio source by going to Settings > Bluetooth > and click ‘Disconnect’, ’Remove’, or ‘Forget this device’
• Press and hold the power button on your headphones until the light flashes

  

• Then, reconnect your headphones with your device.

Check for a halfway point issue

Most wireless headphones have detachable cords that let you switch easily from wired to wireless mode. However, if you notice that your audio goes from normal to only working on one side whenever you detach the cord, you may be dealing with a halfway point issue.

If you’re still not getting sound in one ear after removing the headphone plug, these switches may be stuck in a halfway position, thus causing one of your headphone speakers to malfunction.

Fortunately, the solution is quite simple and is a matter of trial and error:

• Insert, then remove the AUX plug from the jack.
• Repeat the first step using various angles. The goal is to try and push the mechanical trigger back into its original position.
• Test your Bluetooth headphones to see if this resolves the issue.

Check for disconnected wires inside the earbud

If one side of your wireless earbuds is silent, despite being fully charged, the problem could be internal.

In fact, even if there are no visible signs of damage on the earbuds, your audio issue is probably due to displaced wires in the hardware itself, particularly in the control panel where the Bluetooth module is stored.

To confirm this, you must open the control panel and check for disconnected wires.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I tell if the problem is my headphones or my audio source?
• Can humidity or water damage cause one-sided audio?
• How would I know if I should DIY the wire repair or not?

How can I tell if the problem is my headphones or my audio source?

Test your headphones with another device. If the issue persists, the problem lies with your headphones. If the audio works normally on other devices, focus on your device settings.

Can humidity or water damage cause one-sided audio?

Yes, moisture can damage the internal components of your headphones, often affecting one side first. If your headphones were exposed to sweat, rain, or humidity, try letting them dry completely for 24-48 hours before use.

How would I know if I should DIY the wire repair or not?

While it’s possible to repair damaged wires, it requires soldering skills and the right tools. For most users, replacement is more practical unless the headphones are expensive or hard to replace.