Engadget's troubleshooting guide addresses a common annoyance: one AirPod stops producing sound while the other works fine. Because modern AirPods start at $129, the guide's advice is aimed at extending the life of the earbuds before considering a replacement.
The first suspected cause is charging. The guide recommends cleaning the case's charging port and the bottom of the case where the earbuds make contact, then charging both AirPods for 30 seconds. Opening the case near an iPhone shows the charge status; a Batteries widget can provide faster checks. If the silent AirPod works after that, the fix is simply a matter of ensuring proper contact.
If charging isn't the issue, the next step is a reset. For older models, users put the AirPods in the case, forget the device in Bluetooth settings, and hold the setup button on the back until the light flashes amber and white. Newer models such as AirPods 4, AirPods 5, and AirPods Pro 3 use a double-tap on the front of the case instead. The guide also suggests cleaning the speaker mesh, replacing worn ear tips, restarting the iPhone, and trying another audio source. For unbalanced audio, the iPhone's Accessibility settings include a Balance slider that should be centered.
None of these steps require special tools or technical expertise, and they address the most common causes before a user would need to seek professional repair. The source does not mention any other scenarios, so users with persistent problems after these steps would need additional support.