why JLAB Earbud One Side Not Working-Fast fix! (2024)

Ifrah Syed · January 28, 2024

As a fan of JLab JBUDS Air ANC earbuds, I appreciated their noise cancellation, long battery life, and multipoint connections—key features that made them a favorite.

However, like many JLab earbud users, I encountered a problem where one side stopped working.

I realized that this issue was not unique and occasionally happened to others too.

I found that a simple charge or factory reset could often fix the issue—a straightforward fix for a significant flaw.

In searching for permanent solutions , I’ve often been able to resolve my JLab earbuds issues, and I hope they guide you just as effectively.

RELATED : “QUICK FIX: ONE SIDE DEAD ON BLUETOOTH EARBUDS!”

Remember, patience and the right approach can bring your beloved earbuds back to life.

Key Takeaway

Initial Troubleshooting Steps: Before diving into complex solutions, ensure that both buds are powered on. Sometimes, the issue is as simple as one earbud being off or having run out of power.
A quick recharge might be all you need.
Factory Reset: If basic steps don’t work, a factory reset is often the next line of defense. This involves reconnecting the earbuds to each other and the source device.
Dealing with Hardware Issues: At times, the problem might be with a damaged or malfunctioning earbud.
If warranty terms allow, don’t hesitate to open up a claim with the retailer or manufacturer for a replacement. Remember, attempting to fix it yourself might go against the warranty terms.
Assess Sound Balancer: If the sound balancer is off, it might cause the audio to favor one earbud over the other, or in extreme cases, mute one earbud entirely. Ensure that the audio balancing setting is not the root of your issue.
Firmware and Source Device Checks: Don’t overlook the source device’s firmware. Ensure it’s updated and functioning correctly, as this can often be the hidden culprit behind connectivity issues.

Common Issue: One JLab Earbud Not Working

Experiencing one JLAB earbud not working, particularly the left earbud, is a common concern.

This issue isn’t unique to specific models, as even JLAB Go Air’s right earbud not working has been reported.

Most wireless earphones use the right earphone for central pairing, leaving the left earbud reliant on it.

This setup can lead to connectivity problems. If you encounter this, addressing it promptly ensures a seamless listening experience.

Why JLab Earbud Not Working

Let’s delve into the world of earbud connectivity issues and explore the various reasons behind earbuds not turning on or working properly like one earbud remains silent. .

One JLAB earbud not working problem can be caused by various factors, including incorrect initial configuration, pairing complications, battery depletion, or ultimately, hardware malfunctions

Along the way, we’ll uncover handy fixes to address these problems, including the essential technique of how to reset earbuds to resolve these issues effectively.

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Note: Keep in mind that at times, repeating the reset process multiple times may be necessary for the earbuds to successfully reestablish a connection.

Additionally, it’s crucial to turn off Bluetooth on any other devices in the vicinity to prevent interference during the resetting of your earbuds.

This ensures a smoother and more efficient reset

Improper Bluetooth Setup:

A common hiccup occurs when Bluetooth is not set up properly. This often traces back to the factory settings.

A thin plastic strip is inserted in the small opening of the charging case to preserve battery during shipping. This tab must be removed to activate the earbuds.

When placing them in the case for the first time, you should see a blue light flash. This indicates a proper setup and is crucial for the Bluetooth connection to function correctly.

If overlooked, this can lead to one of the earbuds not working, often mistaken as a defect.

One JLab Earbud is Powered Off

When using JLAB earbuds, it’s essential to ensure that both are powered on. Typically, when taken out of the case, they should automatically sync with each other and enter pairing mode.

The buds are designed to power off automatically when return to the case , a feature making them easy to operate.

However, sometimes, manual procedures need to be initiated if JLAB earbuds not pairing together.

MUST READ : GET CONNECTED: FIX JLAB EARBUDS NOT PAIRING TOGETHER

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There can be an incident where one earbud powers down while the other remains on.

In such cases, if you notice that one bud is not working, it’s crucial to manually check and ensure both earbuds are powered on for optimal performance.

A simple fix is to hold down the power button for three seconds to power on the earbud. If this does not work, it might need charging.

This basic step is easily overlooked but crucial for proper functionality.

Sometimes, manual procedures need to be initiated if JLAB earbuds not pairing together.

Manual Restart :

To manually restart your earbuds in a simple way, just follow these steps:

Turn off Bluetooth: First, switch off the Bluetooth on the device that’s connected to the earbuds.
Place Earbuds in Ears: Next, put both earbuds in your ears.

Power Off Working Earbud: On the earbud that is working, either touch and hold the touchpad or press and hold the button (depending on your model) for 3-5 seconds. You’ll hear a tone or a ‘Goodbye’ message to let you know it’s off.

Repeat with Other Earbud: Do the same thing with the other earbud. If it was off, you’ll hear a tone or a ‘Hello’ or ‘Ready to pair’ message when it turns on.

Power On Non-Working Side if Needed: If the side that wasn’t working turns off, turn it back on by holding the touchpad until you hear ‘Hello’.

Remove and Place Close Together: Take both earbuds out and place them close to each other (within two inches).

Wait for Connection Signals: You’ll see them flashing white as they try to connect. Once paired, one might flash blue and white, and the other will be solid white.
In some models, both will flash blue and white.

Reconnect to Device: Finally, reconnect the earbuds to your device and check if both are working.

one flash blue and white, and the other will be solid white

Depleted Battery

If you are facing trouble that your earbud is not turning on , a silly but common reason for one side of your JLAB earbud not working is no battery left.

It’s worth knowing how to fix this.

These earphones provide voice prompts for battery life. When it’s below a certain level, you’ll hear a prompt.
If you’ve missed the last prompt, you might be under the impression there’s more battery left than there actually is.

For instance, in the JLAB Go Air, a “Low Battery” prompt will play when battery level has reached 25%, and a “Goodbye” at 0%.

Always check the charging case: place the earbuds inside and observe the light.

Understanding these indicators can make the difference between an earbud being charged and one that’s not.

If it’s solid green, there’s at least some charge; if it pulses blue, they’re getting charged; and if solid blue, they’re fully charged.
If the light inside the case goes off, there could be trouble with charging. Double-check if there’s enough charge in the case to charge the earbuds

Debris Buildup

Debris buildup in JLAB earbuds can be a sneaky culprit for muffling the sound.

This issue isn’t immediately apparent, but wax from ears, along with microscopic dust and fiber, not to mention moisture, can accumulate inside the small openings of an earbud.

Over time, this build-up can worsen to the point where the audio becomes muffled.

It’s a bad situation that might give you a false impression that one of your JLAB earbuds has stopped working.

Regular cleaning and maintenance of these tiny openings can significantly improve sound clarity and prevent such issues.

Troubleshooting Steps:

Lets Explore simple troubleshooting steps to revive your JLAB earbud when one side stops working, from checking battery levels to resetting connections.

Learn to diagnose and fix the silence in your JLAB earbuds, ensuring both sides deliver your favorite tunes flawlessly.

Connect Earbuds With Different Device

A method I’ve found effective is to connect the earbuds to a different device.

Sometimes, and more rarely, it’s not the earbuds but the firmware or settings of the source device causing the issue of one earbud not working.

Even when they’re powered on, it’s crucial to confirm and rule out this theory.

To do this, reconnect the earbuds: switch off the Bluetooth on the initial device, put the earbuds back into pairing mode (watch for flashes of blue and white lights until they’re solid), and then try connecting to another device.

Check the audio settings on the previous device as well. This approach helps in identifying whether the troublesome issue is with the earbuds or the original device.

If the problem persists, referring to the user manual or the manufacturer’s website for audio troubleshooting tips can be insightful.

Verify Earbuds Are Charged Enough

A crucial step with JLAB earbuds is ensuring both are adequately charged. Each bud charges independently.

If you’re only using one earbud while the other is in the case, it could be powered off with a drained battery.
To prevent this, always check if both are charging and not powering off or draining in the case.

Rule out the possibility of a drained battery by correctly placing the buds in the case, ensuring they’re in the correct slot—right earbud in the right slot, and left earbud in the left slot.

To confirm, start by checking the slots in the case; JLAB models typically have them labeled with “R” for right and “L” for left. This labeling is vital to ensure that each bud is in its respective charging slot.

Consult the user manual to determine how they should behave in the case.

If they’re not charging when inserted, clean any lint or debris from the contact pins and the charging pins on the earbuds , as this could prevent proper charging.

Drain Battery, Then Recharge

A method I’ve found helpful is to drain the earbud’s battery and then recharge it.

When one right or left earbud is not working, even though it shows power or attempts to play audio, this can be a useful reset technique.

If previous attempts for fixing have failed, simply leave the earbud powered on until it shuts down from low battery.
Once it’s off, place it back in the case and leave it to recharge for around two hours. If it does not show charging, take it out, power on, and attempt a reset.
After this, try reconnecting to the source device. If it still doesn’t work, it could be damaged and might require replacement.

This draining and recharging process can often recalibrate the earbud’s battery management system.

Reset the Earbuds

Resetting can often solve the issue when one side of JLAB earbuds is not working.

The steps vary by model, so it’s advisable to consult the user manual or JLab’s support website for precise instructions.

For example, resetting JBUDS AIR TRUE WIRELESS EARBUDS (First Generation) involves specific actions clearly outlined in their documentation to ensure successful reconnection

Resetting JLAB Go Air Earbuds

Place Both Earbuds in the Case: Ensure each earbud is securely seated in the charging case.
Tap One Earbud: Quickly tap one of the earbuds seven times. Look for it to flash Blue three times, indicating the first step of the reset is complete.
Tap the Other Earbud: While keeping both earbuds in the case, quickly tap the second earbud seven times.
Observe the Indicators: After tapping, remove both earbuds from the case. A successful reset is indicated when one earbud flashes a solid white light, and the other flashes between white and blue.
Ready to Pair: Once the correct lights are flashing, your earbuds have been reset and are ready to reconnect to your device.

Resetting JLAb Jbuds Air Earbuds

Forget Jbuds Air: Start by navigating to your device’s Bluetooth settings and select to forget or unpair the ‘Jbuds Air’ earbuds.
Place Earbuds in Case: Insert your earbuds into the charging case, but keep the case open during this process.
Tap First Earbud: Choose one earbud and tap the button on it four times. You should notice blue lights blinking four times, followed by a steady blue glow.
Tap Second Earbud: Now, do the same with the other earbud. Tap it four times and wait for the blue lights to blink and then stabilize.
Remove and Observe: Gently remove your earbuds from the charging case. Keep them at least 2 inches apart.

Watch for the left earbud to emit a solid white light, while the right earbud alternates between blue and white flashes. This indicates that your earbuds have successfully reset and are prepared to connect.

Standard Reset Process for Most JLAB Modes

Place the earbuds in the charging case.
Click ‘Forget “JLab [your earbud model]”‘ from your device’s Bluetooth settings.
Quickly tap one earbud in the charging case four times (for JLab Epic Air (sport) ANC, press seven times) until it flashes blue three times.
Repeat with the other earbud.
Remove the earbuds from the case; one will flash solid white, and the other white/blue.
You’re now ready to connect your earbuds to your Bluetooth device.

Clean Accumulative Debris

Regular cleaning can prevent issues where one earbud is not functioning correctly.

Here’s how:

Gently dab a cotton swab in 70% Isopropyl Alcohol.
Clean debris from the openings and contact points/pins of the earbuds and charging case.
Wipe the case with a lint-free microfiber cloth or paper towel.
After cleaning, place the earbuds back in the case to charge correctly. This maintenance can often fix issues related to one earbud not working properly.

Firmware Update

Firmware updates are crucial for enhancing performance of tech devices like earbuds and can fix common issues.

Visit the JLAB website or App Store for Android or Apple, look for updates for your model, apply them, and then test your earbuds.

These updates often contain essential fixes and improvements that can resolve issues with one side not working.

Hard Reset Procedure:

If a standard reset doesn’t solve the issue, it’s worth trying a hard reset.

To perform this on JLAB earbuds models:

First remove both earbuds from the case.
Then, press and hold the button on each earbud for 15 seconds. This action will cause them to power off.
When you power them back on, they should automatically enter pairing mode.

This process effectively removes all previous settings, so you’ll need to pair your earbuds with your device again.

This can often reset the system and fix the issue of one side not working.

When Professional Assistance Needed

One Earbud Lost Ability to Hold a Charge

Batteries have a life cycle, and those installed in earbuds, especially in the small, budget range, can be of low quality.

The way they’re charged affects their eventual life cycle. This degradation impacts the battery’s ability to hold a charge effectively.

Over time, the cells get worn out, and no amount of charging can help. Once an earbud reaches this point, the best option is to have it replaced, hopefully still under warranty.

This is a common issue where one earbud seems to stop working due to its inability to retain charge.

JLab Earbuds Physically Damaged

Despite JLAB’s decade-long reputation for quality and durability, faults or mishaps can occur.

Exposure to extreme temperatures or damage during manufacture or transport can lead to faulty or damaged earbuds.

A fall or tumble might cause irreversible harm to the components.

Fortunately, JLAB offers a two-year warranty period, so taking advantage of a replacement is often the safest bet if you suspect your earbuds are faulty or have been damaged.

Out of Warranty Repairs

When your JLAB earbuds are out of warranty and one side stops working, a professional repair service might be the next best step.

Choose a reputable service to avoid further damage from improper repairs.

For less expensive models, it’s often cheaper and more practical to replace the earbuds rather than investing in potentially costly repairs.

Making this decision involves weighing the cost of repair against the value and performance of a new pair.

Frequently Ask Questions

Question: How do you fix JLAB earbuds when only one side works?

You can fix by resetting your earbuds lets see how to reset earbuds quickly:

Place your JLAB earbuds in the charging case.
On your Bluetooth device, forget the “JLAB GO Air” from the device settings.
Quickly tap one earbud while it’s in the charging case, doing this 7 times.
Repeat step 3 with the other earbud.
Take the earbuds out of the case.
Your earbuds are now ready to connect to your Bluetooth device.

Question: Can I use JLAB earbuds separately?

Absolutely, it’s possible to use a single JLAB earbud independently while keeping the other in its charging case.

This functionality proves beneficial in scenarios such as jogging or driving, where staying alert to your environment is crucial.

Question: Why are my JLAB earbuds not turning on?

If One or both your JLAB earbuds aren’t powering on there are a few potential reasons It could be related to a drained battery, issues with the charging case, or even an internal malfunction. Start by ensuring both the earbuds and the case are fully charged.

Question: What causes one earbud to function while the other doesn’t?

Several factors might lead to just one earbud working. These encompass:
The earbuds losing synchronization with each other.
One earbud being turned off or its battery being depleted.
An issue with the source device failing to send audio to both earbuds.
The earbuds experiencing a glitch and needing a reboot or to be reset to factory settings.

To Wrap It Up:

Resolving the issue of “JLAB Earbuds One Side Not Working” involves understanding common causes such as improper Bluetooth setup, an earbud being powered off, battery life issues, or debris buildup.

Effective troubleshooting includes steps like connecting to a different device, ensuring both earbuds are charged, cleaning accumulated debris, firmware updates, and various resets.