Quick Fix: Get Your Sound Back After Using Waterlogged AirPods
Quick Fix: Get Your Sound Back After Using Waterlogged AirPodsAccidentally dropped your AirPods in water? Whether it’s a puddle, the washing machine, or an unexpected rainstorm, it happens more often than you'd think. The good news? You might be able to fix them yourself with a few simple steps. Getting your AirPods working again usually just requires some patience and the right technique.
First things first: take the AirPods out of your ears and the charging case right away, and dry them with a clean cloth. Don’t try to use them immediately, and definitely don’t plug them in. That could do more harm than good.
Next, you’ll want to remove any water that may have made its way into the speaker area. A lot of people don’t know this, but you can actually use a speaker cleaner feature found in some phone apps. These apps play specific sound frequencies that help push moisture out of the tiny speaker holes. It’s a neat trick that can speed up the drying process a bit.
If you don't have one of those apps or don’t want to deal with one, another popular method is the old "bag of rice" technique. Put your AirPods in a sealed bag with uncooked rice or silica gel packs. Let them sit for at least 24 hours. This helps soak up any moisture that’s still inside.
While you're waiting, resist the urge to check them every few hours. AirPods need time to fully dry out, and rushing could cause permanent damage. Leave the case open while drying so air can flow through, and keep them in a dry, warm place—just avoid direct heat like a hairdryer or microwave.
After a full day (or even two), try connecting them to your phone again. Make sure the sound is back to normal by playing music or a video. If you're still having sound issues, repeat the drying process or try the speaker-cleaning sound again.
If nothing works, then it might be time to contact Apple Support. But chances are, with a little patience and these simple steps, you’ll get your AirPods buzzing again without much trouble.
Water accidents happen—but with the right care, AirPods can survive a splash or two. Just be careful next time near the pool or sink!