Sound
Headphones only playing on one side
Use the left/right test above. If one side stays silent, work through balance and mono settings first, then the connection.
Last reviewed October 23, 2026
Start with a quick test
Steps
Your system
- 1
Check the balance
Open Settings › System › Sound, select your headphones and check the Left channel and Right channel sliders under Output settings are equal.
- 2
Turn off mono audio
Open Settings › Accessibility › Audio and check Mono audio is off (or on, if one ear is all you can use).
- 3
Reseat the plug
A 3.5 mm plug that isn't fully inserted plays on one side. Push it in firmly and rotate it slightly.
Still not working?
- Try the headphones on another device. If one side is silent everywhere, the driver or cable is damaged.
- Swap left and right earbuds' positions in the case: if the silent side follows the earbud, it's the earbud.