How To Fix JLab Earbuds One Side Not Working

I recently bought the JLab JBUDS Air ANC earbuds, which have been working all right. The noise cancellation and multipoint connections are among the features that have been my favorite. The earbuds’ long battery life has also been an added advantage considering I often forget to charge the earbuds.

Although JLab earbuds have all these advantages, they also have their flaws, the significant one being that occasionally, one JLab earbud stops working

At one point, I started looking for permanent solutions and, in the process, realized that many JLab earbud users experience the same problem. 

This article is a compilation of the solutions I came across and those that worked for me. 

JLab Earbuds One Side Not Working


Key Takeaways

  • Many, if not all JLab earbuds experience the problem of one bud not connecting to the other.
  • Some of the causes of this phenomenon include the following:
  • Only one bud is powered on while the other one is off.
  • The earbuds have disconnected from each other and should be reconnected via a factory reset.
  • A connection malfunction between the buds and the source device can be solved by disconnecting and reconnecting the buds to the source device.
  • A problem with the source device’s firmware.
  • The malfunctioning earbud could have run out of power and you need to recharge it.
  • The malfunctioning earbud could be damaged, meaning you need a replacement.
  • If the earbuds do not connect, you can claim a replacement from the manufacturer or retailer if the warranty is still active.
  • Do not open up the earbuds in an attempt to fix them, as this would be against the warranty terms
  • Also, note that some models have more than one generation or version; therefore, the operation procedures vary. It is, therefore, essential to consult the user manual for steps that apply to your specific model.

JLab Earbuds One Side Not Working – Troubleshooting Guide

How to Fix Jlab JBuds when one side stops working (case by case might not work for everyone)

Are Both Earbuds Powered On?

Whenever the earbuds are taken out of the case, they automatically power on and sync to each other, then go into pairing mode. When you are done using the buds, return them to the case and close it; they power off automatically. 

The automatic powering on and off makes them easy to operate as you do not have to keep powering them on and off manually.  

However, the earbuds also have manual powering on and off procedures that could have been initiated by accident resulting in only one earbud being powered on while the other is off.

It is, therefore, essential to ensure that both earbuds are powered on whenever you notice that only one bud is working. 

To do this, carefully return both earbuds to the case and ensure they indicate that they are charging. Then, close the case for at least ten seconds and open it. 

Take out the buds and wait until one of the earbud’s LEDs flashes blue and white while the other light solid blue (some models might have both buds flashing blue and white). That indicates they are in pairing mode; connect them to a source device and check whether both buds are working. 

JLab earbuds pairing mode - one earbud’s LED blinking blue and white and the other earbud’s LED is solid white

JLab earbuds pairing mode – one earbud’s LED blinking blue and white and the other earbud’s LED is solid white

If one side is still not working, manually restart the earbuds by following the steps below:

  • Turn off Bluetooth on the source device connected to the buds and put both earbuds in your ears.
  • Touch and hold the touchpad on the working earbud for three to five seconds until you hear a tone or a ‘Goodbye’ voice prompt indicating the earbud has powered off. If your earbud model has a button instead of a touchpad, press and hold the button.
  • Repeat the same procedure on the other bud. If it were powered off, you would hear a tone or ‘Hello,’ or ‘Ready to pair’ voice prompt indicating the bud has powered on.
  • If the side that’s not working powers off instead, that is still ok. Power it back on by touching the touchpad until you hear a ‘Hello’ voice prompt.
  • Take both buds out of your ears and place them within two inches of each other.
  • They will both be flashing white, indicating they are trying to connect. 
  • If they successfully pair, one earbud will begin flashing blue and white while the other will be solid white. On some models, both buds will be flashing blue and white to show they are in pairing mode.
  • Reconnect the earbuds to a source device and check whether both buds are working.

By following these steps, you would have restarted the earbuds and disconnected and reconnected them to the source device. If one side is still not working, try the next solution.

Reset the Earbuds

A reset will clear any pairing information stored on the earbuds and give them a chance to reconnect to each other. The steps to reset these earbuds vary depending on the model; therefore, we will single out different models that follow different procedures. 

If your model is not among those highlighted here, check the user manual on JLab’s support website. 

JBuds Air True Wireless Earbuds (First generation)

  • Before resetting, go to the source device’s Bluetooth settings, and forget the earbuds
Forget the earbuds from the source device before resetting them

Forget the earbuds from the source device before resetting them

  • Then, press and hold the multifunction button or touchpad on one earbud for three seconds. The earbud will power off and play a ‘Goodbye’ audio prompt.
  • Repeat the same procedure on the other bud.
  • Then press and hold the multifunction button on both earbuds for fifteen seconds. The LEDs will stop flashing blue and white and light solid white.  
  • Once both earbuds are light solid white, put them within two inches of each other and wait for at least ten seconds as they reconnect.
  • Once the earbuds have paired, the right earbud will start flashing blue and white while the left lights solid white to indicate they are in pairing mode.

Reset Process for Most JLab Earbuds

  • Forget the earbuds from the source device’s Bluetooth settings.
  • Insert the buds in their respective slots in the charging case and ensure they indicate that they are charging.
  • Quickly tap the touchpad on one earbud seven times (or four times, depending on the model), and the LED on the earbud should blink blue three times. 
Tap each bud four (or seven) times to reset it. The LED should blink blue three or four times to indicate that the earbuds have been reset.

Tap each bud four (or seven) times to reset it. The LED should blink blue three or four times to indicate that the earbuds have been reset.

  • Repeat the same procedure on the second earbud without removing both earbuds from the case.
  • Now take both buds out of the case and place them within two inches of each other.
  • Wait ten seconds; one earbud should start blinking blue and white while the other lights solid white.
  • The earbuds are now in pairing mode, and both should work.

Remember that sometimes you might have to repeat the reset procedure a couple of times before the earbuds reconnect. Also, remember to disable Bluetooth on other nearby devices while resetting the earbuds.

How to Reset JLab Jbuds Air (Gen2)

How to reset Jlab Jbuds Air by Soundproofbros

Connect the Earbuds to a Different Device

Sometimes, although rarely, the firmware or settings on the source device could be the reason why only one earbud is working. This is most likely if you notice that both earbuds are powered on, but only one works.

Connect the earbuds to a different device to confirm or rule out this theory. 

To reconnect the earbuds to a different device, switch off Bluetooth on the device the buds are currently connected to, and they will go into pairing mode

You will know they are in pairing mode when one bud flashes blue and white and the other lights solid white.

If both buds start working when connected to a different device, check the audio settings on the previous source device with only one earbud working. 

Also, consult the user manual or manufacturer’s website for audio troubleshooting tips regarding the troublesome source device. 

However, should one earbud still not work when connected to a different device, the issue is with the earbuds.

Ensure Both Earbuds Are Adequately Charged

JLab earbuds can be used independently, meaning you can use one earbud while the other remains in the case or is powered off. This can result in only one earbud having its battery drained while the other has power.

Also, incorrectly placing the buds in the case will prevent them from charging and powering off. This can result in the battery draining in one or both earbuds.

To rule out the possibility of a drained battery, place both earbuds in the case, ensuring each earbud is in its correct slot. The right earbud should go into the right slot in the case, and the left one should go into the left slot.

Ensure that each earbud is in its corresponding slot

Ensure that each earbud is in its corresponding slot

You can confirm this by checking the slots and the buds since they are usually labeled R for right and L or left

Most JLab buds will perfectly fit in whatever slot you put them in. That is why it is vital that you check the labeling.

Another way to ensure the earbuds are in their respective slots is to check whether they are charging. Consult the user manual to determine how they should behave when charging.

Also, ensure the earbud’s case is charged since it is the one that supplies the buds with power. 

If you notice that one earbud is not charging when inserted in the case, check whether the contact pins on the earbuds and in the case are clean. There should be no lint in the case and on the earbuds charging pins.

Drain the Earbud’s Battery, then Recharge

If the earbud that is not working shows it has power but will not play audio and all attempts of fixing it have failed, leave it powered on until it shuts down because of a low battery.

Once it’s off, place it in the case and leave it to recharge. Leave it for around two hours, even if it does not show charging.

The next time you take them out, if they both power on, reset them, then try reconnecting them to a source device.

If the bud is still not working, then it could be damaged, and you require a replacement

Contact Customer Support

The last resort is to contact JLab’s customer support team and request further assistance. Remember to notify them of the troubleshooting solutions you have already tried and ask them if they have any more suggestions. 

If the buds are still under warranty, they will guide you on getting a replacement for free or at a discounted price. 

Bonus Fix – Soldering Battery Contacts

Jlab Jbuds One Earbud Not Working FIX!!!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Question: How do you fix JLab earbuds when only one side works?
  • Answer: JLab earbuds can work independently, meaning you can use one earbud while the other is off.
  • To reconnect them, power on the second earbud, which will automatically reconnect to the first. 
  • If that does not work, you can reset the earbuds, and they will automatically reconnect. The resetting procedures differ depending on the model and version of the earbuds.
  • Question: Why is one earbud working but not the other?
  • Answer: Various aspects could be why only one earbud is working. They include:
  • The earbuds have disconnected from each other.
  • One earbud is powered off, or the battery is drained.
  • A problem with the source device transmitting audio to both earbuds.
  • The earbuds are malfunctioning and require a restart or factory reset.

Conclusion

JLab earbuds come in different models; some models have more than one version/generation. That means the operation procedures will differ if two sets of earbuds belong to the same model but different versions. Therefore, always refer to the user manual for easy operation of your earbuds. 

JLab also has a vibrant customer support team that will help with other issues regarding their products, so always feel free to contact them.

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