There is no sound from the earbud headphones, or sound is heard only from one side

IMPORTANT: This article applies only to specific products and/or operating systems. Check Applicable Products and Categories for details.

Check if the issue is resolved after completing each step.

• If the sound occasionally doesn't output from the headphones, or the sound of the headphones is interrupted, refer to the article Sound is interrupted or noise occurs while playing music
  For other than WF-1000XM5 and WF-XB700: If you use the Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa features on the headphones, and the sound is heard on only one side of the headphones, refer to the article No sound is output or the headphones do not work when using only one side of the headphones
• If this issue occurs when connected to a Microsoft® Windows® 10 computer, updating the software to version 1.3.0 or later may resolve the issue. Visit the model support page for additional details on how to update the headphones.
• Place the earbud headphones in the charging case and close the lid. After the lid is closed, wait a few seconds, then remove them and make a Bluetooth connection to the desired device.
• Charge the earbud headphones.
  • Place the earbud headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
  • Connect the charging case to an AC outlet or computer using the supplied USB Type-C™ cable.
• Turn up the volume of the connected device.
  
  Note: You can't adjust the volume with the headphones.

• If you are using an app with the connected mobile device and no sound is heard, check a different app to see if the problem is with the app and not the headphones.
• Check that the connected device is playing music.
• Reset the earbud headphones

  LinkBuds S (WF-LS900N)

  1. Reset the headphones.
  2. After resetting, check to see if the issue was resolved.

  LinkBuds (WF-L900), LinkBuds UC

  1. Reset the headphones.
  2. After resetting, check to see if the issue was resolved.

  WF-1000XM5

  1. Reset the headphones
  2. Check to see if the issue is resolved after resetting.

  WF-1000XM4

  1. Reset the headphones
  2. Check to see if the issue is resolved after resetting.

  WF-1000XM3

  You can watch the video or skip to the instructions listed below.

  1. Place the headphones in the charging case, leave the lid of the charging case open, then hold your finger to the touch sensor on the left unit for 20 - 30 seconds, and release when the red light flashes and turns off.
     
     Notes:

     • If the indicator (red) did not flash in Step 1, you may need to hold your finger to the touch sensor on the left side of the headset for about 30 seconds.
     • You may be able to continue even if the indicator (red) does not flash.
  2. Hold your finger to the touch sensor on the right unit for about 20 seconds.
     
     Notes:

     • If the indicator (red) did not flash in Step 2, you may need to hold your finger to the touch sensor on the right side of the headset for about 30 seconds.
     • You may be able to continue even if the indicator (red) does not flash.
     • The indicator (red) light may be lit after the reset is finished.
  3. Check to see if the issue is resolved after resetting.

  WF-SP800N

  • Reset the headphones
  • After resetting, connect and pair with a Bluetooth device, then check to see if the issue was resolved.

  WF-XB700

  • Reset the headphones
  • After resetting, check to see if the issue was resolved.

• If this issues still occurs, Initialize the headphones to restore the factory settings.

  LinkBuds S

  1. Initialize the headphones.
  2. After initializing, connect and pair with a Bluetooth device, then check to see if the issue was resolved.

  LinkBuds (WF-L900), LinkBuds UC

  1. Initialize the headphones.
  2. After initializing, connect and pair with a Bluetooth device, then check to see if the issue was resolved.

  WF-1000XM4

  1. Initialize the headphones.
  2. After initializing, connect and pair with a Bluetooth device, then check to see if the issue was resolved.

  WF-1000XM3

  Note: You can watch the video or skip to the instructions listed below.
  

  1. Place the headphones in the charging case, leave the lid open, then hold your fingers to the touch sensors on both the left and right units for about 10 seconds.
  2. Release your fingers when the red indicator lights start flashing.
  3. The blue indicator lights flash 4 times, and the headphones are initialized.
  4. Delete the pairing information for the headphones from the device and then pair them again.
  5. Check to see if the issue is resolved after resetting.

  WF-SP800N

  1. Initialize the headphones
  2. After initializing, connect and pair with a Bluetooth device, then check to see if the issue was resolved.

  WF-XB700

  1. Initialize the headphones
  2. After initializing, connect and pair with a Bluetooth device, then check to see if the issue was resolved.