Samsung Galaxy Buds are one of the most popular truly wireless earbuds on the market. They provide an excellent audio experience, comfortable fit, and long battery life. However, if one side of your Galaxy Buds stops working, it’s pretty annoying, to say the least.
In this article, I will be tackling Samsung Galaxy Buds, One Side Not Working: How to Fix? This issue can crop up for several reasons, including a software glitch, battery problems, or hardware faults. However, there are several solutions that you can try to fix one Galaxy earbud not working. Let’s get to it.
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Check the Audio Balance
Adjusting the audio balance is the first thing you need to check to resolve the issue of one side of your Samsung Galaxy Buds not working. It’s also the easiest way to fix one Samsung Galaxy earbud not working. The steps for adjusting the audio balance are as follows:
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Look for the “Device Care” or “Bluetooth” section and select it.
- Under the “Bluetooth” section, you should see your Galaxy Buds listed as a connected device. Tap on the name of your earbuds to access their settings.
- Scroll down until you see the “Audio balance” option. Tap on it to open the audio balance settings.
- You will see two sliders, one for each earbud. If one side is not working, adjust the slider for that side until the audio is equal on both sides.
- Once you have adjusted the audio balance, play some music or audio to test if the issue is resolved.
If the issue is resolved, you can continue to use your earbuds normally. If not, you’ll need to try some of the other solutions listed in this article.
Un-pair and Pair Samsung Galaxy Buds
Un-pairing and pairing your Samsung Galaxy Buds is a simple process that can often fix any connectivity issues you may be experiencing. I’m sure you probably know how to do this, but for the few that don’t:
Un-pairing:
- Open your device’s Bluetooth settings.
- Find your Samsung Galaxy Buds in the list of paired devices.
- Tap the “Forget” or “Unpair” button next to your earbuds.
- Your earbuds will now be removed from the list of paired devices.
Pairing:
- Make sure your Samsung Galaxy Buds are in pairing mode. This can be done by placing them in the charging case and holding the touchpad on both earbuds for 7 seconds until the LED light on the earbuds starts flashing.
- Go to your device’s Bluetooth settings.
- Tap on “Samsung Galaxy Buds” or “Scan for Devices” to search for available Bluetooth devices.
- Select your Samsung Galaxy Buds from the list of available devices.
- The earbuds will now be paired with your device and ready for use.
Hopefully, this will have corrected the glitch in the matrix, and you can get back to stereo listening again. If not, read on.
Restart Samsung Earbuds and Phone
It’s amazing how many times simply turning electronics off and on again can resolve an issue. Sometimes, a software glitch or a temporary disconnection between the earbuds and phone can cause one side not to work, and a simple restart can resolve the issue. Follow these simple steps to give it a try:
- Turn off your Samsung Galaxy Buds by removing them from your ears and placing them back in the charging case. Close the lid of the charging case.
- Turn off your phone by holding down the power button until the “Power off” option appears. Tap “Power off” to turn off the phone.
- Wait for 10-15 seconds before turning your phone back on by pressing as well as holding the power button.
- Take your Galaxy Buds out of the charging case. They will automatically turn themselves on when you do this.
- Pair your earbuds with your phone again by going to the Bluetooth settings on your phone, selecting your Galaxy Buds, and tapping “Pair.”
- Play some music or audio to test if the issue is resolved.
If you’ve still got issues with one bud not working, it’s time for a more technical approach.
Update Your Samsung Galaxy Buds
If you’re facing connection issues with one of your Galaxy Buds, it could be due to outdated software. Many connection problems with earbuds are the result of outdated firmware. Upgrading the firmware on your Galaxy Buds may fix the issue. Here’s how to do it:
- Find the Samsung Wearables app on your smartphone and make sure the earbuds are connected, and open it.
- Select “About Earbuds.”
- Here it will tell you what version of the software you are running. If there is a more recent update available, install it.
- It’s also important to check if your smartphone is the root of the problem. To rule this out, try connecting your earbuds to another device and ensure that your device is also updated to the latest version.
Reset the Samsung Galaxy Buds
Resetting Samsung Galaxy Buds to factory settings is a more drastic solution that should only be used if none of the earlier solutions have worked. This will erase all settings and configurations on your earbuds and restore them to their original state. Here’s how to reset Samsung Galaxy Buds:
- If you have the Galaxy Wearables app on your phone, open it. Download it if you don’t.
- Find the “About Earbuds” option and tap on it.
- Scroll through the list and select “Reset Earbuds.”
- Activate the reset by tapping on the “Reset” button again for confirmation.
After resetting your Galaxy Buds to their factory settings…
You will need to reconfigure any settings that you had previously customized, such as touch controls or equalizer settings. A factory reset is a good way to resolve any software-related issues that may be causing one bud not to work, as it restores them both to their original, pristine state. Having to reconfigure a few settings is a minor price to pay if you get two fully functioning earbuds in exchange.
Clean Your Samsung Galaxy Buds
Cleaning your Samsung Galaxy Buds is important for maintaining their optimal performance. And an important part of maintaining good ear hygiene.
Dirt, debris, and earwax can accumulate on the earbuds and cause connection issues, reduced sound quality, and charging problems. Here are the steps for cleaning your Galaxy Buds:
- Turn off your Samsung Galaxy Buds.
- Use a damp, Lint Free Microfibre Cloth to gently clean the exterior of the earbuds, including the speaker grille and touchpads.
- Use a soft-bristled brush or Cotton Swab to clean the speaker grille and the area around the microphones and Bluetooth receiver. Be gentle to avoid damaging the earbuds.
- Pay particular attention to the charging connections on both the earbuds and the charging case giving them a good wipe with a Cotton Swab dampened with 70% Isopropyl Alcohol. It’s possible one of your buds wasn’t charging because of dirt build-up.
- If there is any earwax on the earbuds, use a soft, damp cloth to gently clean it off. Avoid using water or any liquids directly on the earbuds.
By regularly cleaning your Galaxy Buds, you can ensure that they remain in good working order and that any issues, such as one side not working, are minimized. If this fails to bring your bud back to life, and you’re still wondering, “Samsung Galaxy Buds, one side not working: how to fix?”, it’s time to check for power problems.
Check for Charging or Battery Issues
If you have tried all of the above and even given them a thorough cleaning, there likely are charging or battery problems. It’s possible one of the charging connections in the case isn’t working properly.
- First, attempt a standard full charge of both earbuds.
- If one is still not working, swap them around in the case. Then, let them charge for 10 – 15 minutes. After that, check the earbuds. If the unresponsive bud charges and works, you know you have a problem with one of the charging connections in the case.
- Conversely, if the charging connections in the case are working, then it’s possible that the connection on the earbud is faulty or there is a problem with the battery. This can be tested by seeing if the functioning earbud charges in both ports.
- At this point, if nothing is working, you’re best off seeking help from the pros.
Visit Samsung Service Center
If you’ve tried all of the above and your Samsung Galaxy earbud is still refusing to cooperate, it’s probably a hardware issue, and it is best to take the earbuds to a Samsung service center. They will diagnose the issue and repair or replace the earbuds if necessary.
If your earbuds are still within their warranty period, then they will do this for free. Happy days. If not, you may be looking at a repair cost that rivals the price of brand-new buds.
Having Issues with Your Earbuds?
If so, take a look at our detailed articles on How To Pair Skullcandy Wireless Earbuds & Headphones, How to Pair Jabra Headphones, Earbuds & Headsets, JLab Earbuds, One Side Not Working – How to Fix, Skullcandy Earbuds One Side Not Working – How to Fix, and JLab Go AIR Will Not Charge – How to Fix for more helpful information.
Also, check out our in-depth reviews of the Best Noise Isolating Earbuds, the Most Comfortable Earbuds, the Best Sound Quality Earbuds, the Best Bass Earbuds, the Best True Wireless Earbuds, as well as the Best iPhone Earbuds you can buy in 2023.
Samsung Galaxy Buds, One Side Not Working: How to Fix? – Final Thoughts
Samsung Galaxy Buds are a great pair of earbuds. But, when one Galaxy earbud stops working, it can leave you pulling your hair out. However, with the above solutions, you should be able to resolve the issue quickly and, hopefully, without having to resort to outside help.
If none of our recommended solutions work, it’s off to a Samsung service center with them for repair or replacement. Samsung Galaxy Buds have a one-year warranty, so make sure you keep that receipt safe.
Good luck, and until next time, happy listening.