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Noise cancellation is not working | QuietComfort® 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones— Apple devices
Do you hear static or distorted audio while in noisy environments?
In very loud settings—such as airplane takeoffs, concerts, emergency sirens, or construction zones—your headphones' noise-cancelling microphones can become overwhelmed, which may cause brief crackling or distortion. This can happen even in Quiet or Aware mode.
It’s similar to when someone talks too loudly into a phone—the sound gets distorted until they lower their voice. Your headphones react in the same way to intense external noise.
This is normal and doesn’t damage the product. To reduce it, try moving away from the loud source when possible. For example, on a plane, sitting farther from the engines can help.
Move away from any hard surfaces.
Reflected sound (caused by using the headset close to a hard surface – like a wall) will negatively affect noise cancellation.
See if the light is lit on the headset control module.
The cancel noise, the headset must be powered on. Flip the switch on the control module to the on position: If the battery light does not turn on, see No power.
Determine if Aware Mode is on.
If the headphones are in Aware Mode, noise cancelling will be reduced and audio quality may be perceived as being different. In full noise cancelling mode, the green noise cancelling LED will be lit. Push the button on the side of the volume control housing to toggle Aware Mode on and off.
Make sure you are using the correct eartip size to ensure a proper and secure fit.
Using an eartip that is too big or small for your ears will affect audio quality and noise cancellation.
Make sure you are using StayHear+ eartips.
These headphones are designed specifically for use with StayHear+ eartips. Use of any other eartips, including original StayHear tips, will result in low audio, poor sound quality and/or reduced noise cancellation.
Your StayHear+ Tips should look like this:
Your StayHear+ Tips should look like this:
Be sure the openings on your headphones are clean and free of debris.
Check if anything is blocking any openings on your headphones, ear tips or the mesh grilles under the ear tips (i.e. ear wax, dust or other debris). For more info, see Cleaning ear tips and mesh grilles.
Check if the battery is charged.
Be sure the battery is not depleted. For more info see, Checking the remaining battery charge and Charging your headphones.
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