Jabra Earbuds, One Side Not Working: How to Fix

Jabra creates high-quality wireless headphones and earbuds, from their True Wireless Headphone range to their Jabra Elite Sport Earbud range. However, even the highest-quality tech like this has its flaws.

At some point, every wireless earbud user has come across an issue with one side not working. The cause for the interruption can vary.

We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide outlining the possible issues causing the loss of sound — and the solutions you should try before buying a new pair.

Continue reading to find out how to restore the sound in one Jabra earbud. And be sure not to skip any of the tips here, because the most peculiar one (resetting the charging case) has proven to be very effective!


Common Causes and Tips for Jabra Earbud Not Working

Everyone expects to listen to their music or podcasts without interruption, but this is not always the case. Here are a few possible reasons why your Jabra earbuds are not working.

  • You might be out of range: Bluetooth keeps your wireless earbuds connected to your devices and often has a maximum distance before the sounds become unstable. If you are too far from the audio source, this could be the reason why your sound is interrupted. So, first verify that your device is still connected to the earbuds. If you move from room to room and experience a crackling noise, or your sound becomes choppy in one earbud or both, you are outside the Bluetooth range.
  • The Listen-in feature could be active: Most Jabra headphones and earbuds are equipped with the Listen-in feature. This handy feature lets you hear external sounds while wearing your earbuds. As convenient as this feature is when someone is talking to you, it can accidentally silence your earbuds.
  • Earbuds need charging: A very common cause of the right earbud/left earbud not working could be due to a low battery charge. When charging, ensure that the affected earbud is correctly placed on the charging magnet in its case.
  • Is the charging case charged?: Much like your earbuds require charging, the charging case must also be charged. This could affect the sound of your Jabra Elite earbuds.

Troubleshooting Tips: Jabra Earbud is Not Working

If your Jabra earbud is not working, let’s run through the following steps to resolve any sound issues.

Device Pairing Issues – Operating System

This might surprise you, but in some cases, the issue may not be your Jabra earbuds but the operating system of a specific device you are trying to pair with.

Although Jabra earphones and earbuds are compatible with Bluetooth-enabled devices, an outdated operating system could restrict a successful pairing of devices or create issues like loss of sound. Follow the steps listed below:

Android OS

  1. Go to your Preferences/Settings Menu and switch on Bluetooth.
  2. Select “Pair new device.”
  3. Once your Jabra earbuds appear on the device, click on the name and allow the pairing of devices. 
  4. Once connected, both earbuds should play sound naturally.

iPhone (IOS)

  1. Go to your Settings menu and select Bluetooth.
  2. Select ” Other Devices” to find your Jabra earbuds.
  3. Tap to connect and pair your earbuds to your iPhone.

Windows 10 / 11

  1. Click on the Windows Start Button and select Settings.
  2. Next, you will select Devices, then Bluetooth.
  3. Make sure the Bluetooth tab is switched on. Right at the top of the screen select “Add Bluetooth or “Other device”.
  4. A pop-up menu will appear. Select Bluetooth before selecting your device after it appears on the screen. Your Jabra earbuds should be connected.

Mac iOS

  1. Go to System Preferences on the Apple Menu and select Bluetooth.
  2. Select your Jabra earbuds, then “Connect,” followed by “Accept”.

Check the Bluetooth Settings

A successful Bluetooth connection is not always guaranteed if you pair new Jabra earbuds with a Bluetooth-enabled device.

Pairing Jabra Earbuds for the first time

  • Ensure your earbuds are not turned on before selecting the Bluetooth option on your smartphone device.
  • Remove the earbuds from their case. Next, hold down the right earbud for approximately three seconds until a flashing blue light appears, then release your hold.
  • Next, hold the volume down button on your left earbud for just a second or two to turn on the earbuds on.
  • Select the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone and select the specific Jabra earbuds (Jabra Elite Active 65t/Jabra Sport Elite/ Jabra Elite 65t) on your list of available devices.
  • Should you receive a prompt asking for a pin code, enter “0000” (four zeros).

If this does not connect straightaway, try the following method to pair the Jabra Sport Elite and Jabra Elite 65t earbuds.

  • Charge your earbuds in the charging case before pairing devices via the Bluetooth menu.
  • Once your earbuds are fully charged, they will automatically enter into pairing mode.
  • Now turn on the Bluetooth option on your phone and select the specific Jabra earbud.

Pairing Jabra Elite Earbuds to an Additional Mobile Device

  • Turn on the Bluetooth setting on an additional device.
  • Take the right earbud out of the charging case, ensuring it is turned off. Hold the Multi-function button to turn off the earbud until you notice the LED flash red and release your hold.
  • Next, to enter pairing mode, press down on the Multi-function button until the LED light flashes blue.
  • Select the Bluetooth setting on your mobile phone and select the specific Jabra Elite earbuds from the device list.
  • Should you be asked to enter a pin code, enter “0000” (four zeros).
  • Remove the left earbud from the charging case, which should automatically connect with the right earbud.
  • Should your left earbud not be working, press and hold down the left earbud for approximately one second.

Helpful Tip: Put the earbuds in your ear and follow the voice commands once the right bud flashes red.

Restart Your Jabra Elite Left Earbud

Option One

Regarding the Jabra Elite 65t earbuds, most users complain that the left Jabra earbud randomly stops working. If this is the case, turn your earbud off and then on again.

This automatic restart will automatically search and connect to the nearest paired device. Your Jabra Elite 65t left earbud should work and play sound again.

Option two

  • Remove the right bud from the charging case to check if it is turned on and fully charged. Do not remove the left earbud from the charging case just yet.
  • Press and hold down the Multi-function button for approximately ten seconds or until the LED briefly flashes red before the light on the earbuds flashes purple.
  • Your earbuds have now been reset. The LED lights will flash green to show that your earbuds are on before flashing blue when they go into pairing mode.
  • Remove the previous pairing option from your Bluetooth-enabled device. Once done, connect your Jabra earbuds to your device. Your left earbud should be working properly.

Hard Reset Your Jabra Earbuds

Conducting a factory reset can help you get your Jabra Elite 65t left earbud to work.

  • Remove both earbuds from the charging case.
  • With an earbud in each hand, press and hold the Jabra button on each earbud for approximately ten seconds until the LED briefly flashes purple.
  • Head to your PC/smartphone’s device setting and select “forget” or “delete” to remove the earbuds from the menu.
  • Now, reconnect your earbuds to your preferred Bluetooth-enabled device.

Check for a Firmware Update

Follow these simple steps to confirm whether your earbuds need the latest firmware.

  • Download the required Jabra Sound+ – Android from Google Play or Jabra Sound+ – iOS from the App Store to your smartphone.
  • Ensure your earbuds are paired with your smartphone before opening the Jabra Sound+ app. After opening the app, you will be notified that new firmware is available to download.
  • In the Jabra Sound+ app, select the Discover icon.
  • Select and tap on “Update Now” to install the latest firmware update.
  • Once the download is complete, select “Agree to the license terms” to allow the update of your Jabra earbuds.
  • To complete the update, return your earbuds to the charging case.
  • Follow the step-by-step instructions on the Jabra Sound+ app. The earbuds flash purple while in the charging case during the update, which can take approximately fifteen minutes.
  • Once the earbuds stop flashing purple, wait at least 10-15 seconds before you open the charging case, never taking the earbuds out of the charging case. Should the LED continue to flash after more than ten to fifteen minutes, simply open the lid of the charging case before closing it again.
  • The LED light on your earbuds will stop flashing purple once the update is complete.

Important: Do not remove your earbuds from the charging case for at least ten minutes. Should the LED continue to flash after 10 to 15 minutes, do not remove the earbuds. Open the charging case lid, then close it again. This should stop the LED light from flashing.

Reset the Charging Case

If nothing up to this point has worked, it may be time to try fiddling with the charging case. Even if your earbuds seem to be fully charged, don’t skip this step!

More details can be found directly on the Jabra website, but here is the short version:

  • Open the charging case
  • With the lid of the case still open, connect the case to a power source
  • Sit, wait, and the charging case will automatically reset

According to Jabra, it doesn’t matter whether or not the earbuds are in the case during this reset.

If this doesn’t work, try again. This time, leave the charging case plugged in for 3-4 hours and see if the issue resolves.

Try a Different Source Device

By this point, we need to confirm whether or not the issue is actually caused by your connected device. The easiest way is to disconnect from the audio source and reconnect to a different source.

If you can try switching from an Android to an iPhone (or vice versa), or from a phone to a computer, this may help also. If both earbuds work properly when connected to a new device, you should look up troubleshooting advice for your connected device, rather than your earbuds.

Verify that Both Earbuds Are Being Recognized

To do this, you will need to use the Jabra Sound+ app.

If one of the earbuds isn’t being recognized, there may be an issue with the charging case that fails to activate the earbud when it is removed from the case. Basically, there are two small magnets inside the case that sense whenever the earbuds are removed. This begins the activation process for the earbud.

Sometimes, a magnet may become dislodged and then fail to begin the activation process. To check if this is occurring, carefully remove the rubber housing from the charging case.

Then, check that the magnets are positioned properly. If they have become dislodged and are floating, place them in the correct location. The magnets have a small slot that can easily be found by looking at the inside of the charging case.

Clean the Earbuds Properly

Ear wax, debris, and dirt buildup is actually a common cause of earbud malfunction.

Some Jabra earbuds models have a small hole on the inner surface (the part that contacts your ear, near the EarGel) that is especially prone to buildup. This hole is located between the EarGel and the copper contacts that have the “R” or “L” next to them.

When cleaning this area, be very careful. Use a needle or toothpick, and be sure to avoid pressing the debris deeper into the earbud. Further, do everything possible to avoid scraping or puncturing the earbud.


Final Thoughts

The most common issue Jabra Elite earbuds have is the left earbud not working as it should. By following these instructions, you should be able to fix your earbuds in no time.

Always ensure that your earbuds are correctly placed on the magnet pins to prevent your left or right earbuds from not charging.

Finally, do not forget to keep the charging case charged since this might prevent your earbuds from fully charging.

Once your earbuds are fully and properly charged, a reset is usually all it takes to get them working again!


FAQs

Why is only one of my Jabra earbuds working?

There could be several reasons, ranging from Bluetooth connectivity issues to physical damage. Follow the troubleshooting steps mentioned in this article, such as checking Bluetooth settings, confirming proper charging, resetting your earbuds, and ensuring your earbuds are clean.

How do I reset my Jabra earbuds?

To reset your Jabra earbuds, remove them from the charging case, hold down the Jabra button on each for about ten seconds until the LED flashes purple, then remove the earbuds from your device’s Bluetooth settings, and reconnect them.

What should I do if my Jabra earbuds won’t pair with my device?

Ensure your device’s Bluetooth is turned on and that your device’s operating system is updated. Remove any existing pairing and try pairing your earbuds with your device again. If issues persist, try pairing your earbuds with a different device to see if the problem lies with your original device.

How can I ensure my Jabra earbuds stay clean and functional?

Regularly clean your earbuds using a soft cloth. Be careful when cleaning areas prone to debris build-up and avoid pressing the debris further into the earbud or puncturing any part of the earbud.

What do I do if none of the troubleshooting steps work?

If none of the troubleshooting steps work, it’s best to reach out to Jabra’s customer service for further assistance. If your earbuds are still under warranty, you may be eligible for a replacement.