Earbuds Mic Not Working
A dead mic while audio playback works fine usually points to a settings or app-level issue rather than the microphone itself — the mic hardware is one of the least likely things to actually fail.
Check app-level microphone permissions
On both iOS and Android, individual apps need microphone permission granted separately. If a specific app can't hear you but others can, this is almost always the cause.
Confirm the earbuds are the selected input
Some phones and apps let output (speaker) and input (microphone) default to different devices. Check your call or recording app's audio settings specifically for the input source.
Test in a different app
Try a voice recorder or a different calling app. If the mic works there, the issue is specific to the original app's settings, not the earbuds.
Check for wind or case interference
Cup your hand loosely around the earbud's mic opening during a test call — if that improves things, wind noise or a case/cover may be muffling the mic.
Clean the mic opening
Small mic ports can get blocked by lint or debris just like charging pins. A soft, dry brush can clear light blockages.
Re-pair the earbuds
A stale Bluetooth profile occasionally connects the audio (A2DP) side but not the calling (HFP) profile, which carries the mic signal. Forgetting and re-pairing usually resolves this.
Still not working?
If people can't hear you across multiple apps and devices after re-pairing and cleaning the mic port, the microphone component itself has likely failed. If you're shopping for a replacement, the Earbuds Finder can match you to options in your budget, or browse our comparison tool to weigh a few side by side.