THE BLOG / CARE & SETUP

One Side Quiet?
No Sound?
Start Here.

A practical IEM troubleshooting guide for uneven volume, no sound, device compatibility, PC background noise and loose nozzles.

01 / UNEVEN VOLUME

One side sounds quieter or muffled.

CHECK THIS FIRST

Earwax or moisture may be blocking the filter.

In our support experience, most cases of one side becoming quieter or muffled come from earwax or moisture blocking the nozzle filter, especially when it has not been cleaned regularly.

A blocked filter can reduce sound even when the earphone still works. [1]

Inspect and gently clean. Disconnect the IEM and remove the ear tip. Hold the nozzle facing down and lightly brush loose debris off the outer mesh with a clean, dry, soft brush.
Let it dry completely, then retest. After sweat or moisture exposure, leave it disconnected to dry at room temperature. Avoid heat. Refit the tip and listen at a low volume once dry.
Keep up regular care. Wipe the outside dry after use and inspect the filter regularly, before buildup starts to affect the sound.

Keep liquid and sharp tools out of the opening; do not push debris inward. If the filter remains blocked, ask Tipsy about the correct replacement and procedure. Keep the filter in place during listening.

Watch: Tipsy filter-replacement demonstration 0:59

For the filter design shown. Confirm the procedure and replacement filter with Tipsy before applying it to your model. The metal nozzle stays in place. If the nozzle itself has detached, see loose nozzle guidance.

Still quieter after cleaning and drying?

Check the recording and balance. Try another track or app. Centre the left/right balance in your device settings. Temporarily enabling mono audio can help rule out a deliberately uneven stereo mix; switch it off after testing.
Check the ear-tip seal. Refit both sides, especially if one sounds thin or lacks bass. Try another tip size—you may need different sizes for each ear.
Reseat the connection. Pause playback, then reconnect the plug fully. Check that a phone case is not blocking it. Hold connector housings, not the wire; never force a connector.
Compare another setup. Test on a second compatible device. If available, try a known-working, compatible cable or DAC, changing only one part at a time.

02 / NO AUDIO

One side has no sound. Check the cable first.

Try another compatible cable, or cross-connect the left and right cable branches to see whether the silence moves.

Try a known-working, compatible cable. Keep the device and settings the same. If both earpieces now work, the original cable or its connections are the likely cause.
Or swap the cable branches. Pause playback and unplug from the source. Connect the left cable branch to the right earpiece, and the right branch to the left earpiece. Use only matching detachable connectors; hold the connector housings and never force them.

Left cable branchRight earpiece

Right cable branchLeft earpiece

Keep each earpiece in its usual ear—swap the cable connections, not the earpieces. Reconnect and test at low volume with centred balance and mono audio. Restore the normal connections and stereo setting afterwards.

Does the silence move to the other earpiece?

Yes: it follows a cable branch or its source channel. For example, if the left earpiece was silent and the right becomes silent after the swap, check the original left cable branch. Confirm with another compatible cable or source.
No—the same earpiece stays silent: recheck its connection and nozzle filter, then contact Tipsy with the test result if it persists.

If both sides are silent

Check output and mute. Audio may still be going to a monitor, speakers or Bluetooth device. Check the system and app’s output and volume.
Connect directly. Temporarily remove hubs, extension leads and unnecessary adapters. Try another suitable port.
Confirm compatibility. A 3.5 mm cable needs a headphone output or compatible DAC adapter. A USB-C DSP cable or DAC must be supported by the host device.
Compare another setup. Try the IEMs on a second compatible setup, then try working headphones on the original output.

03 / SWITCHING DEVICES

It works here, but not there.

Check routing and compatibility on the device that behaves differently.

Windows PC

Open Settings → System → Sound → Output and select your headphones or USB DAC.
Check the app in Volume mixer. Temporarily turn off audio enhancements or spatial processing to compare. [2]

Mac

Open System Settings → Sound → Output.
Select the connected device, check Mute and centre Balance where available. [3]

Phone or tablet

Check the playback destination and reconnect directly.
Use an audio adapter or USB DAC confirmed compatible with your exact device. A charging-only adapter cannot carry USB audio.

PS5

Open Settings → Sound → Audio Output → Output Device and select the connected headset.
Check Output to Headphones and headphone volume. If the USB device does not appear, verify its PS5 compatibility. [4]

Different loudness? The same volume percentage can produce different levels on different devices. Check device volume, app volume and any saved DSP EQ.

04 / PC BACKGROUND NOISE

Hiss or buzzing through a PC’s 3.5 mm jack.

Sensitive IEMs can make a source’s background hiss easier to hear. Noise on one computer does not automatically mean the IEM is faulty. [5]

Other useful checks

Check when it happens. Pause playback and try another app. Note whether the noise is constant or changes with mouse movement or gaming. This helps separate recording noise from the playback setup.
Try a direct connection. Remove extension leads and splitters. On a desktop, compare the front jack with a rear output that supports headphones; check the PC’s manual. Keep the volume low.
Compare another source. Test the same IEM and cable on another compatible device. If the noise disappears, focus on the PC’s output and connections.

Still noisy over USB? Try a direct rear USB port and another compatible USB cable where detachable, without a hub or extension. Use low gain if your DAC offers it. [6]

05 / LOOSE NOZZLE

The nozzle has come loose or detached.

Nozzle attachments vary by design. M3 uses a glued joint; some other designs screw into place. Repeated removal and refitting of ear tips can gradually loosen either attachment, and the nozzle may come off with the tip.

This section covers the rigid nozzle or nozzle housing under the ear tip. A loose mesh filter is a different part. Remove the IEM from your ear and disconnect it before working on it.

Glued nozzle · M3

Use an adhesive suitable for your model. Ask Tipsy which adhesive to use if you are unsure.
A tiny dab is enough. Use a toothpick to apply a very small amount to the bonding edge only, then seat the nozzle back in its original position.
Keep the sound path clear. Do not put glue on the mesh or into the sound opening. Let it fully cure according to the adhesive’s instructions before refitting the ear tip or listening.

Screw-on nozzle

Align the threads. Gently screw the nozzle back into its original position by hand.
Tighten only until snug. Do not force it, overtighten it or add glue to a threaded joint.
Check that it is secure. If it will not seat properly, contact Tipsy for help.

Do not wear the IEM until the nozzle is secure. If the housing is cracked, the threads are damaged or the nozzle keeps coming loose, contact us before attempting another repair.

READ THE RESULT

What did the comparison tell you?

What changed	What to check next
Only one app has the problem	That app’s output, volume, EQ or audio settings.
The same IEM and cable work on another device	The original device’s settings, port or compatibility.
Replacing only the cable or DAC resolves it	The original cable/DAC path and its connections.
The silence moves after swapping cable branches	The cable branch or source channel it follows; confirm with another cable or source.
PC 3.5 mm is noisy, but USB audio is quieter	The PC’s analog output and the original connection path.
The same earpiece stays quiet or silent across setups	Recheck its connection and filter, then contact Tipsy with your test results.

These checks narrow down the cause; they do not by themselves prove that a driver has failed.

Sources & further help

Shure: debris in earphone nozzles and reduced output; Apple: gentle, dry mesh cleaning. General care principles; model-specific procedures differ.
Microsoft: output devices, app volume and audio troubleshooting.
Apple: Mac sound output and balance.
PlayStation: PS5 audio output and headphone settings.
iFi Audio: high sensitivity and audible source noise.
FiiO: troubleshooting computer USB noise; FiiO: comparing computer ports and connections. General troubleshooting references; connector support depends on the device.