Beats Solo 3 Only One Side Works? – (Don’t Panic, Easy Fix!)

Wondering why your Beats Solo 3 only one side works?

Well, don’t worry, this is a common occurrence among users, and fortunately, it’s simple to fix. 

This guide will unwrap all the reasons why only one of your Beats headphones works and the best methods to help you restore your headphones’ functionality.

To fix when Beats Solo³ only one side is working, refresh the headphones’ connection, charge your Solos, and check the Audio Balance settings.

You must also check for any firmware updates and factory reset your Solo³.

Let’s next learn what could prevent your Beats Solo³ one side to stop functioning!

Why Beats Solo 3 Only Playing in One Ear?

Having trouble with your Beats Solo³ headphones where sound only comes from one side can be annoying.

This imbalance disrupts the whole listening experience, making it hard to enjoy your favorite music or videos. 

The reasons for this problem can vary, from issues with headphones connection to your device to problems with the wireless connection.

So, here’s a summarized list of all possible causes:

That’s it. There is not much, so let’s address each of these possibilities!

How to Fix Beats Solo 3 Only One Side Works?

Now that you know about the causes, in the below section, we are going to discuss a few simple and proven-to-work solutions to get both sides of your headphones working again.

Let’s jump in!

1. Play Different Audio Sources

Many users have reported this imbalanced audio problem with one of the Solo headphones’ sides occurs during calls, talks, and when texting.

So, start by playing different audio sources. 

To rectify the issue; Play various types of media, including music, videos, podcasts, or audio files from different apps or platforms.

We recommend YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, or Apple Music.

Examine your headphones’ audio output carefully and the device’s loudspeakers to determine if you can hear anything.

Additionally, ensure that you are near your device and the volume is up.

Note: If one side of your Beats Solo³ is not working on different sources, it’s a global problem!

2. Reset the Beats Solo³ Connection

If you are using your Solo³ via Bluetooth, try unpairing and pairing the headphones to set up a fresh connection.

If using your headphones in wired mode, then reconnect the RemoteTalk wire (3.5 mm AUX) to reset and ensure a firm connection.

Here is a quick guide to resetting your Headphone connection:

Bluetooth Connection:

1. Go to the Bluetooth settings of your mobile.
2. Then, find and choose the Beats Solo³ name.
3. On iOS, tap the “i” icon to “Forget this Device”.
4. On Android, tap the cogwheel and “FORGET.”
5. Hold the “Power Button” for about 5 seconds.
6. The Fuel Gauge should flash as an indication.
7. Your Beats Solo³ should now be discoverable.
8. In the Bluetooth tab, select your Beast Solo³. 
9. Finally, press the “Connect” button to connect.

Wired Connection:

1. Unplug the RemoteTalk cable jack from your headphones.
2. Check for any visible connector damages or obstructions.
3. Replug the cable into your headphones and the AUX port.

After reconnecting the headphone connection, test your headphones to verify if both sides are now producing audio correctly.

Tip: Try using a different audio cable or adapter to rule out any issues with the accessories!

3. Charge Your Beats Headphones

If using wireless mode, ensure that your headphones have sufficient battery charge.

If you are not sure about it, simply connect the headphones to a charging cable and adapter and plug them into a power source.

Let them charge for at least 1 hour and then attempt to test again!

Follow these steps to charge your Beats Solo 3:

1. Plug a micro USB cable into the headphones and adapter.
2. Connect the adapter to the working wall outlet for charging.
3. During the charging, the lights on the Fuel Gauge will flash. 
4. Once the Solo³ is fully charged, all five LED lights will be lit.

Then, re-connect your headphones to the device, play any sound, and test them again!

4. Check Audio Balance Settings

If your Beats Solo 3 right side not working, adjusting the audio balance settings on your device can resolve the problem.

This can be done by going to the audio settings on your mobile phone, whether it’s Android or iOS, and centralizing the audio balance to be exactly in the middle.

Follow these steps to check your audio balance settings:

For Mobile Devices (Smartphones, Tablets)

• On iOS, go to Settings → Accessibility → Audio/Visual → Audio Balance → set the slider to 0.00 value.
• On Android, go to Settings → Accessibility → Audio → Audio Adjustment → set the slider to the middle (left/right).

For Computers (Windows and Mac)

On Windows:

• Right-click on the volume icon → “Open Sound Settings” → Choose your headphones → “Device properties” → “Balance” → Adjust the slider.

On Mac:

• Click on the Apple menu → “System Preferences” → “Sound” → “Output” → Select your Beats Solo 3 → “Output” → Adjust the balance slider.

After that, play any media content and test your Beats Solo³ headphones again.

5. Check for Firmware Updates

Firmware updates for your Solo³ headphones are usually installed automatically when they are charging and within Bluetooth range of your Wi-Fi-connected device.

To check if your Beats are using the most recent firmware update, follow the below steps:

• Using iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings → Bluetooth → Locate your Beats → tap the Info button → choose About → check the firmware version.
• Using Mac: Press and hold Option Key + Apple menu → choose System Information → go to Bluetooth → Locate your Beats → check the firmware version. 
• Using Android Device: Download and set up the Beats app. When you see an Update notification, follow the on-screen instructions to update and keep the app open until the update completes. 

Important: Also, ensure the audio source device is running on the latest software, as corrupted drivers or software bugs can cause compatibility issues.

6. Factory Reset the Beats Solo³

If nothing from the above solutions works out, reset your Beats Solo³ headphones to factory defaults to entirely start a fresh connection.

This essentially cleans the software and removes all Bluetooth connections and bugs that affect only one side of your headphones.

To reset the Beats Solo³, follow the steps below:

1. Locate the Volume Down and Power buttons on your Beats.
2. Press and hold down both buttons on Solo 3 for 10 seconds.
3. When the Fuel Gauge flashes, you can release both buttons.
4. Your headphones would then restore to their factory settings.

After that, hold your headphones next to your unlocked device, press the power button on your Solo³ for 5 seconds, and connect with your devices again.

Note: If the issue persists, connect Solo³ to a device with a different OS in the next step!

7. Pair Solo³ to Different Systems

If the sound on your Beats Solo 3 left side not working still, maybe the source device you are connecting to may have some serious issues with it. 

To rule out this possibility, attempt to connect your Solo³ to another device running a different system, ranging from iOS and macOS to Android and Windows.

Whatever you have available!

Here’s a guide to pairing Beats Solo³ to your device:

How to Pair Solo³ with an iPhone? (iOS 10 or later)

1. Grab your Solo 3 next to your unlocked iPhone.
2. Press the Power button on it for 1 or 5 seconds.
3. When the iPhone prompts, press Pair to connect. 

How to Pair Solo³ with an Android?

1. From the device Settings, toggle Bluetooth “ON”.
2. Hold the Power button on Solo³ for 5 seconds.
3. Next, choose your Beats Solo³ from your device.
4. Finally, tap the Pair button to establish a connection.

Once done pairing with a different device, play any audio and test both headphones’ sides.

If the problem persists and nothing worked out so far, the fault might be related to the Solo³ hardware.

Tip: Contact Beats Support for repair or replacement options!

Quick Recap

To fix when Beats Solo 3 only one side works, reconnect the headphones to your device, recharge them, and adjust the Audio Balance settings.

Next, check for firmware updates and factory reset your Beats Solo³.

Visit our blog for more Beats product troubleshooting guides!