Google on how to fix Pixel Buds low volume, humming sound

If the volume on your Pixel Buds is low or you hear a humming sound, Google has published a guide on how to fix those issues.

We haven’t heard or faced these issues ourselves, but the Pixel Buds team must believe it’s a significant enough problem to warrant instructions on how to resolve it. Google is not referring to a specific model (Pro, A-Series, etc.) today.

Have you ever experienced low volume on your buds or humming sound? These situations are not ideal but have the possibility to happen right in the middle of our favorite song or on a call or during the most intense part of a movie.

Google

Notably, these steps require going into Android’s Developer options. To enable that, go to Settings > About phone and tap “Build number” several times.

The instructions for boosting volume are split between Pixel and all other Android devices. On Google phones, it involves switching off “Disable absolute volume,” which is off by default on Android 13 and 14 devices we checked. Find it under the “Network” sub-menu, but you can just search for it:

1. Go into your phone settings
2. Tap System
3. Tap Developers options
4. Under “Networking” turn “Disable absolute volume” off

On “Non-Pixel Androids” (yup), there are possible options:

Enable “Media Volume Sync” in your device’s settings:

1. Tap Connections
2. Tap Bluetooth
3. Tap Advanced
4. Turn “Media volume sync” on

Go to devices settings:

1. Tap Network
2. Tap Bluetooth
3. Select your Pixel Buds settings
4. Edit name of the device: Rename it: “ABS-DO-ENABLE”
5. Tap and hold the device name
6. Disconnect and tap on the device name to reconnect 

While the steps to fix volume issues are relatively simple, it feels slightly odd that Google is directing Pixel Buds owners to Developer options rather than just updating the firmware, though that’s admittedly an infrequent occurrence.

More on Pixel Buds:

• If Google launched ‘Pixel Buds Pro 2,’ what would you change? [Poll]
• Google will soon remind you to clean your filthy Pixel Buds
• Source: Big Pixel Buds Pro update adding Clear Calling, more

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