Noise cancelling on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is among the best on the market, so when it seems weak, uneven or noisy the cause is almost always the seal, a wrong mode or wind, and not a failure of the technology. Active noise cancelling works with microphones that listen outside and inside the ear and play opposing sound, and it works only if the earbud sits in the ear without a gap. A weak seal lets in noise and loses bass.
The checks in more detail
Run the fit test in the Bose Music app, try a different tip size on each ear, since the two ears can differ, and use the stability band that fits the ear. Push the earbud in with a slight twist, and keep hair or a hat from pushing it out. Check the mode. The earbuds have Quiet mode for full cancelling, Aware mode, which lets sound through, and Immersion or custom modes that you can set in the app; if Aware or a custom level is chosen, noise will leak in.
Look at the setting for the cancelling level, which can be a slider, and put it at the highest. Wind is a known weakness of microphones: in a breeze the wind noise reduction may reduce effectiveness, and a hood or hat can reduce it. Low-frequency noise such as an engine is easier to cancel than speech or a sudden bang. If you hear a hiss, check that the nozzles are clean, and that the earbuds are not too close to a phone's radio. Update the earbuds' firmware, because Bose improves cancelling in updates.
If only one earbud cancels, the other may have a blocked microphone port or a poor seal; clean the small mic holes gently with a dry brush. Make sure the earbuds are fully charged, because a very low battery can reduce performance. If the cancelling suddenly stops on both earbuds and no setting helps, restart them by putting them in the case and removing them, and check the case's own firmware. If the problem persists after a reset, contact Bose with the serial number for service or replacement under warranty.
Differential
Likely causes of “Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds noise cancellation or transparency”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A poor seal
What separates it Noise leaks in and bass thins
How to confirm Run the fit test and change tips
- 2
The wrong mode
What separates it Aware or a low level is active
How to confirm Choose Quiet and the highest level
- 3
Wind
What separates it A rushing noise in a breeze
How to confirm Shelter or reduce wind exposure
- 4
Blocked microphone ports
What separates it One side cancels poorly
How to confirm Clean the ports gently
- 5
Old firmware
What separates it Cancelling issues
How to confirm Update in the app
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The mode and level
- The fit test result
- Whether one side is weaker
- The firmware version
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedRun the fit test
ReversibleIn the app.
Choose Quiet mode
ReversibleAt the highest level.
Change tip sizes
ReversiblePer ear.
Clean the microphone ports
ReversibleGently.
Update the firmware
ReversibleIn the app.
Contact Bose
ReversibleIf it fails.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Seal
- Cancelling needs a tight fit.
- Wind
- It reduces effectiveness.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If cancelling fails on both earbuds after a reset, contact Bose with the serial number
- !Update the firmware first
- !Test in a quiet room
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why is my noise cancelling weak?+
Usually a poor seal.
Does wind affect it?+
Yes, microphones suffer in wind.
Is Aware mode the same as cancelling?+
No, it lets sound in.
Can an update help?+
Bose improves cancelling in firmware.