How to fix Sony WF-1000XM5 Speak-to-Chat issues

The Sony WF-1000XM5 supports a Speak-to-Chat as the sound output of the earphones will automatically be muted once your voice is detected. If this feature is not working as advertised, then you can check out this troubleshooting article from Seeking Tech to see how you can fix your issue.

1. It is important to note that you need to manually activate this feature beforehand as, by default, it is disabled right out of the box.

To turn this feature on, you need to download the “Sony | Headphones Connect” app on your iPhone or Android phone. Afterwards, open the application, connect your WF-1000XM5, go to the Sound tab and then make sure that Speak-to-Chat is enabled.

You can find the official video setup instructions below:

2. If the Speak-to-Chat does not appear to be activating properly, then you can try setting the voice detection sensitivity to H Sensitivity from the aforementioned Sound tab in the “Sony | Headphones Connect”.

On the other hand, if you find that Speak-to-Chat is accidentally activating even when you aren’t talking, then you can try setting the ice detection sensitivity to L Sensitivity.

3. Make sure you aren’t covering the microphones on the left and right earphones as these are used to detect your voice.

4. If the sound output volume of the earbuds is high, then it may interfere with the Speak-to-Chat. In this case, you can try lowering the volume before talking to someone.

You can do so by quickly tapping the touch sensor of the left earbud four times.

5. Not wearing these earphones properly may also cause the Speak-to-Chat to work as intended.

6. If possible, you can try to make your speech clearer by speaking louder and at a slower cadence.

7. If Speak-to-Chat is still not working, then it may be best that you avoid using this feature. Instead, you can simply take off your earphones if you need to talk to someone.

How to fix Sony WF-1000XM5 Quick Attention Mode issues

If you want to quickly lower the volume of your Sony WF-1000XM5 so that you can hear more of the ambient sound from the surrounding environment, then you can try using the Quick Attention Mode. If this feature does not appear to be working correctly, then you can check out this troubleshooting article from Seeking Tech to see how you can fix your issue.

Quick Attention Mode vs. Ambient Sound Mode

Before we begin, we would like to explain the difference between the Quick Attention and Ambient Sound Modes of the WF-1000XM5.

If you activate the Quick Attention Mode, then the volume of the audio playback will decrease while the volume of the ambient noises will increase.

For the Ambient Sound Mode, the volume of the audio playback will remain the same while the volume of the ambient noises will increase.

So, if you need to pay full attention to the ambient noises, then the Quick Attention Mode is the better option out of the two.

Fixing the Quick Attention Mode issues

1. For the first potential fix, you should make sure that you are activating the Quick Attention Mode correctly.

In order to do so, you need to press and hold the touch sensor located on the left earbud. You need to keep holding that sensor until you want to disable the mode. Once you take your finger off, the earphones will return to its previous audio balance setting.

You can check out an official video showing how this mode works below:

2. Keep in mind that Quick Attention Mode won’t completely mute the audio playback volume. So, if you have the volume extremely high beforehand, then the sound output may still be distracting even if you have the mode activated.

To resolve this issue, turn down the volume before you activate the Quick Attention Mode. You can do so by quickly tapping the touch sensor on the left earbud four times.

3. The earbud tip you are using may not be big enough for this mode to work properly. In this case, you can try experimenting with different sizes to see which one is the best at blocking out ambient noises.

The WF-1000XM5 comes with SS, S, M and L earbud tips.

4. You should also make sure that you are wearing the earphones correctly; otherwise, the ambient noises won’t be completely blocked out, causing the Quick Attention Mode to be less effective.

How to fix Sony WF-1000XM5 Qi wireless charging issues

The Sony WF-1000XM5 supports Qi wireless charging. If you can’t get the charging case and/or earbuds to recharge properly, then you can check out this troubleshooting article from Seeking Tech to see how you can potentially fix your issues.

1. For the first step, you should make sure that the earphones are properly seated into the case. The magnets of the earbuds should snap into the charging ports of the case.

2. You should also check to see if the charging ports of the case and earphones are clean and unobstructed.

The bottom of the case should also be clean as it is where the Qi contact surface is located.

3. Furthermore, make sure that the Qi contact surfaces of the WF-1000XM5 are aligned with the Qi contact of the charging device. Otherwise, the case may not be charged.

4. Avoid having any other Qi wireless devices nearby as these may cause detection issues. The other devices should be at least 30 cm (or 11.81 inches) away.

5. The room temperature should also be between a range of 5 °C to 30 °C (or 59 °F to 86 °F). If it gets too hot or too cold, then the charging process may become inefficient or be stopped completely.

6. The WF-1000XM5 case is not water resistant. Therefore, you should make sure that it, along with the charging device, are both dry before you start the charging process.

7. You do cover the Qi contact surfaces. If you are using a cover, then you might want to consider taking it off to see if you can get the WF-1000XM5 case to properly recharge.

8. Some metallic objects may also interfere with the wireless charging process.

9 If the case still isn’t wirelessly charging properly, then you may want to contact Sony. There is a possibility that it may be in need of repair.

Of course, you can also try charging the device by using the included USB charging cable to see if you can get better results.

How to fix Sony WF-1000XM5 USB charging issues

If you have a hard time charging the Sony WF-1000XM5 case, then you can check out this troubleshooting article from Seeking Tech.

1. For the first step, make sure you are using the correct charging cable. For best compatibility, you should utilize the cable that came with the WF-1000XM5 packaging.

2. You should also check to see if the cable is securely connected on both ends.

3. If you are trying to recharge the case by using an USB port on your computer, then make sure that your PC hasn’t been put into sleep mode as its USB ports wouldn’t be powered on.

4. Of course, you can also try changing to another USB power source if possible. Not all USB ports are designed to charge the WF-1000XM5.

5. For best efficiency you need to charge the case within a temperature range of 5 °C to 30 °C (or 59 °F to 86 °F). Outside of this range, the internal battery may be slower at recharging and may not even charge up at all.

6. If you haven’t used the WF-1000XM5 for 6 months or more, then it may take longer than usual to recharge. Therefore, you may have to wait longer than 2 hours.

It is also important to note that not using the earphones for at least 6 months may cause temporary battery capacity issues. These will likely go away after several charging cycles.

7. You should also inspect the USB Type-C port of the charging case to see if there is any damage or obstructions.

If the port appears to be blocked by dust or other particles, then you can use an air canister or other tools to remove them.

8. You should check the charging ports inside of the case as well. Make sure that they are clean and that the earphones are properly snapped into their designated spots.

9. If you are still experiencing USB charging issues, then your Sony WF-1000XM5 may need to get repaired or replaced.

How to fix Sony WF-1000XM5 ambient sound mode issues

The Sony WF-1000XM5 comes with an ambient sound mode that makes it easier to hear external noises. If this feature does not appear to be working correctly, then you can check out this troubleshooting article from Seeking Tech to see how you can potentially fix it.

1. For the first step, you should make sure that ambient sound mode is properly enabled.

To turn this feature on, you have to tap the touch sensor located on the left earbud of the Sony WF-1000XM5. By default, you will be switching between the noise cancellation and ambient sound modes.

You can find the official video tutorial below:

2. If the volume of the music or video playback is too loud, then it may cancel out most of the effect of the ambient sound mode.

In this case, you can try lowering the volume. In order to do so via the touch controls of the WF-1000XM5, you need to tap the touch sensor of the left earbud four times in quick sucession.

3. You should also check to see if you are wearing the earphones correctly. Make you wear the proper ear tip size and that the fit in your ears is comfortable as well as secure.

4. Do not cover the microphone portions of the left and right earphones. Otherwise, the WF-1000XM5 may not be able to accurately determine the ambient sound noises.

5. While the earbuds offer IPX4 water resistance, liquid getting inside of these devices could cause temporary issues. In these cases, we suggest that you dry the wet earphones to see if the ambient sound mode will work as intended.

6. Using this specialized mode in windy or other extremely noisy environments may amplify some noises. In these scenarios, it may be best to simply take off your earbuds so that you don’t hurt your hearing.

How to use Sony WF-1000XM5 with two devices

You can connect the Sony WF-1000XM5 to two devices at the same time. To find out how you can properly use the earphones for more than one device simultaneously, you can check out this guide from Seeking Tech.

Pairing the WF-1000XM5 on multiple devices

If you haven’t done so already, make sure you pair the earbuds to your devices.

If you haven’t paired the WF-1000XM5 yet, then you need to remove the earphones from the charging case. By doing so, the two buds should enter pairing mode automatically.

If you have already paired WF-1000XM5 once, then you have to leave the earbuds in the charging case but keep the lid open. Afterwards, press and hold the pairing button on the back of the case for at least 5 seconds to enter into pairing mode.

With the earphones awaiting to be paired, go to the Bluetooth menu of your devices to complete the pairing and connection process.

You can find the official video on the pairing process below:

If you try to connect the earbuds to a third device, then only the third device and whichever device that last played music will stay connected. The other one will be dropped from the connection.

How music playback works with two devices

If you have two devices connected at the same time to the WF-1000XM5, then the earphones will prioritize music playback on the device that first initiated playback. Thus, the touch controls on the earphones will be applied to that music playing device.

If you want to switch the music playback to the other device, then you need to stop music from playing on the first device before you play music on the other one. The touch controls should automatically be switched to the other device as well.

If you try to play music on the other device while the music is still playing from the first device, then the earphones will prioritize the sound output from the first device.

How to use only one of the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds

You don’t need to use both of the Sony WF-1000XM5 earphones at the same time. To see how you can utilize only the left or right ear bud of this wireless headset, you can take a look at this tutorial from Seeking Tech.

To only use one of the earphones, you can simply wear one on your left ear or right ear. You can leave the other one inside the carrying case as it should remain disconnected and turned off.

After wearing one of the earphones, any stereo audio will automatically be mixed together for mono playback.

It is important to note that the music playback touch controls are assigned to the right earbud. So, if possible, we recommend wearing the right earpiece for music listening.

If you prefer only wearing the left earpiece, then you have to use the controls of the connected device (such as smartphone) in order to control the music playback. You can also use the “Sony | Headphones Connect” app of your phone to change the touch control functions of the Sony WF-1000XM5 left earbud.

To find out more about the touch controls for both earpieces, you can take a look at this tutorial.

If you want to use both ear buds at the same time, then you need to take the remaining earphone out of the charging case and then wear it.

What to do if your Sony WF-1000XM5 earphones gets wet

If you accidentally wet your Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Stereo Headset and/or its charging case, then you can check out this troubleshooting article from Seeking Tech to see how you can safely dry these electronics and get them working normally again.

Before we start, it is important to note that the WF-1000XM5 earbuds have been rated with the IPX4 water resistance. Therefore, it should be protected against light water splashes. With that said, you should still be careful if your ear buds get wet.

Furthermore, the WF-1000XM5 charging case does not offer any water resistance at all. So, you should be extremely careful when handling this component when it gets exposed to water.

1. The first step you need to take when the WF-1000XM5 has been exposed to liquid is to remove them from your ears as soon as possible, if you are currently wearing them.

If they are in the charging case, then you should unplug the case from the power source if you haven’t done so already. You should also remove the earbuds from the case.

2. Next, you should wipe off any liquid from these devices.

To wipe your earphones or charging case dry, we suggest using a lint-free microfiber cloth to avoid any scratches.

3. If you think water has gotten inside of the earphones, then you should remove the ear tips.

Afterwards, point the exposed sound output tubes downwards and then shake until you no longer see any water coming out of it.

You then need to point the microphone portion of the earphones downwards and then gently tap the opposite end to remove any water.

3. Afterwards, we recommend that you wait for at least an hour for the earphones and/or charging case to dry out at room temperature.

4. After waiting, we suggest that you put the ear tips back on and then test out the WF-1000XM5 ear buds. If the earphones are still wet, then you may experience the following issues:

  • Unusual noises
  • Distorted sound output
  • Weakened noise cancellation

If you encounter these problems, then it may indicate that some parts of the earbuds are still wet. In this case, we suggest waiting some more for the WF-1000XM5 to dry out at room temperature.

5. If you are still encountering issues with the headset after drying it out, then the product may have suffered from permanent liquid damage. In this scenario, you will most likely need to get the earphones repaired or replaced.

How to fix Sony WF-1000XM5 earphones noise cancellation issues

The WF-1000XM5 earphones come with a built-in noise cancellation functionality. If you are still hearing a lot of ambient noises when using this feature, then you can take a look at this troubleshooting article from Seeking Tech to see how you can potentially fix your issue.

1. For the first step, you should make sure that you are activating the noise cancellation mode correctly.

In order to do so, you need to tap the touch sensor on the left earbud. This action will cycle both earbuds to either the noise cancellation or ambient sound mode.

You can find an official video on how you can enable noise cancelling with this product below:


2. If the ambient noises are still too loud, then you should make sure that using the ear tips that came with your WF-1000XM5. A third-party tip may not be able to block out the same amount of noise level.

3. You should also make sure that you are wearing the earphones properly. Otherwise, you may not be able to block out the external noises.

4. Furthermore, you can try out different ear tip sizes to see if one is better than the others when it comes to noise cancellation.

5. Make sure that you are wearing both earphones before enabling the noise cancellation mode.

If you are only wearing one of the earpieces, then it will default to the ambient sound mode even if you wear the other earpiece afterwards.

6. Avoid covering the microphones of both earbuds. If the mics are covered, then the noise cancellation function may have a harder time filtering out the external sounds.

7. If you are using the WF-1000XM5 as a listening device for your smartphone, you should make sure that there is at least 50 cm or 20 inches of distances.

Otherwise, the phone may cause wireless interference with the wireless earphones.

9. It is also important to note that noise cancellation is not as effective when it comes to low frequency band noises.

Ambient environments that are already very quiet aren’t ideal either.

Sony WF-1000XM5 earphones battery life guide

The Sony WF-1000XM5 has a battery life of up to 8 hours when it comes to active usage. With a fully charged case, you can get a maximum of 24 hours. With that said, the battery life can end up being much shorter depending on how you use these Bluetooth earphones.

You can check out this Seeking Tech guide to see a breakdown of how long you can use the product without having to recharge.

LDAC codec battery life

If you are using the LDAC for music playback, then you can get up to 5 hours of operating time. This is the most demanding out of the four supported codecs.

AAC codec battery life

If you are listening to music via the AAC codec, then you will be able to get up to 8 hours of playback.

SBC codec battery life

The SBC codec should also give you 8 hours of battery life for a fully charged WF-1000XM5.

LC3 codec battery life

The LC3 codec is slightly more demanding as the maximum operating time is 7 hours.

Calling

If you use the Sony WF-1000XM5 exclusively for calls, then you can get up to 6 hours of operation.

Other Factors

When it comes to other factors that can affect the battery life of this product, enabling the following settings via the Sony | Headphones Connect App will cause the earbuds to drain faster than normal:

  • Equalizer
  • DSEE Extreme
  • Speak-to-Chat
  • Service Link
  • Launching Voice AI Assistance via Voice Input

While the earphones feature noise cancellation support, the feature should have no noticeable impact as the operation times should be the same in both noise cancelling and ambient sound modes.

On the other hand, the environmental temperature may affect battery life. If you haven’t been using the earphones for at least six months, then the maximum battery capacity may also be temporarily diminished. Of course, the internal battery may wear down over time.