Where to find the noise cancellation button
Noise cancellation is usually controlled by a physical button on your headphones or earbuds, a touch area on the ear cup, or a setting in the companion app on your phone. The button is often labeled with a microphone icon with a line through it, or straightforward marked "NC". On some models it cycles through modes — off, noise cancellation on, and transparency mode — each time you press it.
Check your headphone manual or the manufacturer's website for the exact location. Apple AirPods Pro have a force-sensor area on the stem. Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have a dedicated button on the left ear cup. Bose QuietComfort headphones use a button on the right side. The location varies widely, so knowing where yours is saves frustration the first time.
If your headphones came with a companion app — most major brands offer one — you can often toggle noise cancellation there instead of using the physical button. This is useful if the button is hard to reach or if you want to adjust settings like how much outside sound you let through.
Key Takeaways
- Most headphones have a physical button or touch area that turns noise cancellation on and off, often cycling through multiple modes with repeated presses.
- The button location depends on your model — check your manual or the manufacturer's website to find it on your specific headphones.
- Many headphones also let you control noise cancellation through a companion app on your phone, which may offer more detailed settings than the button alone.
- Noise cancellation drains the battery faster than regular listening, so turn it off when you do not need it if battery life matters for your use.
- Some headphones require a firmware update before noise cancellation works, which you can usually do through the companion app.
Turning on noise cancellation for the first time
When you first power on your headphones, noise cancellation may not be active by default. Press the noise cancellation button once — usually a short press, not a long hold. You should hear a tone or feel a vibration confirming the change. Some headphones announce "noise cancellation on" through the speakers.
If nothing happens, check that your headphones are fully charged. Noise cancellation requires power, and many models disable it automatically when the battery is very low. Charge them for at least 15 to 30 minutes, then try again. If you still hear no change, your model may require you to turn on the feature in the companion app first before the button will work.
Using the companion app to control noise cancellation
read the official app from your headphone manufacturer — Apple Headphones use the Settings app built into iOS or Mac, Sony headphones use the Sony Headphones Connect app, Bose uses the Bose Music app. Open the app and look for a section labeled "Noise Cancellation," "Sound," or "Audio Settings."
In the app, you can usually do more than just turn noise cancellation on or off. You can adjust the level — some apps let you dial it from 0 to 100 percent. You can enable transparency mode or ambient mode, which lets outside sound in so you can hear conversations or traffic. You can also set which mode activates when you first put on the headphones, which is useful if you prefer to start with transparency mode instead of full noise cancellation.
The app is also where you check for firmware updates. Manufacturers sometimes release updates that improve noise cancellation performance or fix bugs. Open the app, look for "Settings" or "About," and check for updates. If one is available, connect your headphones to power and to your phone on Wi-Fi, then let the update run without interrupting it.
Cycling through noise cancellation modes
Most modern headphones have three modes you can switch between: noise cancellation on, noise cancellation off, and transparency or ambient mode. Each press of the button cycles to the next mode. After three presses, you return to the first mode.
Noise cancellation mode blocks outside sound — useful on planes, in offices, or anywhere you want to focus. Transparency or ambient mode lets you hear the world around you while still wearing the headphones — useful when you need to hear someone speak to you or when you are walking outside. Off mode saves battery and is useful when you are in a quiet room and do not need the feature.
If you find yourself always cycling through modes to get to the one you want, check your companion app. Many headphones let you customize which modes the button cycles through, or even assign different modes to different buttons if your model has more than one.
Troubleshooting when noise cancellation will not turn on
If you press the button and nothing changes, start with the basics: make sure your headphones are powered on and charged. Noise cancellation is one of the most power-hungry features, so a low battery can disable it automatically. Charge for at least 30 minutes and try again.
Next, check whether your headphones are connected to your phone or computer. Some models disable noise cancellation when they are not paired to a device, or when they are connected to a device that does not support the feature. Disconnect and reconnect your headphones, then try the button again.
If you have a companion app, open it and look for a toggle or setting that says "Noise Cancellation" or "Active Noise Cancellation." It may be turned off in the app even though the button works. Turn it on there, then try the physical button. If the app shows a firmware update available, install it — sometimes noise cancellation is disabled until you update.
If none of that works, try a factory reset. Most headphones have a reset procedure — usually holding down a button for 10 to 15 seconds until you hear a tone or see a light flash. Check your manual for the exact steps. A reset clears any settings that might be blocking the feature and returns the headphones to their original state.
Battery drain and when to turn noise cancellation off
Noise cancellation uses extra power because the headphones are constantly analyzing outside sound and generating sound waves to cancel it. Depending on your model, noise cancellation can reduce battery life by 25 to 50 percent. If you are using your headphones for a long day away from a charger, turning off noise cancellation when you do not need it extends how long they last.
In a quiet room, you may not notice any difference between noise cancellation on and off, so turning it off saves battery with no downside. On a plane or in a loud office, the benefit is clear. Get to know when you actually need it for your own situation, and toggle it accordingly.
If battery life is a constant concern, look at your companion app settings. Some headphones let you set a battery-saving mode that automatically reduces noise cancellation strength or turns it off entirely when the battery drops below a certain level — usually 20 or 30 percent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my noise cancellation sound like a hissing or humming noise?
That sound is the noise cancellation itself working — you are hearing the sound waves the headphones generate to cancel outside noise. It is normal and usually fades into the background once you start playing music or audio. If it is very loud or bothersome, try adjusting the noise cancellation level in your companion app, or check whether a firmware update is available.
Can I use noise cancellation with any audio source?
Yes. Noise cancellation works independently of what you are listening to — music, podcasts, calls, or nothing at all. You can turn it on and just hear silence, or turn it on while listening to audio. It works the same way either way.
Does noise cancellation work better with certain types of sound?
Noise cancellation works best on steady, low-frequency sounds like airplane engines, air conditioning, or traffic. It is less effective on sudden or high-pitched sounds like a dog barking or someone tapping on a desk. Transparency mode is better if you need to hear those kinds of sounds.
What is the difference between noise cancellation and transparency mode?
Noise cancellation blocks outside sound so you hear mostly silence or just your audio. Transparency mode lets outside sound in so you can hear conversations and your surroundings while still wearing the headphones. Some headphones call it ambient mode instead of transparency mode, but they do the same thing.
Do I need to turn off noise cancellation when I am not using my headphones?
You do not have to, but it saves battery. If you are taking a break and will not use them for a while, turning off noise cancellation or powering off the headphones entirely extends how long they last between charges. Many people just power off the headphones instead, which stops all power drain.