Where to find noise cancellation and what it actually does
Noise cancellation is a feature that reduces background sounds — traffic, airplane engines, office chatter — by playing an opposite sound wave through your headphones or speakers. It does not make your device silent. It makes unwanted noise quieter so you can hear what you want to hear.
Where you turn it on depends on what device you own. Headphones have a button or switch. Phones and laptops have a setting in the audio or sound menu. Some devices call it "Active Noise Cancellation" or "ANC". Others label it "Noise Control" or "Ambient Mode". The name changes, but the feature does the same thing.
Not every device has noise cancellation. Budget headphones, basic earbuds, and older models often lack it. If you do not see a button or setting after checking the places listed below, your device probably does not have the feature.
Key Takeaways
- Wireless headphones usually have a physical button or touch control on the ear cup that toggles noise cancellation on and off.
- On iPhones and iPads, noise cancellation lives in Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual, not in the main sound menu.
- Android phones put the setting in Settings > Sound and Vibration > Advanced or Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Enhancements, depending on the manufacturer.
- Noise cancellation drains battery faster on wireless headphones and phones, so turn it off when you do not need it.
- The feature works best in steady background noise like airplane cabins or highway traffic, and less well with sudden or unpredictable sounds.
Turning on noise cancellation in wireless headphones
Most wireless headphones have a dedicated button on one of the ear cups. Look for a button labeled "NC", "ANC", or a symbol that looks like a sound wave with a line through it. Press it once to turn noise cancellation on. Press it again to turn it off. Some headphones cycle through modes — full noise cancellation, ambient mode (which lets outside sound in), and off — with each press.
If your headphones do not have a physical button, check the companion app on your phone. Popular brands like Sony, Bose, Apple, and Sennheiser all have free apps in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Open the app, look for "Noise Cancellation" or "ANC", and toggle it on. The app may also let you adjust how strong the noise cancellation is.
Some newer headphones use touch controls instead of buttons. Swipe down on the ear cup, tap and hold, or use a specific gesture — the exact motion varies by brand. Check the manual or the app to learn your headphones' gesture.
Turning on noise cancellation on iPhones and iPads
Apple calls its noise cancellation feature "Noise Cancellation" on AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, but the setting is not where you might expect. Open Settings, then go to Accessibility. Scroll down and tap Audio/Visual. You will see "Noise Cancellation" listed there. Tap the toggle to turn it on.
If you have AirPods Pro or AirPods Max connected, you can also control noise cancellation from the Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (or up from the bottom on older iPhones). Find the audio card showing your AirPods, press and hold it, and tap the noise cancellation icon at the bottom. You can switch between Noise Cancellation, Transparency (ambient mode), and Off without opening Settings.
On older AirPods or non-Apple headphones, noise cancellation may be controlled only through the headphones' button or app, not through your iPhone settings.
Turning on noise cancellation on Android phones
Android does not have a single standard location for noise cancellation because different manufacturers put it in different places. Start by opening Settings and looking for "Sound and Vibration" or "Sound". Scroll down to see if "Noise Cancellation" or "Active Noise Cancellation" appears there.
If you do not find it in Sound settings, try Accessibility. Open Settings, tap Accessibility, then look for "Hearing Enhancements" or "Audio Adjustments". Some phones, like Samsung Galaxy models, also have a separate "Bixby" or device-specific app where audio features live.
If your Android phone does not have a built-in noise cancellation setting, your headphones' app controls it instead. read the app from Google Play Store, open it, and look for the noise cancellation toggle. The app will work even if your phone does not have a system-wide setting.
Turning on noise cancellation on Windows and Mac computers
Windows 11 has a built-in noise cancellation feature for microphones during calls. Open Settings, go to System > Sound, scroll down to "Advanced", and look for "Noise Suppression". Toggle it on. This reduces background noise when you are speaking on a call, not when you are listening.
For listening to audio through headphones, Windows does not have a system-wide noise cancellation setting. Your headphones' app controls it instead. read the app from the manufacturer's website or from the Microsoft Store, then toggle noise cancellation on in the app.
Mac computers do not have a built-in noise cancellation feature for audio or calls. If your headphones support noise cancellation, use the headphones' button, the companion app, or the Control Center. Open Control Center from the top-right corner, find the audio output card, and look for a noise cancellation option if your headphones support it.
Why noise cancellation drains battery and when to turn it off
Noise cancellation requires your headphones or device to constantly generate sound waves and monitor the environment. This uses extra power. Wireless headphones with noise cancellation turned on will run out of battery faster than with it off — sometimes by several hours depending on the model.
Turn noise cancellation off when you do not need it. If you are working in a quiet room, at home, or in a place where background noise does not bother you, switching it off will extend your battery life. If you are on a long flight or in a noisy office, the battery trade-off is usually worth it.
Noise cancellation also works better in some situations than others. It is very effective against steady, predictable noise like airplane engines or highway traffic. It is less effective against sudden sounds like a dog barking or someone shouting. If the noise around you is unpredictable, noise cancellation may not help much, so there is no point draining the battery.
Troubleshooting when noise cancellation is not working
If you turned on noise cancellation but still hear background noise, the feature may not be working properly. First, check that it is actually on. Look for the button on your headphones or re-check the setting in your phone or computer. Some devices have multiple modes — make sure you are not in "Ambient Mode" or "Transparency Mode", which lets outside sound in intentionally.
If noise cancellation is on but not reducing noise, try restarting your headphones. Turn them off completely, wait ten seconds, and turn them back on. If you are using an app to control noise cancellation, close the app and reopen it. Sometimes the connection between your device and headphones gets out of sync.
Check that your headphones are charged. Noise cancellation stops working or works poorly when the battery is very low. Charge your headphones fully and try again. If the problem persists, your headphones may have a hardware issue and may need repair or replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does noise cancellation work with all types of headphones?
No. Only headphones and earbuds specifically designed with noise cancellation have the feature. Wired headphones rarely have it. Budget wireless headphones often lack it. Check your headphones' product page or manual to see if noise cancellation is listed as a feature.
Can I use noise cancellation while on a phone call?
Yes, but it works differently. Noise cancellation reduces background noise you hear, while noise suppression reduces background noise the other person hears. Most devices have both features, and you can turn them on at the same time. Your headphones' app or your phone's settings control each one separately.
Will noise cancellation damage my hearing?
No. Noise cancellation does not add sound to your ears — it removes it. The opposite sound waves cancel out unwanted noise without affecting the volume of what you want to hear. You still need to keep your overall volume at a safe level, just as you would without noise cancellation.
Why does noise cancellation sound weird sometimes?
Noise cancellation can create a slight pressure sensation in your ears or make the silence feel unnatural. This is normal and usually goes away after a few minutes as your brain adjusts. If it bothers you, try Ambient Mode or Transparency Mode instead, which lets some outside sound through while still reducing it.
Can I turn on noise cancellation in both ears if I have two separate earbuds?
Yes. If both earbuds support noise cancellation, it turns on for both at the same time. You control it with a single button or setting, not separately for each earbud. Some earbuds let you turn noise cancellation off in one ear only through their app, but this is less common.