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audio only comes from one side on youtube but fine on spotify

Ask By Trisha S.2,759 views

youtube shows audio in left side only. spotify and games are both channels. my headphones are okay. only videos on certain channels

Brand
Sony
Model
WH-CH520
Connection
Bluetooth
System
Windows 11
Browser
Edge 131
Sample Rate
48 kHz
Output Channels
2 channels
Left And Right Channel ProblemsHeadphones
Tool used in this discussionLeft Right TestPlay one side at a time to catch a swapped or dead channel
Open Free Tool
Short Answer

If only some videos play on one side, the video itself is mono or panned. The Left Right Test will show whether your setup is fine.

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Kriti Desai
Kriti DesaiAudio Team
Stereo Balance Auditor · 9+ years experience · Answered Jan 23, 2026

Some YouTube videos are recorded with the voice on one channel only, so the sound seems to come from one ear. That is a property of the video, not your device.

The Left Right Test uses a clean stereo signal, so it tells you if your setup plays both sides.

Step By Step Fix
  1. Run the Left Right Test and confirm both sides play
  2. Turn on Mono Audio in Windows Accessibility so one-channel videos play in both ears
  3. Test the same video on another device to compare
  4. Skip faulty videos or find another upload
Sources
  1. Microsoft Support

Checked by Imogen Blake on . How we verify answers

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Community Replies 2

  • Diego SanchezCommunity Member

    Mono audio setting solved it for old interviews I watch. It took me a few minutes, and the Left Right Test showed the difference straight away.

  • Theo BoothCommunity Member

    Many old videos are recorded like this. It is not your headphones. I tested it on my own setup and it held up for weeks.

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Kriti Desai
Written and tested by

Kriti Desai

Stereo Balance Auditor at Sound Test

Kriti Desai is the Stereo Balance Auditor on the Sound Tester Audio Team. Dedicated to validating left-to-right channel panning balance and locating hardware wiring faults in mobile headphone jacks. Connects with global audio builders on Mastodon and LinkedIn. On Sound Tester she answers one-sided audio, balance and speaker polarity discussions, and checks headphone jacks and wiring with the Left Right Test.

Stereo balancechannel panningheadphone jack faults
  • 7 answers on Sound Test
  • 9+ years experience
  • Reviewed by Imogen Blake
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The Audio Team Behind These Answers

All 38 specialists
Brandon VanceBrandon VanceAudio & Acoustic Performance LeadXavier CruzXavier CruzFrequency Sweep SpecialistDiana ChenDiana ChenHearing Test ArchitectAlistair CrossAlistair CrossHeadphone Benchmark LeadImogen BlakeImogen BlakeBinaural Beats EngineerCallum SterlingCallum SterlingSurround Sound AuditorGemma GallagherGemma GallagherTone Generator ValidatorHarvey FinchHarvey FinchSpectrum Analyzer Lead

Each answer is written by the specialist closest to the topic and checked by a second team member. How we verify answers

Answers are free general guidance from the Sound Tester Audio Team and community. They are not medical advice. For hearing loss, ringing or ear pain, see a doctor or audiologist. Opening a device can void its warranty, so check the maker's support first for hardware faults.

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