Airpods Max not working on one side

this was not helpful at all. not one article.

nothing helps this sh***. they made me buy 500$ headphones just for audio quality.. but the b*** ain't worth it to me. tbh got the latest update on my phone, now the right side for my airpods max doesn't work. i've tried everything nothing works. f*** apple bruh. they just tryna get people money.

If your left or right AirPod won't play audio, this support article may have a solution --> If your left or right AirPod isn't working - Apple Support

If you still need help, use this link for this specific issue to contact Apple Support. Click here --> https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=kbase&PGF=PGF32003&category_id=SC0285&symptom_id=23222

All the other answers I’ve seen have involved resetting or other software solutions. The answer could very easily be hardware:

1. Remove the magnetic ear cups.
2. Locate the pin holes at the top of the left and right ear. They’ll look like a SIM card hole for a phone. They’ll be on the inside (would have been hidden under the ear cup).
3. Use a SIM card ejector tool to remove the headphones from the band (yes, each ear completely separates). You’ll see a connector piece that looks like a Lightning cable and a headphone jack had a baby.
4. Use a cotton pad with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol, like from a first aid kit) to clean the connectors. There are two- one at the end of each side of the band. You’ll see there’s likely dirt/corrosion/something that’ll come off as you clean.
5. make sure it’s dry, then reattach the ears to the band. You’ll insert the connector in and rotate slowly until you hear a click. That means the ear piece is attached to the band again.
6. Reattach your ear cups (the magnetic ones) and enjoy!

I spent hours following other tutorials on resetting, restarting, unpairing, etc. and ended up getting nowhere. Did this and now they’re working beautifully again!