There could be problems with either the iOS or the iPhone speakers not working on your iPhone. Your speaker problems could be anything from a blocked speaker to defective hardware. All iPhone models and generations are affected by the issue. It’s also important to remember that the issue frequently arises following an iOS update. Some users report that there is no sound coming from the speaker. For some, the sound is muffled or extremely low. Sometimes the problem is specific to one speaker (e.g., the bottom speaker).
Notice: iPhone speakers not working
In other situations, the problem is specific to a specific program, such as FaceTime or WhatsApp. Some people report that the issue arises when they utilize the microphone. For instance, the speaker works perfectly elsewhere but makes little to no sound when you call someone and turn on the speaker. Unlucky users of the iPhone may notice that the speaker icon in the Control Center is greyed out.
1. Make Your iPhone Force Restart
First things first: forcing a restart of your iPhone will eliminate any momentary issues it could be experiencing.
- Tap on the iPhone’s volume up button and then tap on the volume down
- Now press and hold the iPhone’s side button till the screen shows the Apple logo. Do not release on the Apple Power menu screen.
- Then wait till the iPhone boots and once done, check if the iPhone’s speaker is working.
2. Upgrade to the most recent build of iOS
If the iOS is out of date and its dependencies aren’t running correctly, the speaker cannot function. Here, the problem might be fixed by updating iOS to the most recent build. Updating to the most recent version of iOS may also fix the bug causing the speaker problem. Even if it’s a safe procedure, it’s still advisable to create a backup of your iPhone to prevent any issues later.
- Charge your iPhone to 100% and connect to a Wi-Fi network.
- Charge your iPhone to 100% and connect to a Wi-Fi network.
- Then tap on Software Update and check if an iOS update is available
- If so, download the update, and once done, install it.
- Then restart your iPhone and afterwards, check if the iPhone’s speaker is working fine
3. Turn off the Bluetooth on the iPhone
If your phone’s iOS has been set up to send its sounds to a nonexistent Bluetooth speaker, the speaker could not function. There could be an iOS bug causing this. In this instance, turning off Bluetooth on the iPhone might fix the speaker problem.
- Launch iPhone Settings and open Bluetooth.
- Now disable Bluetooth by toggling its switch to off and then check if the iPhone speaker is working.
- If not, connect the iPhone to a Bluetooth speaker and then disconnect it.
- Then check if the iPhone’s built-in speakers are working.
If that does not work and the issue is occurring with a particular app, check if the speaker works correctly in other apps. If so, then you may contact the support of that particular app.
4. Modify the Sound Settings on the iPhone
If the iPhone’s sound settings are off, you might not hear any sounds at all or very loud sounds coming from the speaker. In this case, adjusting your iPhone’s sound settings can solve the issue.
- Open Accessibility by going to the General tab in the iPhone’s Settings. Certain iPhone devices can require you to open the Touch
- Now select Call Audio Routing and set its value to Automatic.
- Then force restart your iPhone (discussed earlier) and check if the speaker is working.
- If not, again open Accessibility in the iPhone Settings and select Audio Visual.
Then check if the speaker has started to work. - If the issue persists, open Soundin the iPhone Settings and play a ringtone
- Then check if the speaker has started to work correctly.
- If that does not work, head to Sound in the iPhone Settings and open Haptics.
- Now select Headphone Safety and enable Reduce Loud Sounds.
- Then set the slider to 100 decibels and then check the iPhone’s speaker.
- If the issue is still there, launch iPhone Settings and open Sound & Haptics.
- Now enable Keyboard Clicks and open an app where you use the keyboard like Messages.
- Then start using the keyboard and check if the speaker is working.
- If so, check if the speaker is working fine for multimedia sounds as well.
5. Edit the FaceTime Mic Settings
When making a FaceTime call via the speaker, some customers report that they are unable to hear any sound. This can be the consequence of the FaceTime microphone settings being incorrect. In this case, adjusting FaceTime’s microphone settings can fix the issue.
- Open Facetime and start a Facetime call.
- Now open the iPhone’s Control Center near the top right of the Control Center, tap on the Mic Mode
- If the problem continues, see if switching to a 5G SIM fixes it. If not, you can try turning on LTE in your iPhone’s Cellular Data Settings to see if that resolves the problem.
6. Eliminate a Disputed App from Your iPhone
If the iPhone speakers not working and output is being altered by a third-party app, you can run into this issue. In this case, the issue might be resolved by removing the incompatible third-party app. To identify the offending app on your phone, you might need to look into it more. We’ll talk about how to remove the Equalizer Everywhere app as an example. Smart Volume Control is another such software that has been reported.
- Check to see if the speaker functions properly by setting the Equalizer Everywhere app’s configurations back to their original settings.
- set its value to Wide Spectrum and afterwards, check if the speaker is working fine.
- If not, tap and hold the Equalizer Everywhere app icon on the iPhone’s Home Screen.
- Now select Remove App and then confirm to delete the app.
- Once done, restart your iPhone and then check if the speaker has started to work correctly
7. Turn off the iPhone’s Focus Mode
- If your iPhone is in concentrate mode, which prevents sounds, the speaker might not function. In this case, turning off that specific focus mode might solve the issue.
- Now open the particular focus use like Do Not Disturb pen in your iPhone’s Settings, then choose Focus.
- Then disable it and then check if the speaker is working.
8. Clean Your iPhone’s Speaker
If there is a buildup of dust or dirt inside your iPhone’s speaker, it may be audible. The speaker’s inability to produce sound clearly is caused by dust or debris. Here, cleaning the speaker on your iPhone can fix the issue. Grasp a fine bristle brush and turn on your iPhone’s audio or video. Additionally, you can use a keyboard duster or toothpick.
- Check to see if the speaker has started to function by poking its holes through the bush.
- If not, use some tissues to clean the speaker apertures by jamming or twisting them.
- After positioning the iPhone on its screen, give it a few minutes.
- After that, take the tissues out and make sure the speaker is operating properly.
- If it doesn’t work, blow air into the speaker openings using a can of compressed air.
- Then check if the speaker has started to work.
- If the issue persists, try a vacuum cleaner, removing dust from the speaker through extraction. Then check if the speaker is working.
- If not, check if using a tweezer to plug out any fluff from the speaker resolves the issue
- If the speaker still does not work, clean the iPhone’s speaker with a Q tip and isopropyl alcohol. You can also use 98% alcohol with a brush to clean the speakers.
- Then check if that resolves the issue.
- If the issue is still there, check if cleaning the speaker with a needle or SIM card ejector resolves the issue.
- Be warned, that this may leave marks or discolor the speaker grill.
- If that does not work, clean the lightning port or headphone adapter (if you are using one) of your iPhone. Then check if that clears out the speaker issue. Some of you may wonder what headphones have to do with this. Debris or dust present in the port may cause the presence of a headphone for the iPhone. Due to this, the iOS may redirect the sounds to a non-present headphone, not to the speaker.
9. Take out the iPhone’s iOS Beta Profile.
The software testing phase of any application or operating system is called a beta program. Owing to its incomplete testing, numerous bugs—like the current speaker issue—may surface. In that scenario, the problem might be fixed by deleting the iPhone’s iOS beta profile.
- Head to the General tab of your iPhone Settings and select VPN & Device Management.
- Now tap on the iOS Beta Software Profile and press Remove Profile
- Head to the General tab of your iPhone Settings and select VPN & Device Management.
- Now tap on the iOS Beta Software Profile and press Remove Profile
10. Return all iPhone settings to their original settings
If certain iPhone settings are preventing the speaker from functioning, you can also run into the current problem. It’s possible that a third-party app or you made this modification. It’s usually not that simple to find such a place. Here, returning your iPhone to its original settings could resolve the problem. Don’t forget to write down any information you might need later on, such as your Wi-Fi login details.
- Go into Settings on your iPhone, pick General, then click Reset.
- Now tap on the iOS Beta Software Profile and press Remove Profil
- Once done, restart your iPhone and check if the speaker is working.
11. Reset Your iPhone to the Factory Defaults
If your phone’s operating system itself is corrupt, it is possible that sound is not being output at all through your speakers. This corruption may have occurred due to poor application of an update. Resetting your iPhone to the factory defaults may make the speaker functional.
- Create a backup of your iPhone and charge its battery to full.
- Now head to the General tab of your iPhone Settings and select Reset.
- Then tap on Erase All Content and Settings and then confirm to reset your iPhone
- Now, wait till the reset process completes, and then, set up the iPhone as a new one without restoring from a backup.
- Hopefully, the speaker will resume functionality afterward
If the problem continues, see if you can get it to function by pressing the speaker’s back. You might need to get in touch with Apple assistance to get your iPhone fixed or replaced if the problem isn’t fixed. This can fall under a guarantee or require extra money. If the iPhone is no longer covered by warranty, you can also contact a local repair shop. You can use a Bluetooth speaker or a headset with your iPhone till then.
FAQS
What to do if the iPhone speakers not working?
On iPhone only, make sure the receiver isn’t blocked or dirty. If necessary, clean the speaker or receiver opening with a small, soft-bristled brush. Make sure the brush is clean and dry. Go to Settings > Sounds (or Settings > Sounds & Haptics), and drag the Ringer and Alerts slider back and forth a few times.
How do I fix my iPhone only working on speakers?
- Make sure the Ring/Silent switch is not showing orange (silent).
- Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb to confirm it isn’t enabled.
- Unplug any headphones and disconnect any Bluetooth-paired speakers.
- Restart your iPhone – Apple Support.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available iOS updates