Troubleshooting Tips for Cell Phone Sound Issues

For anyone who has dealt with them, audio and sound issues with your phone can be very frustrating. No one wants to deal with problems where they can't be heard or can't hear someone during calls, or a whole host of other playback audio issues that may arise -- luckily, in many cases, such issues can be solved with some simple troubleshooting.

At FixIT Mobile, we're here to assist clients with a wide range of cell phone repair needs, covering both iPhone and Android products. What are some basic troubleshooting methods we recommend for those who are dealing with audio issues, and when is it time to move past DIY remedies and consider bringing in our professionals for help? Here's everything you need to know in this area.

Check Your Audio Volume

The first troubleshooting tip we offer here is as simple as it gets, but you'd be surprised how often this is the culprit: check your audio volume. In many cases, sound issues arise not because there's anything wrong with the phone itself, but rather because the user has inadvertently turned down a key setting somewhere along the line. For example, it's not uncommon for someone to plug in headphones and then forget to turn the volume back up when they remove them later on. Before you panic and start thinking about more serious remedies, then, take a moment to check all your phone's volume settings.

Disable Do Not Disturb Mode

If you've specifically noticed that call notifications and sounds have stopped working on your phone, it's possible that you've accidentally enabled Do Not Disturb mode. This is a feature that's designed to silence all notifications and incoming calls so that you're not disturbed -- but of course, that can be problematic if you actually want to receive those things.

To check whether or not this is the case, simply swipe down from the top of your screen to access the control panel, then look for the Do Not Disturb icon. If it's active, tap it to disable the feature.

Bluetooth Issues

Another common issue that causes no sound to come from the phone: The phone is actually connected to a Bluetooth device, but the user has forgotten about it. Whether you're trying to play audio through a speaker or simply want phone calls to come through the car speakers, it's not uncommon to accidentally leave your phone connected to Bluetooth long after you've finished using it.

If you think this might be the case, go ahead and open up the Bluetooth settings on your phone and see what, if any, devices are currently connected. If you see something that you no longer use or don't recognize, go ahead and disconnect it -- that should solve the problem.

Now, the issues we've gone over above are largely due to user error or lack of knowledge, and can easily be remedied with the right approaches. However, there are also some issues that may signal larger problems, which we'll go over below.

Try a Headset

If none of the above methods have worked, your next step is to try using a headset. This will bypass any potential problems with the phone's speakers, and can help you determine whether or not the issue lies with the phone itself. If you don't have headphones or a headset, you can try the same approach with a Bluetooth device of some kind.

If you're able to hear audio from this different source, but not from the phone itself, then you know that the problem doesn't lie with your phone's network connection or any of its other software -- it's likely an issue with the hardware, specifically the speakers. On the other hand, if you have the same sound issues as you did previously, move to the next step.

Reset the Phone

As a last resort if none of the methods above have worked, you can try resetting your phone to its factory settings. Of course, this should only be done as a last resort, as it will delete all data from your phone -- so be sure to back up anything important before proceeding.

To reset an iPhone, go to Settings -> General -> Reset and tap the "Erase All Content and Settings" option. For Android devices, the process will vary depending on the make and model of your phone, but you should be able to find the reset option by going to Settings -> System -> Reset options (or something similar).

Once you've reset your phone, test it out to see if the sound issues have been resolved -- if they have, great! If not, however, it's likely that you're dealing with a hardware issue that will require professional repair.

Seeing the Pros

If none of the above remedies is able to fix your sound issues, it's likely that you're dealing with a hardware problem -- and unfortunately, that's something that can't really be fixed at home. In most cases, the best option is to take your phone to a professional who can diagnose and fix the problem.

At this point, you may be wondering: Is it really worth it to pay for professional repairs when I could just buy a new phone? The answer to that question will vary depending on a few factors, such as the age of your phone, the severity of the sound issue, and whether or not you have insurance. However, in many cases, it's actually more cost-effective to get professional repairs, especially with the prices on new smartphones skyrocketing into the four figures in recent years.

For more on how to deal with sound and audio issues on a smartphone, or to learn about any of our phone repair, tablet repair or other device repair services, speak to the team at FixIT Mobile today.