A phone speaker not working can point to three separate faults: the loudspeaker is silent for music and ringtones, the ear speaker is silent during calls, or the sound is crackly and low. Each has its own likely cause, so first work out which one you have.
Most of the time the phone is simply sending sound somewhere else, such as to a paired Bluetooth device, or the volume and silent settings are low. Dust in the grille and water exposure come next. Below, the fixes run from the easiest to the ones that need a workshop, and phone speaker not working during a call has its own notes. If the sound is fine but people cannot hear you, read phone microphone not working instead, and for sound in only one earphone see one earbud not working.
Common causes
1Silent, vibrate or Do Not Disturb is on
How to tellRingtone is silent but media sound works, or the opposite
What fixes itSwitch off silent mode and Do Not Disturb, then raise the ring volume
2Sound going to Bluetooth
How to tellPhone shows a connected device such as a watch, car or earbuds
What fixes itTurn Bluetooth off and play a sound again
3Volume levels set low
How to tellMedia volume works but call or ring volume is at zero
What fixes itRaise each volume slider separately in Sound settings
4Dust or lint in the speaker grille
How to tellSound is muffled or tinny, and the phone is a pocket carrier
What fixes itClean the grille gently with a soft dry brush
5Software glitch or recent update
How to tellSound stopped suddenly with no damage to the phone
What fixes itRestart, then update the phone software
6Headphone mode stuck
How to tellPhone thinks earphones are plugged in, with no sound from the speaker
What fixes itPlug and unplug earphones, clean the port with a dry soft brush
7Water or drop damage
How to tellCrackling, rattle, or silence after a fall or wet pocket
What fixes itDry the phone and visit a service centre
How to fix it, step by step
Check silent mode and Do Not Disturb
On an iPhone, look at the ring and silent switch on the side and at Focus in the control centre. On Android, pull down the quick panel and see if sound, vibrate or Do Not Disturb is active. Switch to sound mode.
Raise every volume level
Press a volume key (if the keys themselves fail, read volume button not working), then tap the small settings icon or open Settings, then Sound. Ringtone, media, call and alarm volumes are separate on most phones, so a high media level does not help when the ringtone is at zero.
Turn off Bluetooth
A watch, car, speaker or earbuds may still be paired and receiving the sound. Switch Bluetooth off from the quick panel (see also Bluetooth not working if it will not disconnect) and play a song or a video. If sound returns, remove old devices you no longer use from the Bluetooth list.
Play a test sound
Open any video or a ringtone preview in Sound settings. Test the loudspeaker, then make a call on speaker and a normal call. This tells you whether the whole speaker is out or only the ear speaker.
Restart the phone
A restart refreshes the audio system, which sometimes gets stuck after a call or a long video. Wait for the phone to start fully and test again.
Clean the speaker grille
Use a dry soft brush or a clean dry toothbrush with light strokes. Do not blow with your mouth, do not use pins, and do not use liquids. Grit pushed inside makes the problem worse.
Reset sound settings or update the software
Install any pending system update. On many Android phones you can reset app preferences without losing data. On iPhone, a reset of all settings keeps your files, but you will need to set up Wi-Fi again, so try it last.
Test in safe mode on Android
Booting without your own apps shows whether one of them is the culprit. If sound returns, a call recorder, equaliser or sound booster is interfering, so remove the newest ones one at a time. Entering this mode differs by phone model.
Loudspeaker versus ear speaker
Your phone has two sound outputs. The loudspeaker, at the bottom or side, plays music, ringtones and speaker calls. The ear speaker, above the screen, is for normal calls. One can fail while the other works.
| Symptom | Likely part | Try first |
|---|---|---|
| No sound in a call but speaker works | Ear speaker or its mesh | Clean the top grille, remove screen guard blocking it |
| No ringtone or music | Loudspeaker or volume setting | Check silent mode and Bluetooth |
| Crackle at high volume | Damaged or dirty speaker | Clean, then service |
| No sound anywhere | Software or audio chip | Restart and update |
iPhone and Android differences
On an iPhone, the ring and silent switch and Focus modes are the most common reason for a silent ringtone, and the earpiece can be covered by a badly fitted screen guard. On Android, volume sliders are split into many types and some brands add their own sound modes. Check the call volume while a call is active, because it can only be changed during a call on many phones.
You answer a call and hear nothing, but music plays fine. During the next call press the volume up key, and check the sound output icon. If it shows a Bluetooth device, tap the phone speaker option.
When a phone speaker not working needs repair
See a technician when the speaker is silent after all the checks, the sound rattles or buzzes at any volume, the phone got wet, or the problem began after a fall. A speaker is a replaceable part, so repair is usually modest, but the cost rises when water has corroded the board, when the speaker sits in a sealed module, or when the model is new.
If the phone got wet, switch it off and do not charge it. Do not use rice or heat. Get it looked at early by an authorised service centre, because corrosion spreads.
Avoid future speaker trouble
- Keep a case that does not cover the speaker holes.
- Clean the grille monthly.
- Do not run the volume at full for long periods.
- Remove Bluetooth devices you no longer use, so sound does not slip away to them.
- Keep lint out of the pocket where the phone rides.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my iPhone speaker not working but earphones work?
The speaker may be blocked, damaged or the phone may be stuck in headphone mode. Clean the grille and port, restart, and if the speaker stays silent, have it checked.
Why is my phone speaker not working during calls, and why is iPhone ear speaker not working?
Check that the call volume is up, that Bluetooth is off and that nothing covers the ear speaker. A screen guard that blocks the top grille is a common cause.
How do I check if my phone speaker is working or not?
Play a video on full volume, then use a recorded voice note or a call on speaker. Test the ear speaker with a normal call.
Why is my ringtone not working on my phone?
Silent mode, Do Not Disturb or a ringtone volume at zero is the usual reason. A paired Bluetooth device can also take the ring.
Why is my phone sound not working all of a sudden on Android?
A software hiccup, Bluetooth link or water exposure are the common triggers. Restart, turn off Bluetooth and check for damage.