Fix My Speakers

How to Fix an Android Phone Speaker

The Android settings that silence speakers, how to test in safe mode, and when it is the hardware.

Device-specific Updated 3 min read

Key takeaways

  • Android has separate volume sliders for media, calls, ring and alarms. Check the right one.
  • Safe mode tells you whether an app is the cause.
  • Menu names vary by manufacturer, so search Settings for the term if you cannot find it.

Try the tool. Not sure which speaker is the problem? Test left and right separately.

Open the stereo sound test

Check all four volume sliders

Android keeps separate volumes for media, calls, ring and notifications, and alarms. Pressing the volume button changes whichever one the phone thinks is relevant at that moment, which is often not the one you want.

Press a volume button, then tap the three dots or the slider icon that appears to open the full panel. Raise Media while a video or song is actually playing. Menu names differ between manufacturers, so if you cannot find something mentioned here, use the search box at the top of Settings.

Check where audio is being sent

Swipe down to open quick settings and switch Bluetooth off. Then look at the media player card in the notification shade. Most Android versions show an output button there listing the phone speaker alongside any connected headphones, speakers or cast devices. Choose the phone.

If the phone thinks wired headphones are attached when they are not, the port may have lint or moisture in it. Switch the phone off and clear the port gently with a wooden toothpick, keeping away from the contacts.

Turn off sound enhancements

Equalisers, surround effects and volume limiters can all make a healthy speaker sound wrong. In Settings, look under Sound for sound quality and effects, and switch off:

  • Equaliser presets, especially bass boost
  • Surround or spatial effects
  • Any media volume limit
  • Mono audio and left/right balance, found under Accessibility

Test again with everything off before turning anything back on.

Test in safe mode

Safe mode starts the phone with third-party apps disabled. On most Android phones you hold the power button, then press and hold the Power off option until a safe mode prompt appears.

If the speaker works in safe mode, an app is responsible. Likely candidates are equaliser apps, call recorders, volume boosters and anything recently installed. Restart normally and remove them one at a time.

Clear water and dirt

If the phone has been wet, run the water eject tool with the volume up and the speaker pointing down. If the sound has dulled gradually, clean the grille with a dry brush. Both steps are covered in the main checklist for fixing a phone speaker.

Run a hardware test

Use the left and right sound test to hear each speaker on its own. Many manufacturers also include a diagnostics tool in their support app with a speaker test. A speaker that is silent in a hardware test, in safe mode and after a restart is faulty.

Update, then reset settings

Install any system update waiting under Settings, System. If nothing has helped, use the option to reset all settings, sometimes listed as reset app preferences or reset network and sound settings. It keeps your files but clears sound configuration.

When to repair

Crackling at every volume, or silence in every test, points to the speaker module. On most Android phones it is a small, separate part and one of the less expensive repairs.

If only calls are quiet, see how to fix a quiet ear speaker. iPhone owners should use the guide to fixing an iPhone speaker.