Callers keep asking you to repeat yourself. Music sounds thin or crackly. The person on the other end says you sound like you're in a tunnel. Speaker and microphone problems are frustrating because you use them all day, often without thinking about it.
The good news is that many of these problems have simple causes you can check at home. Here's how to narrow it down, and when it's time to bring your phone to We Fix Phones N More for a closer look.
Your phone has more than one speaker and more than one microphone. Testing each one helps you find the real culprit.
Play a video with the volume up to test the loudspeaker. Make a call without speakerphone to test the earpiece. Record a short voice memo and play it back to test the main microphone, then record a video with the front and rear cameras to test the others. If one test sounds bad and the others sound fine, you've narrowed it down.
A case that's shifted, warped, or poorly cut can partly cover a speaker or microphone. Some screen protectors cover the earpiece opening. Take the case off and test again. If the sound clears up, you've found the problem.
Speaker grilles and microphone holes collect lint, dust and grime over time. Gently brush them with a clean, dry, soft-bristled brush. Avoid pins, toothpicks or anything sharp that can push debris deeper or puncture the mesh. Skip strong blasts of compressed air directly into the openings, too.
If audio seems to disappear entirely, your phone may be sending sound to earbuds, a car or a speaker in another room. Check the Bluetooth settings or the audio output option during a call.
After rain, a spill or a trip to the pool, a speaker can sound muffled until it dries. Let the phone dry naturally at room temperature. Don't use heat, and skip the bag of rice. If the sound doesn't return or the phone acts strangely, our post on what to do when your phone gets wet covers the next steps.
Check that the volume isn't turned down and that Do Not Disturb or silent mode isn't on when you're expecting a ring. Restart the phone and install any pending software updates, since a glitch can occasionally affect audio. If the problem only happens in one app, check that app's microphone permission in your phone's settings.
If you've ruled out the case, debris, Bluetooth and settings and the problem remains, the speaker or microphone itself may be damaged. Watch for:
Sometimes the issue is the charging port area, since the bottom microphone and speaker sit close to it on many phones. A drop that damaged the port can also affect nearby parts. If you've had trouble charging as well, see our article on charging port problems.
We Fix Phones N More repairs speakers, microphones and the parts around them on iPhones, Samsung phones and many other models. Learn more about our iPhone repair and Samsung repair services, and know that our repairs are covered by a 90-day warranty.
If your calls sound muffled or your speaker has lost its punch, visit us at 801 County Line Rd in Horsham, call 215-323-4750, or request a quote online. We'll test each speaker and microphone and give you a clear recommendation.
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