The frustration of not being able to hear sounds on your phone can be inconvenient for general operation and use of the device. Whether it's the absence of ringtone, media playback issues, or no sound during calls, this article aims to highlight the common reasons behind this and provide simple solutions to bring back the sounds on your phone.
Check volume settings
The most basic yet often overlooked reason for muted sounds on your phone is the volume settings. Sometimes, accidental adjustments or a switch to vibrate mode can lead to sound issues.
To rectify this, check if your phone's volume is turned up, and if applicable, ensure that the volume for ringtones, media, and notifications is set to an audible level.
Toggle silent mode
Phones often have a silent or vibrate mode that can inadvertently be activated. You can check your phone's settings or use the physical switch (if applicable) to toggle between silent and normal modes. If the phone is in silent mode, it won't produce any sounds except for vibration.
We recommend consulting the user guide for any other ways a silent mode may be activated, such as double pressing a button, so you can avoid accidentally setting to this mode in the future.
Inspect external factors
It is also important to consider any external factors. Things such as dust, debris, or physical damage might affect the phone's speaker or audio components. You should inspect the speaker and ports for any obstructions. If there is visible debris, carefully clean it using a soft brush or compressed air.
In case of physical damage, we recommend consulting a professional repair as this is not generally covered under the manufacturing warranty for phones.
Reboot your phone
A simple yet effective solution for most system blips is to reboot your phone. Rebooting can resolve software glitches, refresh system processes, and often bring back the normal functionality of sounds on your device.
To reboot, power off your phone, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on. Alternatively, press and hold the Power and Volume Up button together for 15 seconds to perform a soft reboot.
Check app-specific settings
If the issue is only seeming to happen a specific app, check the app's settings for sound preferences. Some apps have individual volume controls that may override the system settings. You should ensure that the app's sound settings are configured appropriately. Similarly, check for any app updates to get the latest software for the specific application which may solve the issue.
Update software
We recommend always checking your phone is up to date in case it is outdated software causing the issue. To do this, visit your phone's settings and install any available updates.
Verify Do Not Disturb mode
If your phone has ‘Do Not Disturb’ as an available mode, this may be the culprit. The Do Not Disturb mode is designed to silence notifications and calls. We recommend checking if Do Not Disturb is enabled on your phone and deactivate it if necessary. In this mode, your phone might not produce sounds for incoming calls or notifications.
Depending on the model of phone, Do Not Disturb can usually be toggled by swiping down from the top of the screen to access quick settings and controls.
Check headphone connection
If you're using headphones or earphones, disconnect them and check if the sound issue persists. Sometimes, phones can get stuck in headphone mode even after disconnecting the headphones, leading to a lack of sound through the speaker. Reconnect and disconnect the headphones a few times to ensure the phone recognises the change. Similarly, if you're using headphones, we suggest trying another pair of headphones as it may be the headphones themselves causing the issue.
Inspect Bluetooth connectivity
If your phone is connected to a Bluetooth device, such as headphones or speakers, ensure that the connection is active and functioning correctly. Sometimes, sound may be routed to the connected Bluetooth device instead of the phone's speakers.
Perform a Factory Reset (as a last resort)
If all else fails and the sound issues persist, consider performing a factory reset on your phone. This will erase all data and settings on the device, so make sure to back up your important information before selecting this. A factory reset can resolve software issues that might be affecting sound functionality. You can normally find this within the Settings or System menu on your phone.
Support Summary
The inability to hear sounds on your phone can be frustrating, but by trying the steps we have outlined, you can often identify and resolve any issues. If the problem persists, don't hesitate to reach out to the relevant support team for further assistance.