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When the speaker on your iPhone isn't functioning, it can be a frustrating experience. As a result, you are unable to make phone calls, listen to music, or perform other tasks that require sound. There are a few probable reasons for that problem and some things you might do to try and fix your iPhone speaker problem.

Why do iPhone speaker problems appear?

There’s more than one probable cause for smartphone speakers to stop functioning correctly, with their severity ranging from simple things that can be easily resolved by users to more complex problems that may require professional repair. So you may be wondering, “What could have caused it?”

There are several potential reasons for iPhone speaker problems, including:

• physical damage, such as dropping or accidentally spilling liquid on the device;
• debris or dirt blocking the speaker grills;
• a software issue;
• wear and tear over time.

Let’s elaborate.

Debris in the grills

If the sound you hear from your iPhone speakers comes out all distorted and muffled, the reason may lie in something blocking the speaker area. This may happen because of dust, dirt, or other small particles which have accumulated over time.

Water damage

In case your device has been exposed to water, it's possible that the speakers may have been damaged. Continuous water exposure causes corrosion and other troubles that can affect the functioning of the speakers. If you suspect that this may be the cause of your speaker problems, the only way to fix a broken speaker on an iPhone may be to bring your phone to a repair place for further assessment.

Physical damage

If you've dropped your smartphone or subjected it to other types of physical influence, the speakers may have been damaged. In this case, you can’t really do much yourself and the most practical solution for fixing a malfunctioning speaker on your iPhone is to get professional help.

Software issues

They may vary, but overall it means that for some reason your smartphone's system is sending distorted signals to the speaker. As a result, it either doesn’t work at all or has a very hushed sound.

Thankfully,  iPhone speaker issues related to the software are the easiest to figure out. If the issue lies elsewhere, for example, in the results of the physical damage, they might have to be accessed strictly by professionals.

10 tips on iPhone speaker troubleshooting

Here are 10 tips to help you out.

Start with checking the volume level

Yes, your phone can simply be muted. This can be an easy iPhone speaker repair. You just have to adjust the volume by using the side buttons or by going to Settings > Sound & Haptics.

Clean the speaker grills

If you notice that the sound is distorted or muffled, there may be debris blocking the speaker grills. To clean them properly try a brush or a can of compressed air to gently clean the way.

Restart your device

Sometimes, simply restarting your phone may be of huge help. To do this, press and hold the power button until the "Slide to Power Off" option appears on the screen. Swipe the slider to the right, then continue to press the power button until the moment the Apple logo shows up.

Check if you have the latest version of iOS

Check if there are any available updates for your phone's operating system and install them to see if that fixes everything.

To fix speakers on iPhone this way, follow these steps:

• On your iPhone, go to the Settings app.
• Tap General and then tap Software Update.
• If it is available, you will see a notification and have the option to install it.
• Follow the instructions you’ll see on the screen to download and install the update.

It is important to keep your phone's operating system up to date as updates frequently address bug issues and other improvements that can help prevent problems like the speaker not working. If there are no updates available, or if updating does not fix the issue, you can try the other steps.

Reset the network settings

If you're experiencing issues with phone calls or other trouble with the audio, resetting the network settings could potentially fix the issue. To do this, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Check for app updates

If you're experiencing issues with audio in specific apps, it's possible that an update for that app could resolve the issue. Verify if there are any updates available for apps that you're experiencing issues with on the App Store to fix your speaker on your iPhone this way.

You could also try a different app. If the speaker is not working in all apps, the issue may be with the phone itself. However, if the speaker is only not working in one app, it is possible that the issue lies with that app. To determine if the issue is with the phone or the app, try using a different app to see if the speaker functions.

Check for any visible damage to the speakers

Check for physical damage. If your phone has been dropped or subjected to water damage and your iPhone speaker is not working, this could be the problem. Inspect the speaker carefully to see if there are any visible signs of damage. If there is, it may be necessary to take it to a repair shop for further assistance.

To check for physical damage, take these steps:

1. Power off your device and remove the case if you have one.
2. Inspect the speaker grille for any visible signs of damage such as dents, cracks, or debris.
3. If the speaker grill looks fine, try gently tapping the area around the speaker with a small tool such as a toothpick or paperclip. If you hear a change in the sound, it may indicate that the speaker is damaged.

If you do find visible signs of damage or if you still can't hear on iPhone, unless on speaker, it is probable that the speaker has sustained damage and will require repair or replacement. This is typically a more advanced repair and should be done by a professional. If you are unable to find any visible signs of damage and you still need to fix a broken speaker on an iPhone, you can try the other steps to troubleshoot the issue.

Go through the audio settings

Make sure that the audio settings on your iPhone are properly configured. Go to Settings > Sound & Haptics to review the settings for audio-related options.

Contact Apple Support

If you've tried all of the above steps and are still experiencing speaker issues, it's possible that there may be a more serious problem with your iPhone. In this case, it would be better to reach out to Apple Support to get more help.

So if you need to fix the speaker on an iPhone, there are several steps you can take to try and fix the problem.

Other than that we have a FAQ section that you might also be interested in since it covers some of the other popular questions on iPhone speakers.

Alternative option just in case

In case you can’t fix a phone speaker on your iPhone, there are some alternatives. You can still use the device through headphones or external speakers, whether connected via a wired or wireless connection. Another option is to use the speakerphone function for the entirety of the phone calls for your convenience.