How do I fix the ringer volume on my Android?

Having issues with adjusting your ringer volume on an Android phone can be frustrating. You may miss important calls if your ringer is too quiet or muted. Or you may be bothered by loud and disruptive ringtones when you’re trying to focus. Whatever the case, not being able to properly control your ringer and notification volumes can lead to problems.
There are a few steps you can take to fix ringer volume issues on an Android device. First, locate the volume settings and adjust the ringer volume slider. You can also try using the physical volume buttons on your phone. If certain apps are too loud or too quiet, you can customize each app’s volume. And for recurring problems, resetting app volumes may help. With a few tweaks, you can get your Android ringer working just right.
Locate the Volume Settings
To locate the volume settings on an Android device, open the Settings app which is typically found in the app drawer or on your home screen. Once in Settings, scroll down and tap “Sound & vibration” or “Sound.”
On some Android devices, the volume settings may be under “Sound & notification.” The volume controls are usually located under the “Volume” or “Ring volume” section in the Sound settings.
You can also swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel and tap the volume button to quickly access the ringtone and media volume sliders. This allows you to adjust the volume without having to go into the Settings app.
So in summary, open Settings > Sound/Sound & vibration > Volume/Ring volume. Or swipe down and use the volume panel in Quick Settings. This is where you can adjust the ringer and notification volumes on Android.
Adjust Ringer Volume
The easiest way to adjust your ringer volume on Android is to use the volume buttons on the side of your phone. When no media is playing, the volume buttons will control the ringer/call volume. Press the buttons up or down to make the ringer louder or softer.
You can also adjust the ringer and media volumes separately in the Settings app. Open Settings and go to Sound & vibration. Here you will see sliders for Ring volume and Media volume. Drag the Ring volume slider left or right to make the ringer louder or softer. Drag the Media volume slider to adjust the volume for music, videos, games, and other media.
On Samsung devices, go to Settings – Sounds and vibration – Volume and drag the Ringer volume slider.
Adjusting these sliders lets you customize the ringtone and media volumes independently according to your needs and preferences [1].
Use Volume Buttons
Most Android phones have physical volume buttons on the side which can be used to control the ringer volume. Pressing the volume up button will increase the ringer volume, while pressing the volume down button decreases it. The volume buttons by default control the ringer volume.
However, some users have reported the volume buttons suddenly controlling media volume instead of ringer volume after an Android update [1]. This appears to be a bug introduced in Android 11 and persists through Android 12.
To make the volume buttons control ringer volume again, go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Volume and tap on the three dots in the top right corner. Select “Media volume by default” to switch it off. This will make the volume buttons go back to controlling ringer volume.
You can also customize the volume buttons to always control media volume if desired. This setting persists even after rebooting your device.
Unlock Volume Limits
Some Android devices will restrict the maximum volume level that can be used with headphones or Bluetooth devices. This volume limit is usually enabled to protect hearing when using headphones at high volumes. However, it can be disabled if desired.
To disable volume limits on Samsung devices, go to Settings > Sound and vibration > Volume > Media volume limit. Turn off the toggle for Media volume limit to disable any restriction and allow full volume control.1
On other Android devices, volume limits may be set by individual apps. Go to Settings > Apps and notifications > See all apps to view installed apps. Select the app that controls volume (e.g. Music player, Video player) and choose Permissions. Disable the permission for Modify audio settings to remove any volume restrictions set by that app.
Additionally, some users have reported that disabling Absolute volume in Developer options can bypass Android’s volume limits. However, use caution as this may allow dangerously loud volumes.2
With volume limits disabled, media and audio can be played at full volume capacity on your Android device. However, it’s recommended to still use safe listening practices and avoid excessive exposure to loud sounds.
Adjust Notification Volume
The notification volume controls the volume level for notifications, alerts, and other non-media sounds on your Android device. It is set separately from your ringer and media volumes. To adjust your notification volume:
1. Open the Settings app and go to Sound.
2. Under Volume, you will see sliders for Ring, Media, and Notification volumes. Drag the slider below Notification to the left to lower the volume or right to increase it.
3. You can also tap on the gear icon next to Notification to access more advanced controls like Do Not Disturb and vibration options.
Setting notification volume lower than your ringer volume allows you to still hear calls and messages without getting startled by other alerts. Customizing notification volumes and muting during certain times like at night can help minimize disruptions.
Source: How to Control Ringtone Volume in Android Using Seekbar
Customize Volume Levels
One of the best features in Android is the ability to customize volume levels for individual apps and contacts. This allows you to set different volume levels for music, videos, games, and phone calls. Here’s how to do it:
From the Settings app, go to Sounds and vibration > Volume. Here you’ll see volume sliders for Ringtone & notifications, Media, and Alarm.
Tap the arrow next to Ringtone & notifications. This will expand to show individual volume sliders for Ringtone, Notifications, System, and more. Drag the sliders to set custom volumes for each.
You can also customize volumes for specific apps and contacts:
- Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > App info. Select an app and tap App notifications > Advanced > Sound. Here you can set a custom volume level just for notifications from that app.
- In Contacts, tap a contact, then tap Menu > Set ringtone. Choose a custom ringtone and use the volume slider to set the volume for calls and notifications from that contact.
Customizing volumes gives you granular control over sound on your Android device. Set volumes high for important apps and contacts, and lower for unnecessary distractions.
Fix Volume Stuck Issues
Sometimes the ringer or media volume on your Android can get stuck on mute or a very low setting. Here are some things to try if you can’t increase the volume:
- Check for debris – Make sure the volume buttons are free of dirt, dust or debris that could be obstructing the contacts.
- Restart your device – Turn your Android off completely and then back on. This will restart all system services and can reset stuck volume.
- Check connected devices – Disconnect any wired headsets or Bluetooth audio devices. Their volume may override the system volume.
- Update Android system – Install the latest Android updates, which may include fixes for volume issues.
- Reset app volumes – Use the “Reset app preferences” function in Settings to restore default volume levels.
- Factory reset – As a last resort, backup data and do a factory reset to wipe all software issues.
If you’ve tried these troubleshooting steps and the volume is still stuck, you may need to contact the device manufacturer for hardware service.
Reset App Volumes
If you have changed the volume levels of individual apps and want to reset them back to the system default volume, you can do so through your Android device’s settings. This will reset all app volumes, not just one specific app.
To reset app volumes back to default [1]:
- Go to Settings > Sounds & vibration > Volume
- Tap the three dots icon in the top right corner
- Select “Reset app volumes”
- Confirm that you want to reset all app volumes back to the default system volume
This will remove any custom per-app volume levels you have set, and make all apps use the system media volume by default again. It’s a quick way to undo any volume changes you made to specific apps.
Conclusion
In summary, there are several ways to adjust your ringer and notification volumes on Android devices. The key steps include:
- Go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Volume to access the main volume controls.
- Drag the sliders for Ringtone, Media, Notifications and System to your desired levels.
- Use the physical volume buttons on your device while on the home screen to change the ringer volume.
- Go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Do not disturb to schedule quiet times or allow exceptions.
- Check Settings > Apps & notifications > App info for any apps with their own volume controls.
- Try rebooting your device or updating software if the volume is stuck or unresponsive.
Following these tips should help you take control of sound levels on your Android phone or tablet. Adjust volumes to suit your needs for calls, media, alarms and notifications.