How do I reset my sound settings on my Android?

This article will provide step-by-step instructions for resetting the sound settings on Android devices. Resetting sound settings can help resolve a variety of audio issues, such as distorted or no sound, problems with Bluetooth connections, audio lag or latency, and conflicts between apps using audio.

There are a few different methods for resetting sound settings on Android depending on the specific issue being faced. We will cover techniques like restarting your device, resetting app preferences, adjusting Do Not Disturb settings, unplugging accessories, resetting app data, and factory resetting your phone.

Following the troubleshooting steps here can often fix sound problems without needing to contact the device manufacturer. Read on to learn how to restore your Android audio back to proper working order.

Back Up Data

It is highly recommended to back up your Android device before resetting sound settings or performing a factory reset. This ensures you don’t lose any important data like photos, videos, contacts, messages, and documents in case something goes wrong during the reset process. According to Google Support, you can back up your Android phone by going to Settings > Google > Backup. Turn on Backup by Google One and select the types of data you want to back up such as Photos & Videos, Contacts, and SMS [1]. Another option is to use the Google One app to back up your device [2]. You can also use third party apps like DroidKit to comprehensively back up your Android data before a factory reset [3].

Restart the Device

Restarting your Android device is one of the first troubleshooting steps to try when experiencing sound issues (1). Simply powering your phone off and back on can help clear any temporary glitches and resets all running apps and services. This may resolve any problems caused by apps misbehaving in the background or system processes getting stuck.

To restart your Android device, press and hold the power button for a few seconds until the power off prompt appears. Tap “Power off” and wait for your phone to fully power down. Leave it off for at least 30 seconds before pressing the power button again to turn it back on. Allow your device to fully reboot and load all apps and services before checking if the sound issue is fixed.

Restarting your device essentially performs a “soft reset” without deleting any of your data or customized settings. It’s a quick and easy fix to try before digging into more involved troubleshooting steps (1). If the sound problems persist after a restart, you can move on to resetting app preferences or uninstalling recently downloaded apps.

Reset App Preferences

One common reason for sound issues on Android devices is that certain apps may have incorrect or restricted permissions that prevent them from accessing the audio output. Apps like Spotify, YouTube, phone call apps, and more rely on having proper permissions to play sounds.

To reset permissions for a specific app:

1. Open the Settings app
2. Tap Apps or Application Manager
3. Select the app you want to reset
4. Tap Permissions
5. Turn on permissions like Microphone, Phone, Storage, etc. that could impact sound

Resetting permissions, especially for common audio apps like Spotify, can often resolve sound problems. Just make sure to enable any permissions that seem relevant for audio, like Microphone access. See this Google support article for more details on changing app permissions.

Check Do Not Disturb Settings

The Do Not Disturb feature on Android allows you to silence notifications, calls, and other interruptions. This is useful when you don’t want to be disturbed, like at night. However, having Do Not Disturb enabled can also stop sounds from playing properly on your device.

To check if Do Not Disturb is enabled and possibly blocking sounds:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Tap “Sound & vibration” or “Sounds and vibration”.
3. Look for the “Do Not Disturb” option and tap it.
4. Make sure the switch at the top is turned off. If it’s on, tap it to disable Do Not Disturb.

You can also customize Do Not Disturb to allow exceptions for certain contacts, apps, or alarms. Just be sure to disable it completely if you are having sound issues.

According to Google’s Android support page, Do Not Disturb should not block sounds when disabled or allowing exceptions. If you have confirmed it is off and are still having audio problems, the issue likely lies elsewhere.

Unplug Accessories

One of the most common causes of sound issues on Android phones is interference from connected accessories like headphones or external speakers. Unplugging any wired or wireless accessories is an important first step in troubleshooting an Android’s audio problems, as it helps isolate whether the issue stems from the phone itself or an external device.

Start by unplugging any headphones, earbuds, or aux cables from the phone’s headphone jack or USB-C port. For wireless Bluetooth accessories like speakers or headphones, open the Bluetooth settings on the Android device and manually disconnect or “forget” those paired devices. This ensures the phone’s audio is routed directly through the onboard speakers.

Once all accessories are disconnected, test if sounds and audio playback now work normally through the built-in speakers. If the audio issues persist even without accessories, the problem likely lies with the Android phone’s hardware or software. But if the sound is restored, an incompatible or faulty accessory was likely the root cause.

According to MakeUseOf, faulty or dirty aux cables are a common accessory-related issue that can cause distorted or muffled sound from Android phones. Trying a different headset or speaker can help determine if the problem lies with the accessory rather than the phone itself.

Reset App Data

One possible solution to resolve sound issues is to reset the app data for music players and other problematic apps. This clears the cache and data for the specified app which can eliminate bugs or glitches that may be interfering with sound.

To reset app data on Android, open the Settings app and select Apps. Tap the app you want to reset, then tap Storage. Finally, tap Clear Cache and Clear Data to wipe the app data. Be aware this will log you out of the app and delete any offline content. Refer to this guide for detailed steps.

Resetting app data is worth trying for apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, podcast players and other audio apps if sound problems seem isolated to those apps. Clearing the cache forces the app to fully reload which can resolve software issues. Just be sure to backup any important data first.

Factory Reset

A factory reset will erase all data and settings on an Android device and restore it to its original manufacturer settings (source: https://preyproject.com/blog/the-complete-guide-to-factory-reset). This includes erasing contacts, photos, videos, apps, and their associated data. However, it will also reset all system settings, which can fix issues like sound problems.

The main benefit of a factory reset is that it eliminates any corrupted files or bad settings that could be causing sound problems. It will reset the audio drivers and configurations to their original state. This should resolve any software-related sound issues. The disadvantage is that you will lose all your personal data in the process.

Therefore, a factory reset is best saved as a last resort if simpler troubleshooting does not solve the problem. But it can completely fix sound issues caused by bugs or problematic settings in the system software. Just be sure to backup any important data first.

Contact Manufacturer

If you have tried all the troubleshooting steps but are still unable to resolve the sound issues, it may be time to contact your device manufacturer for hardware support.

Each Android device is made by a specific manufacturer like Samsung, LG, Motorola, Google etc. The manufacturer should be able to provide customized support and troubleshooting for your specific device model.

To find your device manufacturer, go to Settings > About Phone. The manufacturer name will be listed. You can then visit the manufacturer’s website to find contact options like live chat, email support or phone numbers.

When you contact the manufacturer, provide your device details like model number, Android version etc. Explain the issues you are facing with sound settings not working properly. The support representative can then provide tailored troubleshooting tips or hardware support if needed.

Manufacturer tech support is best equipped to diagnose and fix sound issues related to hardware components like speakers, microphone or headphone jack. They have more advanced tools to test the device hardware.

So if you have tried general troubleshooting without success, your best bet is to reach out to the device maker’s customer service team for professional hardware support.

Conclusion

In summary, if you are experiencing issues with sound settings on your Android device, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take:

First, back up your data in case a factory reset is needed. Then, try restarting your device and resetting app preferences. Check your Do Not Disturb settings and make sure no accessories are plugged in. You can also try resetting app data for any problem apps.

If none of those basic troubleshooting steps resolve the issue, you may need to perform a factory reset on your Android device to fully reset the sound settings. This will erase all data, so make sure anything important is backed up.

As a last resort, you can contact your device manufacturer for further support if these steps do not restore proper audio functionality. Following this troubleshooting guide can help identify and resolve most common Android sound issues.