How do I restore the sound on my Samsung phone?

Loss of sound is a common issue that can affect any Samsung phone. It can be frustrating when you can’t hear music, videos, calls, notifications or alarms. The problem usually arises from software glitches or hardware issues.

Some of the most common causes of sound problems on Samsung devices include faulty speakers, obstructions blocking the speaker grill, corrupted system files, buggy app updates, using incompatible headphones or accessories, and hardware damage from drops or water exposure.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the top troubleshooting steps to restore sound on your Samsung phone. We’ll cover basic settings to check, diagnosing hardware issues, updating software, resetting app preferences, and factory resetting the device if needed. With some systematic troubleshooting, you should be able to resolve most sound problems and get your Samsung device working normally again.

Check Basic Settings

One of the first things to check if you cannot hear sound on your Samsung phone is confirming that it is not on silent or vibrate mode. Open the notification panel and make sure the sound icon does not have a line through it or show vibrate mode enabled. If it does, tap on the icon to switch back to normal sound mode.

You’ll also want to check your phone’s volume levels. Use the volume buttons on the side of the device to raise the media volume to an audible level. Try playing some audio or video content to confirm you can hear sound coming from the phone speakers.

Additionally, inspect the volume sliders in the Settings app under Sounds and vibration > Volume to make sure nothing is muted or set too low. Raising these levels may restore sound output. If you find the basic volume controls are maxed out but it’s still too quiet, there may be a more serious underlying issue.

Check Connected Devices

One of the most common reasons for no sound on a Samsung phone is an issue with a connected Bluetooth device or headphone jack. As a first step, disconnect any Bluetooth devices like wireless headphones or speakers that are currently paired with your phone. On your Samsung, go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth and select the option to disconnect or unpair any connected devices. This will eliminate those external devices as a potential source of the problem.

You’ll also want to make sure there are no cables plugged into your phone’s headphone jack. Disconnect any wired headphones or auxiliary cables that are connected directly to your Samsung. This will ensure your phone’s built-in speakers are being used for audio output.

Once any Bluetooth devices and wired connections are disconnected, try playing audio again on your phone. If the sound returns, then the issue was being caused by an external device. You can reconnect them one at a time to determine which device may be malfunctioning and causing the no sound problem.

Check App Settings

Sometimes there may be an issue with the audio settings within a particular app causing sound to not work properly. Here are some steps to check the app settings:

Open the settings menu for the app that has no sound. For many apps this can be done by tapping the three dot menu icon in the top right and selecting “Settings” or “App Settings.”

Look for audio and sound options within the app’s settings. There may be toggles to enable or disable sound effects, music, or other audio features. Make sure these are all enabled.

Check if there is a volume slider within the app settings. Slide this up to maximum volume to ensure the app volume is turned up. The app may have its own independent volume control separate from the system volume.

Toggle any enhancements like Dolby Atmos ^[1] or surround sound effects to try resetting the audio settings.

If you cannot find a clear audio setting within the app, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app to reset it to default settings.

Check if the issue persists across multiple apps. If only one app has no sound, it points to an isolated app problem. If multiple apps are affected, it is more likely a system-wide audio issue.

Restart the Phone

A simple restart can often resolve sound issues on Samsung phones. To restart your phone:

1. Press and hold the Power button on the side of the phone until the “Power off” prompt appears.
2. Tap “Power off” to completely shut down the phone.
3. Let the phone remain powered off for at least 30 seconds before pressing the Power button again to turn it back on.

Restarting the phone clears any minor software glitches that may be preventing sound from working correctly. According to Samsung Community forums, restarting a Galaxy S20 resolved no sound during calls for some users (source). Allow the phone to fully reboot before testing sound again.

Clear App Cache and Data

Clearing the cache and app data is a common troubleshooting step for audio issues on Samsung devices. Here are the steps to clear cache and data for apps on your Samsung phone:

Open the Settings app and go to Apps. Tap the three dot menu in the top right corner and select “Show system apps” to see all apps. Locate any app that may be causing audio issues, like Music, Media apps, etc. Tap Storage, then tap Clear Cache and Clear Data. This will delete temporary files stored by the app and reset the app.

According to Samsung, “Clearing the cache and data can sometimes resolve issues with apps crashing, freezing, or otherwise running abnormally. It may also help resolve issues with sounds and audio playback in certain apps” (source).

After clearing cache and data, restart your device. Check if the audio issue is fixed in the problematic apps. If not, you may need to clear cache and data for additional apps or move on to other troubleshooting steps.

Check for Software Updates

If your Samsung phone has stopped playing sound, one troubleshooting step is to check if there are any available software updates. The latest software update may contain bug fixes that address audio issues.

To check for and install software updates on a Samsung phone:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap “Software update”.
3. Your phone will automatically check for any available updates. If an update is available, tap “Download and install”.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the update.

Installing the latest software update can potentially resolve any sound problems you are experiencing. Software updates address bugs and optimize device performance. After installing an available update, check if sound on your Samsung phone has been restored.

For more information, refer to Samsung’s guide on installing software updates: https://www.samsung.com/ie/support/mobile-devices/how-to-update-the-software-on-your-samsung-galaxy-smartphone/

Reset App Preferences

Resetting app preferences may help resolve any corrupted settings that could be causing sound issues. Here are the steps to reset app preferences on your Samsung phone:

1. Open your device’s Settings app.

2. Scroll down and select “Apps.”

3. Tap the three dots icon in the top right corner and select “Reset app preferences.”

4. Confirm that you want to reset app preferences when prompted.

Resetting app preferences will restore all preferences for disabled apps, default apps for actions, background data restrictions for apps, and any permission restrictions back to default. This process does not delete any app data.

After resetting app preferences, check if sound has been restored in your apps. If the problem persists, you may need to try additional troubleshooting steps like updating your device software or factory resetting your phone.

Factory Reset

A factory reset will restore your Samsung phone to its original manufacturer settings and often resolves many sound issues. Before factory resetting your device, be sure to backup any data you want to keep.

To backup your data, you can use Samsung Cloud to back up contacts, calendar events, photos, and more. You can also copy files to a computer or SD card. Make sure your backups are completed before resetting.

To factory reset your Samsung device:

1. Open Settings and tap General management.
2. Select Reset > Factory data reset.
3. Tap Reset and follow the prompts to confirm the reset.
4. Once completed, set up your device again as new.

Factory resetting will remove all your customized settings and installed apps. But it often resolves persistent software issues like problems with sound output. Just be sure to backup your data first.

Get Device Repaired

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and are still experiencing no sound issues on your Samsung phone, it may require professional repair. Contact Samsung support or visit an authorized Samsung repair center to have the device diagnosed. Repair costs will vary depending on the specific model and required repairs. Screen replacements typically range from $199-$299, while other issues like speaker or motherboard repairs may cost more.

Hardware issues like faulty speakers, connectors, or motherboard components may need to be replaced to restore sound. A technician can troubleshoot the device, determine if hardware components need to be repaired or replaced, and give you a quote for the cost of repairs.