How do I troubleshoot sound on my Android phone?

Check Basic Settings

The first step when troubleshooting sound issues on an Android phone is to check the basic settings to make sure the phone is not muted or set to vibrate only. Confirm that the phone is not set to silent or vibrate mode by checking the volume rocker on the side of the phone. Make sure the switch is set to the middle unlocked position to allow full volume control.

Next, examine the on-screen volume controls to ensure nothing is muted or set too low. Pull down the notification shade and use the volume slider, or go into Settings > Sound to view and adjust the different volume levels. Android phones have separate controls for ringtone, media, notifications, and system volumes. Make sure none of these sliders are muted or turned down too low. Try turning up the media volume all the way, as this controls playback volume for music/videos.

If you still have no sound, it’s time to move on to testing different audio sources and apps. But first, the basic volume and mute settings of the phone should be confirmed. This simple check fixes many initial cases of no audio output.

Check Connections

One of the first things to check is whether your headphones or speakers are properly connected and not damaged. Make sure your wired headphones are fully plugged into the headphone jack, or try plugging them into a different port if available. Bluetooth connections can also cause sound issues, so ensure your Bluetooth device is paired and connected properly in your phone’s settings.

You can also try using different headphones or external speakers to see if the issue persists. This helps isolate whether the problem lies with your phone’s hardware or the specific headphones you’re using. If the issue occurs across multiple headphones and speakers, it is likely a problem with the phone. But if the sound works fine through different headphones, then your original set may be faulty or not plugged in correctly.

For Bluetooth issues, go into your Bluetooth settings and ensure the device is actually paired and connected. You can try “forgetting” the device and repairing it. Also make sure Bluetooth is turned on, and that no battery or power issues are impacting the Bluetooth device.

According to a forum post, sometimes the Android OS will default to lower quality 48kHz/16bit audio streaming over Bluetooth, even if the device supports higher quality streaming. So this is one potential issue to check if sound quality over Bluetooth seems reduced.

Test Different Apps

One of the most effective ways to troubleshoot sound issues on Android phones is to open and test different apps that use sound, like music, videos, and games. This can help narrow down if the issue is specific to one particular app or if it is system-wide.

Start by opening a music app like Spotify, YouTube Music, or Google Play Music. Try playing a few different songs or playlists to see if you are getting any audio output. If the music app is working properly, the issue may be isolated to just one or two problem apps.

Next open a video app like YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, etc. Attempt to play a few different videos and see if you have audio along with the video. If the videos play sound normally, then again the problem is likely with an individual app.

Finally, launch a few different game apps while wearing headphones. Games with lots of sound effects are great for testing. Check games like Fortnite, PUBG Mobile, Asphalt 9, etc. to see if you hear the game audio effects. If the games have sound, the faulty app causing issues has probably been narrowed down.

By taking the time to methodically test different types of apps that rely on sound, you can better determine if the issue is widespread or specific to just one problematic app. This information can help guide further troubleshooting steps.

Check Accessibility Settings

The accessibility settings on your Android device allow you to enable services that can modify or enhance sound. While useful for some, these accessibility services may sometimes cause unintended changes to audio that lead to problems. It’s a good idea to check if any accessibility services related to sound are enabled and disable them as a troubleshooting step.

To check your accessibility settings, open the Settings app and go to Accessibility. Look through the different services and disable any that affect sound, such as Sound Amplifier, Mono Audio, or Live Caption. The Android Accessibility Help page from Google provides more details on the various audio accessibility services available on Android devices.

Disabling unnecessary accessibility services can help isolate if they are causing any audio glitches or problems. You can always re-enable them afterwards if needed. Make sure to test your phone’s audio again after toggling these settings off.

Clear App Cache and Data

One potential fix for sound issues on Android is to clear the cache and app data for any problematic apps. According to Android Police, clearing app caches can help fix issues like crashing or freezing. While clearing the cache provides only a temporary fix since the storage will repopulate, it can free up needed space by removing temporary files.

To clear the cache and app data on Android, go to Settings > Apps. Tap on the specific app that is having issues. Then tap Storage & Cache > Clear Cache and Clear Data. This will wipe the temporary files and reset the app. Try opening the app again to see if the problems persist. Clearing app data resets the app to default, so you may need to redo any custom settings.

As a troubleshooting step for audio issues, clear the cache and data for apps relating to media playback like music apps or YouTube. According to users on Google Support forums, this fix has resolved sound problems after app updates. It’s quick and easy to try clearing cache and data as an initial troubleshooting step.

Check for App Updates

One of the most common reasons for sound issues is outdated app software. According to research from Velvetech, app updates that fix bugs occur about once a week or every two weeks ^[1]. Updating your apps ensures you have the latest fixes and optimizations from the developers.

To check for updates, go to the Play Store app and tap the hamburger menu in the top left. Select “My Apps & Games” and you will see all installed apps on your device. Apps with available updates will say “Update” instead of “Open.” Tap Update to download the latest version.

According to Google Play Console support docs, staged rollouts allow developers to gradually release app updates to a percentage of users before fully releasing the update ^[2]. This percentage is set by the developer, commonly starting as low as 1% initially. For your apps to update, you may need to wait until the rollout reaches your device.

Keeping your apps updated is key to having the latest bug and sound fixes. Check the Play Store regularly for available updates.

Restart Device

One of the most common troubleshooting steps for any device, including Android phones, is to power it down completely and restart it. This process will clear out any temporary bugs or glitches in the software and allow your device to start fresh.

To restart your Android phone:

1. Hold down the power button until you see the “Power off” prompt.
2. Tap “Power off” to fully power down the phone.
3. After the phone is completely powered down, press and hold the power button again until you see the manufacturer logo appear on screen.
4. Allow the phone to fully reboot and load the operating system.

Once the phone has restarted, open the app you were trying to play audio from and try playing a sound again. Many audio issues can be temporarily fixed by simply restarting the device and refreshing the software. If the issue persists after a reboot, it likely indicates a deeper problem.

One Reddit user explained how restarting can fix intermittent technical issues, saying “If it is software, by turning it off and on and again restarts that software, recovering it from its fault.” (Source)

Reset App Preferences

Resetting app preferences can help resolve issues with sound and other problems in apps. This restores all preferences for apps back to their default settings.

To reset app preferences on Android:

1. Go to Settings > Apps.
2. Tap the three dot menu in the top right corner.
3. Select Reset App Preferences.
4. Confirm on the next screen by tapping Reset Apps.

This will reset all preferences for all apps on the device. It does not delete any app data. According to Digital Trends, resetting app preferences can often fix issues with apps crashing, freezing, or default app settings reverting.

Factory Reset

A factory reset returns the Android device to its default state by erasing all data, settings, and installed apps [1]. This can resolve software issues caused by apps or system corruption. Before resetting, it’s crucial to backup any important data and files, as they will be permanently deleted.

To perform a factory reset, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset). You’ll need to confirm your passcode or PIN. The device will reboot into recovery mode to erase everything. After it restarts, it will be restored to original factory settings.

A factory reset is a last resort troubleshooting step if nothing else has resolved the sound issues. It often fixes software problems, though any hardware issues would remain. Data recovery after a reset is difficult but sometimes possible [2]. Overall, a factory reset can restore functionality and performance, but results aren’t guaranteed.

Contact Manufacturer

If you have tried all of the troubleshooting steps and the issue with sound on your Android phone persists, the next step is to contact the device manufacturer for hardware support. Most Android phones come with at least a 1-year limited warranty from the manufacturer that covers defects in materials and workmanship (Source).

To start the warranty process, locate your phone’s IMEI number in the Settings app and check it against the manufacturer’s warranty status page to see if it is still under warranty. Popular Android manufacturers like Samsung, Google, LG, Motorola, and OnePlus provide online warranty claim forms to submit. You will need to provide details on the sound issue you are experiencing, proof of purchase, and any troubleshooting steps already attempted.

The manufacturer will then review your claim and may request you send in the device for repair or replacement if the issue is covered under warranty. Be aware that physical damage like a cracked screen may not be covered unless you purchased additional coverage. If your device is out of the standard warranty period, you may need to pay repair fees determined by the manufacturer (Source).

Going directly through the manufacturer for sound issues maximizes your chance of getting hardware-related problems resolved under warranty if applicable. Persistent software-based sound problems may also require analysis by the engineering team. Contact manufacturer support via phone, email, chat, or forums for personalized help troubleshooting Android sound problems.