How do I turn the sound on my TCL phone?

What to Check First

One of the most common reasons for no sound on an Android phone is that the device has been switched to silent or vibrate mode. Check the volume rocker on the side of the phone and make sure the volume slider is not set all the way down. The volume buttons control both the ringer volume and media volume on most Android devices. Drag the volume slider up to raise the volume back to an audible level (source).

Additionally, see if a headset or headphones are plugged into the headphone jack. When headphones are connected, the phone will automatically switch the audio output to the headset and mute the onboard speakers. Unplug any wired headphones or earbuds to allow sound to come through the phone speaker again (source).

Checking Sound Settings

One of the first things to check when troubleshooting sound issues on a TCL phone is the Sound settings in the Settings app. Here are the key things to look for:

Open the Settings app and tap on Sound. This is where you can adjust the overall volume, as well as other audio settings.

Look for the Silent Mode or Vibrate Mode toggles. Make sure these are turned off, otherwise the phone will mute sounds even if the volume is turned up.¹

Check the Media Volume and Ringtone Volume sliders. Try moving these up if the volume is lower than desired. There are also sliders for Alarm Volume, Notification Volume, and System Volume if needed.

Tap on Advanced Settings to access additional options like Do Not Disturb schedules, vibration intensity, default notification sounds, and more.

Going through the Sound settings systematically can help identify and resolve many common audio issues on TCL phones.

Media Volume vs Ringtone Volume

On many Android phones like the TCL, there are separate volume controls for media and ringtones/alerts. The media volume controls the volume for music, videos, game audio, and other media played through apps. The ringtone/alerts volume controls how loud incoming calls and notification sounds are.

To adjust the media volume, use the volume buttons on the side of the phone while music or video is playing. This slider will appear on the screen to show the media volume level. If no media is playing, the buttons will control ringtone volume instead.

To change the ringtone and alerts volume, go to Settings > Sound and tap the option for Ring volume. You can use the slider bar to adjust the volume level for ringtones and alerts specifically without affecting your media volume. This allows you to have media play loudly while keeping ringtones and notification sounds quieter if needed.

Understanding the difference between media and ringtone volume allows you to customize your TCL phone’s audio experience. Keep media volume high for watching videos or gaming while lowering ringtone volume for work calls or late night notifications.

System Sounds vs App Sounds

System sounds and app sounds function independently on Android devices like the TCL phone. Understanding the difference can help troubleshoot audio issues.

System sounds come from the Android operating system itself and include notifications, ringtones, media playback, and system UI sounds. These can be controlled globally from the system Settings under Sound.

App sounds originate from within third-party and pre-installed apps on your device. They include in-app audio like gameplay sounds, videos, podcasts, and more. Controlling app volume individually is more difficult on Android. Some solutions include:

Using a third-party app like Sound Assistant (Samsung devices only)
Rooting the device and using a Magisk module like App Volume Control

So in summary, check Settings > Sound to control system volume, but you may need specialized apps to control app volume separately.

Testing Specific Audio Sources

To narrow down the issue, systematically test the sound from different audio sources on your TCL phone. Try playing ringtones, music, videos, games, and other apps that produce sound. This will help determine if the problem is only affecting certain audio sources or if it is a system-wide issue.

Start by testing the basic system sounds like ringtones and notifications. Try setting different ringtones and play an incoming call or message to check if they work properly. Then play a variety of music files and videos to see if those have audio issues as well. Test games and other interactive apps that have sound effects or background music.

As you test each audio source, take note of which ones do or do not have sound. If the issue only occurs with one type of audio like music but not ringtones, that points to a problem with that specific app or file type. If there is no sound at all from any sources, it is likely an operating system or hardware problem.

Testing methodically will help you identify where the no sound problem starts. Once you’ve narrowed down the issue, you can try solutions targeted for that particular audio source. Refer to the phone manufacturer’s support site or contact them if you cannot resolve it yourself.

Updating Apps and Software

One common reason for sound issues on a TCL phone is that an app or the Android operating system itself needs an update. App developers and Android frequently release updates to fix bugs and improve performance. An outdated version of an app or Android can sometimes cause problems with audio playback.

To check for pending updates, open the Google Play Store app on your TCL phone. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner, then choose My Apps & Games. This will show you a list of installed apps with available updates. Tap Update next to any apps to download the latest version.

You can also update your entire Android OS to the newest version available for your phone model. To do this, go to Settings > System > System Update. Tap Check for Update and your phone will look for the latest Android version. Follow the prompts to download and install any available OS updates.

Updating apps and system software is an easy first step that could potentially fix sound issues on a TCL phone. Regularly updating to the latest versions ensures you have bug fixes and optimizations that may resolve problems like no audio output.

Checking Connections and Speakers

Try inspecting the headphone jack and Bluetooth connections to make sure there are no obstructions or damage preventing proper audio output. Carefully look into the headphone jack for any dust, lint, or debris that could be blocking the connection. Also check for damage to the jack itself that may prevent headphones or auxiliary cables from seating properly.

For Bluetooth connections, go into your phone’s Settings and make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Check that your phone is paired properly with Bluetooth speakers, headphones, or your car audio system. You may need to delete existing pairings and re-pair devices. Refer to the device manuals for pairing instructions if needed.

An easy way to test is to switch between different wired headphones and Bluetooth speakers/headphones. Try your regular headphones or speakers, and then test a different pair. If the issue persists across different audio devices, then the problem likely lies with your phone’s hardware or software. But if certain headphones or speakers work properly while others do not, then you may have a defective device that needs replacing.

As you test, pay attention to factors like volume levels and sound quality. Low volume even at max settings can indicate a hardware problem with your phone’s built-in amps. Distorted or muffled sound may point to a damaged speaker or issues with sound encoding.

Factory Reset as Last Resort

If you’ve exhausted all other troubleshooting options and your TCL phone still has no sound, a factory reset can erase any software glitches and restore the device to default settings. However, this will delete all your data and customized settings, so make sure to back up anything important first.

According to this guide, you can factory reset a TCL phone by going to Settings > System > Reset Options > Erase all data (factory reset). This will wipe your device and reset it to factory default settings.

Only use a factory reset as a last resort, as you’ll have to reinstall apps and redo all custom settings. But it can potentially fix stubborn audio issues caused by bugs or glitches in the software.

Contacting Support

If you have gone through all the troubleshooting steps listed above and are still having issues with no sound on your TCL phone, it is recommended to contact TCL support directly for further assistance.

TCL’s support team can help diagnose the issue in more depth through remote access tools or over the phone troubleshooting. They will be able to see the full details of your phone model, current software version, settings configurations, and logs to pinpoint what may be causing the lack of sound.

Some of the key things the support team can help determine include:

If there is a hardware malfunction with the speakers
If the software needs to be reinstalled or updated
If third party apps are interfering with system sound settings

If the phone needs a factory reset to resolve software issues

TCL phone support can be reached by phone at 1-877-300-8837 or through their online contact form. Support is available 7 days a week.

When you reach out, be sure to provide details on the troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken from the steps outlined above. This will help the support team quickly identify potential issues and solutions.