Why is my speakerphone not working on my Android phone?
Check Your Phone’s Settings
One of the first things to check is your phone’s settings to confirm the speakerphone is actually enabled. Open your Android phone’s Settings app and go to Sound & vibration > Advanced (or Audio settings on some phones). Look for an option called “Speakerphone” or “Use speakerphone for calls” and make sure it is toggled on (blue or green).
You’ll also want to check the volume levels for the speakerphone. While in the Sound settings, go to Volume and raise the “Media volume” and “Call volume” sliders up. This boosts the overall volume that comes out of the speakerphone during calls. If the volume is lowered, it could explain why the speakerphone seems weak or inactive. According to Google support (source), adjusting these volume levels is one of the first troubleshooting steps for speakerphone issues.
Check Any Physical Buttons/Switches
Many Android phones have a dedicated physical button or switch to toggle the speakerphone on and off during calls. Check your phone for a button specifically labeled for speaker, speakerphone, or hands-free mode. This button may be located on the side or top of the device. Press the button while on a call to activate the speakerphone.
Additionally, inspect your phone for a toggle switch that enables the loudspeaker. This switch is often found on the left side above the volume buttons. Slide the switch to enable or disable the speakerphone during calls. If you have trouble locating these buttons, refer to your phone’s user manual for their exact placement.
Toggling any physical buttons or switches related to the speakerphone can help troubleshoot issues with it not working properly. If the speakerphone activates when pressing these buttons, then the issue is likely a software problem rather than hardware. If the buttons do not activate the speakerphone, there could be a problem with the physical phone components.
Update Your Android Software
One of the most common reasons for speakerphone issues is an outdated version of Android. Android releases periodic updates to fix bugs and improve features, so making sure your phone is running the latest software can help resolve problems.
Go into your phone’s Settings app and tap on System > Advanced > System update. Check if there are any available updates for your Android version. If so, download and install them. This will upgrade your phone’s operating system to the newest release.
You can also visit your phone manufacturer’s website to check for updates. Many brands like Samsung and LG provide their own updates with customized features and fixes. Install any pending updates offered by your phone maker.
Updating to the latest Android OS ensures you have all the newest fixes and optimizations. This can resolve app glitches, hardware problems, and other software issues that may be affecting your speakerphone.
Restart Your Phone
One simple fix that may resolve the speakerphone not working on your Android phone is to power cycle the device by restarting it. To restart your Android phone, press and hold the power button for a few seconds until you see the ‘Power off’ prompt. Tap ‘Power off’ and wait for your phone to fully shut down. After 30 seconds or so, press and hold the power button again to turn your phone back on and boot it up normally. This forces your phone to fully restart the operating system, clears any software glitches, and resets all apps and services.
Once your phone has restarted, check if the speakerphone is now working properly when making calls. Open your Phone app, dial a test call, and switch to speakerphone mode to see if you can hear the other caller through the speaker. If the speakerphone is still not functioning after restarting your Android device, the issue likely requires further troubleshooting, as a simple restart did not resolve it.
Source: https://www.imobie.com/android-system-recovery/fix-android-speaker-not-working.htm
Check For Obstructions
One of the most common reasons an Android phone’s speakerphone stops working is due to some kind of obstruction blocking the speaker or microphone.
First, make sure there are no objects covering the speaker grille on your phone. Remove any phone cases, covers, screen protectors, or other accessories that could be blocking the speaker.
Next, use a dry toothbrush or compressed air to gently clean out any dust, dirt, lint, or other debris that may have accumulated in the speaker grille. Be very gentle so as not to damage the delicate speaker components.
It’s also important to check the microphone port and make sure it is free of any obstructions. Use the same cleaning methods to clear out any debris blocking the microphone.
Finally, restart your phone and test the speakerphone again. Often, simply removing minor blockages and restarting is enough to get your speakerphone working properly again.
If the issue persists, you may need to perform additional troubleshooting steps, like updating your Android OS, resetting app preferences, or testing with different SIM cards. But first, eliminating any physical obstructions is the easiest fix to try.
Try Different Apps
Another simple troubleshooting step is to test if the speakerphone works in different apps on your Android phone. The speakerphone functionality may be tied to certain apps, so it’s worth trying a few to see if you can isolate the issue.
First, make a phone call and try turning on speakerphone during the call. See if you can hear the other person’s voice through the speaker. Next, open your voice recorder or any other audio recording app and try playing back a recording on speakerphone mode. You can also try video calling apps and switch to speaker during the call to check if audio comes through.
If the speakerphone only works in specific apps, then the problem may be isolated to other apps like your default phone app or certain games/media apps. Checking a wide variety of apps that utilize your phone’s microphone and speaker will help pinpoint where exactly the speakerphone capability is failing.
Keep track of which apps have working speakerphone and which don’t. This info will help if you need to troubleshoot further or contact customer support. Isolating the issue to specific apps can direct solutions more effectively.
Reset App Preferences
Resetting app preferences can help resolve issues with the speakerphone by clearing cached data and settings. This will reset apps to their default state which may fix conflicts causing the speakerphone problem.
To reset app preferences, go to Settings > Apps. Tap the menu icon in the top right corner and select “Reset app preferences.” This will clear data and caches for all apps on your device. Be sure to include critical apps related to calling and speakerphone functionality like your phone app, VoIP apps, and any accessibility services.
Resetting preferences will not delete the apps themselves or your personal content. It simply clears temporary data and resets apps to default. After resetting preferences, test if the speakerphone works properly during calls. If the issue persists, you may need to uninstall updates or clear data for individual apps causing problems.
Factory Reset Your Phone
A factory reset (also known as a hard reset or master reset) will restore your Android phone to its original manufacturer settings. This is essentially like getting a brand new phone and will erase all data and settings on your device. A factory reset should be considered as a last resort if nothing else has worked to fix your speakerphone not working.
Before factory resetting your phone, you’ll want to backup any important data you want to keep. This includes contacts, photos, videos, music, documents, and other personal files. Back these up to the cloud or external storage. You can use your Google account to backup contacts, calendar events, and photos/videos.
Once your data is safe, go to Settings > System > Reset options on your Android. Tap “Erase all data (factory reset)” and then “Reset phone.” Confirm again to wipe your device. The phone will restart fresh as if new. You can then restore your apps and data from the backup.
A factory reset erases all device data, which should include any corrupted files or settings causing speakerphone issues. Essentially it gives you a blank slate. Just make sure your important stuff is backed up first.
Sources:
[1] https://www.lifewire.com/fix-android-phone-speaker-not-working-4580298
[2] https://thefixsolutions.com/how-to-fix-android-phone-speaker-problems/
Test With Different SIM Card
One way to isolate the issue is by trying your phone with a different SIM card. The SIM card contains your phone number and cellular plan information, but it does not affect the phone’s hardware or reception [1]. However, swapping to another known good SIM card can help determine if your issue stems from a problem with your SIM card or phone.
Try inserting a different SIM card into your Android phone and test making speakerphone calls. If the speakerphone works properly with the new SIM card, then the issue was likely with your original SIM. You may need to get a replacement SIM card from your carrier. But if you still have speakerphone problems with a different SIM card, then the issue lies with your phone’s hardware or software.
While the SIM card itself does not affect reception or hardware performance, in some cases, a newer SIM card may have an updated preferred roaming list that could improve network connectivity [2] [3]. So testing with another SIM can isolate whether the speakerphone issues are related to cell signal strength and connectivity versus a problem with your phone itself.
Get Your Phone Serviced
If you have tried all of the troubleshooting steps like updating software, restarting your device, resetting app preferences, etc. and the speakerphone is still not working properly during calls, the issue may be caused by a hardware problem with the phone.
Some common hardware issues that can cause the speakerphone to malfunction include:
- Faulty microphone
- Damaged speaker
- Issues with the audio IC (integrated circuit)
- Problems with the headphone jack/port
If you suspect a hardware issue, it’s best to contact the device manufacturer’s support team directly. Most major brands like Samsung, LG, Motorola etc. have online and phone support options to troubleshoot problems.
You can also try taking your device to a manufacturer authorized service center for inspection and repairs. Technicians there will be able to diagnose the exact problem and replace any faulty parts if needed.
Getting professional servicing is often the best solution for persistent speakerphone issues that don’t resolve with standard software and settings tweaks. This can restore full functionality and audio quality during calls.
Just be sure to backup your data first before taking your phone in for service. And find out about repair costs – some basic hardware fixes may be covered under warranty if your device is still relatively new.
