Why is my voice memo not playing?
There are several common reasons why voice memos may fail to play on a device, including issues with the voice memo file itself, storage space limitations, software bugs or glitches, improper file formats, microphone or headphone jack damage, outdated device software, and problems with backups. A voice memo not playing can be frustrating, but the problem is often easily resolvable once the cause is identified.
According to research, mobile voice usage has become prevalent, with over 27% of people reporting using voice commands in public restrooms and 23% in theaters. With widespread voice tech adoption, troubleshooting issues like non-playing voice memos has become more common.
Corrupted Voice Memo File
A corrupted voice memo file occurs when the file becomes damaged and unable to be played properly. There are a few potential causes of voice memo file corruption:
Recording errors – If there’s an interruption in the recording, such as a dropped call or switching between apps, it can cause incomplete data in the file leading to corruption.
Incomplete transfers – If the voice memo doesn’t fully transfer from the device to storage, it may become corrupted.
Power interruption – An unexpected shutdown during recording or transfer can corrupt the file.
Storage issues – Problems with the storage device itself, like bad sectors, can damage the file.
You’ll know a voice memo file is corrupted if you try to play it but only hear static or silence, it skips and stutters, the length is shorter than expected, or you get an error message about the file being unplayable.
Checking the size can also indicate corruption – a file that’s kilobytes instead of megabytes is likely incomplete or damaged in some way.
Insufficient Storage Space
One common reason for voice memos not playing is that there is insufficient storage space available on your device. Voice memos can quickly consume storage, especially for lengthy recordings. According to a Reddit user, insufficient storage was the issue when their 1 hour 30 minute voice memo would not play.
Storage space matters for voice memos because in order to record and process audio, your device needs sufficient temporary storage and memory available. If storage is limited, it may struggle to properly save new voice memos or access existing ones. This can lead to corruption, glitches, or errors.
To check your available storage space, go to Settings > General > Storage on an iPhone. Make sure you have at least a few GB of available space. Deleting unused apps, messages, photos, or files can free up room. You may need to upgrade to a device with more storage capacity if space is consistently limited.
According to Tenorshare, insufficient storage space is one of the top reasons the personal voice assistant feature may get stuck. With limited space, your device cannot properly process voice commands and requests.
Software Bugs and Glitches
Like any software, the Voice Memos app on iOS can sometimes experience bugs and glitches that prevent voice memos from playing properly. Certain iOS versions are more prone to issues with Voice Memos.
For example, some users have reported problems with Voice Memos after updating to iOS 13 and iOS 14, with memos getting deleted or corrupted spontaneously [1]. Restoring the device from a backup or updating to the latest iOS version can help resolve app bugs.
If a specific voice memo file is not playing, it may have become corrupted. Trying to re-record the memo or restarting the Voice Memos app can bypass temporary glitches. As a workaround, third-party audio recording apps from the App Store can be reliable alternatives if issues persist.
To prevent data loss from app crashes, regularly backing up Voice Memo files through iTunes or iCloud is recommended. Users can also check for any available Voice Memo app updates in the App Store to install bug fixes and performance improvements from Apple.
Incorrect File Format
One common reason a voice memo may not play back properly is if it was recorded in an incompatible or corrupted file format. iOS voice memos are typically saved in the .m4a format, which is based on the MPEG-4 audio compression standard. Trying to open a memo saved in another format like .mp3, .wav, .aiff, or .aac could result in playback issues.
If you recorded a voice memo on another device or app that uses a different default format, you may need to convert it to .m4a in order for the built-in Voice Memos app to recognize it. There are many free audio converter tools available online that can re-encode files into the proper .m4a codec. Just upload your original voice memo, select .m4a as the output format, and download the converted version to your iPhone.
However, take caution when using third-party converters, as they may compress the audio or degrade the quality. For best results, try to record natively in the Voice Memos app if possible.
Damaged Microphone
If your device’s microphone has become physically damaged, it can prevent your voice memos from recording properly. Damage to the microphone can be caused by drops, impacts, liquid exposure, or debris lodged in the microphone opening. According to Quora, one sign of a damaged microphone is diminished audio quality and static or scratching noises in recordings (source).
To test if your microphone is damaged, first inspect it physically for any cracks, dents or obstructions in the opening. Then try recording a voice memo in a quiet environment and play it back at full volume to listen for static, scratching or muffling. If the recorded audio sounds low quality, your microphone may be broken. As Geek Musician explains, a damaged microphone often fails to pick up the full frequency range of sounds (source). If your inspection reveals physical damage or the test recordings sound defective, you may need your microphone repaired or replaced.
Issues with Headphone Jack
One of the most common causes for voice memos not playing back correctly is an issue with the headphone jack connection on your device [1]. If the headphone jack is loose, corroded, or damaged, it may not make a solid connection with your headphones or aux cable. This can lead to static, distortion, or no audio output when trying to play your voice memos back.
A poor headphone jack connection prevents your device from properly routing the audio output to your headphones. Even though the voice memo file itself may be perfectly fine, the faulty hardware connection blocks you from hearing it play back properly.
If you suspect your headphone jack is the issue, try jiggling or adjusting the connection point while playing the voice memo file. If the static or distortion changes or lessens, that’s a sign the jack itself is causing problems.
The best solution is to switch to a wireless Bluetooth connection instead of using the wired headphone jack. Bluetooth transmits the audio signal digitally rather than relying on the physical headphone jack. Pair your device with Bluetooth headphones or a speaker to bypass the faulty jack entirely and stream voice memos wirelessly.
Outdated Device Software
One common reason for voice memos not playing back properly is having outdated software on your iPhone or iPad. According to Apple Support, the Voice Memos app requires iOS 10.0 or later to function properly (source). If you are running an older version of iOS, it may not fully support the Voice Memos app and lead to issues with recording or playback.
To fix this, you should update your iPhone or iPad to the latest version of iOS available. You can do this by going to Settings > General > Software Update and installing any available updates. This will upgrade your core iOS system software and also update apps like Voice Memos. Keeping your device software up-to-date ensures compatibility with the latest app features and can resolve bugs that lead to problems like voice memos not playing.
Restoring from Backup
If your voice memos stop playing and troubleshooting doesn’t solve the issue, restoring your device from a backup may be your best option. Before restoring, make sure you have a recent backup available. Ideally, you’ll want to restore from a backup created before the playback issues began.
Restoring should generally be used as a last resort when other fixes have failed. While it often resolves software-related issues, restoring will also erase any new data created after the backup. Before restoring, make sure to copy any important new files off the device so they aren’t deleted.
Follow these best practices when restoring your device:
- Backup to iCloud or iTunes regularly so you have a recent backup available if needed.
- Don’t restore from a backup if you suspect the backed up data is corrupted.
- Choose an earlier backup if possible, prior to when issues began.
- Make sure the backup completed successfully before restoring.
- Temporarily disable Find My [iPhone/iPad] before restoring.
- Stay connected to the internet during restore to avoid errors.
- Expect the process to take some time and your device may restart.
After restoring, check if your voice memos now play properly. If issues continue, you may need to consult with Apple support for hardware-related problems.
Preventing Future Issues
The best way to prevent future issues with voice memos not playing is to regularly back up your voice recordings. You can back up voice memos stored on an iPhone by connecting to iTunes and syncing, using iCloud backups, or manually transferring files to a computer or external storage device. Keep multiple backups just in case one fails or becomes corrupted. According to Apple Support, “If you back up your iOS device, you’ll have a copy of your voice memos in case your device is ever replaced or erased” [1].
It’s also important to keep your iPhone’s software up to date by installing the latest iOS updates when available. New software updates often fix bugs that can cause apps like Voice Memos to malfunction. Per TechJunkie, “Having an outdated version of iOS can lead to problems with stock apps like Voice Memos” [2].
Additionally, verify app and device compatibility if you upgrade to a new iPhone model. The Voice Memos app may have issues recording or playing back on an older or newer iPhone model than the one initially used to record the memo. Check compatibility lists before upgrading to prevent problems. As Apple notes, “Voice Memos doesn’t transfer to all iOS devices” [1].
By regularly backing up voice recordings, keeping device software updated, and ensuring compatibility, you can avoid many common voice memo playback issues.