Why is there no media sound on my Android?

Check Your Android’s Volume Settings

One of the first things to check when you have no media sound on your Android device is the volume settings. Here’s how to view and adjust the volume controls:

On most Android devices, you can see the volume levels by pressing the physical volume buttons on the side of the phone. This will display an overlay showing the volume levels for ringtone, media, alarms, and system sounds. Make sure the media volume slider is turned up and not muted.

You can also go into Settings > Sound to adjust volume levels. Check that the media volume is not turned all the way down or muted. Try increasing the media volume level and see if that restores sound when playing music, videos or other media.

Some Android devices like Samsung have a separate app sound volume control. Go into Settings > Sounds and vibration > Volume and check the App volume slider is not muted.

If adjusting the volume does not resolve the issue, it’s likely there is another cause for the missing media sound on your Android. Some troubleshooting steps include checking Bluetooth connections, restarting your device, updating Android version, and checking accessibility settings.

Sources:
https://www.lifewire.com/fix-android-phone-speaker-not-working-4580298

Check That Media Volume is Enabled

Android devices have separate volume controls for media and ringtones/notifications. The media volume controls the volume for music, videos, games and other media, while the ringtone volume controls the volume for incoming calls and notifications.

To check that media volume is enabled on your Android device:

Open the Settings app and tap Sound & vibration or Sound.

Under Media volume, make sure the slider is not muted or turned all the way down. Drag the slider to adjust the media volume.
You can also press the Volume up or down buttons on the side of your device when media is playing to adjust the media volume specifically.

If media volume is disabled, you won’t hear any sounds from videos, music, games, etc. Make sure it is enabled and turned up in order to hear media sounds on your Android device.

Check Connected Bluetooth Devices

One common reason for no media sound on your Android phone is an issue with a connected Bluetooth audio device, like wireless headphones or a speaker. Bluetooth allows you to wirelessly stream audio from your phone to other devices. However, sometimes the Bluetooth connection can become faulty, causing audio playback issues.

Check that your Bluetooth device is properly paired and connected to your Android phone. You may see a Bluetooth icon in your notification bar that indicates an active connection. Go into your Bluetooth settings and ensure the device is actually paired and connected. If you see any issues with the pairing status, try unpairing the device and repairing it.

Bluetooth connections can also randomly drop, which would immediately stop any audio playback to the wireless device. Check to see if your Bluetooth headset or speaker is still connected to your phone when you are experiencing no sound issues. Reconnect the Bluetooth device if needed.

In some cases, you may need to reset network settings on your Android to fully clear any problematic Bluetooth connections. You can find this reset option under System Settings. After resetting networks, you’ll have to re-pair your Bluetooth devices.

Issues with Bluetooth devices are a common source of audio problems on Androids. Carefully check the status of paired devices if you are not hearing expected sounds. Troubleshoot and reconnect Bluetooth as needed to restore wireless audio capabilities.

Restart Your Android Device

One of the simplest fixes for sound issues on Android is to restart your device. A reboot can help clear any minor software glitches that may be preventing sound from working properly.

To restart your Android, hold down the power button for about 30 seconds until you see the power off option appear. Tap that option to fully shut down your device. Wait at least 30 seconds, then press and hold the power button again to turn your phone back on.

Allow your device to fully start up, then try playing audio or video again to see if sound has been restored. Often a quick reboot is all that’s needed to resolve temporary sound problems. according to https://www.lifewire.com/fix-android-phone-speaker-not-working-4580298.

If the issue persists after a restart, you may need to dig deeper to determine the cause of the no sound problem. But a reboot is a good first step when troubleshooting sound on your Android.

Check That Sound is Not Muted

One of the most common reasons for no sound on Android phones is that the sound/media volume has been muted. There are a couple places to check for muted sound on your Android device:

First, check for a physical mute switch on the side of your phone – newer phones like the Galaxy S22 or Pixel 6 don’t have these, but many older Android models do. Flip the switch so it is not in the muted position.

Next, check your device’s volume settings. Pull down the notification shade and look for the volume controls. Make sure the media volume slider is up and not muted. You can also go into Settings > Sound to verify volume levels. Ensure that media volume is turned up high enough to hear audio (Source 1).

Open individual apps like YouTube, Spotify or games and check their volume levels as well. Press the volume up button while using an app to bring up its volume control and set it to your desired level.

Finally, check Do Not Disturb settings which can mute sounds. Go to Settings > Sound > Do Not Disturb and make sure it is disabled or set to allow media volume. Toggle off the “Mute” option if enabled (Source 2).

Running through these quick checks should ensure sound is no longer muted on your Android device.

Update Your Android Version

One potential cause of no media sound could be a bug in your current Android version. Android releases periodic software updates that include bug fixes and improvements. Updating to the latest Android version available for your device may resolve any sound issues caused by bugs in the operating system.

To update your Android version, go to Settings > System > Advanced > System Update. Check if any software updates are available for download and installation. Make sure your device is connected to WiFi to download the update package.

Major Android updates like 12 to 13 can provide substantial fixes and optimizations that improve media playback and sound. Even minor point updates like 12.0.1 to 12.1 may contain critical bug and security patches. Keeping Android up-to-date is generally recommended to have the latest features and stability improvements.

If no updates are shown as available, you may have to wait until your device manufacturer rolls out a future update for your model. Checking for updates regularly or enrolling in beta testing programs can help obtain updates quicker.

Reset App Preferences

One possible cause of missing media sounds is apps that have been granted incorrect permissions or settings related to audio and sound access. Resetting app preferences in Android can restore default permissions and settings, which may resolve the missing media sound issue.

To reset app preferences in Android:

Open the Settings app.
Tap Apps.
Tap the three dot menu in the top right corner.

Select Reset App Preferences.

This will reset all preferences for apps installed on your device, including permissions related to the microphone, camera, location and storage access. It essentially restores apps to their default state after first installation.

According to a Reddit user, resetting app preferences specifically helped restore missing notification sounds: “Go into the settings for the apps you want to change, and set the sound you want” (source).

Therefore, resetting app preferences is worth trying if certain apps are missing media or notification sounds after an update or system change on your Android device.

Check Accessibility Settings

The Android Accessibility settings allow users to enable services that make using Android easier for those with disabilities. One of the accessibility services is the option to “Turn off all sounds.” If this option is enabled, it will mute all sounds from your device.

To check your accessibility settings and disable any services diverting sound:

Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Scroll down and tap Accessibility.
Review the list of enabled services. If “Turn off all sounds” is toggled on, tap it to turn it off.

Also review any other enabled services and consider turning off those that may divert media sound, like screen readers.

Disabling the “Turn off all sounds” option or any accessibility services diverting media sound may resolve the no sound issue on your Android device. For more information, see this helpful guide: How to turn on/off all sounds from accessibility settings.

Factory Reset Android

If you have tried all other troubleshooting steps and your Android phone still has no media sound, a factory reset may be necessary to resolve the issue. A factory reset will erase all data and settings on your device and restore it to original factory conditions.

Before factory resetting, be sure to back up any data you want to keep, such as photos, videos, contacts, etc. You can back up data to the cloud or to a computer.

To factory reset an Android device:

Go to Settings > System > Reset options.

Tap Erase all data (factory reset).
Tap Reset phone.
If prompted, enter your lock screen password or PIN.

Your phone will reboot and erase all data. After rebooting, go through the setup prompts to set up your device again.

With all settings cleared, a factory reset often resolves sound issues like no media audio. If the problem persists after resetting, you may need to have your device inspected for hardware issues.

For more details on factory resetting your specific Android model, check the manufacturer’s support site or user manual. Performing a full factory reset is an effective troubleshooting step when sound problems cannot be resolved through other options.

Physical Device Damage

One potential cause of no media sound on your Android phone is physical damage to the hardware, specifically the speakers. Here are some things to check related to hardware damage:

Examine your phone’s external speaker(s) and headphone jack for any visible damage like cracks, dents or corrosion. Damaged ports or speakers can prevent sound from coming through properly.
Try connecting external headphones or speakers via cable or Bluetooth. If sound works through external devices but not your phone’s speakers, that indicates a hardware problem with the built-in speakers.

Use a flashlight to inspect your phone’s internal speaker located under the small holes on the back/bottom. If the speaker mesh is torn or punctured, that can cause loss of sound.
Take your phone to a repair shop and ask them to examine the speakers and audio components. They may be able to replace damaged parts like speakers or solder loose connections.
As a last resort, you may need to replace the entire motherboard if the integrated sound chips or circuits have failed. This is often too costly compared to getting a replacement phone.

Physical or liquid damage can disrupt the speakers and sound capability of any smartphone. If you’ve ruled out software issues, get your device inspected for hardware damage requiring professional repair or replacement.