Why is there no sound on my videos on my Android phone?

It can be frustrating when you try to play a video on your Android phone, only to find there is no audio or sound. This issue seems to happen somewhat frequently based on forums and questions online. Not being able to hear the audio on videos defeats the purpose of watching them in the first place.

There are several potential reasons why your Android phone may not be outputting sound when you play videos. The good news is there are also a number of troubleshooting steps you can try to get the audio working again. This guide will walk through the top solutions to try when your Android phone has no sound on videos.

Verify Sound Settings

One of the most common reasons for no sound on Android phones is that the ringtone or media volumes are muted or set too low. To check this, go to Settings > Sound & vibration and verify that none of the volume sliders are muted or at the lowest level [1]. The ringtone volume controls incoming call ringtones and notifications, while the media volume controls music, videos, games, and other media. Make sure both are set to audible levels by dragging the sliders to the right.

You can also try toggling the “Vibrate for calls” or “Do not disturb” settings off if they are enabled, as these can sometimes mute sounds even if the volume sliders are up. Checking these basic sound configurations in Settings is one of the first troubleshooting steps for no audio on Android [2].

Check App Permissions

One common reason for no sound in videos is that the app may not have permission to access the audio or microphone on your Android device. When installing new apps, you are typically prompted to allow or deny various permissions like location, contacts, camera, etc. If you accidentally denied the audio/microphone permission for an app, it will not be able to play any sounds or videos with audio.

To fix this, go to your Android settings and find the “Apps” section. Tap on the problematic app and look for the “Permissions” option. Here you can toggle the audio/microphone permissions to allow the app to access those features. According to Google support, you may need to close the app and reopen it for the new permissions to take effect.

Checking app permissions is an easy fix if an app inexplicably loses audio capabilities after an update or permissions change. Make sure the app is allowed access to the microphone and audio playback on your device. If it already has permission, the issue likely lies elsewhere.

Restart The Device

A simple restart can often fix sound issues on Android devices. When an Android phone encounters problems, a reboot helps to clear any software glitches and resets all components. This refresh often resolves many common issues like no sound.

To restart an Android device, hold down the power button for about 30 seconds until the phone powers off. Wait a few moments, then press the power button again to restart the device. After rebooting, check if videos now have sound. A restart or power cycle fixes problems for many users (Source: Fix an Android device that’s restarting or crashing – Google Support).

If a normal restart does not restore sound, also consider booting the device into safe mode. Safe mode loads Android without any third-party apps running. This isolates whether an app is causing the no sound issue. If sound works in safe mode, the culprit is likely a problematic third-party app.

Update Apps

Outdated apps can sometimes cause issues like no sound in videos. Go to the Play Store app and check if any app updates are pending. Tap the profile icon in the top-right corner, then go to Manage Apps & Games > Updates available to see apps with available updates. Tap Update all to update everything. You can also update apps individually by going to My apps & games > Installed > Recently updated, and checking for apps that say “Update available.” Keeping your apps up-to-date ensures you have the latest bug fixes and features.

As noted on Guiding Tech, outdated apps may cause glitches like no sound in videos. Updating your apps ensures you have the most recent versions without bugs.

Clear App Cache and Data

Clearing the cache and app data can help resolve issues caused by corrupt files. Over time, cached data can become damaged or incorrectly saved, which can prevent apps from running properly. Emptying the cache forces the app to recreate these temporary files, essentially starting fresh. Here are the steps to clear cache and data in Android (McNamee, 2022):

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Apps & notifications > See all apps.
3. Select the problematic app.
4. Tap Storage & cache > Clear storage.
5. Confirm clearing cache and data.

This will wipe the app’s cache files along with other temporary data, configuration settings, stored logins, etc. The app itself will not be deleted. After clearing the data, try opening the app again to see if the issues are resolved (McNamee, 2022). If problems persist, the app data may not have been the cause.

For best results, also restart your Android device after clearing an app’s data and cache. This will ensure the phone fully resets the app. If you’re still experiencing problems, troubleshoot other common causes of no sound in videos like system settings, hardware issues, app updates and permissions.

Check Accessibility Settings

Sometimes sound may be unintentionally muted due to your device’s accessibility settings. Android includes various accessibility features to assist users with hearing, vision, and mobility impairments.

To check your accessibility settings:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
2. Tap Accessibility or Accessibility & Vision.
3. Review the settings and ensure that features like Sound Notifications, Captions, and High Contrast Text are disabled if you did not intend to have them on.

Disabling any unintended accessibility services that affect sound should restore your audio. You can always re-enable these features later if needed.

For more details on Android’s accessibility tools involving sound and audio, see https://www.android.com/accessibility/audio/.

Factory Reset

A factory reset will completely wipe your device and install a fresh copy of the Android operating system, effectively giving you a brand new phone. This can resolve software issues that may be causing problems with sound.

According to this Google support thread, performing a factory reset can fix audio issues that persist even after rebooting into safe mode. The fresh install provided by a factory reset eliminates any corrupted files or settings that may be disrupting sound.

However, factory resetting means you will lose all data and settings on your device. Be sure to backup anything important before proceeding. You will have to reconfigure your device from scratch after the reset.

Hardware Damage

Physical damage to the phone’s hardware can cause issues with audio playback and recording. Common hardware problems that affect sound include:

Cracked or damaged speakers – Dropping your phone or other impacts can cause the internal speaker to crack or detach from the motherboard, preventing proper audio output. Speakers may sound muffled, distorted, or not work at all.

Faulty headphone jack – The headphone jack contains small pins that can get bent or broken over time, especially with frequent plugging and unplugging of headphones. This can lead to cutting in and out of audio when headphones are used.

Disconnected or faulty audio IC – The audio integrated circuit (IC) onboard the phone controls audio input and output. If this chip becomes disconnected or damaged, it can disable all audio playback and recording.

Loose internal connections – Internal flex cables or solder joints connecting components like the speaker can work loose over time from repeated drops or abuse. This interrupts the audio signal pathway.

Faulty microphone – Damage to the microphone from drops, moisture, or debris can prevent proper audio input during calls and recording. Audio may sound muffled or distorted when using the built-in mic.

If physical damage is causing sound issues, repair or replacement of the affected components is required to restore full audio functionality. Cases of hardware damage often require professional repair rather than DIY solutions.

Conclusion

In summary, if you are experiencing no sound or audio issues on videos played on your Android device, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take:

First, check your basic sound and media volume settings to make sure nothing is muted. Also inspect any app permissions to ensure video apps have access to audio.

If the basics are configured properly, try restarting your device or updating your apps – an app or OS update could resolve an underlying bug. For persistent issues, clearing an app’s cache and data can refresh its settings.

Additionally, inspect your accessibility settings, as having certain features enabled like captions can route audio away from the speakers. Factory resetting your device as a last resort can clear any problematic settings and refresh the OS.

Finally, examine your phone for any physical damage, as actual hardware issues with the speakers or audio circuitry could be preventing sound. If you’ve tried all other troubleshooting steps, a repair may be needed.