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What To Do If Your iPhone Has No Sound: Troubleshooting Guide

One feature that distinguishes the iPhone from its rivals is its audio technology. The audio system is so good that professionals use it for recording and mixing music. But despite all the engineering that went into making the iPhone’s audio great, there are still times when users might experience sound problems with their device. Sometimes you’ll run into an issue when you have no sound at all. What gives?

When your iPhone has no sound, try checking if your volume is low or off. If you were connected to any BlueTooth headphones, find them and make sure they’re off and that the sound isn’t going there. Restart the phone, and if the problem persists, consider seeking out a repair of the speaker array.

It can be frustrating to experience sound problems with your iPhone. The first step is to rule out a software problem. Otherwise, you’re likely dealing with a hardware issue. If your phone is under warranty, then you should take it to an Apple Store and have them check it out. If not, then you can take it to a certified repair shop. Let’s look at what causes sound problems on the iPhone and how to fix them.

Why Doesn’t My iPhone Have Sound?

IPhone and Headphones

Several factors can keep your iPhone from playing sound. Here are some of the most common reasons: 

Sound settings

Your iPhone’s volume might be accidentally turned down or set to silent mode. Check your iPhone’s settings to ensure the volume is turned up and that silent mode is not enabled.

Also, ensure your phone is not set to “Silent mode” or “Do Not Disturb mode.” Sound enhancements like the Equalizer can also sometimes cause sound issues.

Connection issues

If you are using headphones or an external speaker, check to ensure that the 3.5mm headphone jack or Lightning connector is fully inserted into your iPhone.

If you’re using Bluetooth accessories, ensure they are correctly paired with your device. If the jack is accidentally disconnected while the iPhone is playing audio, it can cause the sound to stop working.

Software issues

If you are having sound problems after updating your iOS version, it could be due to a software glitch. In this case, you can try restoring your iPhone from a recent backup or performing a fresh restore to see if that fixes the problem.

Hardware issues

After trying all of the above and still not getting any sound, it’s possible you may have a hardware issue. One common cause is water damage which can short circuit the iPhone’s internal components and lead to sound problems.

If your iPhone has been dropped or otherwise damaged, this could also cause the problem. In this case, you’ll need to take your iPhone to an Apple Store or an authorized Apple service provider for diagnosis and repair.

How Do I Get Sound Back on My iPhone?

If you’re having sound problems on your iPhone, there are a few things you can do to try to fix the problem.

Check the Sound Settings

You should first check your iPhone’s sound settings to ensure the volume is turned up and that silent mode is not enabled. You can do this by going to Settings > Sound & Haptics.

Also, make sure that the “Do Not Disturb” mode is not enabled. You can disable “Do Not Disturb” mode by going to Settings > “Do Not Disturb.”

Toggle the Ring/Silent Button

The ring/silent button is on your iPhone’s left side. If this button is turned to silent mode, you will not hear any sounds from your iPhone, even if the volume is turned up all the way. To turn off silent mode, simply toggle the ring/silent button so that it is in the “ring” position.

Check Third-Party App Sound Settings

If you don’t hear any sound from a specific app, it’s possible that the app’s sound settings may be configured incorrectly. Apps such as YouTube Music and Spotify have their own sound settings that you can adjust. Apps like Zoom, Facebook, and Instagram have internal mute features.

Some of these settings may affect the iPhone’s sound even after it has been deactivated or minimized.

Turn Off Bluetooth

If you’re using Bluetooth headphones or speakers with your iPhone, it’s possible that the sound is being routed through them instead of the iPhone’s built-in speakers. If so, you can disconnect the Bluetooth device by going to Settings > Bluetooth and toggle off the Bluetooth connection.

Reboot Your iPhone

A reboot is a simple fix to a lot of problems, and it’s always worth trying if you’re having sound issues with your iPhone. To reboot your reboot iPhone X and later models:

  1. Press the Power and Lower Volume buttons.
  2. Release both buttons simultaneously when the Power slider appears and slide the icon to the right.
  3. To complete the reboot, press the Power and Lower Volume buttons until the Apple logo appears.

If you have an iPhone 8 and older models, the reboot process is slightly different:

  1. Press and hold the Power and the Lower Volume buttons simultaneously to deactivate your iPhone.
  2. Keep them held until the Apple logo appears.
  3. Your phone should now be rebooted.

Restore Factory Settings

Restoring factory settings is the last troubleshooting step you should take if all other options haven’t worked. This process will delete all data and content from your device and return it to its default factory settings. To restore your iPhone to its factory settings:

  1. Open the Settings menu and go to General.
  2. Press the Reset option.
  3. Tap and select “Erase All Content and Settings.”
  4. In the new window, tap on “Erase Now” if you’ve already backed up your content. If not, backup your data first.
  5. Enter your passcode.
  6. Two windows will appear to confirm the erase. Select Erase iPhone in both cases.
  7.  Enter your Apple ID Password to complete the process.

Your iPhone will restart and take you through the initial setup process. If none of these troubleshooting steps have worked, then you may need to contact Apple for further support. You can make a Genius Bar reservation at an Apple Store or set up an appointment with an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

Why Does My iPhone Sound Keep Turning Off? 

Mobile phone with activated voice assistant

Well, your iPhone may have sound, but it keeps turning itself off for different reasons. Various things could be causing this, so it’s best to start with the basics and work your way up.

Damaged Earphones

When your sound keeps cutting out while using earphones, the issue may be with the earphones themselves. Check for any damage to the earphones, such as a loose wire or frayed cord. If you see any damage, replace the earphones.

Loose Lightning Connector

If you’re using an external speaker or headphones that connect to your iPhone via the Lightning connector, there could be a problem with the connection.

Ensure the connector is fully inserted into your iPhone and that no debris or damage prevents a good connection. Try using a different set of headphones or speakers.

Attention Aware Features

For users with an iPhone X or later, your phone has a feature called Attention Aware. This means that your phone senses when you are looking at your screen and lowers the sound of notifications so that they don’t startle you.

However, this feature can also cause sound to randomly turn off when you’re not looking at your phone. To disable this feature, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and turn off the Attention Aware Features setting.