How to Fix Can’t Hear Calls unless switched to Speakerphone? With smartphones, we can stay connected to friends, family, and colleagues anytime, anywhere in the modern world of communication.
It can be frustrating and disruptive, however, when you can’t hear calls unless you switch to speakerphone mode on your phone.
Besides affecting your ability to communicate effectively, this problem can also cause embarrassment in important conversations or inconvenience.
We’ll dive deep into the reasons behind this issue in this blog post and provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to fix it.
The good news is that there are solutions to this common problem. You can get troubleshooting steps, tips, and potential solutions for this problem on Android or iOS.
Getting your phone’s audio back to normal and enjoying clear and uninterrupted conversations is possible if you’ve been experiencing problems hearing calls without switching to speakerphone. # How to Fix Can’t Hear Calls unless switched to Speakerphone?
Why can’t I hear phone calls unless on speaker?
Unless you are on speaker, you may not be able to hear phone calls for the following reasons:
>> Your call volume is too low or muted.
The volume buttons or bars on your phone can be used to increase the call volume, or you can adjust the sound options in your phone’s settings.
>> Your earpiece port is blocked by dust, dirt, or debris.
It may affect your hearing quality. Don’t damage your earpiece or push the debris farther inside with a soft brush, a cotton swab, or compressed air. Try cleaning your earpiece port with a soft brush, a cotton swab, or compressed air.
>> Your phone case or screen protector is covering or interfering with your earpiece, microphone, or speaker.
The phone case or screen protector may also interfere with the sound quality, preventing you from hearing the other person.
>> Your phone software is outdated or corrupted.
By going to your phone’s settings and selecting system update or software update, you can update your phone’s software.
Once the new software has downloaded and installed, you can test your sound.
>> Your phone hardware is damaged or faulty.
If your earpiece, microphone, or speaker malfunctions, you will not be able to hear the other person. This can be caused by physical damage, water damage, or wear and tear over time.
You may need to contact your phone manufacturer or carrier and ask for help or repair. If you have a warranty or insurance policy, you should also check it.
How to Fix Can’t Hear Calls unless switched to Speakerphone?
If your phone’s speakers aren’t working properly, the sound coming from your phone may only be audible through the Speaker phone.
It’s also possible your phone speakers are just malfunctioning, due to a software or hardware issue.
If your speakers have physical damage, you will have to bring your device to a repair shop.
Some fixes are as simple as a simple software update, while others are more complex.
Device Volume is Low
There is a possibility that your volume is just set low, making your speakers sound quiet.
It may have been turned down accidentally in your pocket or by an app that was running in the background.
The following steps can be followed on both iPhones and Android devices to resolve this problem. # How to Fix Can’t Hear Calls unless switched to Speakerphone?
How to fix it
The volume slider on the side of your phone can be used to turn up the sound if the volume is too low.
If that does not work, on Android:
Step 1. To turn off silent mode, open your control panel and click the bell icon.
Step 2. Select Settings > Sounds > Ringer & Alerts and drag the slider to the right. Now that the volume is set to its maximum, you should be able to hear everything clearly.
The volume slider on your iPhone may not be working because the setting has been turned off somehow. Here’s how to check it;
Step 1. Go to your iPhone’s Home Screen and select ‘Settings’.
Step 2. Select ‘Sounds & Haptics’ from the menu
Step 3. Turn on the ‘Change with Buttons’ setting by scrolling down. The problem lies in the fact that it was turned off.
Software and Hardware issues
If you are having problems with your device, it is likely to be due to a software issue, rather than a hardware issue.
Most software issues just happen randomly from many different possible causes, some of which are corrupted files, an out-of-date software version, or a hardware problem causing software issues.
Don’t worry – this is probably not your fault.
There are a few things you can try before you have your device repaired or replaced, if the speakers aren’t damaged.
Update your device version
In the event that you have already restarted your device, check for software updates. If your device’s version is out of date, it may be causing the issue, or it may be a bug that has been resolved in the latest version.
You should install the latest version for your OS regardless of whether it fixes the issue, as long as the latest version is stable and users aren’t having critical problems after installing it.
Force Restart Your Device
By restarting your device, we mean simply turning it off and on again if the muffled or quiet sound is caused by a software bug.
Hopefully this will clear up any kinks in your phone’s software, and if it’s an issue caused by an open app in the background, a simple restart should fix it.
If not, we also have a couple more suggestions! # How to Fix Can’t Hear Calls unless switched to Speakerphone?
Reset Device
You could try doing a factory reset as a last resort if your issue stems from a software bug and nothing else fixes it.
You’ll lose all your data – your photos, videos, apps, contacts, everything. Here’s how you can try a factory reset;
How to factory reset on Android;
Step 1. From the home screen of your device, select ‘Settings’.
Step 2. Select ‘Backup and reset’ from the menu. On the settings page, this should be towards the bottom.
Step 3. On the bottom of your screen, there should be an option to Factory data reset. Press the ‘Reset phone’ button after scrolling all the way down. The phone will be wiped clean of all your data.
You will need to enter your PIN or password. If everything was wiped back to how it was when you first got the device, it may take a while, but when it’s complete, the device will restart. # How to Fix Can’t Hear Calls unless switched to Speakerphone?
How to factory reset an iPhone;
Step 1. From your home page, go to the Settings app.
Step 2. In the General menu, select ‘Transfer or Reset iPhone’ and then tap the button at the bottom.
Step 3. In the ‘Erase All Content and Settings’ window, click the ‘Erase All’ button.
After you enter your passcode, your device will automatically turn off. Everything that was on the device will be erased when the device is turned on again
Case And Screen Protector Blocking The Earpiece
It is important to ensure that your screen protector is not blocking your earpiece. If the screen protector is not installed properly, it may cover the earpiece.
If the screen protector is blocking the earpiece, you’ll need to remove it and replace it.
When using a case, check if it covers the earpiece. This usually occurs with non-generic or cheap cases.
Low-quality cases are not fitted properly and cover the earpiece and microphone, which results in sound being blocked during calls.
The earpiece may be blocked by the case, so replace it with a generic case, designed specifically for your phone.
Update Your Phone Firmware
You may also have this issue if your phone’s firmware is outdated. You can update your phone’s firmware and see if it fixes the problem for you.
For Android and iOS, the process of updating the firmware can differ, but don’t worry, we’ll cover them in detail below. # How to Fix Can’t Hear Calls unless switched to Speakerphone?
Update Android:
If you want to update your Android phone to the latest version, follow these steps:
- Go to the Settings app on your phone.
- Tap on System and then on System Update in the Settings app.
- Updates will be listed here as they become available.
- Check if the issue persists after installing the update.
It is important to note that Android phones from different brands may require different steps.
Update iPhone:
These are the steps you need to follow to update your iPhone:
- Tap the Settings app icon on your iPhone’s home screen.
- Then tap on Software Update under General.
- The update will be shown here. Click the Download and Install button to install it.
- After that, check to see if you still have to switch to speakerphone to answer calls.
Reset Network Settings
You may also need to reset the network settings to solve the problem. It is possible that your issue is caused by a cellular network problem or incorrect network settings.
The steps to reset the network settings are given below.
Resetting the network settings restores the network settings to their default settings and fixes the problem if the issue is caused by incorrect network settings.
On Android:
The following steps will help you reset the network settings on your Android phone:
- Open Settings on your Android device.
- Tap General Management at the bottom of the page.
- Once you have selected Reset, tap on Reset Network Settings.
- The network settings can be reset by tapping on Reset Settings.
- Upon completion of the restart, your phone will restart.
- Make sure the issue persists after you reset your phone.
On iPhone:
Here are the steps you need to follow to reset your iPhone’s network settings:
- You can find the settings for your iPhone in the Settings app.
- Tap on General in Settings.
- You can now transfer or reset your iPhone.
- Reset your network settings by tapping on Reset.
- The network settings will now be reset to default, and the problem should no longer occur.
Clean Your Device Earpiece
A dirty earpiece or dust inside the earpiece will prevent you from hearing sound during a phone call.
Cleaning the earpiece requires a cotton swab, rubbing alcohol, and a thin brush. Clean the earpiece first by brushing it. This will remove dirt from the earpiece.
Apply some rubbing alcohol to the cotton swab after removing the dirt from the earpiece with the brush.
Apply a little pressure to clean the dirt from the speaker holes on the earpiece by rubbing the cotton swab in circular motions.
In the event that the cotton swab becomes dirty and the earpiece requires further cleaning, replace the cotton swab; do not use the dirty swab to clean the earpiece.
Additionally, avoid applying too much pressure while cleaning the earpiece to avoid damaging it. # How to Fix Can’t Hear Calls unless switched to Speakerphone?
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Conclusion
The ability to hear calls on your smartphone unless you switch to speakerphone is a significant inconvenience in today’s fast-paced world, which requires clear and uninterrupted communication.
Fortunately, most of these problems can be solved, as we have explored in this blog post.
To help you resolve your issue, we’ve covered a range of steps, from checking your phone’s audio settings to checking your earpiece for obstructions.