iPhone No Sound

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iPhone No Sound – How To Fix & Tutorials!

If you have no sound on your Apple iPhone 3 / 3GS / 4 / 4S / 5 / 5S / 5C/ 6/ 6Plus/ iPhone 6s/ 6s Plus/ iPhone 7, 8, 8Plus and the iPhone X, iPhone Xs volume bar, it is unbelievably frustrating as you most probably already know.

I have been looking for cures over the web as there are many out there. Below you will find a list of all these including the one that worked for me. Also, this list is in chronological order of what seems to be most successful. It is a process of elimination but it has to be done.

The symptoms of iPhone no sound Problem/ Issues include:

– iPhone will ring but speaker will not work for anything else.
– iPhone no sound at all for calls, apps, music, etc
– iPhone no sound as stuck in headphone mode

Follow these steps and hopefully, your iPhone will be back to its prior glory.

iPhone No Sound – How To Fix & Tutorials 2020


Step 1 – Check Silent Mode Switch

Loud/ Silent switch on the exterior of the iPhone is switched to the silent mode which is orange. If so, flick the other way to loud mode. This is a step that so many people miss, but it is the simplest! Also once you have flicked the silent mode off, ensure your volume is turned up by pressing the volume buttons on the side.

Step 2 – Restart Your iPhone

To restart the iPhone, hold the power switch and home button together for 10 seconds. This will restart your iPhone, you will not lose any media, contacts, data, etc. If there is a temporary glitch on the iPhone this will eliminate that glitch. Also if there is a glitch this may help terminate a temporary glitch.

If you have an iPhone X or newer, you can simply restart the device by pressing and holding both the side button and one of the volume buttons. Once done, you’ll then be promoted to restart the iPhone. When off, click the side button to turn on again.

Step 3 – Reset iPhone Settings

Reset iPhone. Go to Settings> General> Reset> Reset all settings. Make sure to backup your iPhone to the cloud / iTunes as this will wipe your media, music, and apps although photos will be left on the iPhone. This is a follow on to step 2 and another way you will be able to eliminate the glitch on the iPhone.

Step 4 – Press Corner Of iPhone

This one is a bit weird but it worked for me for a while and has worked successfully for other people. Squeeze the bottom right hand corner of the phone above where the speaker is.

The left Side is a mic, not a speaker, so don’t worry about that side. Hold that grip for about 20 seconds. This is done as the connector may be loose and had to be repositioned correctly. Yes, strange but most of these solutions are!

Step 5 – Clean Your iPhone

Use a tooth brush to clean the docking area where you charge your iPhone. With dirt, dust, grime, and so on it, may block the connectors working correctly and makes the phone think it is on a music dock. When you do this do it gently and get the bristles into there good.

Also if you use rubbing alcohol or acetone it will help get all the extra dirt out. As these products evaporate it will not do damage to the connectors. Do not use mineral terps when cleaning as it is oil based and will not dry!! This seems to be one of the most successful solutions. To avoid this happening in the future, its best to have a case that avoids dust and grime getting in.

Step 6 – Insert Headphones

Get your headphones and insert them into the headphone jack and then quickly pull them out. Continue this for a couple of minutes as sometimes it gets stuck in headphone mode so this normally undoes that. Also this may remove any dust or grime that may have been lodged in there.

You can also watch this video below which has a full list of fixes listed in this tutorial plus a few more that will restore sound to your iPhone!

Step 7 – Restore Your iPhone

Restore your iPhone on iTunes. Click on your iPhone icon when plugged into iTunes and go to restore. If you do this make sure your iPhone is backed up as YOU will loose all data, media, contacts, pics, and so on. This puts your iPhone back to factory settings.

This is similar to step 3 as it is a full reset of the device, this should help eliminate any glitch that have have come out in a recent update such as iOS7 or iOS8. Also when doing this step check for updates.

Step 8 – Jailbreak iPhone

Jailbreak your iPhone to find the file directories that are causing the fault. By doing this you are deleting the file that is making the iPhone think it is on a dock. You will still be able to use a music docking station etc. If you have a jail broken iPhone or willing to do it then this will be the best option for you. Very simple video and easy to follow, to jailbreak follow my simple tutorial.

 

Step 9 – Dry iPhone

This worked for me!! The squeezing step worked for me for a small amount of time. Not much else worked so thought I would try my own cure…. An old hair dryer!! Turn on low heat and hover over the speaker outlet for about 5 minutes.

I also did the headphone jack as well. There must of been some residual moisture build up which the hair dryer eliminated. The speaker was sputtering on and off during this time but finally came to life :). If you don’t have a hair dryer, you can also put your iPhone in dry rice while turned off. This can suck up all that unwanted moisture. Best to leave in rice for at lease 12 hours.

Step 10 – Hardware Problem

It may be a hardware problem and simply need to get a replacement through your provider who may offer insurance if chosen or apple support. This no sound and speaker is getting more known know by Apple there is a good chance you may get a replacement or a hardware fix.

Step 11 – Ultimate Destruction

If iPhone still has no sound there is always ultimate elimination… Not endorsed. See below….

 

**** UPDATE **** 18/03/20

Thank you everyone for such an overwhelming response! Also to those that have put up there own solutions that have worked for there iPhones. Initially when I created this website I did not envision the large response of people with the same issues. So here are some new solutions and steps that are popular on the comment feed.

iPhone No Sound Solution Step 12

iphone no sound solution

As dirt and grime like to build up in the charging connectors of the iPhone it is necessary to clean it out. Similar to the step with cleaning it with a toothbrush you will be using compressed air instead. The best and easiest way you can do this is to blow air out your mouth with a good force into where the iPhone would get charged.

Do this for 1 minute to insure that it removes any dust or dirt particles. After that, plug and unplug your charger into the slot about 5-10 times.

iPhone No Sound Solution Step 13

iphone no sound solution

This is similar to the step above but you will be cleaning out the headphone jack on the iPhone instead of the charging connectors. As above blow into the headphone jack for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, this should vanish any dust or dirt that is lodged in there.

Once that is done insert a ear bud/ q tip into the headphone jack and twist for about 30 seconds.  That should dislodge any other dirt or grime that the blowing process may have missed.

If your iPhone X is not turning on, then you should check out my full guide here.

iPhone No Sound Solution Step 14

 

There have been more than a dozen comments saying that bluetooth may be interfering with the sound on the iPhone. One good method is to insure that your iPhone is not connected to any bluetooth device as it may be playing sound thru that device. Also another successful step that has been recommended is to turn off bluetooth and then turn on again.

iPhone Has No Sound Step 15

As a continuation to step 5, there have also been several reports of people who have also cleaned their iPhone with a wooden toothpick.

While a toothbrush works quite well, there is typically quite a lot of dirt still stuck in the charing port which can only be gotten out with a pointy object. Just be careful not todo any damage to your iPhone charge port. This seems to work well with older iPhone 4 and also the new iPhone 8 and iPhone X.

These are just some of the steps I have found and come up with which have shown success for iPhones with no sound.

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Comments

  1. Eisse says

    March 19, 2013 at 8:20 am

    WOW hero, Step 8 Rules!!!!!
    It really worked for me, now i’ve got all my sound back, YEAAA!

  2. Pao says

    March 21, 2013 at 12:04 am

    Step 5 and 8 helped my iPhone. Yay got my sound back these are helpful information.

  3. Nesto says

    March 21, 2013 at 1:02 am

    I’m having the same problem with my phone, it only makes sounds when my headphones are in. Does step really works so I can try it?

  4. patriot says

    March 21, 2013 at 1:00 pm

    Step 5 is working intermittently for me, but it is definitely acting like it’s on a dock. When I plug my headphones in I regain volume control and output, but as soon as they’re unplugged it’s a no go. :/

  5. Suzanne says

    March 22, 2013 at 10:29 pm

    I have sound as long as I have head phones plugged in? does not ring no sound all. It worked after the update quit working when I updated Pandora?

  6. wes says

    March 22, 2013 at 11:00 pm

    i did step 8 and it didnt work for me! how do i restore com.apple.iapd.plist into my phone?

  7. mark says

    March 23, 2013 at 2:17 pm

    Wow….Been trying to sort this for days ….Step 8 worked for me ! ;))

  8. Robbie says

    March 24, 2013 at 2:47 pm

    Life saver. Hasn’t worked properly for day after dropping in bath. Step 8 saved the day. Thanks…

  9. Samuel says

    March 24, 2013 at 11:05 pm

    Step #4 worked for us. I can’t believe it! I bought an iphone 5 for my girlfriend and tried reset, plug in/out headphones, factory reset… all the things. Thank you very much!!!

  10. chezzed says

    March 25, 2013 at 7:29 am

    it’s all not working -,-” my iphone 4s still got no sound.. my volume bar not even showing ex using headphone.. i already jailbreak my iphone

  11. Desiree quince says

    March 25, 2013 at 3:38 pm

    No sound at all on my new iPhone 5 it’s really frustrating and many people are having the same problem, it’s a real disappointment in the iPhone and I prefer my Samsung galaxy s111 , but have upgraded to iPhone 5 and have had nothing but problems , I only have sound with headphones 🙁

  12. Sheryl says

    March 26, 2013 at 4:11 pm

    Thank you so much! It worked!

  13. deb says

    March 27, 2013 at 4:34 am

    ..I have sound! What a simple, easy fix! Thank you!!!

  14. Gaz says

    March 27, 2013 at 6:30 pm

    Step 4 worked for me, thanks so much

  15. denmark says

    March 27, 2013 at 7:03 pm

    ohhh my good..my english is not verry good—-but thank you very much step 8 helped me…

  16. Steve says

    March 28, 2013 at 6:28 am

    Thanksss!!
    Step 8 worked

  17. Rachel says

    March 28, 2013 at 11:53 am

    Thanks, toothbrush worked x

  18. Lindsay says

    March 30, 2013 at 8:53 pm

    Step number 4 worked! I couldn’t believe it! I thought I was going to have to get a new phone. Thank you so much!!!! You are a genius!

  19. ben says

    March 31, 2013 at 4:16 pm

    chuffed to bits step 9 with the hair dryer worked. couldn’t jailbreak as i’d recently updated to ios 6.3

  20. Craig says

    April 1, 2013 at 12:51 am

    Thanks man was driving me nuts having no ringtone or sound. I feel a little slow it was step number 1 that corrected my problem but I didnt even know it was there under my otter.

  21. Zane says

    April 1, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    Step 8 worked perfectly. None of the other steps work. Thank You

  22. Laura says

    April 2, 2013 at 12:27 am

    If your iPhone only works with headphones and won’t work with your music dock, Step 1 does the best job and nothing happens to any of your files or anything. It turns out that switch is a mute button. The exact same thing happened to me and I thought I broke my iPhone 5.

  23. Jason says

    April 3, 2013 at 11:48 am

    Step 4 worked for me this time. It happened once before and just plugging it to back it up worked the first time. I guess one of the few drops jarred something loose. Thank you so much!:)

  24. Paul says

    April 4, 2013 at 12:51 am

    Step 1 here lol. Thanks!!

  25. Anita says

    April 5, 2013 at 12:38 am

    Step 1 for me…My daughter thinks I am a genius! Thanks!

  26. E says

    April 5, 2013 at 1:57 am

    I tried step 8 but, i didn’t have an option that said “system”right at the start of his presentation therefore i couldn’t go to “library” and “launch demons” 🙁
    still working on the issue, i also tried steps 1 through 7 and struck out!
    so i doubt step 9 will work lol

  27. Margaret Zolotto says

    April 5, 2013 at 2:29 am

    Not sure if when the above say no sound it is that they cannot hear people speaking when they ring or if the phone just does not ring only vibrates when someone is calling, this is my problem, over the last month twice now the phone has been completed been reset by apple and still not sound on ringing in, Apple told me it could be the microphone (although i can hear people talking) at a cost of replacing this $195, then the next day the phone started to ring and did so for the following month until today it is working sometimes and other times when i ring from my land line it will vibrate – will the above demo and jail breaking fix this, i have the little red button on the left hand side facing the phone taped up plus all the silver slides in case these move and cause me problems – in the little hole at the top I think you put ear phones in – i have been using this for a stylus for writing text messages, i have removed this in case this caused a problem, does anyone know if this would cause the phone not to ring every time? I have the volume set in settings to the loudest setting and I no longer get the photo of the loudspeaker on the face of the phone, maybe because i have taped up the red button, not sure. Dont want to have to buy another phone just yet as only had this 18 months it is only the 3GS but it does all i want it do – very basic 69 year old lady – all i want the phone to do is ring when someone calls me!!!!!!! any suggestions greatly appreciated.

  28. jojo says

    April 7, 2013 at 12:23 pm

    Thanks Step 11 fixed it.

  29. Lisa says

    April 8, 2013 at 2:54 am

    #4 worked

  30. djfern says

    April 8, 2013 at 9:43 am

    The toothbrush option worked for me. Thanks!!

  31. Trung says

    April 8, 2013 at 8:03 pm

    Step 9 works for me even using a hair dryer sounds a little bit stupid and weird. Tks a lot !!!!!!!!!!

  32. geoeng51 says

    April 8, 2013 at 10:03 pm

    Tried steps 1 to 6; didn’t work. Step 7 worked fine. Thanks for putting this all up on a web site – very helpful!!

  33. cj says

    April 9, 2013 at 10:39 am

    step 4 worked a treat! thanks so much

  34. bellay nieto says

    April 10, 2013 at 2:22 am

    oh my god!!! the toothbrush worked!!!!! thank you!!!! I’m kissing the toothbrush right now, lol

  35. Vinicius Ribeiro says

    April 10, 2013 at 2:43 am

    it worked perfectly! I couldn’t thank you enough! MANY MANY MANY TKS!

  36. winnipeg computer repair blog says

    April 10, 2013 at 3:58 am

    4 Sweet Web Site You Got Here!!! Very Informative Subject For A Website Keep Up The Great Works!!!. Check Out My Free Winnipeg Computer Repair Website And Tell Me What You Think!!!

  37. Sergey says

    April 10, 2013 at 2:34 pm

    Vacum cleaner help me! Clean all holes in iPhone 4S with him

  38. Eileen says

    April 10, 2013 at 7:44 pm

    Good man! Number 2 sorted it. Thank you – much appreciated!

  39. Jim says

    April 11, 2013 at 8:23 am

    Step 5 for me worked a treat, to much toe jam in there.
    Thanks

  40. vikrant says

    April 11, 2013 at 9:10 am

    i tried all the methods listed above but non seems to work for me, I have iphone 4s on 6.1.2 and i can’t do a restore as i will lose the jailbreak, don’t know what to do please help me guys.thanks

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