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iPhone Ear Speaker Not Working? Here’s The Fix!

    Blayney Klein
  • 3 years ago
    • Categories: Sounds

Are you having trouble hearing your best friend’s voice on the other end of your iPhone? Is your iPhone ear speaker just not working? In this article, I’ll explain how to fix your iPhone ear speaker when it just won’t cooperate!

Turn Up The Volume When Making A Phone Call

Before trying anything else, I recommend turning up the volume when making a phone call. Keep in mind that you’ll have to adjust the volume during the phone call because these settings are independent of the other volume settings on your iPhone.

Remove The Case and Clean Out All The Speakers And Microphones

If adjusting the volume doesn’t do the trick, try removing the case and cleaning out all the speakers and microphones. Take a moment to think about how much dirt and dust particles your iPhone collects every day. If you haven’t cleaned your iPhone in awhile, it’s probably overdue.

Make sure to clean each speaker and microphone carefully. There is one microphone in the earpiece, one at the bottom next to the charging port, and one on the back of your iPhone near the camera lens. An anti-static brush or a brand new toothbrush is the best tool to get the job done. And remember to be gentle!

Turn Off Phone Noise Cancellation

Though Phone Noise Cancellation is a nifty feature, sometimes it does more harm than good. While it’s supposed to cancel background noise, it can sometimes make your calls sound a little wonky.

To turn off Phone Noise Cancellation, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Accessibility.
  3. Tap Audio/Visual.
  4. Turn off Phone Noise Cancellation.

Reset All Settings

Some software problems can be difficult to track down. That’s why we recommend resetting all the settings on your iPhone. This will reset everything in the iPhone Settings app back to factory defaults.

You’ll have to set up your wallpaper again, reenter your Wi-Fi passwords, reconnect your Bluetooth devices, and more. It’s a small price to pay to get your iPhone working normally again.

To Reset All Settings, open Settings and tap General -> Transfer Or Reset iPhone -> Reset -> Reset All Settings.

Comparing Your Repair Options

If your iPhone ear speaker still isn’t working, it’s time to explore some repair options. The Apple Store is always willing and able to help you with your iPhone needs. If you have AppleCare+, the Apple Store should be your first trip. Just make sure to schedule an appointment first!

Check Out The UpPhone Comparison Tool

If all else fails, it might be time to get a new phone altogether. If this is the case, check out the UpPhone comparison tool to help in your search. This comparison tool makes shopping for a phone easy and painless!

I Can Hear You Now!

Your iPhone ear speaker is working and now can make phone calls again. The next time your iPhone ear speaker is not working, you’ll know what to do. Have any other questions? Comment below!

View Comments (19)

  • I have had this problem on iphone 12 for a while, but did not have it originally. I had a screen protector put on and it covers the top part of screen where ear speaker is. Could this be a cause of not being able to hear phone calls? I did the steps in the video,except for reset.

  • Thank you for writing this article! You just saved me a trip to Apple. My iPhone 12 that is 8 months old was getting extremely hard to hear out of my earpiece. Calls were frustrating and muffled, nothing worked except the toothbrush. Just watched the dirt come out, I can hear clearly again! Thanks!

    • An anti-static brush or brand new toothbrush is your best bet. Don't use anything that can conduct electricity, or anything the could break off inside the speaker (tissues, toothpicks).

  • A couple months back I cracked my 8 plus screen so I took it to get fixed by a professional. The only problem is that I used that same phone to call them (with the broken screen still) & even I got it back the earpiece no longer worked for phone calls. So now I can only use speaker phone or I can’t hear the other person.. can I fix it?

    • Hi Hailey. If you went with a third party iPhone repair service, that might be the cause of your issue. Your safest bet would probably be to go straight to Apple and have your iPhone diagnosed by a technician. Hope this helps!

  • when i make or receive a phone call, i hear a loud buzzing noise on earpiece speaker. its so loud that you can hear it without putting phone on your ear. Does this mean something is damaged?

  • I have a problem. I can only hear sounds from my ear speaker and not from my lower speakers. I tried turning my iPhone off and turning it on again, as well as adjusting the ringtone but the issue is still going... what should i do

    • My suggestion would be listen to music or make a phonecall put your phone on speaker and try raising the volume.

  • My iPhone 7 doesn’t have phone noise cancellation I can hear music etc but not calls

    • All my calls sound like a microphone and tinny. They do not sound loud like real voices I wear hearing aids and use the Rexton app. Any suggestions please

    • Did you try turning up your volume while on a phonecall? I only wonder since music would play out of your speakers instead of your earpiece. Your earpiece volume won’t adjust unless you are making a call and adjust it. I call my bank to do my test. Good luck

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Blayney Klein: David Lynch is an expert on cell phones, cell phone plans, and other tech. After using a flip phone into his early 20s, he learned the ropes about iPhones and Androids from a former Apple employee. Today, his articles and videos are read and viewed by millions, and he has been cited by major publications including Reader's Digest, Wired, CMSWire, Consumers Advocate, and more.