Are the speakers on your iPhone not working after iOS 16 update? Without the sound coming from your iPhone’s speakers, you can’t hear incoming calls, alert tones, text notifications, and other features. In this article, I’ll explain why your iPhone’s speakers are not working in iOS 16 and show you how to fix the problem for good!
Your iPhone speaker grill is exposed to the world and all its debris all the time, even if it’s in a case. While your phone is built to withstand these environments, it doesn’t always hold up well against dust. That often results in your iPhone speaker sounds becoming muffled, or worse, your iPhone speaker not working.
Your iPhone speakers are one of the most fragile components of your device, which means they’re prone to damage. If you struggle to hear calls clearly, notice static or crackling noises, or experience sound quality issues, you likely have a problem with your iPhone’s speaker.
Fortunately, if you’re facing iPhone speaker issues after iOS 16 update, you don’t have to book an appointment with the Genius Bar just yet. Here are a handful of troubleshooting steps and fixes you can try to revive your iPhone speakers.
Why are my iPhone speakers not working in iOS 16?
There are many reasons your iPhone speakers may be having issues, but here are some common causes behind iPhone speakers not working in iOS 16:
- Physical or liquid damage
- Bluetooth issues
- Headphone glitch
- Airplay is connected
- Silent mode is turned on
- Dirty or blocked speaker port
- Software issues
- Changes to the settings on your iPhone
If you’re one of those unlucky iOS 16 users who’re facing issues with the built-in speakers, don’t fret. In this article, we’ll be walking you through steps to troubleshoot and fix possible speakers-related problems on your iPhone.
How to fix iPhone speakers not working in iOS 16
Follow these basic troubleshooting methods when the integrated stereo speakers on your iOS 16 device stops working for some reason:
1. Force Restart your iPhone
If you find your iPhone’s speakers not working after iOS 16 update, the first thing to do is to simply perform a force restart. This will restart all background activities and give your iPhone a clean start in case anything had crashed since your last reboot and may have been causing the speaker on your iOS 16 device to stop working. Follow the steps below:
- Quickly press and release the volume up button.
- Quickly press and release the volume down button.
- Press and hold the side button.
- When the Apple logo appears, release the side button.
2. Clean your speakers and receivers
If you’re wondering, ’why does my iPhone sound muffled?’ the chances are that the speakers are full of dust! As mentioned earlier, your iPhone’s speaker vents often accumulate dust over time. This can hinder their ability to emit sound. At this point, you should try cleaning the grills yourself to remove as much obstruction as possible.
It’s easy, just do the following:
- If you use a screen protector, case, or film, take it off.
- Look for dirt or anything blocking the speaker and receiver.
- You can blow air into the speakers, either using your mouth or a can of compressed air. Apart from that, you can try to suck small crumbs and bits of dust out using a vacuum cleaner. This could affect your phone’s internals, though, so you should be careful if you attempt this.
- Another good option is gently scrubbing the speaker grills with an old toothbrush, which should help loosen up the dirt.
3. turn the volume all the way up
If the volume on your iPhone is turned down, you might not be able to hear anything. To check the sound volume:
- Unlock your iPhone and hold the Volume Up button (on the left side) to raise the volume level.
- You can also use Siri by saying, “Hey Siri, turn up the volume.”
4. Check the sound settings on your iPhone
Still can’t get your iOS 16 device speakers to work? Well, at this point it’s time to check Sound settings on your iPhone. There are a few ways to do this.
Focus Mode
When Focus Mode is on, many calls and sounds will be silenced. Make sure Focus Mode is turned off by going to Settings > Focus and switching it off.
Silent Mode
Confirm that your Silent Mode switch, located on the upper-left side of your device, is set to Ring rather than Silent. Just push the switch forward toward the screen so the orange isn’t showing. (If you do see orange, that means your device is in Silent Mode.)
Check Ringer
Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics, and look for the Ringer and Alerts slider. Using your finger, drag the slider back and forth. If you hear a sound, you’re good to go. If you don’t, or if the speaker button near the slider is dimmed, your iPhone speakers may need servicing.
5. Update iOS
If your iPhone is running an outdated version of iOS, it could cause software issues to occur. Here’s how to make sure you’re running the latest version:
- Plug your iPhone into your charger and connect to Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- If a software update is available, tap Download and Install. If a message pops up asking to temporarily remove apps, tap Continue.
- If prompted, enter your passcode. The software update will start automatically.
6. Disable silence unknown callers
If the Silence Unknown Callers setting is turned on, you won’t hear calls from unknown numbers that aren’t saved in your Contacts. (Those calls will be silenced, sent to voicemail, and listed in Recents.) To turn off this setting, go to Settings > Phone and tap Silence Unknown Callers, then switch it off.
7. Turn off Bluetooth
If you are still facing iOS 16 speaker problem, you’ll need to make sure that you’re not connected to any of the nearby Bluetooth devices. This is because connections to nearby Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and other devices can disable the built-in speaker on your iPhone and use the speaker on the Bluetooth peripheral instead. To turn it off, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, and toggle the switch off.
8. Disconnect your headphones
Sometimes, your iPhone speakers may not be working, but your headphones do. When you unplug accessories from the lightning port, iOS may fail to process this event, leaving your phone stuck in headphone mode and your iPhone speakers not working. That means your speaker will be disabled, despite you having disconnected your earphones. To fix this glitch:
- Make sure your headphone jack is clean of any dirt or debris.
- Push in your headphones, then quickly pull them out again.
- If you’re using Bluetooth-connected headphones, disconnect them and test out the sound.
9. Reset all your iPhone settings
If non of the above fixes worked, try resetting your iPhone to its factory default settings and see if that resolves your iOS 16 speakers issues. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Tap Reset, then tap Reset All Settings. You may have to enter your passcode.
10. Water Accident? Let It Dry
One of the most common consequences of water damage on your iPhone is a malfunctioning speaker. The liquid can quickly make its way to the internal component linked to the open grills. So if you’ve had speaker issues on your iPhone after such an accident, let your device dry off.
There are several methods to dry a wet iPhone. You can blow hot air into it, dump it in a bowl of rice, and more. Whatever you do, turn your iPhone off immediately and let it completely dry before trying to boot it back up.
11. Get Help from Apple
If none of these steps fixed your iOS 16 speakers problem, you most likely have a hardware failure. You should book an appointment with the Genius Bar and have it examined by a professional.
iPhone Speakers Not Working in iOS 16? These Fixes Should Have Helped!
We really hope you managed to get your iPhone’s speakers working properly again. Which of the troubleshooting methods we discussed here worked for you? If not, did you get in touch with Apple Support? Do share your personal experience in the comments section down below.
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