iPhone Ear Speaker Not Working? See Why & How To Fix It

However, you can fix your iPhone ear speaker not working on your device without spending a dime.

Last updated: Oct. 14, 2025 at 12:59 pm EDT

By Timothy Iyekowa - Technical Writer

10 Min Read

Are you having trouble hearing your friends with your iPhone because of the Ear speaker issues? If so, you should know there are things you can do to fix it.

It can be frustrating when iPhone Ear Speaker malfunction because of one reason or another.

However, you can fix your iPhone ear speaker not working on your device without spending a dime.

In this article, you will learn why your iPhone ear speaker is not working and how you can fix it.

Contents

Why Is My iPhone Ear Speaker Not Working?

There are various reasons why you may experience your iPhone ear speaker not working.

Sometimes, it may be because of a connection with a Bluetooth device, sound settings, bugs, or an outdated iOS version.

It may also happen if the iPhone owner has been using it for a long time without cleaning it, and it is common for dirt and dust to accumulate in the speaker and block the path of sound waves.

However, if you have checked these and still can’t figure out the issue with the ear speaker not working on your iPhone, kindly follow the below troubleshooting.

How To Fix iPhone Ear Speaker Not Working

If your iPhone ear speaker is not working, here are a few ways to fix the ear speaker on your iPhone.

Fix 1: Check the Sound Settings

If your iPhone has issues with sound quality, or if you hardly hear people’s voices clearly because of crackling, check the sound settings (Sound & Haptics) on your device and see if there is anything you turned off.

If the issues persist, drag the ringer and Alerts slider back and forth and then restart your device.

Fix 2: Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

As mentioned earlier, your iPhone ear speaker not working may be due to an outdated iOS version or bugs.

So updating your iPhone system is the best way to eliminate underlying bugs that cause ear speaker issues.

To update your iPhone, Open the Settings, go to General, then Software Update, and tap Download & Install.

Fix 3: Turn Off Phone Noise Cancellation

Although, iPhone noise cancellation is supposed to help cancel background noise and reduce ambient noise during phone calls to make the calls sound clearer.

However, it may be the issue in this case. It makes phone calls sound a little wonky, so turning it off can do more good.

To turn off your Phone Noise Cancellation, follow these steps:

Open Settings
Tap Accessibility
Tap Audio/Visual
Tap Background Sounds
Turn off Background Sounds.

Fix 4: Clean the ear speaker

It is common for dirt and dust to accumulate in the speaker of your iPhone, but if it is not cleaned at least twice a month, it could block the passage and path of sound waves and affect the iPhone’s voice quality.

To clean the Ear Speaker, follow these steps:

Avoid using liquids, such as rubbing alcohol, cleaning spray, or vinegar, to clean the ear speaker (it could cause permanent damage)
Gently clean any visible dirt, water, or oil from the ear speaker grill with a soft-bristled toothbrush, anti-static brush, or a Q-Tip.
Check if the issue is gone. If not, repeat the steps.

Fix 5: Restart your iPhone

Restarting your device is another tip that can help fix your iPhone ear speaker, because that will help improve its performance, especially if you are dealing with glitches.

To restart any iPhone model, open the Settings app, tap the General, then Shut Down, and drag the Power icon to the right. Then, wait 30 seconds and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

Fix 6: Increase the ear speaker volume

It may seem impossible to mute your iPhone’s ear speaker, but it is possible. You may have accidentally adjusted the volume level too low during a phone call, so we recommend you do this first before trying any other method.

While adjusting the volume, you can also adjust the Audio Volume Balance in the process.

To adjust the Audio volume Balance, Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual, and under Balance. Use the slider to adjust the Volume balance left and right.

Fix 7: Remove all screen orotectors and cases

If cleaning the ear speaker does not entirely get rid of the problem, screen protectors and phone cases may be the cause.

It can block the iPhone’s speaker and make it hard for you to hear any sound. You should remove all the screen protectors and cases and see how it turns out.

Fix 8: Reset All Settings

If you still have issues with your iPhone ear speaker after trying all the methods above, you should reset your settings.

To reset all settings on your iPhone, open the Settings app, go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset, and then tap Reset all settings.

Once the reset has been completed, you will have to reconnect and set up everything. You may also choose to configure your privacy and accessibility options the way you want them.

Fix 9: Turn off Bluetooth

If you use earphones with your iPhone, it is possible to have the audio remain in earphone mode even after removing the earphones.

To get your iPhone out of earphone mode, go to Settings > Bluetooth and disconnect it. That will help disconnect any other devices that connect to your iPhone.

Fix 10: Disable the Headphone Safety

The Headphone safety feature is another reason for the ear speaker on your iPhone not to work.

The maximum volume for your iPhone’s headphone safety feature may have been set at a low level to protect your hearing.

To disable the headphone safety Go to the Settings app on your iPhone > Sound & Haptics, then tap Headphone Safety > Turn Headphone Safety off.

Fix 11: Inspect your iPhone for liquid damage.

If you cannot find the issue with your iPhone speaker after performing all these methods, inspect your iPhone for any water damage.

Most iPhone devices are equipped with Liquid Contact Indicators (LCIs), so you can tell if your iPhone has water damage by removing the SIM tray and checking if the SIM card slot is red or pink (The indicator’s color is normally White or Silver but when it touches water, it will turn fully red).

Do not use any home remedies like rice to dry your iPhone if it’s water damage, take it to a professional.

Fix 12: Force Restart your iPhone

If your iPhone’s speaker still has issues, then you have the method of force restarting it.

Doing this will help get rid of all problems caused by bugs glitches, or volatile memory. It will help solve various issues by refreshing the device and clearing the memory.

For iPhone 6 Plus & older models:

Hold the side and home buttons together until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

For iPhone 7 & 7 Plus:

Hold the sleep/wake button with the volume button together until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

For iPhone 8 or Later:

Press and quickly release the volume up button, then press and quickly release the volume down button.

Once done, hold the side button until the iPhone logo appears on the screen.

Conclusion

If none of the listed solutions work for your device, it is possible that Your iPhone’s ear speaker could just have been damaged, and there is nothing you can do to fix it.

The damage might be some hardware-related issues, or it could have been due to a fall, and if that is the case you may need to take your phone to an Apple Store for repair.

We hope you find our guide on ‘how to fix iPhone ear speakers not working’ helpful.

As a seasoned content writer with 5+ years of experience in consumer technology, Timothy has been a dedicated author and editor at Techvocast since its inception. Specializing in addressing user concerns, his articles offer effective solutions for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac-related issues. Timothy's expertise also extends to crafting content about social media and various applications. Through his daily articles, he consistently aids users in overcoming their technology challenges.

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