Phone speaker not working? How to tell if it's software, dirt, or a blown speaker

Quick checks that solve a large share of 'no sound' cases:

• Turn the volume up with the side buttons while media is playing
• Check Silent/Do-Not-Disturb and the mute switch (iPhone)
• Make sure it isn't still connected to Bluetooth earphones, a car or a speaker
• Remove any case or cover that might be blocking the speaker grille
• Restart the phone — a stuck audio process can mute everything

Speaker and earpiece grilles trap lint, dust and grime over time, which muffles or kills the sound. Gently brush the grille with a soft, dry brush. If your phone has a water-eject feature or you've recently been somewhere wet, run that too — trapped moisture muffles speakers exactly like dirt does.

Phones have more than one speaker, and knowing which is faulty narrows the repair. Test the earpiece by making a call held to your ear; test the loudspeaker with music or a speakerphone call. Our free speaker test plays tones through the phone so you can confirm exactly which output has failed.

If only call audio is affected, it's the earpiece; if media and speakerphone are silent, it's the loudspeaker; if neither works and the mic is also off, suspect water or board involvement.

If cleaning and settings don't help, the speaker module or its connection is likely at fault:

• Sound is permanently muffled, crackly or distorted
• It went silent right after water exposure or a drop
• It cuts out, or only works at certain volumes
• Nothing plays through that speaker even after a thorough clean and restart

A failed speaker is usually a module replacement; if it followed water, the underlying issue may be on the board. iTweak diagnoses which it is and shows you before quoting, repairs Apple and Android, and backs the work with warranty and a digital invoice — with doorstep service in Bangalore, Mumbai and Chennai or free pickup elsewhere.