How do I fix low volume on Android?

Check Basic Volume Settings

The first step in troubleshooting low volume on Android is to check your basic volume settings. Open your volume settings by pressing the volume rocker on the side of your phone. Make sure the media volume and call volume sliders are turned all the way up. You can also go into Settings > Sound and check that volumes are set to max.

Android has a built-in volume limiter to prevent damage to hearing. Go to Settings > Sound > Volume and ensure the volume limit slider is also set to max. Try playing audio from different sources like music, videos, and phone calls to confirm volume is low across sources.

According to Lifewire, issues with overall low volume likely point to a problem with your Android device’s basic volume settings or hardware, rather than just a single app.

Check Connected Devices

If you are experiencing low volume when your Android phone is connected to Bluetooth devices like wireless headphones or speakers, try disconnecting them first. The issue could be with the connected device rather than your phone.

After disconnecting, check if the volume returns to normal when playing audio directly through the phone’s speakers. If the volume is better without Bluetooth, then the problem lies with the connected device.

Try adjusting the volume controls on the Bluetooth device if available, as its internal volume may be set low. For example, some wireless headphones have independent volume buttons. Increase the volume on the Bluetooth device itself to maximum first before adjusting your phone’s volume.

As noted in the OnePlus community forum here, issues with low Bluetooth volume may be specific to certain Android models. Try updating the Bluetooth drivers on your Android phone to see if that helps.

Update Audio Drivers

One potential cause for low volume on Android devices is outdated audio drivers. Audio drivers are software components that allow the operating system to communicate with the audio hardware. Keeping these drivers up to date can help resolve audio issues.

There are two main ways to update audio drivers on Android:

Install latest Android OS updates – Google and device manufacturers periodically release system updates that include driver updates. Checking for and installing available OS updates may update the audio drivers. For details on updating your specific Android device, consult the manufacturer’s support site.
Update audio driver apps if available – Some Android device makers offer audio driver update apps, like Sony’s Audio Control API. These apps can specifically scan for and install optimized drivers. Search your device maker’s app store to see if such an app exists.

Updating drivers requires no special tools and may fix audio problems like low volumes, distortions or sound cutouts. However, not all Android devices have updatable drivers separately from system updates. So try staying current with OS versions as the primary way to update audio drivers.

Clear App Cache and Data

One common fix for low volume issues on Android is to clear the app cache and data for apps that may be causing problems. Here are the steps to try:

Open your Settings app and go to Apps.
Locate the problematic app and tap on it.

Tap Force Stop to force close the app.
Tap Storage & Cache.
Tap Clear Cache to clear the app cache.

Tap Clear Data to clear the app data.

Clearing the cache removes temporary files that can get corrupted over time and cause issues like low volume. Clearing app data resets the app back to default settings which may resolve any software-related volume problems.

As noted in this Android Police guide, clearing app cache and data is a useful troubleshooting step for audio issues on Android devices. Be sure to test the volume after resetting each problematic app.

Factory Reset as a Last Resort

A factory reset should only be used as a last resort if other troubleshooting steps have failed. It will erase all data, settings, and installed apps from your device and restore it to original factory settings.

Before factory resetting, it’s crucial to back up any data you want to keep. This includes contacts, photos, videos, music, documents, app data, text messages, and more. Back up to your Google Account, to device storage, or to a computer.

To factory reset, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset). You’ll need to confirm the reset. Your device will restart and boot up like new.

After resetting, you’ll have to reconfigure settings and reinstall apps. This is disruptive but can potentially resolve low volume problems if nothing else has worked.

According to a Reddit user, factory resetting resolved their persistent low volume issues on a Samsung device running Android 9. However, resetting may not work for all users or devices.^[1]

Factory resetting deletes all your data, so only use it as a last resort once you’ve backed up your device. But in some cases it may be the nuclear option that finally fixes low volume problems on Android.

^[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/airpods/comments/a0yp2d/i_found_the_fix_for_low_volume_issues_on_android/

Check Physical Buttons

One of the most common reasons for volume button issues on Android phones is physical damage to the buttons themselves. Carefully inspect the volume buttons on your device for any signs of damage like cracks, dents or bends. Gently press on each button and make sure it depresses and springs back as expected. If either button seems loose, stuck or unresponsive, this likely indicates a hardware problem.

You can further test the volume buttons by booting your Android phone into safe mode, which loads a minimal version of the operating system without third party apps. If the volume buttons misbehave even in safe mode, it points to a deeper hardware issue. Safe mode is accessed by pressing and holding the power button, then long pressing the ‘Power off’ option that appears. The phone will restart in safe mode.

If the volume buttons work fine in safe mode, a third party app could be interfering. If not, a loose connector or outright failure of the volume buttons themselves may need professional repair. For DIY troubleshooting, inspect the flex cable connecting the buttons to the logic board inside the phone.

Rule Out Hardware Issue

Before looking at software fixes, it’s important to rule out any potential hardware issues causing the low volume. Try using different headphones or earbuds to see if the volume increases. The issue may be specific to your current headset. Also, try recording a voice memo and playing it back to test the built-in speakers. If the speakers sound low during playback, then there may be a hardware problem like a damaged speaker or audio jack.

Some common hardware issues that can cause low volume on Android phones include:

Faulty or obstructed speakers
Damaged headphone jack/port
Broken volume/power buttons

If different headphones don’t resolve the issue and the built-in speakers also sound low, you may need to take the device in for professional hardware repair. But first, try some of the software fixes below before assuming hardware failure.

Adjust Individual App Volumes

One way to increase the volume for specific apps is to adjust the app volume settings individually. Here are the steps:

Find the app settings – Open the Settings app and go to Apps. Locate the app you want to adjust and select it. In the app info screen, look for advanced settings or app settings where you can manage the app permissions, notifications, etc. There should be an option to control the app volume.

Turn up app volumes – Once you locate the volume option for the app, turn it up to your desired level. This will make that particular app louder without affecting the system volume. If you don’t see a volume option, the app may not support individual volume control.

Apps like Volume Control can also help adjust per-app volumes if the option is not built into the app settings.

Increasing volume for individual apps can help if only some apps are too quiet. Just make sure to turn the volumes back down for apps that don’t need to be louder.

Adjust Audio Balance

One potential cause of low volume on one side or uneven volume between left and right is an imbalance in the audio channels. This stereo imbalance makes one side louder than the other. First, rule out any issues with the headphones/earbuds themselves by testing with a different pair. Assuming your Android device is the cause, here are some steps to adjust the balance and restore even left/right volume:

Open the Settings app and go to Accessibility > Audio Adjustment. Use the Left/Right slider to shift the balance toward the side with low volume. The Accessibility settings in Android allow you to customize the left/right balance.¹

Alternatively, install an app like Volume Balance from the Play Store to control left/right levels. These apps provide more granular control over stereo audio.²

If altering the balance does not resolve the volume difference, there may be a hardware issue causing uneven audio output. Contact the device manufacturer for further troubleshooting.

Contact Service Provider

If you have tried all the troubleshooting steps like updating software, resetting settings, adjusting volumes, and the issue still persists, it may be time to contact your service provider for further support. Low volume can sometimes be caused by a hardware problem with the phone’s internal speaker or audio components.

Before contacting your provider, first rule out any remaining software issues. Try rebooting the phone, toggling airplane mode on and off, removing the SIM card and reinserting, and double checking for any available software updates. If the volume is still low after trying all software fixes, it’s likely a hardware issue.

Contact your cellphone service provider’s customer support line and explain the low volume issue. They can help troubleshoot further and determine if the phone needs to be repaired or replaced under warranty. Some providers may be able to mail you a replacement phone if yours is covered under insurance or warranty.

If the phone is no longer covered, the provider can guide you on costs for repair or replacement. They may be able to offer a reasonable repair rate even if the warranty has expired. As the experts on your particular phone model and service plan, your carrier’s support team is best equipped to resolve a stubborn low volume problem.