How do I stop my Android from going down the volume?
What causes the Android volume to decrease?
There are a few potential causes for your Android’s volume to automatically go down:
One common cause is the automatic volume reduction feature when headphones or external speakers are plugged in. Many Android devices will automatically lower the volume to a predefined level as a safety precaution to protect hearing. This can be disabled in your device’s audio settings – look for an option like “media volume limit” or “safe headphone volume” [1].
Another potential cause is volume limit settings, either set manually or by default on your device. Android allows you to set an upper limit for volume levels. If enabled, this would automatically reduce the volume when it hits the defined limit. Check your volume settings and adjust or disable any limits [2].
Faulty or misaligned physical volume buttons could also be inadvertently reducing your volume. If the volume down button sticks or gets pressed on its own, it would continue to lower the volume. Try cleaning the buttons or get them serviced if the issue persists.
Check your headphone/accessory settings
Some headphones and audio accessories have built-in volume limiting features that can cause the volume to decrease automatically. Look in your phone’s Bluetooth settings or the headphone companion app for any options like “Volume Limit” or “Safe Headphone Volume.” Disable these to prevent your Android’s volume from being lowered.
As an example, AirPods have an adjustable maximum volume limit you can turn off in iOS settings. Some Android phones like Samsung Galaxy have “Volume Limit” toggled on by default which needs to be disabled [1].
You should also check for and disable any audio normalization or volume balancing options, either in your phone’s sound settings or your media/music app. These features try to even out the volume across songs and videos, but can cause the maximum volume to decrease [2].
Adjust media volume limit
The media volume limit controls the maximum volume level for music, videos, and other media played on your Android device. To adjust this limit:
Go to Settings > Sound > Volume limit and slide bar to maximum [1]. This controls maximum volume for music/videos.
Increasing the media volume limit to maximum will allow you to turn the volume up higher for media playback through headphones or speakers. This limit prevents accidentally blasting audio at dangerously high levels.
Check physical volume buttons
One common cause of Android volume decreasing on its own is the physical volume buttons getting stuck or jammed.
This can happen if dirt, debris, or moisture gets into the small gaps around the volume buttons. Over time, pressing the volume buttons can also cause them to get looser and potentially jam.
Try closely inspecting the volume buttons on the side of your Android device. See if they appear to be stuck in a depressed position, or if they feel overly loose and don’t pop back up instantly when pressed.
You may be able to fix a stuck volume button by pressing it repeatedly to try and dislodge whatever is obstructing it. Running the device briefly under warm water can also help clear any dirt or debris.
As a temporary fix, a simple reboot of your Android device can make the volume buttons work properly again, at least until they get stuck once more. But for a permanent solution, you may need to get the volume buttons professionally cleaned or replaced.
Visiting a phone repair shop is recommended if the volume button remains jammed and affects your ability to control the volume on your Android device.
Disable audio normalization
Some Android devices from brands like Samsung come with audio enhancement features enabled by default, like Dolby Audio. While these are designed to improve the listening experience, one downside is they can decrease the maximum volume output.
To disable audio normalization on your Android device, go into your sound settings and look for any options related to audio enhancements or normalization and toggle them off. For example on Samsung devices, go to Settings > Sounds and vibration > Advanced sound settings > Sound quality and effects and disable any audio effects or normalize volume levels.
Disabling any audio enhancements can help your Android device play at full, unadjusted volume levels again.
Try safe mode
One option to troubleshoot the decreasing volume issue is to boot your Android device into safe mode. Safe mode loads only the essential system apps and services, preventing third-party apps from running (source). This can help isolate whether a downloaded app is causing the problem.
To enter safe mode on most Android devices:
- Press and hold the power button
- Tap and hold “Restart” when the power menu pops up
- Tap “OK” to confirm restarting in safe mode
The words “Safe mode” will appear in the bottom left corner while in this mode. Test if the volume issue still occurs when only system apps are running. If the problem goes away, it likely indicates that a third-party app is interfering with your device’s volume settings (source).
To exit safe mode, simply restart your device normally. Then you can begin troubleshooting which app may be causing the decreasing volume by uninstalling recently downloaded apps one by one.
Update audio drivers
One reason your Android device’s volume may be decreasing is outdated audio drivers. The audio drivers are system software that allow your phone to properly interface with the built-in speakers, headphone jack, Bluetooth connectivity, and other audio components. Over time, bugs or lack of optimization in older audio drivers can start causing issues like lowering volume.
To check for driver updates, go to Settings > System > Advanced > System update. Tap “Check for updates” and install any available updates for your audio drivers or related components. Keeping your drivers fully updated often resolves audio glitches. You can also try downloading the latest driver package directly from your device manufacturer’s website, if available. Outdated drivers are a common culprit behind unexplained volume problems on Androids, so updating them is one of the simpler fixes to try. [1]
Factory Reset as a Last Resort
If you have tried all other troubleshooting options and the issue persists, a factory reset may be necessary to resolve any underlying software problems. Before resetting, be sure to backup any important data, as a factory reset will wipe your device and restore it to original factory settings.
According to Wondershare, a factory reset completely erases everything on the device and resets it to factory default settings. This eliminates any corrupted files or software issues that could be causing problems.
To perform a factory reset on Android without volume buttons, open Settings and navigate to the Reset options, often found in System or General Management. Select Factory Data Reset and confirm the reset. Your device will reboot and restore to original factory condition.
A factory reset should only be done as a last resort, but can resolve audio issues if they are caused by a software problem. Just be sure to backup important data first.
Get phone serviced
If none of the above solutions fix the issue of volume automatically decreasing on your Android device, it’s possible there is an underlying hardware problem, such as a faulty headphone jack or volume buttons. In such cases, it’s best to get your phone serviced by a qualified repair technician who can properly diagnose and replace any damaged parts.
Common hardware issues that can cause volume problems include:
- Faulty headphone jack – This can cause issues with volume control when headphones are connected. A technician can inspect the jack and replace it if needed.
- Volume buttons not working properly – Volume buttons may become loose or damaged over time. A technician can open up the device and replace the buttons.
- Faulty audio IC chip – The integrated circuit that controls volume could be damaged. A motherboard repair or replacement may be required.
Rather than continuously struggle with a phone that has volume problems, get it serviced by qualified professionals. Phone repair technicians have the expertise to accurately diagnose hardware-related audio issues. They can then make the necessary repairs or replacements to restore proper volume control on your Android device.
Use volume boost apps
One solution is to use third-party volume booster apps that can override the system volume limit on your Android device. Apps like Volume Booster GOODEV allow you to boost the volume beyond your phone’s max settings.
However, be very careful not to damage your hearing by using these apps to make the volume dangerously loud for extended periods. It’s generally recommended to keep volume at less than 50% of the maximum boosted level when using headphones. Only use volume boost apps occasionally when you really need louder volume, and don’t make a habit of blasting sound at full boosted volume.