Why wont my Android make a sound?

Check your device’s volume settings

The first thing to check is your device’s volume settings. Open the volume setting on your Android device by pressing the down volume button or by swiping down from the top of the screen and tapping on the volume icon.

Make sure that the media volume is turned up high enough to be audible. Check that vibrate mode is not on instead of sound – you’ll see an icon for either vibrate or sound depending on which setting is enabled.

Also confirm that the phone ringer volume is at a volume level that is to your liking. If the ringer volume is muted, you won’t hear any notifications or calls.

Check Do Not Disturb settings as well to make sure they are not enabled. If Do Not Disturb is on, you won’t hear sounds or notifications.

If all volume settings seem correct but you still can’t hear notifications and sounds, move on to the other steps in troubleshooting.

Source: Solving the Most Common Android Sound Issues

Check your app notifications settings

Individual apps may have independent notification settings that override the global device settings. To check notifcation settings for a specific app:

1. Open the Settings app on your device
2. Tap Apps or Application Manager
3. Select the app you want to check notification settings for
4. Tap Notifications
5. Ensure sounds are enabled and the app is not set to mute
6. Try toggling notification sounds on and off to reset the setting

You can also long press the app icon, select App info, then tap Notification > Advanced > Sounds to check if sounds for that app are enabled or disabled. If your issue persists across multiple apps, it likely is not an app-specific issue – more global device or OS settings are overriding notification sounds at a deeper level. For further troubleshooting, check additional device notification settings or consider resetting app preferences or restarting your device.

Restart your device

A simple first troubleshooting step is to restart your Android device and test if sound is working properly (Google Support). Restarting your device refreshes the operating system and closes all apps, which can resolve software issues causing sound problems.

To restart your Android, hold down the power button for a few seconds until you get the “Power off” prompt. Tap that and wait for about 30 seconds as your phone powers down completely. Then press the power button again to boot it back up.

Once your device has fully restarted, open different apps like YouTube or Spotify and try playing audio or video content. Check if you can hear sound properly from the speakers or connected headphones now. If the issue persists, you may need to dig deeper into your settings or apps.

Check for blocked notifications

If certain apps are not showing notifications on your Android device, it’s possible they have been blocked. To check if an app’s notifications are being blocked:

1. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Notifications
2. Look for the app and check if it says “Blocked” next to it. If so, tap on the app.
3. Toggle on “Show notifications” to allow notifications again.

As noted by Google support, some versions of Android also allow you to check blocked apps under Settings > Apps & notifications > See all ### apps > Menu icon > Show system. Apps with notifications blocked may show a warning icon next to them.

Update your Android version

One potential solution is to check if your Android device has any available system software updates. Android releases periodic updates that include bug fixes, new features, and performance improvements that could resolve sound issues.

To check for updates on most Android devices, go to Settings > System > System Update. If an update is available, tap “Download and install” to upgrade your device’s Android version. Some updates specifically target audio problems, so installing the latest update for your device model is a good troubleshooting step.

Updating to the newest Android operating system version may help get sounds working again if the issues are related to software bugs. Just keep in mind device compatibility – not all Android phones can support new OS releases. Check with your manufacturer if unsure.

Try safe mode

Booting your Android device into safe mode loads the device with default settings and disables third party apps. This isolates issues that may be caused by problematic apps. To enter safe mode:

1. Press and hold the power button on your device until the power off prompt appears.
2. Long press the “Power off” option. A “Reboot to safe mode” option will appear.
3. Tap “Reboot to safe mode”. Your device will restart in safe mode.

Test sound functionality once in safe mode. Play some music or videos to see if sound works. If sound works in safe mode but not normally, a third party app may be causing issues.

If the problem persists in safe mode, it could point to a hardware issue or problem with your Android OS installation. You can exit safe mode simply by rebooting your device regularly.

Reset App Preferences

If notifications suddenly stop working in one or more apps, it may help to reset the app preferences and settings for all apps on your Android device. This will restore each app’s settings to default, without losing any data or downloads in the apps.

Here are the steps to reset app preferences:

1. Go to the Settings app on your Android device.

2. Find and tap “Apps” or “App Management.”

3. Tap “Reset App Preferences” or “Reset App Defaults.”

4. Confirm that you want to reset all app settings to defaults.

5. Your device will restart and restore each app with its default settings and preferences.

This resets all permissions, notifications, customization, and default associations for apps on your device. After resetting app preferences, try using the problematic app again to see if notifications are now working properly. If not, you may have another underlying issue to troubleshoot.

Factory reset

A factory reset should be used as a last resort troubleshooting step if other fixes have not resolved your Android device’s sound issues. This resets your device back to its default factory settings, erasing all data and customizations on the device.

According to this Google Pixel support thread, performing a factory reset can potentially fix sound problems on Android devices where other troubleshooting steps failed. However, it cautions that if safe mode still exhibits no audio, a hardware issue may be the cause.

Before factory resetting, be sure to backup any important data, photos, etc. on your device. Then access the reset option in your device’s Settings menu. This will erase all data and customized settings, reverting it to a blank state.

If the sound issue persists even after a factory reset, it’s best to seek professional support, as a hardware defect may require repair or replacement.

Hardware Issues

One of the most common reasons an Android phone may stop making sounds is due to a hardware issue with the speaker. Over time, the speaker can become damaged or faulty through normal wear and tear or accidental damage like water exposure or being dropped.

Issues with the speaker hardware will prevent any sounds from coming through properly, including call audio, music, notifications, alarms etc. Typical symptoms include muffled, distorted, or completely absent sounds.

Some common hardware problems that can affect the speaker include:

• Faulty speaker module – The speaker itself is damaged internally
• detached or loose speaker wires causing loss of connectivity
• Cracked or punctured speaker membrane preventing proper sound transmission
• Damaged solder connections on the motherboard disrupting signals to the speaker
• Blocked speaker grill due to accumulated debris or damage

Diagnosing a hardware issue requires examining the phone to look for any external damage, testing different system sounds, and isolating the fault to the speaker module itself. Repairing a hardware problem requires replacement of the faulty speaker and restoring any disrupted connections.

If an Android phone’s speaker suddenly stops working despite software troubleshooting, a hardware defect is often the culprit. Professionals may be needed to properly replace the affected components and restore normal audio functionality.

Sources:

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/android-phone-speaker-fixes/

https://www.lifewire.com/fix-android-phone-speaker-not-working-4580298

Get professional help

If you have tried all the troubleshooting steps listed above and your Android device’s speaker still does not work, it may be time to seek help from a professional technician. Here are some signs it is time to take your device to a repair shop:

The speaker never worked, even when you first got your device. There could be an underlying hardware issue that requires repair.

You tried safe mode and factory resets with no improvement. This indicates a deeper system issue beyond software settings.

You hear crackling, popping, or distortion from the speaker. There could be a loose connection or failing component.

The speaker works only sometimes or cuts in and out. This points to an intermittent hardware problem.

You see physical damage like cracks or dents near the speaker. Physical damage can disrupt connections and cause issues.

The speaker works but at a very low volume even at max setting. There may be broken solder connections or failing parts.

Getting help from a qualified repair technician can diagnose hardware-level problems not fixable through basic troubleshooting steps. They have the components, tools, and expertise to replace any failing parts and get your Android device’s speaker working again.