iPhone earpiece quiet: causes & solutions

If your iPhone earpiece is very quiet when making calls, there may be several causes. The solution to the problem may be simpler than you think.

iPhone earpiece quiet: possible causes and solutions

If your iPhone is very quiet, making calls can be unnecessarily stressful. Sometimes the solution is as simple as the problem itself. Therefore, try the following first:

• You may have accidentally turned down the volume. Press the volume up button on your iPhone during the call.

• As is often the case with technology, it is not always possible to identify the cause of a problem. Sometimes simply restarting the iPhone is enough to get it working again.

• Check whether dust or other dirt has accumulated in the speakers of your iPhone. This can happen, for example, if you often carry the device in your pocket. It is best to use a cleaning kit to clean the speaker. Be careful when handling the connections on your smartphone.

• An alternative cleaning method works with adhesive tape. Take a piece of lightly adhesive tape, roll it with the adhesive side facing outwards and dab it carefully on the earpiece. This removes fine dirt without damaging the membrane.

• If a display film is not applied correctly, the volume on the earpiece may be affected. A cover can also interfere if it does not fit properly and covers the earpiece. If either of these problems occurs, remove the cover or film and the problem should be resolved.

• If you are using Bluetooth or wired headphones, this may also be the cause. First, test whether the problem only occurs with headphones. Some accessories are not fully compatible and cause errors in sound output.

• Check under Settings ☻ General ☻ Software Update to see if a new update is available. Apple regularly fixes bugs that can also affect sound output.

Investigate network problems and defects

The iPhone itself is not always responsible for low volume during calls. It may also be that there is actually a defect.

• If the sound is not permanently quiet when making calls and does not improve when you switch on the hands-free function, there may be network problems. In this case, the volume and sound quality will fluctuate during the call.

• Another possible solution is the “Late Night” equalizer setting. To do this, open the Music app ☻ Settings ☻ Music ☻ EQ ☻ and then select “Late Night.” This setting compresses the dynamic range and boosts quiet sounds. This can also have a positive effect on system sounds and the earpiece.

• If your iPhone has no reception or general network problems, it may help to put it in airplane mode for a short time.

• You can easily check whether there is a defect in the earpiece. Record a short voice memo using the Voice Memos app. Then play back the message through the earpiece. If you can hear everything at a normal volume, network problems were probably responsible for the low volume during calls.

• If you also have to listen carefully when listening to the memo, the quiet sound is more likely to be caused by a defect in the earpiece. Your iPhone will then need to be repaired. In the meantime, you can use a headset to make calls. This will allow you to hear the other person clearly again.