Why is my iPhone microphone not working but the speaker does?
Why is my iPhone microphone not working but the speaker does?
I’m experiencing a frustrating issue with my iPhone where the microphone isn’t working, but the speaker functions perfectly fine. Whenever I try to make calls, the person on the other end can’t hear me, even though I can hear them clearly through the speaker. This problem also occurs when I use voice recording apps or try to activate Siri — my voice isn’t being detected at all. It’s strange because all other sounds play correctly and the speaker works without any issues during media playback. I’m not sure what could be causing this, and it’s becoming increasingly inconvenient. It’s especially baffling since no physical damage seems to be present on the phone. What might be going wrong with the microphone on my iPhone while the speaker continues to work?
6 Answers
I’ve had a similar issue caused by a particular Accessibility setting. Here’s how you can check and disable it, if it’s enabled:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility.
- Find the ‘Audio/Visual’ section.
- Ensure that the ‘Phone Noise Cancellation’ feature is turned off.
Sometimes, this setting messes with the microphone input by filtering out background noises more aggressively, affecting how well your voice is picked up.
Your iPhone microphone might have debris or lint blocking it. It’s common for dust particles to accumulate and obstruct the microphone’s ability to pick up sound. To clear it out:
- Use a soft, dry brush to gently clean the microphone port. Be careful not to push the debris further inside.
- You can also use compressed air from a safe distance to blow out the dust.
- Ensure no covers, cases, or screen protectors are obstructing the microphone area.
Cleaning out the microphone can often resolve this issue quickly and effectively.
It could be that your Bluetooth is on and connected to another device, which redirects audio input away from the built-in microphone. Here’s what you can do:
- Swipe up from the bottom of your screen (or down from the upper right corner on newer models) to access the Control Center.
- Check if Bluetooth is turned on. If it is, turn it off to see if your microphone starts working.
Disabling Bluetooth ensures your iPhone uses its built-in microphone instead of potentially redirecting audio to another connected device.
One potential reason for your iPhone’s microphone not working but the speaker does could be a software glitch. Often, software updates can cause temporary conflicts that result in such issues. Here’s what you can try:
- Restart your iPhone by pressing and holding the power button until the slider appears, then slide to power off.
- Check for any iOS updates and, if available, install them.
- Reset your iPhone’s settings by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. Note that this won’t delete your data, but it will reset system settings like Wi-Fi passwords and wallpaper.
If these steps don’t resolve the issue, it may be time to seek technical support from Apple.
Sometimes, third-party apps can interfere with your iPhone’s hardware functions, causing problems with the microphone. To check if an app is causing the problem:
- Open your Settings app, then go to Privacy > Microphone.
- You’ll see a list of apps that have requested access to your microphone. Turn off the microphone access for all apps and test the microphone again.
If your microphone works after doing this, one of the apps might be causing the issue. You can systematically turn the access back on for each app to identify the culprit.
There might be an issue with the microphone hardware itself. This could be due to wear and tear or accidental damage that isn’t immediately visible. In such a case, you should:
- Schedule an appointment with the Apple Genius Bar.
- Get a professional diagnostic to confirm if there’s a hardware fault.
Repairing or replacing the microphone component might be necessary if a hardware issue is found.