After recording a voice message or a video, did you notice poor audio quality? If your friends complain about your voice quality on calls despite optimal network coverage, the issue could be with the microphone of your smartphone, which may have stopped functioning properly.
If this is indeed the case, you will find this guide very helpful regarding how to fix your cell phone microphone. If the malfunctions originate from software issues, the problem may be easily solved by restarting the device or updating the operating system. If, however, the problem is hardware-related, you may need to repair the microphone.
Since you’re interested in this topic, let’s not waste any more precious time chatting and get straight to action. Take your time to focus on the next paragraphs and, even more importantly, try to follow the instructions I will provide to resolve any issues related to your cell phone microphone’s functionality. I wish you a good read and wish you the best of luck!
Table of Contents
How to Fix Your Phone Microphone
As I mentioned at the beginning of the tutorial, let’s get straight to the point and see how to fix your cell phone microphone: everything is detailed below.
Replace the Phone Case
Silly as it may seem, this happens more often than you might think. If the case you’ve applied to your smartphone is not original or is not fully compatible with your device’s brand and model, it may partially cover one of the microphones, compromising its proper functioning.
In this case, to resolve the issue, simply replace the phone case with one that is compatible so it does not cover one of the microphones present on the device. You can purchase a new case both in electronics stores and online.
Clean the Microphone
The phone microphone might have dirt lodged near it. If these particles have hardened, they could act as a “plug” and compromise the audio quality during calls or recordings. To solve the problem, you must clean the microphone.
To clean the smartphone microphones, you first need to locate their position. Most devices actually have more than one microphone: typically one is located at the bottom of the casing, another on the front, and one near the rear camera. If you have difficulty locating the exact positions of the microphones on your smartphone, refer to the instruction manual that came with your device or look it up online using search terms such as “where is the microphone [brand and model of the phone]”.
Once you identify the microphone(s) you want to clean, gather the necessary materials: a soft cloth, such as those made of microfiber or chamois, a small brush, a soft-bristled brush, a cotton swab, or even a smartphone cleaning kit (which can be handy for other issues or simply for a deep clean of your phone from time to time). If you do not have any of these materials, you can easily find them in shops or online.
Now, let’s move on to the cleaning operations. First, lay the soft cloth on a flat surface and place your smartphone on it to avoid scratching it. Then, take the brush, the soft-bristled brush, or the cotton swab and gently clean the front microphone using slow and steady movements. Repeat the operation until you see the accumulated dirt being removed. If you still see signs of dust or dirt, try gently blowing on the microphone.
After cleaning the front microphone, clean the others using the same steps, always being careful not to damage them. If you encounter difficulty performing this procedure, consult online guides for cleaning the microphone, as the instructions generally apply to all smartphone brands and models.
Restart the Phone
If the malfunction of one of your smartphone microphones is due to a software issue, you might be able to restore the situation to normal simply by restarting the device: although it seems simple, this procedure often proves effective (unless the microphone has a hardware problem, obviously!).
To restart an Android smartphone, just press and hold the power button for a few seconds, select Power Off from the menu that appears in the center of the screen, and wait for the device to completely shut down. Then, press the power button again for a few seconds to turn the device back on, and check if the microphone is working properly.
On iPhone, the procedure is slightly different. For iPhones with Face ID, hold down the side button and one of the volume buttons, slide the slider to power off the device, and then hold the side button again to turn it back on. For iPhones with Touch ID, press and hold the top button or the side button, slide the slider to turn off the device, and then hold the top button or the side button to turn it back on. After restarting your “iPhone,” check if the microphone is working properly.
Update the Operating System
Updating the operating system of the cell phone to the latest version available is important to avoid microphone functionality issues (and potentially resolve them, if they have already occurred). If the microphone malfunction is due to software issues, perhaps due to a bug in Android or iOS, an update could resolve the situation.
To check for new updates on your Android device, go to Settings > About Phone > System Updates and, if your device is updated to the latest version of Android released by the manufacturer, you should see the message Your device is up to date. Otherwise, you will be notified of an available update, which you can download by tapping on the Download/Download over Wi-Fi button.
Once the update has downloaded, tap on Downloaded system update from the notification menu (which you can access by swiping down from the top of the screen) and press the Restart and Install button in the screen that opens.
To check for new iOS updates, go to Settings > General > Software Update and, if your iPhone is up to date with the latest version of iOS available, you should see the message iOS is up to date on the screen. If, however, an update is available, tap on the Download and Install options to download and install the software update.
After downloading and installing a new software update if needed, check if the cell phone microphone is working properly again.
Take the Phone to Service
If you’re reading this part of the guide, it’s clear that the solutions I’ve given you in the previous paragraphs haven’t helped resolve your cell phone microphone malfunction. If that’s the case, I recommend you take the phone to service, especially if it’s still under warranty.
If you decide to take your phone to service even if it’s out of warranty, be aware that you will be required to pay for the repair service, the price of which varies based on the extent of the diagnosed damage (it could be from a few dozen euros to several hundred).
For more information on this, I invite you to visit the customer service page on the official website of your device manufacturer.
Fix Your Cell Phone Microphone Yourself
You’ve discovered that your smartphone is out of warranty and that getting the microphone repaired would cost you an arm and a leg, so you’ve decided to try fixing it yourself. Fortune favors the bold, as they say! Below, you’ll find instructions on how to proceed for both Android and iOS smartphones.
How to Fix Your Phone Microphone: Android
Have you decided to go ahead on your own? I advise you to think carefully before making a move: if you lack the necessary technical skills, it’s better to leave it alone rather than risk further compromising the functionality of your device.
If, however, you want to take the plunge and have an Android phone, I recommend visiting iFixit, a well-known website that collects guides and tips for DIY repairs regarding electronic devices. This way, you’ll know what tools you need for the repair and, most importantly, the steps to follow to complete the task without issues.
To proceed, click on Repair Your Stuff > Repair Guides, then select the Phones section on the page that opens, and then choose the manufacturer name and the model of the phone you want to repair to see if a guide is available on the subject. If you do not find the guide that fits your needs, instead of venturing into the repair alone, try consulting the iFixit Forum to connect with experts who will surely be willing to help you.
How to Fix Your Phone Microphone: iPhone
If you have an iPhone, besides iFixit, which I mentioned earlier for Android (since it also offers guides for Apple devices), you can make use of Apple’s Self-Service Repair, which provides detailed guides for repairing your Apple devices yourself. Additionally, it allows you to rent tools and buy missing components through its official retailer, ensuring you have everything needed to proceed correctly.
Once connected to its main page, select your iPhone model, click on the iPhone [model]: repair manual, and in the web page that opens, click on the Main Microphone option under Procedures and read the guide presented to follow all the steps and fix your iPhone microphone.