You use your phone for a hundred different things every day. But when the headphone jack doesn’t work or produce an unbalanced sound it definitely limits how many of those things you can do.
But before you invest in a brand new phone, take a look at this guide on how to fix headphone jack on Android.
Keep in mind that many of these tips also work for other cellphone models too!
How To Fix Headphone Jack On Android
There are a few common issues Android users report with their headphone jacks. The list below is inclusive of each of these issues and their solutions.
But first, make sure that the headphone cable is compatible with your phone and that it isn’t the headphones themselves that are broken. Try plugging in your headphones to another device and seeing if you experience the same issue.
You can also try removing the phone case and plugging in your headphones. Certain cases can prevent the headphone cable from plugging all the way inside.
Finally, before you investigate the issue further, consider if the content you are listening to could be compromised in some way. For example, if you are streaming content in an area without great service, it could have nothing to do with the headphones or the headphone jack.
Only One Side of Headphones is Working
If you plug in your headphones or earbuds and sound is only coming out of one side, there are a few things you can try.
First, thoroughly clean the headphone jack. Dust, dirt, and grime can get trapped inside the small opening and may cause this problem. Use a flashlight to peek inside the headphone jack and see if there is buildup inside.
The safest way to clean the headphone jack is by using compressed air. This will force out the lint and dust inside. Do not use soap or water because that could damage the phone.
If you do not have access to compressed air, you can try gently using a cotton swab to remove lint. For an even deeper clean, use a small amount of alcohol on the swab.
You can also try a factory reset which will ensure that it is not a software issue. Before you reset your phone make sure you have everything backed up in a safe location.
If those suggestions do not fix the problem, you can visit a store that specializes in fixing smartphones.
One Side of Headphones is Louder
In some cases, both sides of the headphones are working but one side is significantly louder than the other. This problem can also be fixed!
Go into settings and select “accessibility”. Then you should see a slider where you can control the speaker volume from left to right. Try adjusting those levels so that the right and left are even.
If that does not solve the problem, you can select “mono audio”. The mono audio setting will create equal sound on both sides. The stereo effect will no longer be present, but the overall sound quality will be higher.
Low Call Volume
There is nothing more annoying than being on a call and barely being able to hear the person on the other end. This problem can generally be fixed by double-checking all of your volume settings.
First, visit settings, and select on sounds and vibrations. Next, tap on volume and adjust all volume levels to their maximum.
When you take a phone call, you should also adjust the volume using the volume up feature.
If the problem persists, you can try a factory reset or try putting the call on speaker and seeing if that resolves the sound issue. You can also try using new headphones or a headset to increase the volume and make it easier to hear.
No Sound
There are a few rare occasions when there is no noise coming through your headphones. This can be an issue with the headphone jack.
First, check that your phone is not already connected to a Bluetooth device. If it is, try disconnecting and then playing audio through the headphones that are plugged in.
To disconnect a device from Bluetooth, go to settings, Bluetooth, and check if there are any devices listed. Tap the info icon and then select “unpair”. If this is a consistent issue with a Bluetooth device you rarely use, you can select “Forget this device” to eliminate the problem from happening again in the future.
You can try cleaning the headphone jack or a factory reset to see if you can restore volume to your headphones. If not, visit a professional for advice.
Software Fixes
If you are convinced that the issue is the software of your phone rather than the physical headphone jack, you can try downloading the SoundAbout App from the Google Play Store.
Open the app and select “media audio”. Select “wired headset” and close the app. Now test your headphones and see if the issue has been resolved. The app can run in the background of your phone while using other apps.
TLDR? Here You Go
If there seems to be something wrong with your headphone jack, check that the issue isn’t the actual headphones by plugging them into something else.
Next, double-check that your device isn’t paired to something else on Bluetooth. If it is, disconnect it.
Look inside the headphone jack with a flashlight to see if there is dust. If there is, use compressed air or a cotton swab and a small amount of alcohol to remove it.
If those fail, download the SoundAbout app and follow the instructions. And finally, if you still can’t figure out how to fix headphone jack on Android, visit a professional and explain the issue in detail.
If you’re looking to speak with an expert in all Android and Apple phones and devices or you want a quote for a particular service, contact us today!