If the mic is not working on your Android phone, you probably can’t communicate with your friends and family.
Microphone issues on Android devices are very common, fortunately, it’s an easy problem to fix, providing you know what to look for.
This guide walks you through several troubleshooting steps you can try to fix when the mic is not working on Android.
Why Is Mic Not Working on Android?
One of the main reasons why the mic is not working on your Android phone is because of dirt and lint that block the mic holes. Brush the microphone hole with a toothbrush with soft bristles to remove any debris that may have gotten inside.
Your Android mic can also stop working because of third-party apps hindering its access. It is possible for hardware damage to occur if your Android device falls or endures a hard impact, resulting in a malfunctioning mic.
How to Check if Your Microphone Is Not Working
If you found out that your microphone was malfunctioning through a phone call, you might need to recheck. The problem might have come from a network glitch.
You can voice record yourself to be sure your Android device’s microphone isn’t working. To do that, open the default voice recording app on your phone and record yourself talking. If you can’t hear yourself clearly or at all, your microphone is having problems.
If your Android device doesn’t have a voice recorder app, you can download one from the Google Play Store or record yourself speaking on a messaging app like WhatsApp or Telegram.
To further confirm, you can connect an external device like an earphone and speak into the mic. If your phone can recognize the sound from the mic of that device but not from the phone itself, there is a problem with your Android microphone.
How to Fix Microphone Not Working on Android
We’ve gathered all the best fixes that are proven to get your microphone working perfectly again. Let’s dive in!
Reboot Your Device
Restarting your device is the first thing you should do when your Android device malfunctions.
It will clear the RAM and all processes running on the phone. This gives your device a fresh start and can help to clear bugs.
To restart your Android Device, please follow these steps:
- Long-press the ON/OFF button on the side of your device until you get a prompt like the one below.
- Click on Restart to power off and power on the device.
Note: The interface you get may differ from the image above if you have a different Android brand. The buttons will still be the same.
Check For System Updates
If your phone is not up-to-date, some parts, like your mic, might start to malfunction. Follow the steps below to check for system updates.
- Open Settings.
- Scroll down to the Software Update panel.
- If there are available updates, you will have a Download and Install tab. Open it.
- Click on Download to begin installing the new system updates.
- After downloading, restart your device.
If you do not have a Software Update panel in your Android settings, go to Systems and Advanced. Look for the “System Update” tab and follow the steps above.
Your mic should be working now. If it isn’t, please try the other fixes below.
Clean Your Phone’s Microphone
Dirt, dust, and lint can clog your microphone and stop sound from getting to it. If you do not clean your phone regularly, this build-up can cause problems for you.
To clean your microphone, switch off your device, get a pin, and gently use it to clean the microphone. Try to get out all the dirt. The microphone is located at the bottom of your phone, right next to your USB charging port.
If you decide to blow into your mic to clear it instead, be careful not to blow the dirt higher into the hole. Cleaning with a pin or needle is the best fix.
You can also use a soft brush to gently clean the mic and other holes at the bottom of your device.
Cleaning your device will get your microphone working again.
Check if Your Mic Is Covered
If you recently got a new phone pouch or screen protection, check to ensure they do not cover your device’s mic.
Take them off and try using the microphone. If it works, you need to make a hole or provisions for sound to get into the mic.
Check For Connected Devices
We often forget that our phone is connected to a Bluetooth device. If your phone is connected to a Bluetooth mic or speaker, you might be unable to communicate with people using your device’s mic.
Turn off Bluetooth to disconnect your phone from all devices and then restart. Try using your mic now. It should be working fine.
Check For the Headphone Symbol
If you use earphones or a headphone, sometimes your Android device does not register when you unplug it.
This will stop your microphone from working because your phone thinks it is using the headphone’s mic.
Fixing this is easy. Just plug the headphones back into the jack and remove it after a few seconds.
Your mic should be working on your Android device now. If it isn’t, try the next step.
Check for Interference From Third-Party Apps
Third-party apps are applications that do not come installed on your phone from the manufacturer. Sometimes, these devices malfunction and can stop some parts of your phone from working properly.
Run your device in Safe Mode to check if your mic works without the third-party apps. Safe Mode disables all third-party applications.
- Press and hold the ON/OFF button on the side of your Android device.
- When the menu pops up, long-press the Power Off button.
- Click on Safe Mode.
Your device will restart itself and boot with only apps from the manufacturer installed. There will also be a box with Safe Mode written at the bottom of your screen.
Now, check if your microphone works. There is a possibility that third-party apps are causing the issue if it works.
To fix the issue, you will need to carry out a factory reset on your device. This will wipe all your data, so be sure to back up your information before resetting.
If you do not want to reset your device, you disable microphone permissions for all third-party apps one by one. It is a slow process but is the best alternative.
Disable Microphone Permissions For Third-Party Apps
To disable microphone permissions, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings and click on Apps.
- When the list of Apps opens, click on the menu icon at the top right.
- In the options, select Permissions Manager.
- Click on the Microphone permissions.
- Now, begin to remove mic permissions for each app in the list one after the other.
Note: To exit the Safe Mode, press and hold the power button to restart your device.
Reset Your Device
A factory reset should always be the last resort, as it will clear all your data. But if all fails, this might be your only option.
Back up all your important data and files in a cloud storage service of your choice. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to safely back up your Android phone.
To factory reset your phone, follow these simple steps:
- Open Settings and go to General Management.
- Click on Reset.
- Choose Factory Data Reset. It will wipe out your phone and erase all of your data.
- Click on the Reset button to completely reset your phone to the factory settings.
After resetting your phone, restart the phone. Your mic will start working properly.
Take It to a Repair Shop
If all the fixes failed, the problem is most likely hardware-related. Your phone might have suffered a fall or come in contact with water.
Find a repair shop and take it to the technician there. They will be able to determine the issue and replace the mic if necessary.
Final Thoughts on Microphone Not Working on Android
Getting your mic to work again on your Android device is easy. Cleaning the holes and removing third-party apps are the easiest ways to do that.
Let us know if this helped fix your Android mic problems. If you found success doing something else, leave a comment down below!
