How to fix microphone not working error on Android phone

Is your phone's microphone not working properly during voice or video calls? This could be due to a number of factors. While microphone-related issues are quite common on Android devices , you can follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve them.

1. Check if microphone access is disabled

Most Android phones allow you to manually disable microphone access. This means that even though your microphone is working perfectly fine, the software may be blocking apps on your phone from using it. You may have accidentally disabled microphone access and forgotten to turn it back on.

On Samsung phones, go to Settings > Security and privacy > Additional privacy controls and check if Microphone access is enabled.

Note that you may have restricted some apps from using your microphone and others from not. Check that in the Security and privacy > Permission manager menu .

2. Check if the case is blocking the mic

If you use a case on your phone, first check to see if it's blocking the microphone port. It's possible that the microphone is working fine but it's not picking up your voice clearly enough, or it's not picking up your voice at all because the case is covering it.

This probably won't be a problem if you buy a case directly from the phone manufacturer. But sometimes third-party cases have manufacturing defects where the holes don't line up exactly with the ports. Such defects can cause the case to block your phone's microphone.

3. Restart and check for updates

Sometimes the easy solution is the best one. Restarting your smartphone will refresh the system by clearing all processes and closing apps. It can be a quick solution to your problem.

Hold down the power button until the menu appears, then select Power > Power off . Leave it off for 30 to 60 seconds before turning it back on, then check to see if the problem is resolved.

If a quick reboot doesn't work, check for Android software updates by going to Settings > System > Software update (on Pixel phones) or Settings > Software update (on Samsung Galaxy phones). New software updates often fix any bugs the current version may have that could be affecting your microphone.

4. Clean the phone microphone

If you don't clean your phone regularly, dirt can build up in small holes like the microphone port, even if the device has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. Just wiping your phone isn't enough because dust or other small particles can still get in.

The microphone is usually a small hole next to the USB-C port on the bottom of the phone. Take a small pin or something similar and use it to gently wipe the microphone. Alternatively, you can blow directly into it to remove any built-up debris. Be careful not to blow more air into the phone, though.

See: How to Clean Your Phone and Other Electronic Devices for more details.

5. Configure sound settings

Some Android phones have a feature called noise cancellation or noise reduction. Noise cancellation helps reduce background noise when making calls or recording videos.

Unfortunately, noise cancellation can often result in poor audio quality, so here's how to turn it off to make sure your microphone works properly:

• Go to the Settings app .
• Select Call Settings or Sound Settings .
• Find the Noise Reduction option and turn it off.
• Restart your phone and check if the problem is resolved.

Note : Not all Android phones have this feature. Also, depending on your device and Android version, this setting may appear in a different location.

In addition to this option, it is also possible that you have left your phone connected to a Bluetooth headset or other device with a microphone. If so, the phone will use that microphone as its main microphone instead of the built-in microphone.

Make sure to check your Bluetooth settings for any connected headphones. Disconnect them and try using the microphone again to fix the problem.

6. Check for third-party application interference

Third-party apps can often cause phone problems because they tend to interfere with phone settings. In this case, apps that have access to the microphone are the cause of the problem.

Try booting your Android phone into Safe Mode , which temporarily disables all third-party apps.

While in Safe Mode, make a test call or use a recording app to test your microphone. If your microphone works fine in Safe Mode, the problem is with the app. You can find a list of apps using your microphone in the Settings menu.

Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > Permission manager > Microphone . If you have a Samsung phone, go to Settings > Security and privacy > Permission manager > Microphone .

If you have any sound enhancing apps installed, they are most likely the culprit. If not, try checking the apps you suspect, revoking their microphone access, then testing your microphone to see if they are the culprit.

7. Take it to a specialist

If none of the above troubleshooting steps help, it’s likely that the microphone problem is hardware related. Microphones are delicate components that can easily break if accidentally dropped or exposed to water.

In such cases, it is advisable to take the phone to one of the reputable service centers where a professional technician can determine what is wrong with the device.

As you can see, there are a number of factors that can cause the microphone on your Android phone to not work as intended. Hopefully, one of the troubleshooting methods discussed here will help you resolve the issue.

As long as you take good care of your phone and keep an eye on apps that have access to your phone's microphone, you shouldn't have to worry about these issues.