Callers Sound Quiet? How to Fix a Muffled Earpiece

When music and videos sound normal but callers sound faint, distant or muffled, the problem is almost always the earpiece: the small speaker in the slot at the top of the screen. Work through these checks in order. Most take seconds.

1. Raise the call volume during a call

Call volume is separate from media volume on both iPhone and Android. Turning up a video before the call does nothing for the call. Start a call (calling voicemail is easiest) and press volume up until it stops.

2. Check the screen protector and case

A tempered glass protector without a proper cut-out, or one that has shifted slightly, can cover the earpiece slot. Thick case lips can do the same. Take the case off and look at the slot under a bright light. If the protector covers it, replace it with one that has a cut-out.

3. Make sure the call is not going somewhere else

Disconnect Bluetooth earbuds, car kits and smart watches that may be taking the audio.
On iPhone, check Settings, Accessibility, Touch, Call Audio Routing is set to Automatic.
On Android, check the call screen is not set to speaker or a Bluetooth device.

4. Turn off settings that change call sound

iPhone: if your model has Phone Noise Cancellation (Settings, Accessibility, Audio and Visual), switch it off and test again.
Android: Samsung’s Call settings have Personalize call sound and Adapt Sound options. Try turning them off.
Hearing aid modes (HAC/hearing aid compatibility) can make the earpiece quieter on some phones.

5. Clean the earpiece slot

The earpiece slot collects skin oil, makeup, dust and earwax every time you hold the phone to your face.

Power off the phone.
Brush the slot side to side with a soft, dry, clean toothbrush.
Press a piece of low-tack tape or cleaning putty on the slot and peel it away. Repeat.
Never use pins, needles or liquids in the slot.

6. Shake out water with sound

If the problem started after rain, a shower or a swim, water may be sitting in the earpiece mesh. Open the earpiece speaker cleaner, hold the phone top edge down and press Start. The gentle 300 to 1,000 Hz sweep suits the small call speaker. This works on phones that play media through the earpiece, which includes iPhone 7 and later and most stereo Android phones.

7. Restart and update

A restart clears audio glitches, and system updates often include call audio fixes. On iPhone go to Settings, General, Software Update. On Android go to Settings, Software update or System, System update.

When to get it repaired

If callers are faint at maximum call volume after cleaning, or the earpiece crackles, the speaker may be damaged. Earpiece replacements are a common, inexpensive repair. Before you go, test with speakerphone: if speakerphone is clear, the phone line and software are fine and the earpiece itself is the problem.