How to fix microphone not working on Android phone

If you are experiencing difficulties with the microphone not working on your Android phone, you are not alone. There are many reasons why this could happen, from software glitches to hardware failures. Isn’t it frustrating when you’re in the middle of a call and suddenly all you hear is static?
Now that we know why your phone’s microphone is not working, let’s look at the possible solutions to fix this issue.
How to fix microphone not working on Android phone
- Check the Microphone
First, we must check for any hardware defect in the phone’s mic by recording your voice using any audio recorder app. If you see the voice recorder app picking up your voice, it means the microphone is working properly, and it is the issue of the app where the mic is not working.
- Clean the Phone’s Microphone
Minute dust and dirt particles often accumulate in a phone’s microphone hole after an extended usage. These holes and ports are vulnerable to dust or other particles, and even tiny fabric pieces can also get stuck in these holes, especially if you carry the phone in your pocket. Look for your phone’s primary mic, a small hole beside the charging port; blow air directly or insert a small pin or a thin needle into it to remove any dirt inside.
- Restart Your Phone
The very first fix to most of the issues on Android is a simple restart. So, if your phone’s microphone is causing problems, try this simple trick, especially if you haven’t restarted your phone in a while. Restarting the phone clears app logs and other possible software-related issues and can prove to be a quick fix to this problem.
- Check if the Phone Protector Covers the Mic
Putting a new case or screen protection on your phone may cover your phone’s mic. Check for the microphone hole; if it’s covered by the case or protection film, remove the cover or cut the protective film to remove the blockage.
- Check for Connected Devices
Sometimes, you may forget that your phone is connected to a Bluetooth device like an earphone or a speaker. Since most of these devices have their microphone, the default audio input gets changed to the connected Bluetooth device, and the phone’s mic might not work. So make sure to disconnect your phone from other Bluetooth devices.
- Check For Microphone Access
Android allows you to cut off your phone’s microphone entirely for privacy reasons, so any app can’t access the mic if you don’t want to. If you have accidentally disabled microphone access, then the app won’t be able to use it.
- Check for App Permissions
Due to Android’s privacy settings, if an app is not used for a prolonged time, the Android system reset the app permissions and disables it to use the phone’s hardware, like the mic and camera. So, if the microphone is not working in an app, you should check the app’s permissions.
- Remove Third-party Apps
A third-party app can also cause your phone mic to malfunction, as they can interfere with your phone’s microphone if they have access to it.
- Update the Phone’s Software
Sometimes, a software bug problem can cause issues, and updating the phone’s software can fix such issues.
- Reset the Phone
Last but not least, if the issue is still not fixed, then as the lender of last resort, you should reset the phone to fix any other software issues.
Also Read: How to clear your app cache on Android