Trying to make a phone call or create a recording when your microphone is not working can be a frustrating experience. This results in the other person not hearing you, or the sounds being muffled.
There could be many reasons why your iPhone microphone is not working; something could be blocking the microphone, the iOS could be out of date, or the microphone itself could be broken. Before rushing to an Apple tech to repair it, though, here are ways to troubleshoot the issue.
1. Restart the phone
We start with the age-old technique of restarting the device. Restarting the iPhone can solve a myriad of issues with the device. If the phone has a microphone glitch, restarting it could work to reset the microphone signal and get it working again.
2. Clean the microphone opening
If the sound from the microphone sounds muffled or muzzled, then it could be a result of blockages. The slit microphone at the top of the screen and the small opening at the bottom and back of the phone will all need cleaning. But don’t blow into the microphone, as you could end up pushing more dirt inside.
Instead, find a Q-tip/soft bristle brush and dip it into a bit of isopropyl alcohol. Wipe along all the microphone openings on the phone and, if possible, push it to get inside the holes so that the alcohol can get in contact with dirt and dissolve it. However, avoid being too aggressive as you clean.
3. Update iOS
Sometimes, your iPhone microphones might stop working due to a bug in the software. There have been some cases where updating an iOS often fixes a lot of issues, including microphone issues. So, if it’s not dirt, then try updating the software. If this doesn’t work, try to reset the phone to the default setting.
You can find more ways to solve the issue here. However, if these don’t work, then it could be a sign that your microphone might have some physical damage and need changing. Thus, visiting an Apple tech is necessary.
