Phone calls play a vital role in our lives, serving as a means of connection even when we are physically distant from one another.
Particularly for older individuals, smartphones provide a valuable tool to communicate with their loved ones through phone calls. This remarkable invention keeps us connected and engaged, bridging the gap of distance and allowing us to maintain our bonds with others.
Imagine the disappointment you would feel if, one day, you attempted to make a routine phone call only to discover that you couldn’t hear the other person unless your phone was in speaker mode.
Software glitches, hardware problems, poor internet connection, or network issues are some of the common reasons for this.
This article aims to provide you with all the necessary guidance and solutions to overcome this situation, ensuring that you can once again enjoy clear and uninterrupted phone calls.
Why Can’t I Hear Phone Calls Unless My Android Phone Is In Speaker Mode?
Here’s a table to briefly explain why you can only hear phone calls when you’re in speaker mode.
| Reasons | Description |
| Audio Settings | It’s possible that you accidentally lowered the volume using the physical volume buttons located on the side of your device. This situation can result in a problem where you can only hear phone calls when speaker mode is enabled. |
| Software Glitch | Software glitches can interfere with the call output, redirecting the sound away from the earpiece and toward the speaker. Sometimes, this problem may be limited to a specific app, indicating that an outdated version or corrupted cached files could be the cause. Additionally, an obsolete version of the system software can also contribute to this issue. |
| Earpiece Blockage | It’s possible that you accidentally lowered the volume using the physical volume buttons located on the side of your device. This situation can result in a problem where you can only hear phone calls when speaker mode is enabled. |
| Network Issue | Basic network issues resulting from severe weather conditions or a country-wide lockdown can also contribute to this problem by weakening the call signals, making it difficult to hear the other person during phone calls. |
| Hardware Problem | On occasion, specific hardware issues can contribute to the problem. If your phone has been dropped, internal components may become loose, or if it has been exposed to water, there might be residual moisture in the earpiece despite attempts to dry it using rice. |
Also, here’s a video that explains some ways to fix your Android phone if you can’t hear any calls.
What Are The Solutions If You Can’t Hear Phone Calls On An Android Phone Except If It’s In Speaker Mode?
Increase Your Volume
To eliminate the possibility of overlooking a simple solution, the initial and most crucial step is to adjust your volume settings using the physical volume buttons on the side of your phone.
Check Your Earphones or Headphones
In some cases, the problem may not lie with your phone itself but rather with additional accessories like headsets or earphones that are faulty.
These faulty accessories can give the impression that the issue lies with your phone. If you encounter this problem while using such gadgets, it is advisable to exercise caution.
Disable Bluetooth
As previously mentioned, keeping Bluetooth enabled can cause the sound to be directed to the device your phone is connected to rather than the earpiece.
If you encounter the issue of being unable to hear phone calls unless the speaker is enabled, take the following steps:
- Slide down the notification bar from the top of your phone screen.
- Check the status of your Bluetooth.
If it’s turned on, you have identified the culprit, and simply turning it off will resolve the issue.
Clean Your Earpiece
I understand that it’s not a common practice for many of us to clean the jacks and earpieces of our phones regularly.
However, when faced with the issue of being unable to hear phone calls unless in speaker mode, it’s advisable to clean the earpiece thoroughly by using a soft cloth.
Remove The Screen Protector
Let’s say you had a screen protector on your phone that had numerous bubbles, prompting you to replace it. In an attempt to save time and money, you visit a random shop to have the protector replaced.
However, if the new screen protector isn’t accurately aligned, it may end up covering the earpiece, resulting in blocked sound during calls.
To troubleshoot this issue, remove the screen protector and test the voice clarity during a call. By doing so, you will likely determine whether the screen protector was the main cause of the problem.
Remove The Phone Case
Phone cases can often cause interference with various components of your phone, including the charging port, speaker, and even the earpiece.
If the earpiece is obstructed by the phone case, you may experience the familiar issue of being unable to hear phone calls unless the speaker mode is activated.
To resolve this problem, simply remove the phone case, and you should be able to eliminate the interference and regain proper audio functionality during phone calls.
Clear Cache
Shifting the focus to software-related issues, if you have determined that the problem is isolated to a specific app, then do the following steps:
- Proceed to the settings menu on your device.
- Look for the “Apps” section.
- Locate the app that is causing the problem.
- Click on the app and select the options to clear data and clear the cache.
This process will eliminate any corrupted files associated with the app. By following these steps, you can easily resolve the issue and restore proper audio functionality during phone calls.
Update Your System Software
An effective troubleshooting solution for software-related problems is to ensure that your device is up to date.
Outdated software versions can potentially cause issues, including the problem of voice not being audible during phone calls. To address this, here are some things to follow:
- Access the Settings on your device.
- Locate the “Software Updates” option.
- Check for any available updates and proceed with installing them.
Reboot Your Device
Rebooting your device can be beneficial for resolving temporary problems that may occur on your phone.
In the case of being unable to hear phone calls unless in speaker mode, it’s possible that the issue is temporary in nature. To address this, press and hold the power button on your device, then select the option to restart.
Reset Your Phone
Resetting your phone should be considered a last resort when all the previously mentioned methods have failed to resolve the issue. This is how to do it:
- Go to the Settings menu on your device.
- Navigate to the “Additional Settings” section.
- Scroll down to find the “Backup and Reset” option.
- Select the reset option and enter your password to confirm your identity.
Contact Manufacturer
In the event of hardware problems, it becomes necessary to seek assistance from either the manufacturer of your phone or an experienced Android expert.
They’ll be able to diagnose and resolve the issue with your phone’s hardware components.
Conclusion
- Phone calls are an essential means of communication, connecting people across distances.
- Some common reasons for not being able to hear phone calls unless in speaker mode are:
- Human errors like accidentally lowering the volume
- Software glitches that direct sound to the speaker instead of the earpiece.
- Issues specific to certain apps, such as outdated versions or corrupted cached files,
- Hardware problems like loose internal components or water damage
- Bluetooth interference when connected to another device.
- Blockage of the earpiece due to dust, debris, or improperly placed screen protectors.
- Poor internet connection or network issues are affecting call quality.
- There are various fixes to resolve this issue, like turning up the volume, cleaning the earpiece, removing obstructions, disabling Bluetooth, rebooting, resetting, and updating your device.
- For hardware issues, it is recommended to seek help from the manufacturer.