The iPhone 6s Plus comes with a number of significant features and components for users to benefit from. Among the key components on the hardware side is the microphone. Apple’s iPhone 6s Plus comes with three microphones namely that rear microphone, receiver microphone and the bottom microphone. The rear microphone is located in between the iSight camera and the true tone flash.
The one in front of the iPhone and next to the FaceTime camera is the receiver microphone. The bottom microphone is situated next to the headset jack. Among the three microphones, the bottom microphone is most prone to damage from hard fall or accidental drops. The other microphones can likewise succumb to physical or liquid damage but there are also some instances where these microphones tend to become faulty even without prior incidents of dropping or exposure to liquid. Among the most prevalent microphone issues reported by many iPhone 6s Plus users would include static audio output, noisy background during phone calls, audio cut offs, distant sound, and microphone that is not working at all.
There are only two possibilities as to why these symptoms would transpire on the iPhone and that’s either due to software malfunctions or hardware damage. If the hardware is not to blame, then the problem must be within the software. If you happen to come across this page while searching for help in fixing the same problem with your iPhone 6s Plus microphone, then this content might be able to help. Highlighted below are helpful workarounds and generic solutions you can try on in troubleshooting any of the aforementioned symptoms of a faulty microphone on the same iPhone.
But before anything else, if you have a different issue with your device, visit the troubleshooting page we’ve setup for the iPhone 6s Plus. We list down every problem we address each week in that page so try to see if we’ve already addressed your concern before. If we did, try to use the solutions we suggested and if they won’t work, then you may contact us by filling up this form.
What can possibly cause the iPhone 6s Plus microphone to become dysfunctional?
As mentioned earlier, microphone issues can be software-related or hardware-related. Software-related means that the microphone fails to work as intended due to app or system malfunctions. Meanwhile hardware-related microphone problems denote that the physical microphone component gets damaged and stops to work. Hardware damage on the iPhone can either be due to physical or liquid damage. Consider yourself lucky if the software is to blame on your end. Otherwise, consider taking your iPhone to an authorized service center for hardware assessment and/or repair. Other users who have dealt with any of the pertinent symptoms were able to obtain permanent solution with microphone replacement. It turned out that one of the iPhone microphones was damaged, could no longer be helped and so needs to be replaced.
Meanwhile, microphone problems that are software-related are likely triggered by any of the subsequent factors.
Software bugs or random system glitches
Bugs can be contained in apps and software updates. Despite the fact that software updates are programmed to be free from bugs, things do change during the actual implementation. One of the reasons as to why this happens is due to the fact that users have already configured their respective devices based on their preferences. This means that the system structure that is used as basis during prior tests totally differs from the actual system structure implemented by end-users. That being said, post-update issues inevitably occur. The same thing can happen on certain apps after installing periodic updates. Therefore, creating a backup is recommended before installing software updates on your iPhone device. That way you can always restore to a previous backup if ever things go wrong after implementing software update.
Files and apps get corrupted
Random app glitches or software malfunctions typically occur in mobile devices regardless of the operating system. An application can become inoperable from running other files or contents that are corrupted or when the app itself gets corrupted. Generally, the app gets back to its normal state and works as intended from an app restart or reboot on the device. However there are some cases in which a corrupted application remains inoperable after a reboot. This is usually the case if certain bugs have infiltrated the operating system, causing the audio system and the microphone to become dysfunctional. Should this be the case, a system reset might be necessary so as to eliminate the culprit.
Audio settings are configured incorrectly
With the iPhone’s default settings, everything should work as intended. But that is not always the cases especially if end-users make some modifications or reconfigure some settings according to their preferences. When something gets modified or changed incorrectly, there is a higher chance that certain features would fail to work. This is possibly the case when the iPhone microphone stops working or when unusual symptoms suddenly surface after changing certain menu options for audio functions either on specific audio app or the iPhone’s general audio settings.
Third party accessories
Some iPhone accessories especially those that are made by third-party manufacturers can also affect the quality of audio output from the microphone. Among the symptoms that are linked to the use of incompatible third-party iPhone accessories are static sounds, distant sound during phone calls, or no sound coming from the microphone at all. These can make you think that the microphone is somehow becoming dysfunctional but actually it’s inflicted by the use of certain accessories on the iPhone like casing.
Physical or liquid damage
Hardware damage from hard fall or liquid exposure on the iPhone is considered the worst among the possible causes. If the hardware is to blame on your iPhone’s microphone problem, your chances of getting it fixed is definitely lower than software-related causes. Microphone issues that are triggered by faulty hardware or damaged audio components would already require a technician’s aid for repair or replacement of defective components.
That being said, you should immediately take your iPhone to an authorized service center especially if you’re certain that the problem is caused by hardware damaged. Otherwise, you may opt to take your chances and try any applicable workarounds including the ones highlighted below.
How to deal with software-related microphone problems on the iPhone 6s Plus?
Device issues that are triggered by faulty software are more likely to get resolved by end-users themselves. Highlighted below are generic solutions and recommended workarounds you can try on should you wish to fix your iPhone 6s Plus microphone problem by yourself. Be sure to test the iPhone microphone before you proceed to the next method to see if the problem has already been resolved. If not, try other applicable solutions.
Before you start troubleshooting the problem, here are a few helpful tips you can try on. Some users who have tried performing these workarounds were able to obtain positive results.
- Check the iPhone’s microphone and headphone jack for any debris, dirt or dust. When these components are clogged with dirt, dust or debris, there is a tendency for the microphone’s output quality to become poor or not good as expected. If necessary, have these parts cleaned using a dust blower, toothpick or needle to remove whatever is blocking the microphone or headphone.
- Remove any third-party casing or accessory that is plugged into the headset jack. If something is inside the headphone jack, there is a possibility that the microphone’s sound output is barred.
- Make sure your iPhone is connected to an active and stable Wi-Fi or cellular data network. Network problems can also affect the iPhone’s microphone/audio system. For example, some users said that they’re having a hard time hearing the person on the other end while on a call. Pertinent symptoms like low or distant sound, intermittent audio, and static background are among the most common concerns, which were found to be triggered by network problems.
- Test your iPhone’s microphone. You can use audio apps like Siri, Voice memos, Camera, and FaceTime to face any of the iPhone’s microphones that is not working as intended.
Follow these steps to test the microphone using Voice Memos…
- Tap to open Voice Memos app on your iPhone.
- When the app launches, tap the Record icon to begin recording your voice.
- Be sure to speak clearly with loudness into the primary microphone located at the bottom of the iPhone.
- When you’re finished recording, tap the Stop/End control. Doing so will end the recording.
- To listen to your previous voice recording, tap the Play icon or control.
- Try to assess your voice recording thoroughly. If you can hear your voice clearly then it is an indication that the microphone is functioning properly and that the problem must be triggered by some other culprits that possibly lay within the iPhone system.
Follow these steps to test your iPhone 6s Plus microphone using Siri app…
Siri is Apple’s patented input command software that is mainly used to give instructions to the iPhone using voice inputs or simply by speaking into your phone about what you want for it to carry out. If Siri is working properly or executes every input commands you’ve spoken, it denotes that the microphone is fine.
- To get started, open the Siri app on your iPhone 6s Plus.
- When Siri is up and running, speak up or say anything that you want your iPhone to do for you like open Safari browser for example.
If Siri is not able to get your voice inputs, try to check and ensure that the microphone located near the iSight is not blocked by anything. If this microphone is blocked by something, you will likely to experience symptoms like faint sound when attempting to play audio recordings on the iPhone. Also ensure that nothing is blocking the receiver.
Follow these steps to test your iPhone 6s Plus microphone using Camera app or FaceTime app…
Another thing you can try doing is testing the microphone output by launching the Camera or FaceTime app and then record a video and then listen to its playback. If you can hear your voice clearly during the playback, it means that the microphone is working. You can also do the same with FaceTime app, record a video and then play it back to see if the microphone output is acceptable.
- To get started, tap the Camera or FaceTime icon to open the app.
- Start recording a video with audio integration by tapping on the Record icon.
- Top the Stop/End icon to end the recording when finished.
- Tap the Playback option to listen to your recording and assess the sound quality produced by each of the iPhone’s microphone.
Potential solutions to problems with the iPhone 6s Plus microphone
The following workarounds are consider generic solutions used to deal with microphone issues on the iPhone. These methods are likely to bring positive results especially if the root cause of the problem lies within the iPhone software. Feel free to try any of these methods whenever you’re ready.
First method: Restart your iPhone 6s Plus
Software glitches affecting the iPhone’s microphone or audio functions can be rectified by restarting your iPhone. The process is also referred to as soft reset. No data will be erased in the process therefore it’s safe.
A soft reset or reboot is the simplest yet most effective workaround to deal with minor system glitches including those that are affecting the iPhone’s microphone system.
The proper way to do a soft reset or restart on the iPhone 6s Plus is explicated subsequently:
- Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button for a few seconds until the red slider shows up.
- Drag the slider to power off your iPhone completely.
- Wait for at least 30 seconds.
- After the elapsed time, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button again until the Apple logo appears. Your iPhone will then reboot.
After the reboot, test the microphone after the reboot using any of the aforementioned audio applications.
Second method: Check and ensure audio settings are properly configured
As mentioned earlier, incorrect settings configuration can also result to a problem when using the iPhone’s microphone. If the audio problem only occurs when using certain application, you can try to check the app’s permission settings to access the microphone with that app.
- To access and configure this option, head over to Settings-> Privacy-> Microphone. When you reached this menu, verify options on apps permission and make sure everything is set or configured properly.
Aside from apps permission, you can also try to check the Noise Cancellation settings on your iPhone 6s Plus. It is among the key features, with a main task to reduce surrounding noises during phone calls. With this feature enabled, users can expect a clear and noise-free background during phone calls. However, not everyone who activates this iPhone feature has the same positive experience. As a matter of fact, some users were complaining about background noises when having phone conversations. And this happens even with Noise Cancellation feature enabled or turned on. As temporary solution, users did the opposite which is to turn off or disable Noise cancellation on their iPhone instead. You too may try toggling this feature on or off and see how your iPhone’s microphone works afterwards.
- To access this option on your iPhone, go to Settings-> General-> Accessibility-> Phone Noise Cancellation. When you reached this menu, tap the switch to turn the feature on or off.
Third method: Reset all Settings
Reverting the iPhone settings back to when microphone problems are yet to surface is also a possible solution you can try on. This workaround is applicable only if you are certain of which settings or options to change back to its previous configuration prior to the onset of the problem. But if you are no longer certain of which settings have changed, then you’ve got the option to reset all settings on your iPhone 6s Plus.
Doing so will reset all settings on your iPhone and restore it to its default configuration. While this method might be useful in some ways, doing so also denotes losing of all your personal settings as they will be erased in the process. Software bugs will also be wiped. On the positive note, doing so might as well be able to resolve the underlying cause and get your iPhone microphone to work normally as it should.
- To reset all settings on your iPhone 6s Plus, go to Settings-> General-> Reset-> Reset All Settings.
- If prompted, enter the correct passcode to continue.
- Tap Reset All Settings again to confirm action.
Wait for the iPhone to complete the settings reset process. Once the reset is done, your iPhone will reboot.
Fourth method: Update iOS
Bugs can also mess up the iPhone’s audio system thereby causing the microphone to produce unpleasant audio output or become dysfunctional at all. Usually, minor software bugs or glitches can be fixed by a device restart or soft reset but some are just too tough to remain after the reboot. In this case, a definite fix would be necessary. Software updates also contain fixes to certain bugs affecting the iPhone system including the audio or microphone functions. If you suspect that this is to blame, go ahead and check for available software updates for your iPhone.
- To do so, head over to Settings-> General-> About-> Software Update. A notification usually appears if an update is available.
- To proceed with update implementation, tap the option to Download and Install. Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to complete the iOS update process.
Your iPhone will then reboot when the update is installed completely.
Fifth method: Wipe your iPhone (factory reset)
This reset must be considered a last resort when it comes to resolving software-related errors and problems in mobile devices. Although this reset can potentially fix the problem, it will also erase everything you stored in your device including personal information, customized settings, and other media contents. Thus, this method is considered optional.
- Should you wish to give a factory reset a try on your end, backup your iPhone and then head over to Settings-> General-> Reset-> Erase All Contents and Settings-> and then tap Erase iPhone to confirm action.
Another way to perform a factory reset is using iTunes. You will need to secure a computer with the latest version of iTunes installed to proceed with this reset.
- Once you’ve got everything set, follow these steps:
- Connect your iPhone to the computer using the supplied USB cable.
- Wait until iTunes recognizes or detects your iPhone.
- When your iPhone is recognized, locate the option or button to Restore and set up your device as new.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the restore process.
Once finished restoring, you can configure your iPhone 6s as new.
Contact Apple Support for further assistance
If you’ve reached this point but to no avail or your iPhone 6s Plus microphone is still not working properly, then you should now consider escalating the problem to Apple Support for further assistance and recommendations.
Otherwise, you can head straight to an authorized service center and have your iPhone checked for possible hardware damage. Other than hardware repair, a microphone replacement will might as well be needed to get the problem fixed permanently.
Connect with us
We are always willing to help fix your problems with your Apple device. Browse through our existing troubleshooting posts or you may contact us directly by completing this form and hitting the Submit button. Make sure you provide all the necessary information about your phone and the problem so that it would be easier for us to help you.