If your iPhone 7’s microphone is cutting out, sounding static, or not picking up your voice at all, you’re not the only one. Even Apple’s flagship phones can run into random issues. This guide covers everything you can try to fix your microphone before making a trip to a repair center.
Clean the Microphone and Headphone Jack
Dirt or debris can block the microphone and mess with your audio.
- Use a soft brush, toothpick, or compressed air to gently clean the microphone ports and headphone jack.
- Make sure nothing is covering or stuck inside.
Remove Any Case or Accessories
Some third-party cases or accessories might block the microphones.
- Remove the case and unplug anything from the headphone jack or Lightning port.
- Test the microphone again without any accessories attached.
Check Your Network Connection
If your voice cuts in and out during calls, it might not be your microphone — it could be poor network service.
- Make sure you have a strong, stable cellular or Wi-Fi connection when making calls.
Test the Microphone
Test if it’s a hardware or app issue:
- Voice Memos: Open the app and record yourself speaking. Play it back.
- Siri: Launch Siri and give a voice command. See if it responds correctly.
- Camera/FaceTime: Record a short video with sound and play it back.
If the audio sounds fine here, your microphone hardware is probably OK.
Restart Your iPhone
A simple reboot can fix minor software glitches.
- Hold down the Sleep/Wake button until “slide to power off” appears.
- Slide to turn it off. After about 30 seconds, press the Sleep/Wake button to turn it back on.
Check Microphone Access for Apps
Make sure apps have permission to use the microphone:
- Go to Settings → Privacy → Microphone.
- Make sure the apps you want to use the mic with are turned on.
Turn Off Noise Cancellation
Sometimes iPhone’s noise cancellation feature can mess with call audio.
- Go to Settings → Accessibility → Audio/Visual → Phone Noise Cancellation and toggle it off.
Reset All Settings
If something in your settings is causing trouble and you can’t figure out what:
- Go to Settings → General → Reset → Reset All Settings.
- This won’t erase your data but will reset system settings like Wi-Fi passwords and customizations.
Update iOS
Buggy software can cause audio problems.
- Check for updates under Settings → General → Software Update.
- If an update is available, back up your iPhone and install it.
Factory Reset Your iPhone
If nothing else works, you can erase your iPhone and set it up like new.
- Backup your iPhone first via iCloud or iTunes.
- Go to Settings → General → Reset → Erase All Content and Settings.
- Follow the prompts to wipe your device and set it up again.
You can also restore using iTunes on a computer if you prefer.