Some iPhone 7 Plus users have reported annoying popping noises, sound cutting out, or speakers that randomly stop working — especially when multitasking between apps. If your iPhone’s sound is acting up, don’t worry: there are several things you can try before heading to a repair shop.
This guide covers all the possible fixes, whether the issue is with distorted sounds, no audio, or random speaker failures.
Make Sure It’s Not on Silent or Low Volume
First things first:
- Check the Ring/Silent switch on the side of your iPhone and make sure it’s flipped toward Ring mode (orange = silent).
- Open Settings → Sounds & Haptics and crank up the Ringer and Alerts slider.
- You can also swipe up to open the Control Center and raise the volume.
Recommended Fix for Low or No Sound During Calls
If you can barely hear the other person during a call:
- Go to Settings → Sounds & Haptics.
- Under Ringer and Alerts, drag the slider to the right to boost the volume.
- Test the speaker during a call or by playing music.
Recommended Fix for Popping or Static Noises
Glitchy software often causes static or popping sounds — and a soft reset usually helps:
- Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until “slide to power off” appears.
- Slide to power off.
- Wait about 30 seconds.
- Turn your iPhone back on by holding the Sleep/Wake button again.
If your iPhone was dropped or exposed to moisture, static noise could mean physical damage. In that case, a repair might be necessary.
Other Fixes to Try
Disable Bluetooth
Your iPhone might be sending sound to a paired Bluetooth device.
- Go to Settings → Bluetooth and toggle it Off.
- Play some music to test the built-in speakers.
Test Other Audio Apps
To check if the problem is app-specific:
- Try different apps that use sound (like Music, YouTube, or a ringtone).
- If sound works fine elsewhere, the issue is likely with one app — not your phone’s speakers.
Reset All Settings
If you recently tweaked settings and now your speakers are glitchy:
- Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
- Your settings will reset, but personal data like photos and apps won’t be deleted.
Restore Your iPhone via iTunes
If nothing else works and you suspect deeper software corruption:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer.
- Open iTunes and select your device.
- In the Summary tab, click Restore iPhone.
- Follow the prompts and set it up as new. (Don’t forget to back up first!)
Don’t Overlook These Simple Things
- Remove the iPhone case — it could be blocking the speaker grills.
- Clean the speaker openings — use a soft brush or clean, dry toothbrush to remove any debris or dust.