Not getting any sound from your iPhone SE? Whether your phone is totally silent, has distorted audio, or just refuses to ring during calls, it’s incredibly frustrating when your iPhone stops sounding off like it should. The good news is, many iPhone SE audio issues are tied to software glitches or basic misconfigurations—and those can often be fixed without a trip to the repair shop.
Here’s a complete guide to troubleshooting and fixing iPhone SE audio problems.
1. Check the Ring/Silent Switch
Located on the left side of your iPhone SE, this switch can easily be toggled by mistake. If you see orange showing, your iPhone is in silent mode.
What to do:
- Flip the switch toward the screen to turn ringer on
- A pop-up will confirm if your ringer is enabled
2. Turn Up the Volume
You might just have the volume turned down too low.
- Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics
- Slide the Ringer and Alerts volume up
- Toggle on Change with Buttons to adjust using volume buttons
Also, swipe up for Control Center and ensure the volume slider isn’t at the bottom.
3. Restart Your iPhone
Sometimes, it’s just a temporary glitch.
To restart:
- Hold the Power button until you see “Slide to power off”
- Slide to shut down
- Wait 30 seconds, then press and hold Power again to restart
4. Check Bluetooth Settings
Your iPhone may be connected to a Bluetooth speaker or headset.
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth
- If connected to any audio device, disconnect it or turn Bluetooth off
5. Turn Off Do Not Disturb
When enabled, Do Not Disturb silences all alerts and notifications.
- Open Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb
- Toggle off, or swipe into Control Center and tap the moon icon
6. Inspect App Notification Settings
If sound is missing from a specific app (like Messages or Mail):
- Go to Settings > Notifications
- Choose the app
- Make sure Sounds is toggled on and Allow Notifications is enabled
7. Reset All Settings
If audio stopped working after changing some settings or installing an update:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset
- Tap Reset All Settings
This resets system settings like volume, sound profiles, and Bluetooth, without deleting personal data.
8. Restore Your iPhone
As a last resort before assuming hardware failure, wipe your iPhone and set it up fresh.
- Back up your iPhone via iCloud or iTunes
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings
- After reset, restore from your backup
Or use iTunes/Finder on your computer to restore your iPhone via USB.
Other Quick Fixes That May Help
- Plug in and unplug a headset several times to clear debris from the port
- Use a dry, soft-bristled brush to gently clean the speaker and lightning port
- Remove any thick or poorly made phone case that might block the speaker
- Update to the latest iOS version via Settings > General > Software Update
When It’s a Hardware Issue
If:
- You’ve dropped your iPhone
- It got exposed to water or moisture
- Or none of the above fixes work
…it’s likely a hardware problem with the speaker, audio IC chip, or lightning port. In this case:
- Visit an Apple Store or authorized repair center
- Check if your iPhone is under warranty or covered by AppleCare+
- If repair isn’t feasible, consider a device replacement offer through Apple