Check silent mode, the volume and Bluetooth, since sound may be going to headphones or a car. Gently brush the speaker grilles clean. Then test with a video, a speakerphone call and a voice memo. If the speaker is silent or crackles in every app, it's likely damaged. If the speaker button is greyed out during calls, some older models have a known board-level audio fault.
Rule out settings first
- Silent mode: check the ring/silent switch, or the Action button on newer models.
- Volume: press the volume buttons while a video is playing, since media and ringer volume are separate.
- Bluetooth: turn it off in Control Center. Sound may be playing through headphones, a speaker or your car.
- Headphone mode: if the volume bar shows a headphone icon with nothing plugged in, lint in the charging port may be fooling the phone. Clean it gently.
Work out which speaker is the problem
Your iPhone has a loudspeaker at the bottom and an earpiece at the top, which also plays sound in stereo on most recent models.
- Play a video and listen to each end of the phone.
- Make a call with the phone held to your ear. That uses the earpiece.
- Switch the call to speaker. That uses the bottom loudspeaker.
- Record and play back a voice memo.
Clean the grilles gently
Pocket lint and dust collect in the speaker grilles and muffle the sound. Use a soft, dry brush, like a clean toothbrush. Don't push pins or toothpicks into the grilles, and don't blow compressed air into them, which can damage the speaker.
If the phone got wet, sound is often muffled until the speaker dries. If it's still muffled after a day, liquid residue or corrosion may need cleaning. See what to do after water damage.
Check the case too. Some cases have small openings that don't line up perfectly with the speaker, or collect dust that blocks the sound. Test with the case off before deciding the speaker is the problem.
Try the software fixes
- Restart the iPhone.
- Update iOS in Settings → General → Software Update.
- Reset All Settings in Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset. Your data stays.
Signs of a hardware fault
- Crackling or distortion at every volume level.
- One speaker is silent in every app and on calls.
- It started after a drop or liquid exposure.
- The speaker button is greyed out during calls and voice memos don't record or play back.
That last symptom is a classic sign of a failed audio chip on the logic board on some older models, notably the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Replacing the speaker won't fix it. It needs a board-level repair.
Other clues that it's the board rather than the speaker: the phone freezes when you open Voice Memos, takes a long time to start up, or the microphone fails at the same time as the speaker.
How it's fixed
A damaged speaker is replaced with a new one, which is usually quick. If liquid got in, the area is cleaned at the same time so corrosion doesn't come back. Board-level audio faults are repaired under the microscope. The diagnosis is free, so you'll know which it is and what it costs before any work. Book a repair or find a store near you.
Frequently asked questions
My iPhone speaker is muffled after getting wet. Will it recover?
Often, once it dries. If it's still muffled after a day, residue or corrosion may need professional cleaning.
Why is the speaker button greyed out on my iPhone?
On some older models, especially the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, it points to a failed audio chip on the logic board, which needs a board-level repair.
How much does an iPhone speaker repair cost?
It depends on the model and whether it's the speaker or the board. The diagnosis is free and you'll get a price before any work.
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