You are calling about an important matter, but the interlocutor constantly asks again: “Did you say something? I can’t hear you!” - and the conversation turns into torture. The problem of not being heard during a call to Androidoccurs more often than it seems. The reasons may lie in both trivial settings and serious hardware faults. In this article we will analyze all possible scenarios from a clogged microphone to firmware errors, and also provide step-by-step guide for diagnosing and troubleshooting.

The problem is the fact that it does not always manifest itself in the same way: sometimes the voice disappears completely, sometimes it is distorted beyond recognition, and in some cases the interlocutor hears you “through the cotton wool.” We analyzed user reviews Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi Redmi, Google Pixel and other popular models to identify general patterns. It is important to understand: if the fault is hardware, repairing it yourself can make the situation worse. But in 70% of cases the problem can be solved without visiting a service center.

Let's start with the simplest thing - checking the basic settings. You will be surprised, but often it is not the smartphone that is to blame, but... the case or film!

1. Checking the microphone: physical obstacles and contamination

The first thing to exclude is mechanical interference. The microphone on a smartphone can be covered with a case, protective film, or even with a finger during a call. On most modern Androiddevices, the main microphone is located at the bottom of the case (next to the connector USB-C), and the additional microphone is located near the top speaker. Models with a microphone on the rear panel are less common (for example, some Sony Xperia).

How to check:

  • 🔍 Remove the case and protective film (if any) - they may block the microphone hole.
  • 🧹 Carefully clean the microphone hole with a soft brush or compressed air (do not use sharp objects!).
  • 📱 Shine a flashlight into the hole - if debris or dust is visible, remove it.
  • 🎤 Try recording a voice memo or video - if the sound is recorded normally, the problem is not in the microphone.

If after cleaning the problem remains, proceed to the next step. But first, make sure that the microphone is not physically damaged. For example, after dropping the smartphone or getting wet, the microphone contacts may have come off the board. In this case, you will need to disassemble the device.

📊 Has your smartphone ever fallen into water?
Yes, and after that there were problems with sound. data-i="55">Yes, but the sound is fine
Yes, but the sound is fine
No, never
I don’t remember

2. Software settings: microphone volume and sound modes

Sometimes the problem lies in incorrect sound settingsFor example, on. In some firmware (especially custom ones), the microphone volume may be reset to a minimum after an update. Also, the “Do Not Disturb” or “Sound Profiles” modes, which limit the microphone’s operation, may be to blame.

What to do:

  1. Open Settings → Sound and check the slider volume microphone (if your firmware has one).
  2. Make sure the mode is on Normal (not "Vibrate" or "Mute").
  3. Disable the mode Do not disturb or add the contact to exceptions.
  4. On some Xiaomi and Realme check the settings Advanced → Voice improvement - sometimes they distort the sound.

If you are using Google Phone (the standard calls application), try resetting its settings:

Settings → Applications → Calls → Storage → Clear data
⚠️ Attention: after clearing the Calls application data will be deleted call history and saved settings. Export important contacts in advance.

3. Network problems: operator, VoLTE and call quality

If the other party hears you intermittently or with interference, it may be unstable connectionto blame. This is especially true for regions with poor coverage 4G/5G or when using VoLTE (voice over LTE). Sometimes operators limit the quality of communication to save resources.

How to diagnose:

  • 📶 Check the signal level - if it is weak (1-2 bars), try moving to another location.
  • 🔄 Switch from 4G to 3G (or vice versa) in Settings → Mobile network → Network type.
  • 📞 Disable VoLTE (if enabled) - sometimes it conflicts with firmware.
  • 🔄 Restart your smartphone and remove/insert the SIM card.

If the problem occurs only with one operator, contact its support. Your SIM card may have legacy settings activated CSD (voice calls using old standards).

💡

Before traveling to another region or country, check whether your operator supports roaming for voice calls. Sometimes the "can't hear" problem occurs due to incorrect roaming settings.

4. Application conflicts: instant messengers, VPNs and optimizers

Some applications may conflict with telephony services. The most common culprits are: blocking access to the microphone or conflict with telephone services. Most often the culprits are:

  • 🔒 VPN clients (especially those with the "DNS Leak Blocker" function).
  • 📱 Battery optimizers (for example, Greenify or built-in in MIUI/ColorOS).
  • 🎧 Applications for voice changing or noise reduction.
  • 📞 Alternative callers (for example, Truecaller or Drupe).

How to check:

  1. Close all background applications via Settings → Applications → Running.
  2. Disable the VPN and check if the problem persists.
  3. Delete recently installed applications that requested access to the microphone.
  4. Try calling through another messenger (for example WhatsApp or Telegram). If the sound is normal, the firmware or system dialer is to blame.

Close all background apps|

Disable VPN|

Delete recently installed ones applications|

Try an alternative dialer (for example, Google Phone)|

Call via messenger for comparison-->

5. Hardware faults: microphone, cable, motherboard

If all software methods have been tried and the problem remains, most likely hardwareis to blame. Here are the most common malfunctions:

Cause Symptoms Solution
Microphone damaged You can’t be heard either in calls or in recordings. When talking on the speakerphone, the interlocutor hears an echo. Replacement of the microphone (cost ~500-1500 ₽ depending on the model).
The microphone cable has come loose The problem appears after a fall or vibration. Sometimes the sound disappears when you press the case. Disassembling and soldering/replacing the cable (~1000-3000 ₽).
Oxidation of contacts after exposure to moisture The sound disappears periodically, especially at high humidity. There may be traces of corrosion on the connectors. Cleaning with alcohol or replacing damaged elements (~2000-5000 ₽).
Faulty audio codec on the motherboard In addition to the microphone, speakers or headphones do not work. Sound artifacts are possible. Replacing the audio codec or motherboard (expensive, often impractical).

If you suspect a hardware malfunction, but are not confident in your abilities, it is better to contact a service center. Self-repair without experience can lead to complete loss of functionality of a microphone or even a smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: after getting wet, do not dry your smartphone with a hairdryer or on a battery! This may damage the microphone and other components. Use silica gel or special desiccants.

6. Firmware updates and factory reset

Sometimes the problem appears after updating Android or firmware from the manufacturer. For example, users Samsung Galaxy S22 complained about loss of sound in calls after updating to One UI 5.1. In such cases, rolling back to the previous version or resetting the settings helps.

How to proceed:

  • 🔄 Check for updates in Settings → Software update.
  • 📱 Reset network settings: Settings → System → Reset → Reset network settings.
  • 🔧 Reset to factory settings (don't forget to make a backup!).
  • 🛠️ If the problem appeared after the update, try rolling back via ODIN (for Samsung) or Fastboot (for Google Pixel).

If you are not confident in your firmware skills, it is better to wait for the official patch from the manufacturer. Often sound bugs are fixed in the next updates.

How to roll back the firmware on Xiaomi without unlocking the bootloader?

On most devices Xiaomi rollback is possible only through Mi Flash Tool with an unlocked bootloader. However, if you have global firmware installed (MIUI Global), you can try through Settings → About phone → Software update → Three dots → Select update package and select an older version (if it is saved in the device’s memory). does not work on all models and may cause failures.

7. Features of specific models and brands

Some manufacturers have unique problems s sound in calls. Here is what is typical for popular brands:

  • 📱 Samsung Galaxy: Often the culprit is VoLTE - try turning it off in Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → VoLTE calls. Also check the settings Dolby Atmos (sometimes they conflict with the sound). calls).
  • 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco: Problems may be related to MIUI Optimized Battery —disable optimization for the Calls application Also check the settings Settings. → Accessibility → Sound enhancement.
  • 📱 Google Pixel: After updates, settings Android Autoare often lost, which affect the microphone. Try disabling Android Auto in application settings.
  • 📱 OnePlus/Nothing: Sound problems may be related to OxygenOS - try switching to Open Beta or stable firmware version.

If your model is not mentioned in the list, look for information on thematic forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA Developers). Users often share unique solutions for specific devices.

💡

Before buying a used smartphone, be sure to check the microphone in the call! This is one of the most common malfunctions, which is difficult to diagnose with a brief examination.

8. Alternative solutions: from a headset to a second phone

If you cannot quickly fix the problem, but you need to make a call urgently, use workarounds:

  • 🎧 Use a wired or wireless headset with a microphone. Even the cheapest headphones often have better sound than a built-in microphone.
  • 📱 Connect your smartphone to another device via Bluetooth and make calls through it (for example, through Android Auto in a car).
  • 📞 Use instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) - they often do a better job of voice compression.
  • 🔄 Turn on speakerphone mode (but be aware that the other person may hear the echo).

If you often encounter audio problems, consider purchasing an external one Bluetooth-microphone (for example, Jabra Speak or Anker PowerConf). They connect to a smartphone and provide stable sound quality.

And lastly: if none of the methods helped, perhaps the problem is on the side of the interlocutor. Ask him to check your phone settings or try calling from another device.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about microphone problems on Android

They can’t hear me only on WhatsApp, but in regular calls everything is fine. What's the matter?

Most likely, the problem is in the settings WhatsApp or a conflict with other applications. Try:

  1. Open WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → Storage → Clear cache.
  2. Check permissions for WhatsApp in Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Permissions (must have access to microphone).
  3. Turn off VPN or firewall that may block voice calls.
  4. Update WhatsApp to the latest version.

If that doesn’t help, try reinstalling the application.

After replacing the screen, the microphone stopped working. Is this connected?

Yes, often when replacing the screen, the cable that goes to the microphone is damaged (especially on models Samsung Galaxy S and Note). Also, the technician might have forgotten to plug the microphone connector back in. Contact the service where the screen was replaced - under warranty they should fix the problem.

If the screen was changed yourself, check:

  • Whether the microphone cable is connected to the motherboard.
  • Is there any damage to the cable (breaks, bends).
  • Is the microphone protective grill installed correctly (sometimes it interferes with the sound).
There is no microphone volume slider in the settings. How to increase it?

On most smartphones, the microphone volume is adjusted automatically, and there is no manual slider. However, there are workarounds:

  • Use Engineer Mode (engineering menu). To do this, enter the code in the dialer ##4636##, select Information → Audio and find the microphone settings. Caution: do not change other parameters!
  • Install applications like Microphone Volume Booster (requires root).
  • Try to call via Google Duplex (if supported) - it automatically amplifies the voice.

Please note that artificially increasing the microphone volume can lead to sound distortion.

The interlocutor hears me, but very quietly. How to strengthen the sound?

If the problem is not in the volume settings, try:

  • Use headphones with a microphone - they usually transmit the voice better.
  • Call via messenger (the sound quality there is often better than on a cellular network).
  • Check that it is not do you cover the microphone with your finger or a case during a call.
  • Update the firmware - sometimes low sound is corrected in new software versions.

If all else fails, the microphone may have partially failed (for example, after getting wet).

Is it possible to fix the microphone yourself?

If you have experience repairing electronics, you can try:

  1. Disassemble the smartphone and check the connection of the microphone cable.
  2. Test the microphone with a multimeter (resistance should be in the range of 500-1500 Ohms).
  3. Clean the contacts with alcohol, if any oxidation.

However, for most users, independent repair is risky:

  • You can damage the cable or motherboard.
  • The seal of the case will be broken (relevant for waterproof models).
  • The manufacturer may cancel guarantee.

If you are not confident in your skills, it is better to contact the service.