Earpiece speaker on Android: how to turn it on and configure for calls

During a telephone conversation, you suddenly stopped hearing the interlocutor through the top speaker, and the sound comes only through the bottom one - stereo or multimedia? This is a typical problem when Earpiece speaker (aka earpiece) is disabled or not working correctly. On Android smartphones, this situation occurs after updates, factory resets, or mechanical damage. But most often, software glitches are to blame, which can be fixed without repair.

In this article we will look at all the ways to turn on the earpiece - from basic settings to hidden engineering menus. We will separately consider the nuances for popular brands: Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi Redmi/POCO, Honor/Huawei and pure devices Android (for example, Google Pixel). If after reading the speaker still does not work, there is a checklist at the end for diagnosing hardware faults.

⚠️ Important: Before starting manipulations, check whether the top speaker is covered with a protective film or cover. On some models (for example Samsung Galaxy S23), the sound hole is so small that it can easily be clogged with dust.

1. Checking basic sound settings

Sometimes the earpiece turns off due to accidental changes in settings during a call. Start by checking the obvious points:

• 🔊 Hands-free mode: during a call, click on the speaker icon in the call interface. If it is highlighted, the sound comes through the bottom speaker - turn off the mode.
• 📞 Call settings: open the application Phone, tap on the three dots (⋮) and select Settings → Sound. Make sure that the "Speakerphone" or "Speaker" option is disabled.
• 🔇
• 🔇 Do not disturb mode: Swipe down the notification panel and check if the mode is activated DND (bell icon with a strikethrough). In some firmware, it blocks the sound of calls.

On devices Xiaomi and Redmi additionally look at Settings → Sound and vibration → Call settings. There may be a separate switch here for audio routing. If the option Speaker for calls is set to "External", change it to "Telephone".

2. Resetting the Phone application settings

If the basic settings did not help, reset the settings of the standard calling application. This will return the factory settings without losing personal data:

1. Open Settings → Applications.
2. Find the application Phone (or Contact on some firmware).
3. Tap Storage → Reset settings (or Clear dataif the first option is missing).
4. Confirm the action and restart your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: On devices Huawei and Honor resetting the application Phone can delete call history. First export it to Settings → Advanced → Import/export.

After rebooting, check the sound during a test call. If the problem persists, proceed to the next method.

Make sure that the call history is saved

Close all active applications

Connect the smartphone to charge (recommended)

Remember the current sound settings-->

3. Using the engineering menu (USSD codes)

Hidden engineering menus allow you to test hardware components, including the earpiece. The method works on most Android devices, but the menu interface may differ.

Enter in the application Phone one of the following codes (as a regular number):

Code	Description	Supported brands
##3424##	Speaker and microphone test	Samsung, Google Pixel
##0673## or ##0289##	Audio test (melody through earpiece)	Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO
##2846579## → ProjectMenu → Audio	Advanced sound settings	Huawei, Honor
#0#	General display test and speakers	Most Android devices

After entering the code, you will be taken to the diagnostics menu. Select the item associated with Receiver Test (Earpiece speaker test) or Audio Loopback. If there is sound in the test, but there is no sound during calls, there is a software problem. If there is no sound even in the test, there may be a hardware malfunction.

What to do if the engineering menu does not open?

On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14+) USSD codes are disabled. An alternative is to use applications like MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek processors) or Shortcut Master to find hidden menus. Please note that such applications require superuser rights (root) on some devices.

4. Setting up audio routing via ADB

If the previous methods did not work, try manually setting the audio route via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method is suitable for experienced users.

First enable USB debugging:

1. Go to Settings → About phone.
2. Tap 7 times on item Build numberuntil the notification "You have become a developer" appears.
3. Go back to Settings → System → For developers and activate USB debugging.

Now connect your smartphone to the PC and run in the command line:

adb shell settings put global force_use_dynamic_audio_routing 0
adb shell settings put global speakerphone_on 0

These commands forcefully disable dynamic audio routing and speakerphone mode. Once completed, reboot your device.

5. Problems after firmware update

Often the speaker stops working after major Android updates. Manufacturers sometimes “forget” to configure audio routing correctly. For example, after updating to Android 14 on Samsung Galaxy S22 many users were faced with the fact that the sound of calls comes only through the lower speaker.

Solutions for such cases:

• 🔄 Update rollback: if the problem appeared recently, check the possibility of rolling back to Settings → Software update. On Samsung this is available for 72 hours after the update.
• 📦 Clear cache: go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Storage → Clear cache.
• 🔧 Reset network settings: v Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile settings networks and Bluetooth.

⚠️ Attention: On devices Xiaomi with firmware MIUI 13/14 after the update, the configuration of the audio chip may be lost. In this case, only a full reset to factory settings will help (with data loss).

6. Hardware faults: when you need service

If none of the software methods helped, the reason lies in the hardware. Here are the signs that the speaker requires repair:

• 🔊 No sound in the engineering menu: if the test signal is not played even through USSD codes.
• 💧 Hit liquids: a moisture notification appeared on the screen, or the smartphone fell into water.
• 🔨 Mechanical damage: cracks near the speaker, dents on the case.
• 🔋 Problems after replacing the battery: careless repairs could damage the speaker cable.

On Samsung Galaxy A-series (2020–2023) a common problem is the contacts of the earpiece falling off due to overheating. In this case, the sound may disappear periodically, for example, after 10–15 minutes of conversation.

Repair cost:

Type of malfunction	Approximate price (₽)	Repair period
Replacing the speaker	1 200–2 500	1–2 hours
Soldering work (contact removal)	1 500–3 000	1 day
Cleaning from moisture/oxidation	800–1 500	2–3 hours

⚠️ Attention: On devices with protection IP68 (for example, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra), self-disassembly will void the warranty. Even if you are sure of the diagnosis, contact an authorized service.

7. Alternative solutions: how to make calls without an earpiece

If repairs are postponed, but you need to call now, use workarounds:

• 🎧 Bluetooth headset: connect wireless headphones. The sound will go through them automatically.
• 🔊 Forced speakerphone: in the application Google Phone (for Pixel and pure Android) there is an option "Always use speaker" in the call settings.
• 📱 Routing applications: SoundAbout or Audio Routing allows you to manually select the speaker for calls.

For devices Xiaomi s MIUI there is a hidden function “Ear Mode”: during a call, bring your smartphone closer to your ear - the system will automatically switch the sound to the earpiece (if it is working). Does not work on all models.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the earpiece

Can I turn on the earpiece through Safe Mode?

Yes, downloading to Safe Mode will help determine whether a third-party application is at fault. To do this:

1. Hold down the power button until the shutdown menu appears.
2. Hold your finger on "Turn off power" - you will be prompted to switch to Safe Mode.
3. Confirm and check the sound during a call.

If the speaker works in Safe Mode, remove recently installed applications (especially modified firmware or sound utilities).

Why Does the earpiece only work at 50% volume?

This is a firmware limitation to protect hearing. On Samsung it can be removed through the engineering menu (##3424## → Hardware Testing → Audio → Earphone Volume). On Xiaomi such settings are blocked.

⚠️ Increasing the volume above a safe level can damage the speaker!

After the fall, the speaker began to wheeze. What to do?

Wheezing and sound distortion are a sign of mechanical damage to the speaker membrane or contact failure. Temporary solution:

• Blow out the speaker hole with compressed air (a can for cleaning equipment).
• Check whether dust or fabric fibers have gotten inside.

If wheezing remains, only replace the speaker at a service center.

On Honor 9X sound comes only through the bottom speaker. How to fix it?

A common problem on this model is a failure in the audio settings after the update. EMUI. Solution:

1. Enter the code ##2846579## → ProjectMenu → Audio → Audio Mode.
2. Select Normal Mode (if necessary Headset Mode).
3. Reboot your smartphone.

If that doesn’t help, reset the network settings in Settings → System → Reset.

Is it possible to use the earpiece for music?

Technically yes, but the sound quality will be poor due to the limited frequency range earpiece. data-i="229">Install the application

1. Install the application SoundAbout.
2. In the settings, select Media Audio → Earpiece.

⚠️ Playing music for a long time through the earpiece may cause it to overheat.