How to Fix Speaker Crackling Sound With 10 Easy Steps
Nothing is more annoying than making an important phone call and hearing an irritated, muffled voice on the other side. Or pressing play on your favorite music tracks and hearing a crackle instead of a clean sound. Even listening to someone’s voice note on WhatsApp becomes hard to understand when you hear a distorted buzz.
The question is: how to fix speaker crackling sound without causing damage? If you don’t know the answer, don’t worry — this guide will help you troubleshoot the issue.
After doing some research, I’m going to list 10 easy steps to make the crackling stop. Before you follow these steps, let me make one thing clear: this guide is not a replacement for professional repair service. It’s just a guide to help you troubleshoot crackling with simple DIY methods.
Why Do Phone Speakers Start to Crackle?
Over time, dust, lint, tiny sand particles, and even moisture can get stuck inside your phone’s speaker. When this happens, the sound can’t come out properly, which leads to crackling or distorted audio. In many cases, a phone speaker cleaner that helps remove dust can clear the stuck debris and bring the audio back to normal.
How to Fix Speaker Cracking Sound – 10 Easy Steps
STEP 1: Check the Audio level of your smartphone
Sometimes the issue is not with the speaker, your device volume might just be too low. Press the side buttons of your smartphone to make sure the media volume is turned up to its maximum, not just the ringer volume.
STEP 2: Clean your phone speaker grill
You can remove dust from the speaker by cleaning it with a soft cloth, blowing compressed air, or using the sticky tape method to pull out unwanted debris. For deeper cleaning, try a mini vacuum on low power or use isopropyl alcohol on a cloth to rub the speaker grill. Use these techniques gently to avoid any damage.
STEP 3: Inspect phone case
If your phone has a case, it might be blocking or covering the speaker holes. Remove the case and check if the sound improves. Sometimes dust or dirt gets stuck between the case and the speaker, so give it a quick clean before putting the case back on the phone.
STEP 4: Open the SIM tray to fix sound pressure issues
Changes in air pressure can sometimes make your device speaker sound distorted. This often happens during or after air travel, when the pressure around the device shifts. You can fix it by opening and closing the SIM card slot for a few seconds to let the pressure equalize, then closing it again.
STEP 5: Turn off Bluetooth
If the sound is completely silent, your device might be connected to an external device via Bluetooth. Make sure to turn Bluetooth off.
STEP 6: Turn off Do Not Disturb mode
Setting > Sound & Vibration > Do Not Disturb > Turn off now
If you’re looking for ways to fix audio distortion, don’t overlook the ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode. When this mode is on, it can affect your phone’s sound, making calls, notifications, or media audio seem slightly distorted. Turning it off ensures your speaker works normally.
STEP 7: Check for software updates
Sometimes your device speaker sounds rough because of outdated software. Updating your device to the latest version can fix bugs, improve performance, and resolve audio issues. Make sure to check for updates regularly:
STEP 8: Audio Settings & Enhancements
Crackling can happen if audio settings aren’t right. Adjust bass, treble, or other levels, and turn off effects like bass boost or surround sound to get clear sound.
STEP 9: Balance Left and Right Channels
If one side of your speaker is louder than the other, it can make the sound uneven or distorted. Check your phone’s audio settings and make sure both sides are balanced. Adjusting them can make the audio clearer.
STEP 10: Restart or factory reset your phone
The simplest fix is to restart your phone, which can clear minor glitches affecting sound. If that doesn’t work, a factory reset can restore your device to its original settings and resolve audio issues. Just make sure to back up your data before doing a reset.
Common Signs Your Phone Speaker Needs Repair
If all DIY methods don’t work, it could mean there’s hardware damage.
Here are some signs it’s time to get professional help:
How to test your phone speaker?
Before deciding to repair your speaker, it’s a good idea to test it yourself with different methods. Here’s how you can do it.
Play Media:
Open YouTube on your phone and play any video at medium volume. Listen carefully for crackling or distortion.
Make a Call:
Call a friend or family member to check if the voice is clear. This helps identify whether the sound problem occurs only with media or during calls as well.
Use a Voice Note:
Open WhatsApp, record a short voice note, and play it back. Muffled playback can indicate dust or debris in the speaker.
Try Online Speaker Test Tool:
Browser-based tools like the stereo sound test can generate test tones or voice clips to check the frequency, balance, and clarity of device speakers.
Conclusion:
By following these steps, you’ll learn how to fix a speaker’s crackling sound using different techniques. Keep in mind that hardware-related issues might not be solved with DIY methods and may require professional help.