Symptoms
- Caller hears silence or garbled audio from your side
- Works fine on speakerphone but not regular calls
- Mic seems to work in other apps
- Sound issue started after a case change or drop
Likely causes
- CommonCase blocking the microphone openingSome cases misalign with the mic cutout, muffling your voice.
- CommonDebris in the microphone portDust and lint commonly collect near the charging port where the mic sits.
- PossiblePhone app microphone permission disabledAndroid lets you revoke mic access per app, silencing calls from that app only.
- PossibleConnected Bluetooth device capturing audio insteadA paired earbud or car system may be using its own mic, which could be faulty or too far away.
- Less commonInternal microphone hardware damageA drop or liquid exposure can damage the mic component.
What to do
- Remove the case and check that the mic cutout at the bottom of the phone lines up and isn't covered.
- Shine a flashlight into the mic opening and gently clear any visible lint with a soft brush.
- Turn off Bluetooth or disconnect any paired headset or car system before making a test call.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Phone (and your calling app) > Permissions and confirm Microphone is allowed.
- Use a voice recorder app to test if the mic captures sound clearly outside of calls.
- Restart the phone to reset the audio system.
- Test with a different calling app, like a video call app, to see if the issue is limited to one app.
- If the mic still fails everywhere after these steps, have a repair shop test the hardware.
Tools and parts
- Soft-bristled brush
- Flashlight
Replacement microphone moduleSearch: “android phone microphone replacement”
When to call a pro
If the mic fails in all apps and after cleaning, a repair professional can test and replace the microphone module.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.