Audio & calls

Call audio problems started after a software update

New audio bugs after an update are usually temporary and tied to a setting reset or a known issue, often fixed by a follow-up update. Restarting and checking settings first resolves many cases.

Difficulty
Easy
Time
10–20 minutes
DIY cost
$0
Pro cost
$0

Symptoms

  • Call quality or volume changed right after updating the phone
  • Bluetooth pairing or audio routing behaves differently than before
  • Settings that used to work now seem reset
  • Other users report similar issues after the same update

Likely causes

  • CommonUpdate reset certain audio or Bluetooth settings to defaultSome updates reset accessibility, sound, or connectivity settings that need to be reconfigured.
  • CommonKnown bug in the specific software versionManufacturers sometimes ship an update with an audio bug that's fixed in a following patch.
  • PossibleIncomplete update installationAn interrupted or partial update can leave some system components misconfigured.
  • PossibleBluetooth device firmware incompatibility with new softwareAn older Bluetooth accessory may not fully work with the phone's updated Bluetooth stack until it also updates.
  • Less commonCoincidental hardware issue unrelated to the updateOccasionally a hardware problem appears around the same time as an update by coincidence.

What to do

  1. Restart the phone fully, since some update-related glitches clear after a fresh boot.
  2. Check Settings > Sound and Bluetooth settings to make sure nothing was reset unexpectedly.
  3. Re-pair any Bluetooth devices used for calls.
  4. Check the manufacturer's support site or forums for known issues with the specific update version.
  5. Check for a follow-up update, since bug-fix patches often come quickly after a problematic release.
  6. Reset network settings (Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings) if the issue seems connectivity-related.
  7. Test audio with and without Bluetooth to narrow down if the update affected wireless audio specifically.
  8. If the issue is widely reported for your update version, wait for the next patch or contact support for a temporary workaround.

When to call a pro

If the issue is a known widespread bug for a specific software version, contact the manufacturer's support for a timeline on the fix.

Safety

Generally low risk

Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.

Related guides

Operator provides AI-generated troubleshooting information. It can be wrong. For safety-critical, electrical, gas, structural, medical, automotive safety, or other high-risk problems, consult a qualified professional.