Symptoms
- Sound is quiet, muffled, or crackly since a splash or dunk
- Speaker sounds fine on speakerphone but not the earpiece, or vice versa
- Rattling sound isn't present, just muffling
Likely causes
- CommonWater trapped behind the speaker meshSurface tension holds tiny water droplets against the mesh, blocking sound.
- PossibleCorrosion beginning on speaker contactsMore likely if the phone was wet for an extended time or salt water was involved.
What to do
- Make sure the phone is fully dry externally first — don't run water-eject shortcuts on a still-wet phone.
- Play a low-frequency tone (many phones have a built-in water-eject shortcut or you can use a water-eject app/shortcut) to vibrate water out of the speaker.
- Gently tap the phone speaker-side down against your palm to help dislodge water.
- Point the speaker downward and let it air dry in a well-ventilated area for several hours.
- Test sound quality again; repeat the vibration method once more if still muffled.
- If muffling persists after a day of drying, corrosion may have started and needs professional cleaning.
When to call a pro
If the speaker stays muffled after a full day of drying and the water-eject trick, a repair shop can clean or replace the speaker component.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.