Troubleshooting Sound Issues on Your Fairphone

Experiencing problems with sound on your Fairphone can disrupt phone calls, media playback, and general usage. This guide provides step-by-step troubleshooting.

Step 1: Restart Your Fairphone

• Often, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches.
• Hold the power button and select "Restart."

Step 2: Check Volume Settings

• Use the volume buttons on the side to ensure the sound is not muted or set too low.
• Go to Settings > Sound and check individual volumes for media, calls, and notifications.

Step 3: Test with Different Media and Apps

• Play a video, music, and ringtones. See if the problem is specific to calls, media, or notifications.
• Try listening through both the main speaker and via headphones or earphones.

Step 4: Inspect External Devices

• Plug in and unplug headphones to check if the phone is “stuck” in headphone mode.
• Clean the headphone jack and charging port gently (compressed air or a soft brush).

Step 5: Remove Your Phone Case

• Some protective cases may partially cover or muffle speakers or microphones. Remove the case and test the sound again.

Step 6: Use the Fairphone Checkup Tool

• Go to Settings > System > Maintenance > Checkup.
• Test the main speaker, earpiece, microphone, and headphone output.
• Follow on-screen instructions to identify any hardware malfunction.

Step 7: Bluetooth and Do Not Disturb

• Disconnect all Bluetooth audio devices.
• Make sure “Do Not Disturb” or “Silent” mode is not activated (Settings > Sound > Do Not Disturb).

Step 8: Software Updates

• Go to Settings > System > Advanced > System Update to check for updates.
• Install any available updates which may address software-related sound problems.

Step 9: Try Safe Mode

• Hold the power button, then long-press “Power off” until you see the option for Safe Mode.
• Test sound functionality in Safe Mode. If it works, a third-party app may be interfering—uninstall recently added apps.

Step 10: Check for Dirt or Blockage

• Visually inspect speaker and microphone holes for dust, lint, or debris.
• Carefully clean them with a soft, dry brush.

Step 11: Factory Reset (Last Resort)

• Back up your data.
• Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).
• Perform a reset only if none of the above steps work.