How to Fix Headphone Jack Not Working on Android Phone

Fix 1: Make Sure Your Headphones Aren’t Broken

When your headphone jack stops working, the first thing you should do is fix it. It’s entirely possible that the issue isn’t with the headphone jack and instead with the headphones.

You can quickly check this by plugging them into a different device. It isn’t necessary for this to be a smartphone. A laptop, TV, or any other device with a 3.5 mm jack will suffice.

You’ve found the source of the problem if you can’t hear anything when using your headphones with another device. If your headphones have detachable cables, try replacing them to see if the problem is with the cable or the ports.

Replace your headphones if that doesn’t work. If they work fine on another device, it’s likely that something else is at fault. Now is the time to try one of the other solutions listed below.

Before proceeding, we also recommend using a different pair of headphones with your smartphone. Even if your original pair works with other devices, there’s a chance it won’t work with your smartphone.

Fix 2: Check to See if the Smartphone is Connected to a Different Device via Bluetooth

The headphone jack may be disabled if you’ve paired the smartphone with wireless headphones, a speaker, or any other Bluetooth device.

When you plug in your headphones, your smartphone should usually recognize them, and everything should work as it should, regardless of your Bluetooth settings. This isn’t always the case, though.

All you have to do is go to your device’s settings menu, find the Bluetooth option, and see if it’s turned on. You can also look into the settings to see which Bluetooth devices your smartphone is associated with.

You can try a couple of things if your phone is connected to an audio device via Bluetooth. You can disconnect audio devices or forget about them, but turning Bluetooth off and plugging in your headphones is the simplest solution. If they still don’t work, try the next option on this list.

Fix 3: Clean the Headphone Jack

As you might expect, a lot of dust, lint, and other debris can accumulate in the headphone jack over time. This could be the source of the issue because dirt can obstruct the connection between the headphones and the port.

If your headphone jack isn’t working, the first thing you should do is inspect it to see how dirty it is. This is where a flashlight might come in handy. The next step is to attempt to clean it in the hopes of resolving the problem.

There are numerous approaches to this, some of which are more effective than others. Blowing into the headphone jack is one option, which should remove at least some of the dust and lint found inside. If you have one handy, you can also use compressed air.

A cotton swab is another excellent option. To get the dust and lint out, push it into the jack and swirl it around a little. When you do this, exercise extreme caution because the last thing you want to do is further damage the device. You can also use rubbing alcohol to dampen the cotton swab, but be careful not to use too much.

Examine the headphone jack once more to see how much dust and lint you’ve removed. If things appear to be working better now, plug in your headphones to see if everything is working properly.

Fix 4: Check Audio Settings and Restart Your Android Device

It’s also possible that the issue isn’t with the jack or the headphones you’re wearing, but with the audio settings on your device. If that’s the case, you’ll be able to solve the problem quickly.

Check if you’ve muted or turned down the volume on your phone. Although most phones have physical buttons for this, you can also access all of the audio options through the phone’s settings.

On a smartphone, there aren’t many settings like this, so you should be able to figure out what’s wrong almost immediately. That is, assuming one exists.

If everything appears to be in working order but your headphone jack isn’t working, try restarting your device. This can help with a variety of smartphone issues and takes less than a minute.

Simply press and hold the power button while selecting the restart option, wait for the device to turn back on, and then check to see if the problem still exists.

Fix 5: It’s Time to Contact the Service Centers

If none of the solutions listed above work, the problem isn’t as minor as you might think. The best thing to do if your device is still under warranty is to contact the retailer or manufacturer. Explain the situation to the company and have it repaired or replaced. In some cases, this may take a long time, but it is always free.

You might be able to get phone insurance if your warranty has expired. Simply file a claim with your insurance company. The third option is unquestionably the worst. It’s possible that you’ll need to have the device repaired by the manufacturer or someone who knows what they’re doing.

You’ll have to dig into your wallet to make a payment, but at the very least, you’ll be able to use the headphone jack once more. You could also go with a pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones. Although this isn’t a true solution, you will be able to use headphones.

The Bottom Line

Well, that’s all we have for you about how you can fix a headphone jack that’s not working on your Android device. We hope this guide helps you to fix your headphones. If you liked this, don’t forget to check out our best lists, explainers, and how-to guides. Furthermore, if you have any questions or suggestions, please use the comment below to contact us.