iPhone Microphone Not Working After Update: How to Fix It

If you are an iPhone user, you may have experienced issues with your microphone after an update. You may find that your microphone is not working properly, making it difficult for you to make phone calls, record videos, or use voice commands. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely heavily on your iPhone for communication and other tasks.

Basic Troubleshooting

If you're experiencing issues with your iPhone microphone not working after an update, there are some basic troubleshooting steps you can take to try and resolve the issue. Here are some steps you can follow:

Restart Your iPhone

The first step in troubleshooting your iPhone microphone is to restart your device. This can often resolve any software issues that may be causing the problem. To restart your iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the power button until you see the "slide to power off" option.
2. Slide the power icon to the right to turn off your iPhone.
3. Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears.

Clean the Microphone

If your microphone is not working properly, it may be due to dirt or debris blocking the microphone ports. To clean your microphone, follow these steps:

1. Use a soft-bristled brush to gently clean the microphone ports.
2. If the ports are still dirty, use a can of compressed air to blow out any remaining debris.

Test with Voice Memos App

To test if your microphone is working properly, you can use the Voice Memos app. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Voice Memos app.
2. Tap the record button and speak into the microphone.
3. If you can hear your voice playback, your microphone is working properly.

Check for iOS Updates

If your microphone is still not working after following these steps, it may be due to a software issue. Check for any available iOS updates by following these steps:

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
2. If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

By following these basic troubleshooting steps, you can often resolve issues with your iPhone microphone not working after an update. If you continue to experience issues, contact Apple Support for further assistance.

Advanced Solutions

If the previous solutions did not work, there are a few more advanced solutions that you can try to fix your iPhone's microphone issue after an update. These solutions require more time and may cause data loss, so make sure to backup your iPhone before proceeding.

Reset All Settings

Resetting all settings can fix software-related issues that may cause the microphone to stop working. This solution will not erase your data, but it will reset all your settings to default.

To reset all settings on your iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone
3. Tap Reset.
4. Tap on Reset All Settings.
5. Enter your passcode if prompted.
6. Confirm the reset.

After the reset, your iPhone will restart and all settings will be reset to default. You will need to reconfigure your settings, but this should fix any software-related issues that may have caused the microphone to stop working.

DFU Mode

DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode can fix more serious software-related issues that may cause the microphone to stop working. This solution will erase all data on your iPhone, so make sure to backup your iPhone before proceeding.

To enter DFU mode on your iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Open iTunes or Finder on your computer.
3. Press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button for 10 seconds.
4. Release the Power button, but continue holding the Volume Down button for 5 seconds.
5. If your screen stays black, you have successfully entered DFU mode.

For iPhone 8 and earlier, press and quickly release the Volume up button. Then, press and quickly release the Volume down button. Finally, press and hold the Power button until you see the recovery or DFU mode screen on your iPhone.

In DFU mode, iTunes or Finder will prompt you to restore your iPhone. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your iPhone to its factory settings. This should fix any serious software-related issues that may have caused the microphone to stop working.

Contact Apple Support

If none of the above solutions worked, it's time to contact Apple Support. Apple Support can help you diagnose and fix hardware-related issues that may cause the microphone to stop working. If your iPhone is still under warranty, Apple Support may also be able to repair or replace your iPhone for free.

To contact Apple Support, follow these steps:

1. Go to Apple's Support website.
2. Select your iPhone model.
3. Select the issue you are experiencing.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to contact Apple Support.

Apple Support may ask you to perform additional troubleshooting steps or send your iPhone for repair. Follow their instructions to fix your iPhone's microphone issue.

Microphone Settings and Privacy

If your iPhone microphone is not working after an update, it could be due to microphone settings and privacy issues. Here are some steps to check your microphone access for apps and review your privacy settings.

Check Microphone Access for Apps

First, check if the app you're using has access to the microphone. To do this, go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone or Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. Here, you will see a list of all the apps that have requested access to your microphone. Make sure that the app you're having problems with has microphone access turned on.

If the app is not listed, it means it has not requested access to the microphone. In this case, you can try reinstalling the app or contacting the app developer for assistance.

Review Privacy Settings

If your microphone is still not working, it's possible that your privacy settings are preventing the microphone from functioning properly. Here are some steps to review your privacy settings:

• Make sure that your iPhone is running on the latest software update. To check for updates, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

• Check if the app you're using has permission to use the microphone. To do this, go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and toggle on the app you're having problems with.

• Clean the microphone openings to ensure that there's no debris or dust blocking the microphone. You can use a soft-bristled brush or a toothpick to gently clean the openings.

• Remove any phone case or cover that may be blocking the microphone.

• Restart your iPhone and try using the microphone again.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your microphone settings and privacy settings are properly configured. If the issue persists, you may need to contact Apple support for further assistance.

Issues with Specific Apps and Features

If you're experiencing microphone issues with specific apps or features on your iPhone, there are a few things you can try to troubleshoot the problem. Here are some sub-sections to help you address the most common issues:

Troubleshoot Siri

If you're having trouble using Siri, try the following steps:

• Check that your iPhone is connected to the internet.
• Make sure that Siri is enabled in your iPhone's settings. Go to Settings > Siri & Search and toggle on Listen for "Hey Siri".
• Restart your iPhone by holding down the power button until the "slide to power off" option appears. Slide to turn off your iPhone, then hold down the power button again to turn it back on.
• If Siri still isn't working, try resetting your iPhone's network settings. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will erase all saved Wi-Fi passwords and VPN settings, so make sure you have that information handy before resetting.

Fix Facetime Microphone Issues

If you're having trouble with the microphone during a Facetime call, try the following steps:

• Make sure that your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS.
• Check that your microphone is not blocked or covered by a case or screen protector.
• Go to Settings > FaceTime and toggle on the switch for FaceTime.
• If the issue persists, try resetting your iPhone's settings. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. This will erase all custom settings, but your data and media will remain intact.

Resolve Issues with Voice Memos

If you're having trouble recording audio with the Voice Memos app, try the following steps:

• Make sure that the microphone is not blocked or covered by a case or screen protector.
• Check that the Voice Memos app has permission to access your microphone. Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and toggle on the switch for Voice Memos.
• If the issue persists, try deleting and reinstalling the Voice Memos app. Press and hold the app icon until it starts shaking, then tap the X to delete it. Go to the App Store to download and install the app again.

Address Camera App Problems

If you're having trouble recording audio with the Camera app, try the following steps:

• Make sure that the microphone is not blocked or covered by a case or screen protector.
• Check that the Camera app has permission to access your microphone. Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and toggle on the switch for Camera.
• If the issue persists, try resetting your iPhone's settings. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This will erase all custom settings, but your data and media will remain intact.

If you're experiencing microphone issues with third-party apps, try contacting the app developer for support. They may have specific troubleshooting steps or updates available to fix the problem.

Accessory and Case Interferences

If your iPhone microphone is not working after an update, it could be due to interferences from accessories or cases. Here are some steps to check for interferences and resolve the issue.

Check Bluetooth Settings

If you are using a Bluetooth headset or accessory, check your Bluetooth settings to ensure that your device is connected and working properly. You can also try disconnecting and reconnecting your Bluetooth device to see if it resolves the issue.

Remove Case or Screen Protector

Cases and screen protectors can sometimes interfere with the microphone on your iPhone. Remove any cases or screen protectors that may be blocking the microphone and test the microphone again.

Test with Different Accessories

If you are using an accessory that is not Apple-certified, it may not work properly with your iPhone. Try using a different accessory to see if it resolves the issue.

It is important to note that not all cases or accessories will interfere with your iPhone microphone. However, if you are experiencing issues with your microphone after an update, it is worth checking for interferences from cases, screen protectors, or accessories.

Prevention and Maintenance

Regular maintenance of your iPhone's microphone can help prevent issues with it not working after an update. Here are some tips to keep your microphone in good condition:

Regular Cleaning

Cleaning your iPhone's microphone regularly can help prevent dust and debris from blocking it. Use a dry, soft-bristled toothbrush to gently brush the microphone openings. Be careful not to apply too much pressure or use any liquids, as this can damage the microphone.

You can also use a lint roller or a piece of tape to remove any debris or dust that may be stuck to the microphone openings.

Avoid Dust and Debris

Preventing dust and debris from entering your iPhone's microphone openings can also help prevent issues with it not working after an update. Here are some tips:

• Keep your iPhone in a protective case to prevent dust and debris from entering the microphone openings.
• Avoid using your iPhone in dusty or dirty environments.
• Be careful when inserting headphones or charging cables, as they can push dust and debris into the microphone openings.

By following these tips, you can help prevent issues with your iPhone's microphone not working after an update.