How to Fix a Phone Microphone Not Working During Calls

Published 2026-10-16 · Marion Phone Repair

You make a call and the other person cannot hear you, or your voice sounds muffled, distant, robotic, or cuts in and out. The microphone may work fine for voice recordings, video, or speakerphone but fail during regular phone calls — or it may not work at all in any situation. Phone microphone problems during calls are particularly frustrating because you often do not know the microphone is failing until someone tells you they cannot hear you.

Which microphone is the problem?

Most phones have multiple microphones — typically three:

Primary microphone: At the bottom of the phone, near the charging port. This is the main microphone used for phone calls when the phone is held to your ear
Secondary microphone: At the top of the phone, near the earpiece or front camera. Used for noise cancellation during calls and as the primary microphone for speakerphone calls
Third microphone: On the back of the phone, near the camera. Used for video recording and additional noise cancellation

If people cannot hear you during regular calls but speakerphone works, the bottom microphone is likely the problem. If speakerphone does not work either, the issue may be software-related or affect multiple microphones.

Test the microphone

Before troubleshooting, confirm which microphone is failing:

Voice recorder: Open a voice recorder app and record yourself speaking. Play it back. If the recording is clear, the primary microphone works
Video recording: Record a short video. Play it back and check the audio. This primarily tests the rear microphone but can confirm overall microphone functionality
Speakerphone call: Make a call on speakerphone and ask the other person if they can hear you. Speakerphone uses the top microphone. If speakerphone works but regular calls do not, the bottom microphone is the problem
Diagnostic codes (Android): Dial *#0*# on Samsung phones to enter the diagnostic menu. Select Receiver or Mega Cam to test individual microphones. Other manufacturers may have different diagnostic codes

Check for physical obstructions

The microphone openings are tiny holes that can easily be blocked:

Clean the microphone holes: Look at the bottom of your phone for the small microphone opening (usually next to the charging port). Use a soft brush (a clean, dry toothbrush works well) to gently sweep away any dirt, lint, or debris. Do not insert anything into the microphone hole — this can damage the microphone membrane
Phone case: Some cases partially block the microphone opening. Remove the case and make a test call. If your voice is clearer without the case, the case is obstructing the microphone
Screen protector: On some phones, the front-facing microphone is near the edge of the screen. A screen protector that extends slightly over the edge can cover this microphone. Check that no screen protector material covers any microphone opening
Moisture: If the phone was exposed to water or humidity, moisture can temporarily block the microphone. Let the phone dry thoroughly — place it in a dry environment for several hours. Do not use a hair dryer as heat can damage internal components

Software troubleshooting

Restart the phone

A restart reinitializes the audio system and fixes temporary software glitches that can cause microphone failures during calls. This is simple but surprisingly effective — microphone issues caused by the phone app or audio service hanging are common and resolve with a restart.

Check app permissions

If the microphone does not work in specific apps (like WhatsApp, Zoom, or Teams) but works during regular phone calls:

Android: Settings, Apps, select the app, Permissions. Make sure Microphone is set to Allow or Allow Only While Using the App
iPhone: Settings, Privacy and Security, Microphone. Toggle on the app that needs microphone access

Disable noise cancellation

Phone noise cancellation uses multiple microphones to filter out background sound. If the noise cancellation system malfunctions, it can actually cancel your voice instead of background noise:

iPhone: Settings, Accessibility, Audio/Visual, Phone Noise Cancellation — toggle it off and test a call
Samsung: During a call, check for a Noise Reduction toggle in the call settings. Or Settings, Sounds and Vibration, Call quality and IMS settings, disable Noise Reduction
Other Android: Look in Settings, Sound or Call Settings for a noise reduction or noise cancellation toggle

Safe Mode test (Android)

Boot into Safe Mode (hold power, long-press Power Off, confirm Safe Mode) and make a test call. If the microphone works in Safe Mode, a third-party app is interfering. Voice changers, call recording apps, and audio enhancement apps commonly interfere with the call microphone. Uninstall recently installed apps to find the culprit.

Check Do Not Disturb

Do Not Disturb should not affect outgoing call audio, but some implementations can interfere with the microphone if configured to block certain types of audio input. Turn off Do Not Disturb and test.

Bluetooth and headset conflicts

The phone may be routing call audio to a Bluetooth device instead of the phone's built-in microphone:

Check that no Bluetooth headset, earbuds, or car audio system is connected. Even if you are not wearing the earbuds, if they are connected via Bluetooth, the phone routes call audio to them
Turn off Bluetooth entirely and make a test call. If the microphone works with Bluetooth off, a connected Bluetooth device was capturing the call audio
Check during a call — most phones show an audio routing button (speaker icon) that lets you switch between Phone, Speaker, and Bluetooth. Make sure it is set to Phone for the earpiece microphone or Speaker for speakerphone

Network-related call issues

Sometimes what seems like a microphone problem is actually a network issue:

VoLTE (Voice over LTE): If your carrier supports VoLTE, calls use the data network for higher quality audio. If VoLTE is malfunctioning, audio can be one-way (they hear you but you do not hear them, or vice versa). Try disabling VoLTE: Settings, Network, Mobile Network, VoLTE calls — toggle off. This forces calls over the older voice network
Wi-Fi Calling: If Wi-Fi Calling is enabled and your Wi-Fi connection is poor, call audio quality suffers. Toggle off Wi-Fi Calling temporarily and test: Settings, Network (or Phone), Wi-Fi Calling
Carrier issues: Call the carrier and report the issue. They can check if there is a network problem in your area or a provisioning issue on your line that affects call audio

Hardware damage

If no software fix restores the microphone, the hardware is likely damaged:

Microphone membrane damage: The microphone is a tiny component with a delicate membrane. Physical impact, water exposure, or inserting objects into the microphone hole can damage it permanently. A damaged microphone produces no audio, very quiet audio, or distorted audio
Flex cable connection: The bottom microphone connects to the main board through a flex cable (often the same cable as the charging port). If this connection is loose or damaged — from a drop, water damage, or normal wear — the microphone loses signal intermittently or permanently
Charging port assembly: On many phones, the primary microphone is part of the charging port assembly. Replacing the charging port board also replaces the microphone. This is a relatively common and affordable repair

Microphone repair in Marion

If people cannot hear you during calls and the troubleshooting above did not fix it, Marion Phone Repair can test each microphone individually, check the flex cable connections, and replace the microphone or charging port assembly to restore clear call audio.