What to Do If Your iPhone Has No Sound During Calls or Won't Turn On

If your iPhone has no sound during calls or fails to power on, start by checking volume settings and restarting the device. For no sound issues, verify microphone and speaker permissions and test hardware. If your iPhone won’t turn on even after repairs, it may indicate deeper hardware faults requiring professional diagnosis.

Quick answer

Your iPhone Has No Sound During: what you need to know

Why Does My iPhone Have No Sound During Calls?

Experiencing no sound during incoming or outgoing calls on your iPhone can be frustrating and disruptive. This issue may manifest as a complete lack of dial tone, inability to hear the other party, or the other party not hearing you. Several factors can contribute to this problem, ranging from simple software settings to more complex hardware malfunctions. Understanding these causes can help you troubleshoot effectively and restore normal call audio functionality.

Common Causes of No Call Sound

Muted or Low Volume: One of the most straightforward reasons for no sound during calls is that the call volume is muted or set too low. The iPhone has separate volume controls for media and calls, so even if your music volume is high, the call volume might be turned down or muted accidentally.
Software Permissions: iOS controls access to the microphone and speaker through app permissions. If these permissions are restricted or blocked, either by system settings or third-party apps, it can prevent audio from working correctly during calls.
Hardware Damage: Physical damage to components such as the microphone, speaker, or the audio integrated circuit (IC) can disrupt sound transmission. This damage might result from drops, liquid exposure, or wear and tear over time.
System Bugs or Corruption: Occasionally, iOS bugs or corrupted system files can interfere with audio routing during calls. These software issues may cause the phone to fail to recognize or properly use the audio hardware.

How to Fix No Sound During Calls on iPhone SE

When your iPhone SE produces no sound during calls, systematically working through these troubleshooting steps can help identify and resolve the issue.

Check Volume and Mute Switch: First, ensure that the physical mute switch on the side of your iPhone is not engaged. This switch silences ringer and alerts but can sometimes affect call audio. During a call, use the volume up button to increase the call volume, as the call volume is controlled independently from other audio settings.
Restart Your iPhone: Restarting your device can clear temporary glitches affecting audio. To do this, press and hold the side button and either volume button until the slider appears, then slide to power off. After the device shuts down, press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears.
Verify Microphone and Speaker Permissions: Navigate to Settings > Privacy > Microphone to check which apps have access to your microphone. If an app you use for calls or VoIP is not permitted, enable access. Similarly, check Settings > Privacy > Camera if you suspect camera-related permissions might affect audio, especially for video calls.
Test Microphone and Speaker: To determine if the hardware is functioning outside of calls, open the Voice Memos app and record a short clip speaking into the microphone. Play it back to check the speaker output. Alternatively, record a video using the Camera app and play it back to test both microphone and speaker simultaneously.
Update iOS: Keeping your iPhone’s operating system up to date ensures you have the latest bug fixes and improvements. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.
Reset Network Settings: Network-related issues can sometimes affect call audio. Resetting network settings clears saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth connections, and cellular settings, which can resolve underlying conflicts. To do this, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Note that you will need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords afterward.
Inspect for Physical Damage: If your iPhone has been dropped, exposed to liquid, or subjected to other physical trauma, internal components like the microphone, speaker, or audio IC may be damaged. Visual inspection for cracks, dents, or corrosion can provide clues, but internal damage often requires professional diagnosis.

Why Are Camera and Microphone Permissions Hidden After a Drop?

Sometimes, after a physical impact such as a drop, users notice that camera and microphone permissions seem to be missing or inaccessible in the settings. This can occur because the internal damage affects the system’s ability to properly detect or communicate with these hardware components. Additionally, software corruption caused by the impact may hide or disable certain settings menus, making permissions appear hidden or unchangeable. In such cases, restoring functionality may require both software troubleshooting and hardware repair.

What to Do If Your iPhone 16 Plus Won't Turn On Even After Repairs?

For newer models like the iPhone 16 Plus, persistent power issues after hardware repairs such as charging IC replacement or motherboard swaps indicate a severe underlying problem. This could be due to further hardware faults not addressed during the repair or deep software corruption preventing startup.

Steps to Try

Force Restart: Perform a force restart by pressing and quickly releasing the volume up button, then the volume down button, and then holding the side button until the Apple logo appears. This can sometimes revive an unresponsive device.
Charge with a Different Cable and Adapter: Faulty charging accessories can prevent the device from powering on. Use an Apple-certified cable and adapter to rule out accessory issues.
Connect to a Computer: Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC using Finder or iTunes. If the device is recognized, you may be able to enter recovery mode and restore the software, which can fix corruption preventing startup.
Seek Apple Support or Authorized Repair: If the device remains unresponsive after these steps, professional diagnostics and repair are necessary. Persistent no-power issues often require component-level repair or replacement.

If the Problem Continues

If none of the above steps restore sound during calls or power to your iPhone, it is advisable to contact Apple Support or visit an authorized service provider. Persistent hardware issues may require specialized tools and expertise to diagnose and repair, including component-level replacements. Attempting further repairs without proper knowledge can risk additional damage.