Fix Call or Audio Quality Android Phone or Tablet

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Not being able to hear the other person or vice versa can be frustrating. Here, we will provide some troubleshooting tips to help you with your phone call or speaker quality issues.

Android Audio Quality

About This Guide

This guide will take you through a number of different fixes to try, to get the audio quality up to par on your device. Since this involves a couple different checks, one may work for your particular issue, and the rest don't need to be completed.

When the audio quality is back as it should be on your Android device, simply stop at that point and enjoy your device!

2. Check Audio Levels

If your device has its own built-in speakers, try its audio without using a headset first.

  1. Set the volume to maximum by using the volume button on the side of the device.
Android phone with volume switch highlighted.
  1. You can also set individual volume levels using the volume sliders. They will show on screen after you press the side volume button. Touch the drop-down button next to the slider to expand.
Android volume with dropdown highlighted.
  1. The max level is when you put the slider to the far right.
Volume slider highlighted with arrow indicating maximum volume

3. Restart your Device

  1. Hold down the power button on your Android device.
    Depending on the manufacturer and model of Android device you have, the location of the power button will vary.
  2. A prompt will appear on-screen. Select Restart.
Power prompt with Restart highlighted.

If the menu does not pop up, continue to hold the power button, and your Android device will shut off.

  • If you had to shut down your Android device, wait 30 seconds before turning your device back on.

4. Turn off Bluetooth

Every Android device is slightly different because of manufacturer and carrier customizations and launchers. While the icons and exact layout shown may be slightly different, they will be extremely similar.

  1. Open Settings, and select Connected Devices.
Android Settings

Android Connected Devices
  1. Select Bluetooth.
Bluetooth Settings
  1. Set the toggle switch for Bluetooth to Off.
Android Bluetooth Settings turned off with switch highlighted.

5. Disable Do Not Disturb Mode

Do Not Disturb provides a way to silence your device at certain times. This can cause problems if it's set accidently.

  1. Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
Android Settings.
  1. Select Sound.
Settings with Sound highlighted.
  1. Select Do Not Disturb.
Sound settings with Do not disturb highlighed.
  1. Select Automatic rules.
Do not disturb settings with Automatic rules highlighted.
  1. Make sure all the automatic rules are set to Off.
Automatic rules with all set to off.
  1. If one of the rules is turned on, select it, then use the toggle in the top corner to turn it Off.
Weekend automatic rule set to Off.

6. Test Sound Using a Different App

Sometimes, an individual app may have problems with audio, but other apps on your device may work fine.

  1. Open a different app, such as YouTube or a music playing app, and test audio playback there.
Common apps with sound.

If a different app works just fine, the original app is malfunctioning.

7. Test Sound Using an External Audio Device

  • Try connecting a headset to your smartphone, and playing audio.
Headset connected to Android phone.
  • If your phone does not have an audio jack, turn Bluetooth back on, and try using a Bluetooth headset or speaker.
Android phone connected to Bluetooth headset.

If an external audio device worked, there's something wrong with the physical hardware of your device, and it will need to be repaired.