Is your iPhone 14 Pro Max microphone not working? Before you panic, you don’t need to rush to near Apple Store for a repair. There are several quick fixes that can get your microphone working perfectly in no time. Continue reading to learn about 10 tips to fix iPhone 14 Pro Max microphone problems.
Performing tasks such as making phone calls, and recording audio are things we always do, so it can be very annoying when your iPhone 14 Pro Max microphone is not working. Luckily, there are a few steps you can follow to fix the issue.
The first step to fixing the problem is identifying which of your iPhone 14 Pro Max three microphones is defective, then, you can take steps to troubleshoot the issue.
What causes iPhone 14 Pro Max microphone to stop working?
Here are some reasons why the microphone is not working on iPhone 14 Pro Max:
- External devices: An external device such as headphones may be preventing the microphone from working.
- Network problems: Sometimes, the issue you are having with the microphone of your iPhone 14 Pro Max can be tied to network problems. If you are on a call and suddenly, the person you are talking to can’t hear you, then the problem may be caused due to network issue.
- Microphone obstruction: The microphone on your iPhone 14 Pro Max has openings and as time goes on, dirt particles can accumulate in the microphone thereby causing an obstruction. Also, you might have unknowingly placed your fingers on the microphone while you were on a call.
- Other common issues are related to software updates and external accessories. These tend to reconfigure or disable your mic without you realizing it.
- Hardware damage: Your mic can also become damaged due to physical issues, such as internal malfunctioning or damaged hardware from mishandling your phone.
Are you experiencing problems with the microphone on your iPhone 14 Pro Max? Then you can try out these methods to fix the problem.
We’ll first go through the procedure to first check whether the microphone on your iPhone 14 Pro Max is working properly or not. After that, we will guide you through various troubleshooting steps that will hopefully fix your iPhone 14 Pro Max microphone problems.
Test Your iPhone 14 Pro Max Microphone
Testing microphones individually helps locate or rule out problems with any specific microphone.
- Primary microphone: launch the Voice Memos app from the iPhone home screen. Tap the Record icon to record your voice. Stop the recording and play it back. If you can hear your voice, the primary microphone is working.
- Front microphone: launch the Camera app from the iPhone home screen. Choose the Video option and tap the selfie view icon (camera). Tap the record icon to record your voice. Stop the recording and go to the Photos app to play the video. If you can hear your voice, the front microphone is working.
- Back microphone: Open the Camera app from the iPhone home screen. Go to the Video option and tap the record icon to record your voice. (It should be in regular view.) Stop the recording. Go to the Photos app to play the video. If you can hear your voice, the back microphone is working.
- If you find that a microphone isn’t working, continue to the next steps.
How to Fix It When Your iPhone 14 Pro Max Microphone Isn’t Working
Follow these troubleshooting tips in the order listed to diagnose the problem and get your iPhone 14 Pro Max Microphones working again.
1. Restart your iPhone
Restarting your iPhone can resolve many issues, including microphone glitches. You can do this by following the steps below:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap General.
- Select Shut Down.
2. Clean the microphone
Cleaning the microphone can help solve the iPhone 14 Pro Max microphone problems you are experiencing. Check the bottom, front, and back microphone openings to ensure these openings aren’t covered, blocked, or obstructed in any way.
You can clean your iPhone’s microphone using a clean toothbrush or an air compressor. But, be careful about the flow of the compressed air, keep it low otherwise it may damage the internals of your iPhone.
Do not insert any sharp object into your iPhone’s microphone hole as that can end up damaging it permanently.
3. Disconnect Bluetooth Devices
This happens to me all the time. My wireless earbuds Funcl AI when sitting idle in the charging case, automatically turn on and connect to my iPhone. So, when I receive a call on my iPhone, the device sends it to the connected device and I can’t hear the other person. This can also happen to you if your iPhone is connected to an external Bluetooth speaker or to your car’s infotainment system.
It is always recommended that you manually disconnect Bluetooth devices from your iPhone in such scenarios from the control center to avoid such issues.
4. Remove the screen protector or case
The majority of people out there use third-party cases to protect their iPhones. The legit ones are fine but if you are using a cheap case from an unknown vendor then make sure the holes at the bottom of the case are precise with the ones on your iPhone. If the holes are not aligned, they will end up covering your iPhone’s microphone leading to quality issues with the microphone.
Even if your screen protector or case isn’t blocking any microphone openings, it may still interfere with the microphone. Take off the case and see if this fixes the issue.
5. Turn off Noise Cancellation
iOS by default enables Noise cancellation to reduce ambient noise on phone calls when you are holding the receiver to your ear. While this works fine in most scenarios, it can end up muffling your voice if you are talking to someone while lying on the bed.
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Select Audio/Visual.
- Switch off Noise Cancellation toggle.
Try making a call and make sure the microphone is functioning properly. If it’s still malfunctioning then re-enable the feature and move to the next trick.
6. Enable Microphone Access for Third-Party Apps
If you use an app such as WhatsApp, Zoom or Skype, make sure the app has permission to access the microphone. To do this, follow the steps below:
- Head into iPhone Settings app.
- Tap Privacy & Security.
- Tap Microphone,.
- Enable microphone access to the relevant apps.
7. Hard Reset Your iPhone
When you notice that your iPhone 14 Pro Max microphone has stopped working, try force rebooting your device. It could be a minor issue, so rebooting your device can help fix the microphone problem. Here’s how:
- Press and quickly the volume up button.
- Press and quickly release the volume down button,.
- Hold the side/power button until you see the Apple logo.
8. Update Your iPhone
If the microphone issue on your iPhone 14 Pro Max popped up after a recent iOS 16 update, you should update your device to the very latest release of iOS to see if that solves the issue or not.
- Go to the iPhone Settings.
- Tap General.
- Select Software Update.
- Download the latest version of iOS on your device.
9. Reset All iPhone Settings
If your iPhone 14 Pro Max microphone is still not working properly after following all the above steps, then consider taking this as a last resort. You will have to reset your iPhone back to factory settings. It won’t wipe out any app or their data but the step will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords.
- Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap General.
- Select Transfer or reset iPhone.
- Choose Reset.
- Select Reset All Settings option.
10. Contact Apple
If the above methods doesn’t fix the problem you are having with the microphone of your iPhone 14 Pro Max, then you need to take your device to the nearest Apple Store to get it repaired.
iPhone 14 Pro Max microphone not working: Fixed!
Follow the guide above step by step, and I’m sure you will have a fixed microphone on your iPhone 14 Pro Max. In case any of the steps above worked in solving your iPhone 14 Pro Max microphone issue, drop a comment and let us know about it!