Is your iPhone 14 microphone not working, and you find it a pain to connect over FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, or use features like Siri, audio recording, and more? This can be due to a basic glitch or a faulty microphone. But worry not! In this article, I’ll explain why your iPhone 14 microphone is not working and show you how to fix the problem for good.
Note: information in this article apply to iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Why is iPhone 14 Microphone not working?
There are many reasons the iPhone 14 microphone may not be working. The problem may be Bluetooth or app-related, the iOS is out-of-date, or something is blocking or interfering with the microphone and preventing it from functioning properly. Usually, the exact problem only reveals itself through its corresponding fix.
Before we dive into the troubleshooting steps, lets first go through the procedure to first check whether the microphones on your iPhone 14 are working properly or not. After that, we will guide you through various troubleshooting steps that will hopefully fix your iPhone 14 microphone problems.
The iPhone 14 come with three microphones – one at the top, one at the rear and the third one at the bottom.
To check the front and rear microphone, just record two quick videos using the selfie and back camera and check the audio. For the bottom microphone, open the voice memo app on the iPhone and capture a voice note holding the microphone close to your mouth. Play that note and check if the audio is crystal clear or not. If you find your voice fading or cracking in the middle, then your iPhone’s microphone needs looking into.
Now that you have the basics cleared, let’s jump to the fixes.
How to fix iPhone 14 microphone that’s not working
Follow these troubleshooting tips in the order listed to diagnose the problem and get your iPhone 14 microphone working again.
1. Make Sure Nothing is Covering Your iPhone’s Mic
A lot 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. Check the bottom, front, and back microphone openings to ensure these openings aren’t covered, blocked, or obstructed in any way.
2. Restart your iPhone
Sometimes the easiest solution is the best solution. Restarting your phone refreshes your system by clearing all processes and open apps. It can be a quick fix to your iPhone 14 microphone issues.
Hold the side button and either of the Volume buttons until the power off slider appears, then drag the slider. Leave it off for 30-60 seconds before turning it back on, then check to see if the microphone problem is resolved.
3. Update your iPhone
Sometimes an out-of-date software can interfere with the microphone working correctly, and updating the iOS can clear the problem. You can do this by going to Settings > General > Software update.
4. Clean Your iPhone’s Microphone
The next basic thing you need to do when your iPhone 14 microphone stops working is to check the microphone grill at the bottom of your iPhone. See if there’s any sort of dust accumulation. Those tiny dust particles sticking in your device’s microphone can be the reason for a muffled voice output on calls. 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.
5. Disconnect All Bluetooth Devices
If you find your iPhone 14 microphone not working after trying the above solutions, make sure that you’re not connected to any of the nearby Bluetooth devices. This is because connections to nearby Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and other devices can disable the built-in microphone on your iPhone 14 and use the microphone on the Bluetooth peripheral instead. 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. To do this, go to to the iOS Control Center and tap on the Bluetooth toggle once, if it’s enabled. This will disconnect you from all Bluetooth devices for 24 hours.
6. Disable Phone Noise Cancellation
iPhones come with a feature called phone noise cancellation. Noise cancellation reduces ambient noise on phone calls when you are holding the receiver to your ear.
For those unaware of this, the result can sound a bit disorientating, so it’s easy to assume there is something wrong with your iPhone 14 mic. Here’s how you can disable the setting to make sure your mic is fine:
- Go to the Settings app.
- Select Accessibility
- Tap Audio/Visual
- Look for the Phone Noise Cancellation option and disable it.
- Restart your phone and check if the problem is solved.
7. Enable Microphone Access for specific Apps
Are you having microphone problems with video calls on apps like FaceTime, Skype, or WhatsApp? Chances are, you haven’t enabled the permission for the microphone for these apps. This can be quickly resolved by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. Just use the toggle to give microphone permissions for the app that you’re trying to use.
If you have previously blocked microphone access for websites or for specific apps, this may be the problem.
8. Disconnect All Hardware from iPhone
If you have a physical set of headphones or speakers plugged into the iPhone 12 Pro, try disconnecting those. Some iPhone headphones, like the earbuds, have built-in microphones, which are very convenient to use, but occasionally that headphone-set microphone can become damaged or dirty itself, and make the microphone not pickup audio, or sound muffled. This is an easy thing to check, so just unplug headphones if they’re plugged in and try again.
9. Force Reboot
If none of the above steps worked in your instance, you can try force restarting your device and see if that fixes your iPhone 14 microphone issues. Most minor software-related bugs and glitches can be resolved by force restarting your device. Here’s how:
Press the volume up button first, followed by the volume down button, and then hold the side/power button until you see the Apple logo.
10. Reset All Settings
If your iPhone 14 microphone is still not working properly after following all the steps above, 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. To do this, head over to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset and tap on “Reset All Settings”.
11. Take It to Apple Store
If all else fails, there is a good chance your iPhone is damaged. Mics are delicate parts and can easily break from fall, water, or similar damage. In this scenario, it is best to take your phone to a technician who can determine the fault within your device.
Fixed iPhone 14 Microphone not working Issue!
There are various reasons your iPhone 14 mic may not work properly. If you ever run into a problem, the methods above should help you identify and fix the iPhone 14 Mic. Which of the troubleshooting methods we discussed here worked for you? If not, did you get in touch with Apple Support? Do share your personal experience in the comments section down below.
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