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SoCalSkippy Author

Level 2

212 points

iPhone stuck in "headphones" mode

Earlier I accidentally grabbed my iPod headphones instead of my iPhone headphones and I think I may have jammed them in there too far. Because now I can't hear any of the keyboard clicks or sounds and when I receive a text message there's no sound either. And when I receive a call it won't allow me to hear the person on the other line unless I put my headphones in or use the speaker function. And when I turn the ringer volume up/down it says "headphones" in parentheses as if it's been set to "headphones" mode or something! Is it possible that I jammed them in so far that my iPhone thinks my headphones are still plugged in? Did I just totally ruin my iPhone? What do I do? Anyone know how I can fix this? Thanks!

Windows XP Pro

Posted on Jan 15, 2008 9:14 PM

Top-ranking reply

Stephanie_xo

Level 1

10 points

Posted on Jan 21, 2017 8:59 AM

i tried everything i could think of i sucked on the headphone jack look to see for debris or anything suck and nothing i turned it on and off several times and still nothing so i was desperate i grabbed my blow dryer i set it on high and bam it worked i could hear everything hope this helps you an saves you money

View in context

928 replies

Feb 20, 2010 4:13 AM in response to panda attack

I agree it's a heating issue. Every time it goes to headphones when I'm at home, I would put my Iphone in the fridge for 2 min. and the problem was resolved. I also replaced the battery but same old thing. Whatever country produced these phones there is a widespread and common problem that Apple will not admit to it!!!!

<Edited by Host>

Astro100

Level 1

0 points

Feb 20, 2010 12:05 AM in response to frankieye

Ok I have my replacement Iphone and have been playing Tower Madness for an hour or so, no the phome doesnt switch to headphone mode but interestingly the back of the phone DOES NOT get as warm as previous faulty one. I'm thinking that this 'heaphone stcuk fault' is due to some faulty internal hardware that is overheating. Good test would be to have two iphones side by side running the same app and measuring the temp of both.APPLE WHERE ARE YOU!!!!!!!!!!

RHage

Level 1

4 points

Feb 20, 2010 2:50 AM in response to panda attack

I'm not in the US, so I'm not a AT&T user, and I don't get disconnected when the phone gets heated and switches to headphones mode.
So the call disconnections might be an AT&T issue, and not iPhone related.

Feb 20, 2010 4:18 PM in response to frankieye

My phone just did it again. The conversation lasted only 5 minutes and 17 seconds before the earpiece went mute. The handset is warm, not particularly hot. At least, I've noticed it getting hotter in the past. So either it's a cumulative problem, or the heat threshold is very low. In any case, this problem wasn't present the first year and a half. It seems reasonable to believe that the problem could be in the recent OS iterations, and if so, could be fixed via software. The phone will probably still get hot, as it always has during long conversations, but it shouldn't trigger the phone to switch into headphones mode.

dakeeper

Level 1

0 points

Feb 21, 2010 12:01 AM in response to panda attack

I agree its heat. mine finally failed after 4 weeks of good behaviour. after being in my hot car on a 32C day. 10 mins inside with aircon and it switched back...

dakeeper

Level 1

0 points

Feb 21, 2010 12:17 AM in response to Astro100

Astro100 can I ask how you got a refurb phone from Optus and what it cost?

Feb 21, 2010 2:06 AM in response to dakeeper

When you say, "it switched back" do you mean, without any intervention besides cooling down, the audio mode switched back to normal Ringer mode? Usually, I have to go into the alarm clock app and sample an alarm tone to kick the audio back into Ringer mode. I even tried a similar trick selecting the phone's ring tone, but strangely that didn't work. I haven't tried cooling my phone in the refrigerator, like one user mentioned, but I've never noticed my phone switching back automatically after a cooling period. In any case, this problem is completely unacceptable.

RHage

Level 1

4 points

Feb 21, 2010 3:31 AM in response to panda attack

Panda attack, it usually switches back without intervention, sometimes it needs sampling an audio tone or plugging the earphone once and unplugging it.
It's a bit random. But the one constant, is that the phone gets stuck when there's heavy usage or high ambient temperatures.
And regarding the heat issue, I don't know if it's a problem with excess heat being generated or a part's sensibility to normal heat levels, I would guess it would be the latter. But again a software issue is also implicated somehow.

Astro100

Level 1

0 points

Feb 21, 2010 1:34 PM in response to dakeeper

Any Optus world Shop will be able to get you a refurb unit for about $343

dakeeper

Level 1

0 points

Feb 22, 2010 12:17 AM in response to panda attack

i usually change the ringtone once or twice - does the trick... sounds very similar to your situation.

dakeeper

Level 1

0 points

Feb 22, 2010 12:18 AM in response to Astro100

thanks for that. S

dfx13

Level 1

0 points

Feb 22, 2010 7:54 PM in response to dakeeper

Had my phone for 13 months and used the headphones for the first time today. Now I have this 'headphone jack' problem. Unbelievable.

I can change the ringtone or set an alarm and the ringer will come back... Until I try making a phone call. No other solutions worked and the jackhole was lint-free. I'm gonna be really upset if I can't get this fixed. I used the headphones that came with the phone ONE TIME and now I can't use the phone normally. Incredible.

Feb 26, 2010 8:26 AM in response to SoCalSkippy

As having to fork out another lot of money for an issue that is Apple's fault and not the end users is absurd!!!!

I live in the UK and the Apple stores will supply another iPhone, if you give them £140 and your existing phone!! SO they win either way. You are effectivley buying 2 units, when its not your fault.

Obviousley those within the warranty period can have a new iPhone free of charge. But once that period of warranty is over you will have to hand over your phone and £140 to get a refurbed unit. ($215 US Dollers)

Also this issue has not been solved and the MODS need to amend this thread to un answered

<Edited by Host>

dwolko

Level 1

0 points

Feb 25, 2010 10:27 AM in response to rickyshearer27

APPLE REPLACE FAULTY MOTHERBOARDS ALL AROUND THE WORLD !!
THIS ISSUE ARE DESTROYING YOUR IMAGE!

Mar 1, 2010 3:08 AM in response to SoCalSkippy

So, has anyone come up with ideas for solving this mystery? Almost no physical repairs can fix this. I had cable 3 replaced last week and still, as soon as my phone heats up by normal use - web, or email or a game, then the headohone mnode kicks in.

I have been searching for days for any apps that can disable this headphone mode. I have been looking for jailbreak apps that do the same, but no avail.

Im now looking into potentially making this app myself, but I think that Apple could make alot of us customers v.happy by making this simple app! Although they would then loose revenue by people not having to change their phones after 1 year of normal use.....

iPhone stuck in "headphones" mode