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

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Posted on Sep 20, 2016 6:01 AM

I cannot believe I had this issue today - literally 4 days before I get the iPhone7. I went into panic mode and spoke to Apple Support chat online - we spent almost an hour testing voice memos, restoring my phone from backup and as new - no luck. Then we got cut off 😕


But then someone else took over and 'kindly' warned me that I was out of warranty so I would be liable for any hardware costs. YAY! However they told me of the simple trick of getting a cotton bud and gently inserting it into the jack to clear it out. I had no cotton buds so I delicately used a cocktail stick. Five mins later of tiny bits of lint coming out, hey presto! A bigger ball comes out and my phone went back into ringer mode! I could have cried. Literally.

928 replies

Jan 24, 2012 10:58 AM in response to SoCalSkippy

I experienced the same issue today. I tried the tips listed throughout this thread and had no luck. While on hold with 1-800-MY-IPHON, I inserted and removed the earphones and my phone reset itself to non-headphone mode. Perhaps another solution is to remove the earphones during a phone call? Everything seems to be working fine now. Hope this helps someone else!

Feb 4, 2012 8:05 AM in response to SoCalSkippy

A really simple fix for all those stuck in headphones mode.

I haven't read all the posts in this forum but the ones I did simply didn't help me, so I had a play and found the solution!


1) Put in your iPhone headphones.

2) Begin playing a travk in the iPod section, your should hear it playing through the headphones.

3) Turn your phone off whilst the track is playing.

4) After your phone is completely switched off, remove the headphones and turn back on your phone.

5) Your phone is back in ringer mode!


Or should be, hope this helps.

May 1, 2012 8:52 AM in response to SoCalSkippy

I tried inserting the headphones (iphone earbuds, Beats head phones, etc.) over 15 times and that didn't really work at all.


This is what worked for me:

-I had someone call me on my iphone and I put them on speaker phone.

-We talked for about 30 minutes

-Then I hung up with them still on speaker phone mode

-the phone went back to normal!


I think it might be a combination of moisture getting into the phone somehow, the earphone jack getting out of aligment or something and the software going crazy.


But after trying the earphone plugging and unplugging, re-setting the phone and trying to blow air through the phone to clean out any lint/debris, having someone call me and talking is what finally did the trick.


Good luck everyone.

Oct 18, 2012 5:30 PM in response to SoCalSkippy

iPhone 4 stuck in headphone mode after getting wet, solved with Freeze Spray that's used to troubleshoot heat intermittent electronic components. Gave inside of headphone jack very quick shot of Freeze, which is like canned air plus super cold, and it fixed immediately. I'm guessing residual water was shorting the headphone plug sensor inside the jack, and the freeze spray either dried the water instantly, blew it out, or both.

Dec 23, 2012 7:23 AM in response to SoCalSkippy

Thanks for all the recommendations to everyone. After 2 days of doing research for my non-jailbroken, non-water damaged iPod touch 4G, I tried every suggestion in this thread and others and YouTube without resolve. My issues began after the iOS 6.0.1 update. I do get sound from the device while in settings>sounds>ringtone>volume toggle or ringtone selection, but not for Text Tone, Mail, Alerts, lock sounds, keyboard clicks, or music. I was able to randomly activate the sound after cleaning the headphone jack a few times, and sounds randomly began working after some hard reboots, but the problem returned after connecting the plug for charging. The following methods did not work for me:

  • sucking the jack, with vaccuum and mouth.
  • blowing the jack, with hairdryer cool air, compressed air, and by mouth.
  • cleaning the jack with precision electronic cleaner and dental bristle pick (perfect fit BTW)
  • refrigerator/freezer method
  • 50+ insertion and removal of the headphones, wiggle front back, side to side,
  • 20+ hard reboots, including 10+ via russellsimpson79's method, changing volume level method.
  • 2 full restores
  • bluetooth on/off
  • adjusting volume levels

I finally caved in and called Apple tech support 855-278-7301. Apparently this is a known software issue and can be fixed for $70. While Apple offers a 1 yr warranty on hardware, they only offer a 30 day warranty on software if you have not purchased the extended warranty. The "stuck" in headphone mode issue can be fixed 99% of the time per the support technician. They have you open iTunes, connect your iPod via USB, and remotely access your laptop/PC for the repair. I gathered as much information from the technicial as possible, but declined the repair @ $70 to continue searching for the software fix online. I will update if I find the fix.


*In conclusion, there is a known software issue and a 99% effective fix. Hopefully Apple will address this with the next iOS update or you can pay $70.

Dec 28, 2012 3:45 PM in response to SoCalSkippy

Same happened to me.... tried the air dryer for 20 seconds on hot an it did not work.... also moved the volume up and down while doing that and also did not work.... finally I got a q-tip and remove the extra cottom from the tip and inserted in the headphone area twisting for a few times, and THEN it worked... went back to ringer mode right away... BTW... my phone fell in the snow for 3 seconds....

Dec 30, 2012 9:02 AM in response to Brent OKeeffe

Hey, y'all! This is simple and worked for me with this problem. Go to Settings then Sounds then scroll down to Lock Sounds and Keyboard Clicks and toggle both to OFF. Then reboot the phone and when it comes back up, go back and toggle both ON again. Check that it has worked by touching your volume button on the left side of phone: you should see the ringer symbol show on the face with "Ringer" above it without the ("Headphones"). Also you will hear clicks again. Voila! You would not believe how many things I tried and YouTubes I watched (some ridiculous) before I found this... :)

Apr 21, 2013 8:18 PM in response to Shotokan8

I drop my iPhone 4 into a fishing pond releasing a fish today. It was only 8 in of water but i quickly pulled it out and everything worked except it was stuck in headset mode.


I fixed it by blowing compress air from a can with a straw that came with it. You can buy it at any store that sells PCs. 4 bucks.


Worked immediately:)


BTW, i did have a defender case that slowed down the water from going in.

Jun 19, 2013 8:29 PM in response to SoCalSkippy

After trying everything mentioned in this thread, the one thing that finally worked for me was shooting canned air into the headphone slot. I shot bursts (1 sec), about a dozen times with music playing... so I could tell if it was working. The music finally came on, but then stopped. I kept shooting air until the music stayed on with out needing to spray any more.

Oct 23, 2013 12:05 PM in response to SoCalSkippy

I had this problem today and solved the issue with cleaning out the headphone socket with some alcohol wipes and tweezers.


I got a lot of dirt and grime out but this the "headphone" setting was still on.


I then got a metal hair clip and moved it in and out quickly over the "ridge" inside the headphone socket whilst clicking the side mute button on and off. I did this for about twenty seconds And now it's working fine.


Hope this helps!

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iPhone stuck in "headphones" mode

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