Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

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

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jan 13, 2017 2:02 PM

Thank you for your suggested fix. I tried everything on 20 pages of Apple forums and a bunch of different YouTube videos. The only thing that worked was accepting a call with the headphones actually plugged in, and then unplugging and plugging them in multiple times, then hanging up.

928 replies

Jan 16, 2017 7:53 AM in response to SoCalSkippy

I dropped my phone down the toilet. All seemed well until I tried to listen to music and it said that I had headphones connected when I did. At first I put an earbud up there and it cleaned out all of the water, then I sucked in with my mouth over the headphone jack and that still didn't work. So I tried to plug my headphones in and then when I removed them everything was back to normal. Definitely worth looking strange by sucking your phone, it works!

Feb 10, 2017 9:58 AM in response to SoCalSkippy

Hi,

I happened to face the exact issue. The problem was not pertaining to the software but with the hardware. This I got it confirmed when the problem wasn't fixed even after the hard reset.

The only reason why hardware could have created this issue is because dust getting accumulated inside the headphone slot which is making the device feel that the headphone is connected.


Removing the dust from the slot was the toughest task.

I didn't want to use any hard materials which would probably permanently damage the headphone slot.


For which I used sticky notes and rolled in such a way that the sticky end enters the slot.

After some shaking and push pull, I could see dust sticking on to the sticky end of the paper roll.



Hope this helps many iPhone users like me.

Cheers User uploaded fileUser uploaded file

Mar 26, 2017 10:19 PM in response to SoCalSkippy

User uploaded file

Been there, done that.

I know it can be really annoying when you can't hear anything, even when your calls are coming through, music, watching videos on YouTube or whatever.


I can't remember how many times my iPhone got stuck in Headphones mode but it was a lot.


All those times I have relied on this quick and simple ways to help me get my iPhone fixed. 🙂



13 Simple Ways to Fix iPhone Stuck in Headphones Mode

1. Try removing your iPhone’s case

Most of the time, it could just be that your iPhone’s case could be blocking the pathway to the audio jack, which then causes your iPhone to remain stuck in Headphones mode.

2. Turn your iPhone off and back on again

Even if you find that you remove your iPhone’s case and it still remains stuck in Headphones mode, then what you can do is turn your iPhone off and back on again to make sure that the problem does not lie in your software.

3. Plug in and out your headphones a few times

One thing you should make sure when you plug in, is you should be able to hear the audio clearly on your headphones.


Once you are pretty sure it works all great, only then should you slowly stop the audio, clear your history (by double tapping your home button and make sure no background apps are running) and then firmly plug out your headphones.


4. Go AirPlane Mode

Step 1: Go onto your iPhone and then swipe up from the bottom of your Home screen to open your Control Center.


Step 2: Then tap Airplane Mode

You can also go to your iPhone’ settings and turn it on there as well


5. Use a Bluetooth speaker

When you connect your iPhone to a Bluetooth speaker or headphones, your iPhone will recognize the Bluetooth device and will also know when you disconnect it (since you’re not unplugging it manually which can sometimes be confusing to your iPhone).

6. Change your iPhone’s Settings

7. Clean inside your iPhone’s Headphone jack

Read more at Saint

Oct 18, 2017 10:57 AM in response to Abzianidze1

It would mainly be because of moisture or dust that’s been accumulated in

your headphone slot.


For water drops or moisture, you can try sucking it, like the way mentioned in the above comments.


If it’s dust then maybe you try this... 👇-1F3FC;👇-1F3FC;


https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1343532?answerId=31381848022#31381848022

Jul 27, 2018 5:01 AM in response to SoCalSkippy

I had the same issue on a borrowed iphone 5S -


I sorted it by doing the following:- Ensure headphones are plugged into the headphone jack.


  • Open music and play any song long enough for you to do the following task.
  • Open Settings
  • Scroll down to "Music" and select.
  • Scroll down to the header entitled "Playback".
  • Select "volume limit" - the letters in grey may say "off".
  • Check if max volume slider bar is on mute (the most left position).
  • If so then slide button to the full volume position (the most right position).
  • You should start to hear the music playing through the headphones as you adjust the slider bar.
  • If not then its definately a hardware problem.


I hope this resolves your issue.


Good luck.

Nick.😎

Jan 12, 2017 6:37 PM in response to th3_r3n3g4d3

I tried plugging the headphones in and out several times while reading these posts... no luck. I shut the phone off and plugged the headphones in and took them out a couple more times and that worked! Not sure if there was a correlation, but I'm happy with the results.


I also tried powering down, blowing in and sucking the headphone jack, turning off Bluetooth, and a few other unsuccessful manouvers prior to the headphone trick.


Thank you all!

Feb 15, 2017 1:00 PM in response to SoCalSkippy

Has happened to me twice.


Both times it was related to being out in the rain and the headphone jack getting wet. Can't remember how I fixed it first time but this time tried everything suggested here: Qtip, sucking on the headphone jack, playing with volume, calling from another phone and then shutting down call while in speaker mode, pressing on speaker area exteriors, using a toothpick to pick out debris from phone jack....!!! Nothing worked. Was getting a headphone jack plugin notification and there was no audio on calls/texts/tweets.. With the rain association in mind decided to use hairdryer on cool mode to send air into headphone jack. Bingo!

iPhone stuck in "headphones" mode

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.