iPhone 16 silent button not working

The last update was iOS 18.6.2. Is that the update you installed? The silent button is working just fine on my iPhone 16 Pro Max with iOS 18.6.2. Are holding the button a couple seconds for it to engage? In Settings > Action Button - are you sure it is set to Silent? And finally after you updated your phone, did you perform a Forced Restart (recommended after iOS updates) --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

The Action button is available on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 models. It replaces the previous ring/silent switch, offering a customizable button that can be programmed to perform various actions. 

tapedoctor wrote:

I had this same issue after the update and I just checked my Action Button as per your suggestion and it was no longer on Silent Mode. Whether I did that without realizing what I had done or the update did, I am not sure. However, the problem is now solved. Thank you for responding in a polite and professional manner to the original poster. Telling people it is your fault, not Apple's may be true, but is not helpful. In fact it is quite rude.

I'm glad you got it sorted with my suggestions. I'm not sure anyone in this thread blamed anyone though?

It's not always the iOS update's fault!  Many things can cause phone problems.  If you tell people you think it's an iOS update, it might make it harder to fix or find a solution for the real issue.

Remember, the right question often leads to the solution!

Was/Is your device Jailbroken? If that's the situation, please be informed that attributing the issues to iOS updates may not be accurate.

iOS updates aim to enhance user experience, boost security, and fix bugs rather than disrupt core features. The majority of the issues after updates might stem from underlying, unmentioned factors. Updates won't typically alter personal data but may refine settings or features. Backup before major updates for safety. Review Apple's update details and backup advice for a smooth process.

Kindly consider checking your settings and addressing any device issues before attributing the issue to external factors. This could be a pure coincidence that the iOS update affected the iPhone functions.

Before initiating a standard iOS update, it's advisable to create a backup. Have you completed this step? If yes, proceed with the restoration from the backup.

See what each update does: About iOS 18 Updates, About iOS 17 Updates, About iOS 16 Updates, About iOS 15 Updates, About iOS 14 Updates, About iOS 13 Updates, About iOS 12 Updates, and so on...

I had this same issue after the update and I just checked my Action Button as per your suggestion and it was no longer on Silent Mode. Whether I did that without realizing what I had done or the update did, I am not sure. However, the problem is now solved. Thank you for responding in a polite and professional manner to the original poster. Telling people it is your fault, not Apple's may be true, but is not helpful. In fact it is quite rude.