iphone 3GS - no sound without headphones

I get sound through the hedphones but not throuh the speaker. the sound adjuster on the side does noting except bring up the picture of a speaker, but no usual slider bar. In one app (tuned in radio) it says at the bottom "no volume available". the normal music app contains no volume slider unless the headphones are plugged in.


This is my second 3GS - no such issues with the first one. I am on ioS 5.0.1 if that could affect it (and I wasn't before)


thanks anyone!

iPhone 3GS, iOS 5.0.1

Posted on Nov 12, 2011 2:18 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 19, 2011 11:22 PM

Hi Ciireenee,


I've been scouring the net and I can find plenty of people affected by this issue, but no fixes I'm afraid.


As I said previously the fault appears to be purely software based, as I've actually tested a different headphone jack cable.


Since it's software the only options would be to (1) downgrade your phone to iOS 4, (2) return it Apple to exchange it for a replacement phone, or (3) wait for Apple to address the problem and fix it in a future update.


Since Apple do not let users downgrade to previous versions of iOS option 1 is only possible if you have previously taken measures to backup your SHSH blobs, which I'm guessing you haven't done. Option 3 is a possibility, however at this stage I haven't found anything to indicate that Apple have even acknowledged this issue, let alone made any efforts to address it. As such as fix for the issue in a future update is unlikely. This of course leaves you with option 2.


Given that many people are affectd by this issue I wouldn't go down without a fight. Even though your warranty has expired I would pressure Apple to replace your phone on the grounds that it was rendered faulty by their software update, not through any mistreatment of the phone.


To support your argument, I would scour the various iPhone forums out there and print out all the threads you can find of people describing the same or similar sounds faults following the iOS 5 update. Once armed with this evidence I'd book a genius appointment and take your phone back.


If Apple wont budge and refuse to replace your phone, as a previous iPhone owner you are entitled to exchange your faulty iPhone (even though Apple actually broke it!) for a replacement phone at a substantially reduced cost (compared to buying a new one). The other option of course is that you retain your faulty iPhone, hold onto your money and then send Apple a message through buying an Android phone. Hopefully it wont come that though, in my experience Apple are extremely generous when it comes to keeping their customers happy.

53 replies

Aug 11, 2012 3:57 AM in response to Lozzz

Just my 2 cents, but having had this happen to me, and after spending a silly amount of time trying to get to the bottom of it, this is what works for me - & I understand this will not work for everyone. I pull the headphone jack out of the phone whilst simultaneously increasing/decreasing the volume via the volume control buttons on the side of the phone. Never had to do if more than 3 times to sort it. Not that I should have to. Silly phone! Works for me. I do sympathise with those it happens to, and sorry if this doesn't work for you, along with the countless other methods you've attempted. It's a head-wreck.

Dec 19, 2011 4:23 PM in response to JonBOY26

Ok, well the problem is NOT related to a headphone jack fault.


To investigate the issue I pulled my 3GS apart and replaced the ribbon cable that includes the headphone jack, mute switch, sleep button and volume buttons. I replaced it with a genuine ribbon from a different iPhone and the problem remains.


With the replacement ribbon I get sound playing as normal through the headphones, however with no headphones connected there's no lock or unlock sound, keypad clicks or sound from videos and the volume buttons still do not work.


This issue is definitely software related.

Feb 21, 2012 1:01 PM in response to Lozzz

I have the same issue since last weekend but I upgraded to IOS5 some time ago with no problems.

I have 2 more things occur - the headphone jack only goes 3/4 of way into socket. Secondly my itunes does not recognise my device anymore even after doing a reinstall of itunes. The USB is fine because it still charges through my Mac.Seems a bit too much of a coincidence?

Dec 22, 2011 4:48 AM in response to JonBOY26

The same problems happen if you update iPhone 4 to 5.0.1. That is clearly a buggy iOS release, this problem happened to me after upgrading a brand new iPhone 4 from 5.0 to 5.0.1. I returned that phone and now I use other iPhone with iOS 4.3.5. Apple has no fix for it so far and they seem to ignore users with these problems. Maybe it is a time to start ignoring Apple products...

I am a former Noka and Blacberry user - I am already missing the quality of support I used to receive from these manufacturers.

Jan 21, 2012 9:13 PM in response to Mussdj

Thanks Mussdj, I tried your suggestion of turning the volume all the way up and then back down but with mixed results.


Interestingly once the volume has been adjusted in settings > sounds using the slider bar, the side volume buttons do work again, but only briefly in my case. As soon as I exit the settings app they stop working again.


I posted a YouTube clip of the problems I'm seeing with iOS 5 on the 3GS:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKXKcFUeCss

Jul 14, 2012 4:41 PM in response to Lozzz

Hello everyone, i just upgraded my iphone 3gs to IOS 5.1.1. i also had the same problem about the sound but i found out a solution. it might also help you.

this link helped me. just follow instructions. First, follow these steps, and if still doesnt work, Go to next link.

http://www.technipages.com/iphone-3g-no-ringer-sound-on-incoming-calls.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJg7qp_TzqM


I also restored phone, resetting again and again but it didn't help.. this one works for me. thanks a lot to this link. God bless everyone!!!! =)

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

iphone 3GS - no sound without headphones

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