The volume on my ipad keeps muting tiself and wont stay on. When I turn it up, it goes right back to Mute. Please advise

Try this - Reset the iPad by holding down on the Sleep and Home buttons at the same time for about 10-15 seconds until the Apple Logo appears - ignore the red slider - let go of the buttons. (This is equivalent to rebooting your computer.) http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1430

Check your settings. The iPads have a small switch on the right edge. It can be used as a rotation lock to keep the screen from automatically reorienting itself as you move around, but you need to have the tablet’s settings configured properly. That same switch, right above the volume buttons, can also be set to function instead as a mute button to silence certain types of audio.

If the switch is set to work as a mute button, you can change its purpose to “screen-rotation lock” by tapping the Settings icon on the home screen. On the Settings screen, tap General on the left side, and on the right side of the screen flick down to “Use Side Switch to.” Tap to select Lock Rotation or Mute to set the button’s function. Even if you set the side switch for your preferred use, you can still mute the Mini or lock the screen. Just double-click the Home button, and when the panel of apps appears along the bottom edge of the screen, flick the row from left to right with your finger. Tap the icon on the far left side of the row to either lock the iPad’s screen or mute the iPad’s alerts, notifications and sound effects. Music, podcasts and video are not muted unless you turn the volume all the way down.

iPhone: No sound or distorted sound from speaker

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts5180

iPhone: Can’t hear through the receiver or speakers

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1630

http://www.atreks.com/app-no-sound-on-ipad-4-%E2%80%93-what-to-do/

To solve some sound problems, just follow these simple steps

1. Go to Settings

2. Tap on General

3. Tap on Reset

4. Tap on Reset All Settings

What this effectively does is to reset some of your Settings to factory default. It’s not a complete removal of settings. It removes all of your preferences for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Do No Disturb, Notifications, General, Sounds, Brightness & Wallpaper and Privacy. It doesn’t affect your data. All of your email accounts will remain intact, as well as any SMS text or iMessages.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

Hi Shradermomma. I'm not sure about that, or if it's necessary.

But if the iPad has the slide switch enabled for Mute (not Lock Rotation), try moving the switch on and off firmly ten times. There may be some oxide buildup on the contacts, causing it to short. Working it might clean them.

The side switch is the key. Depending on your settings, it may affect the mute or it may affect the rotation lock. Whichever function it supports, the other function is performed by a "soft switch." This support article from Apple provides detail.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4085

In case you're wondering, here is the history. Originally, the mechanical switch affected only the rotation lock and the mute was a software switch elsewhere. In IOS-3, it was changed to be the mute switch and the rotation lock became a software switch. This was done to ensure consistency among IOS devices. Unfortunately, a large quantity of users complained loudly, alleging that they turned the rotation lock on and off several times every hour and the convenience of the mechanical switch is essential. In IOS-4, Apple bowed to the whiners and made the switch function selectable and now we're stuck with a mess.

That didn't help me. What else can I do? I have the same problem

Will this change programs that have been added to the iPad? This device is used for a special needs student and it has a special program on it for him to use for communication.