Find the cause step by step
- Turn off Bluetooth on the phone: the sound may be going to other earbuds or a speaker.
- Remove the case and push the plug all the way in. It should click.
- With the phone off, remove lint from the jack with a thin wooden toothpick or compressed air. Never use a needle or paper clip.
- Using a USB-C adapter? Try another one, ideally from your phone’s brand: some phones only work with adapters that have their own converter (DAC).
Symptom, cause and fix
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Phone doesn’t detect the headphones | Lint in the jack or the case blocking the plug | Clean the jack; remove the case |
| Sound comes from the speaker | Plug not fully in or Bluetooth on | Push it all the way in; turn off Bluetooth |
| USB-C adapter doesn’t work | Adapter without a DAC or incompatible | Use the adapter from your phone’s brand |
| Works on another phone | Your phone’s jack is damaged | Repair shop or use Bluetooth headphones |
Where to find it on your device
- Android: Settings › Connected devices › Bluetooth: turn it off to test.
- iPhone: iPhones without a headphone jack need a Lightning or USB-C to 3.5 mm adapter; try another original adapter.
Related questions
My phone keeps showing the headphone icon with nothing plugged in. What do I do?
Usually lint or moisture inside the jack is touching the contacts. Turn the phone off, clean the jack with compressed air or a wooden toothpick and let it dry. Plugging headphones in and out a few times also often frees the sensor.
Why doesn’t my USB-C adapter work?
Some adapters have an audio converter (DAC) inside and others rely on the phone to convert. Many phones only work with one type. The adapter from your phone’s own brand is the safest bet.
My headphones work, but only on one side on the phone. Is it the same thing?
No. See the page “Headphones only working on one side”: there the most common causes are a broken wire or the audio balance.
My headphones work for music but not on phone calls. Why?
Check that the plug has 3 black rings (it has a mic) and that no Bluetooth device is connected. If the other person still can’t hear you, the headset mic or the jack’s mic contact is failing.
More problems: headphone test
- Headphones only working on one side? How to fix it
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- Bluetooth headphones won’t connect to your PC or laptop: how to fix it
- Headphones not working on your laptop or PC: what to do
- Only one earbud connecting? How to get both playing again
- One side of your headphones is quieter than the other: how to fix it
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- Headphone volume too low: how to make it louder
- Earbuds not charging in the case: how to fix it
- Headphones only work after restarting the computer: how to fix it
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- Which side is left on headphones? L and R explained
- How to test headphones on a phone, iPhone, laptop or PC
Open the full headphone test →
Updated November 12, 2026.