If you've got an iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S that's having some issues with sound, you probably aren't alone. Issues could range from system sounds working but your iPhone not actually ringing or system sounds not working unless plugged into the headphone jack. While sound can be caused by several issues, symptoms like this are typically fixable with a pretty simple DIY repair.
If any of the above symptoms sound like what you're experiencing, follow along for a more detailed list of symptoms and how to correct the problem.
This week we're doing things a little differently and instead of giving you a new repair, we're going to take a look at some existing mods that should fix very common sound issues pertaining to both the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4.
Disclaimer: As with any repair, iMore can not be held responsible for any damage you may do to your device. It’s also worth considering that opening up your device to perform any repair or modification can and will void your Apple warranty. If you don’t feel comfortable opening your device, don’t. Use extreme care and caution when performing a repair on any device.
If you are comfortable with repairing your own device, put your ninja pants on and keep reading!
Symptoms
Sounds issues are a common problem we see with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. Some users have been experiencing quite a few simliar issues lately that can be solved quite easily using repair guides we already have readily available to you. If you're experiencing any of the following symptom combinations, we would suggest trying the repair solutions linked below.
No system sounds
Your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S will ring when someone calls it or you can go into Settings and get sounds to play but system sounds don't work throughout iOS such as keyboard clicks, lock/unlock sounds, and certain system notifications.
No alert sounds
If you can go into Settings and hear system sound previews but no sound actually produces when an alert such as a phone call, text message, or email come in.
Combination of no alert and/or system sounds
If your sounds work sporadically or in any combination of the above symptoms.
How to fix sound issues
Try a DFU restore first
Before performing any kind of hardware repair, you should always try a restore first to rule out software issues. A DFU restore is the kind of restore we recommend for issues like this. If you aren't sure how to put your iPhone in DFU mode, you can follow our guide:
Replace the dock connector
Wait, what? You may be asking yourself why replacing the dock connector would fix sound issues. Actually, the dock connector component contains some wiring and components that delegate sound throughout your iPhone. In our experience, if you're experiencing the sound issues like we've described above, 9 times out of 10 a dock connector replacement fixes the issue.
Depending on whether you have an iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S, you can check out our guides and replace the dock connector on the device on your own. It'll cost you a lot less than a brand new iPhone and will only take about 30 minutes. The best part is, you should have sound again.
Other sound issues
If you're experiencing no sound at all or it is heavily distorted, your issue may be the actual loud speaker itself or another component related to how sound is handled. We have many tutorials and guides for replacing other components related to sound in our DIY section that you can access via the links below.
Get more DIY help
If you're running into issues with a DIY repair or need some more answers, our DIY and mod forums are a great place to start. Still have questions? Feel free to email us.
Additional resources:
