Why do I encounter the issue where I can’t hear the caller on my iPhone 11 unless it is on speaker?

Why do I encounter the issue where I can’t hear the caller on my iPhone 11 unless it is on speaker?
I have been experiencing a frustrating issue with my iPhone 11 lately. Whenever I receive or make a call, I can’t hear the other person unless I switch to speaker mode. This problem has been persistent, and it makes it really inconvenient to have a private conversation unless I’m in a situation where I can put the call on speaker. I’ve tried adjusting the volume, but it doesn’t seem to make a difference. Additionally, the earpiece seems to be working fine since I can hear other sounds perfectly. I’m not sure if this is a software glitch or a hardware defect, but it’s becoming quite bothersome and I’m unsure how to proceed. Does anyone else have this problem, and if so, what could be causing it?
6 Answers

I’m a tech enthusiast and bumped into the same issue where I couldn’t hear callers unless on speaker. Here are the methods I tried:
- Update Carrier Settings: Go to Settings > General > About. If an update prompt appears, follow through.
- Bluetooth Devices: Ensure Bluetooth is off. Sometimes, connected devices can cause this. Go to Settings > Bluetooth and toggle off if necessary.
- Microphone & Speaker Testing: Test using Voice Memos. Record a message and play it back. This can help identify if it’s a hardware problem.
- Seek Professional Help: If nothing works, visit an Apple Store or authorized service provider to check for hardware issues.
These steps covered all bases for me, and I eventually found that a software update resolved it.

I had the same problem with my iPhone 11. It drove me crazy, so I went to the Apple Store. Here’s what the technician recommended:
- Check for Obstructions: Debris can block the earpiece. Use a soft brush to clean it gently.
- Restart Your iPhone: Sometimes a simple restart can fix minor glitches. Just hold the power button, then slide to power off and turn on again.
- Update iOS: Ensure your software is up to date. Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Reset All Settings: If the above steps don’t work, reset all settings by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This won’t delete any data but will reset preferences.
This resolved the issue for me. Hopefully, it helps you too!

This same issue happened to my iPhone 11, and in my case, it was the earpiece speaker that had a problem. Let me walk you through what I did:
- Diagnostic Test: Use the Voice Memos app to record and play back a message. If it’s clear, the earpiece is likely fine.
- Visit the Genius Bar: Set up an appointment at the Apple Store. They ran diagnostics and confirmed a faulty earpiece, which they replaced under warranty.
It was a straightforward process and my phone’s been working perfectly since!

I found a solution to this problem on my iPhone 11 through some settings adjustments:
- Hearing Aid Compatibility: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Devices, and turn off “Hearing Aid Compatibility.” This can interfere with earpiece audio.
- Phone Noise Cancellation: Turn off noise cancellation by going to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual, and toggle “Phone Noise Cancellation” off.
These tweaks resolved the issue instantly for me. You might want to give these settings a check too.

Hey, I had the same problem with my iPhone 11 a few months back. It was quite annoying. Here’s what I did that worked:
- Back-Up Your iPhone: Connect to Wi-Fi, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now.
- Perform a Factory Reset: Open Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the prompts to complete the reset.
It took some time to restore my data, but once done, the issue was gone. Definitely worth trying if other methods fail!

I faced the same issue and found that cleaning the earpiece fixed it. Dust and small particles can accumulate and block the sound. Here’s what I did:
- Gather Materials:
- A soft-bristled brush
- A can of compressed air
- Cleaning Process:
- Use the brush to gently sweep away visible dust from the earpiece.
- Hold the can of compressed air a few inches away and blow into the earpiece to clear any particles.
- Test the Earpiece: Make a call to see if the sound quality has improved.
It was a simple fix for me, hope it works for you too!