This post has been Last Updated 7 months ago by Kunal
A headphone jack is a port on a device that allows you to connect headphones or other audio accessories. It is an important feature for many people, as it allows them to listen to music, watch videos, or make phone calls without disturbing others.
However, headphone jacks can sometimes stop working. If this happens to you, there are a few things you can try to fix.
Quick Summary
Common Causes of Headphone Jack Failure
There are a few common causes of headphone jack failure, including:
- Physical damage: This can be caused by dropping your phone, stepping on it, or inserting or removing headphones too forcefully.
- Water damage: If your phone gets wet, it can damage the delicate internal components of the headphone jack.
- Dirt and debris: Over time, dirt and debris can accumulate in the headphone jack, causing it to malfunction.
- Software issues: Sometimes, a software glitch can cause your headphone jack to stop working.
Here’s the Instant Fixes for the Headphone Jack on Android Not Working
If your headphone jack is not working, there are a few things you can try to fix it:
Quick Fix 1: Check the basics
So whenever you see that your headphone jack is not working I will plug into the headphones earphones for whatever you are using but it’s still not working, probably the headphone jack has some issues and this is the basic thing that you should ensure before performing the next few fixes.
Make sure that your headphones are properly plugged into the jack. Try using a different pair of headphones to see if that solves the problem.
Quick Fix 2: Clean the headphone jack
No cleaning the headphone jack can be one of the best things you can do whenever you see it’s soft working, Here’s the lowdown:
- Grab a toothpick or a toothpick-like thing, you know, something pointy but not too sharp.
- Gently stick it in there, the headphone jack I mean, not too deep though.
- Give it a little wiggle and twist, just like you’re saying hi to an old friend.
- You’d be amazed at the gunk that might come out, like pocket lint and stuff.
- Do this a couple of times until it looks clean.
- Pop your headphones back in, and bam, good as new!
Use a can of compressed air or a cotton swab to clean out any dirt or debris from the headphone jack.
Quick Fix 3: Restart your phone
Oftentimes many users and even myself also face the same things so what I generally do is I actually restart my device and in most cases, it fixes the issue.
A simple restart can often fix minor software glitches.
Advance Fixes
Fix 1: Connector Board Issue
One user suggests that the issue might be related to loose or broken contacts between the headphone jack and the connector board. They recommend fixing it yourself if you are comfortable with soldering or replacing the connector board.
Fix 2: Replace Connector Board
The headphone jack on the OP-1 is known to be prone to failure. I highly recommend replacing the connector board, which can be purchased from Ifixit, but note that it might be frequently out of stock.
Don’t do it yourself unless you are a technician or know how the hardware repair works.
Fix 3: Power Up with Headphones Plugged In
Now I’m mentioning the trick that can keep the headphones plugged in while powering up the device seems to help in some cases.
Fix 4: Check for Moisture
If your headphone jack is not working, it is possible that there is moisture inside. This can happen if you get your phone wet, or if you use it in a humid environment. Moisture can cause the electrical contacts in the headphone jack to corrode, which can prevent it from working properly.
To remove moisture from the headphone jack
- Turn off your phone and unplug it from the charger.
- Use a can of compressed air to blow out any moisture from the headphone jack.
- If you don’t have a can of compressed air, you can use a hair dryer on the cool setting.
- Once you have removed most of the moisture, you can use a tissue or a cotton swab to dry out the headphone jack completely.
Important: Be careful not to push the tissue or cotton swab too far into the headphone jack, as this could damage the internal components.
Fix 5: Multi-Function Plug
Now I’m sharing my personal experience with a similar issue where the multi-function plug appeared to be the problem. provided a link to images to illustrate the difference between the plugs that worked and the ones that didn’t.
The best thing is you can use the USB Audio Adapter which can be really helpful in many cases. Moreover, if you actually think that the headphone jack is damaged then alternatively you can buy the Usb Audio Adapter, which would be really helpful.
Tips for Preventing Headphone Jack Failure
There are a few things you can do to prevent headphone jack failure:
- Be careful with your phone: Avoid dropping your phone or stepping on it. When inserting or removing headphones, do so gently.
- Keep your phone away from water: If you get your phone wet, dry it off immediately.
- Regularly clean the headphone jack: Use a can of compressed air or a cotton swab to remove any dirt or debris from the headphone jack.
- Use high-quality headphones: Avoid using cheap, poorly made headphones, as they are more likely to damage the headphone jack.
Terminology
- Headphone jack: A port on a device that allows you to connect headphones or other audio accessories.
- Software glitch: A minor error in a software program.
- Hardware damage: Physical damage to a device’s internal components.
Simple Language:
- Headphone jack: The hole on your phone where you plug in your headphones.
- Software glitch: A small mistake in the program that runs your phone.
- Hardware damage: When something inside your phone breaks.
Conclusion
If your headphone jack is not working on Android, there are a few things you can try to fix. First, check the basics and clean the headphone jack. If that doesn’t work, try restarting your phone or updating your phone’s software.
If you have tried all of the above troubleshooting steps and your headphone jack is still not working, there may be hardware damage. In this case, you will need to take your phone to a repair shop.
If you want more help, do let me know in the comments section, or make sure you send us your device model, and an image of the headphone jack including the headphone plug, using our contact email.