Here’s why is my phone not vibrating (instant fixes)

This post has been Last Updated 2 months ago by Kunal

We are confident that this guide will help you get your phone vibrating again in no time. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started! Below is why is your phone not vibrating and also I will share some proven tips and tricks to fix it.

why is my phone not vibrating gif

Here are some of the possible causes of phone vibration failure:

  • The vibration motor is damaged or defective.
  • Any app malfunctioning with vibration settings.
  • Maybe you have turned off the vibrate from settings.
  • The phone’s software is not up to date.
  • There is a problem with the phone’s battery.
  • There is a problem with the phone’s case.

How to Fix Phone Not Vibrating, When Vibration Motor is Not Working

1. Software Glitches or Recent Updates

Sometimes, when your phone stops vibrating completely, it may be due to software glitches or recent updates. If you have recently updated your smartphone, the update caused the vibration to stop working.

phone updates

This happened to someone who updated their smartphone to a new version and discovered that the vibration no longer worked for calls or notifications. You can find more information about this issue in the following Reddit link.

  • Check for the option to continue the previous update. If available, proceed with it.
  • If the previous update cannot continue, try restarting your smartphone twice or thrice. This can sometimes resolve software-related problems.

2. Settings Changes and Customizations

Sometimes, the reason your phone is not vibrating at all can be related to changes in the settings. You can follow the steps outlined in a YouTube video I watched to fix this. The video suggests disabling the mute and “Do Not Disturb” modes on your Android or iOS device.

do not disturb mode exception
phone on silent mode screenshot

It may prevent vibrations when your smartphone is silent or in “Do Not Disturb” mode. Here are the steps to turn off “Do Not Disturb” mode and silent mode:

  • For Android devices: a. Swipe down from the top of the screen to access the notification panel. b. Look for the “Do Not Disturb” icon or toggle and tap on it to turn it off. c. Check the volume settings and ensure the device is not silent.
  • For iOS devices: a. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the Control Center. b. Tap the “Do Not Disturb” icon or toggle to turn it off. c. Check the side switch on your iPhone or the volume buttons and ensure the device is not silent.

Following these steps, you can disable “Do Not Disturb” and silent modes on your device, allowing the vibration function to work properly.

3. Interference from Third-Party Apps

Third-party apps can sometimes interfere with your phone’s vibration functionality. These apps may conflict with system settings, causing your phone not to vibrate as expected. To address this issue:

  • Identify problematic apps: Look for recently installed apps or those causing performance issues on your device, especially those with vibration or notification permissions.
  • Disable vibration permissions: Go to your device’s settings, select the problematic app(s), and disable any permissions related to vibration. This prevents the app from controlling your phone’s vibration.
  • Restart your device: After disabling the permissions, restart your phone to ensure the changes take effect.
power menu to restart, power off or emergency call

By addressing interference from third-party apps, you can resolve vibration issues and restore normal functionality to your device.

4. Best Fix for Phone Not Vibrating

Seeing people actively exploring their phone settings and discovering interesting options is great. However, it’s important to note that some settings can inadvertently affect the vibration function. One such setting is the battery-saver mode.

battery shown with the text

If you have recently enabled the battery-saver mode on your smartphone, it can prevent your phone from vibrating. This is a common reason behind the issue. You will need to disable the battery-saver mode to resolve the problem of Android not vibrating.

someone in the yt comments says to disable battery saver to fix phone not vibrating with replies

By disabling the battery-saver mode, you should be able to restore the vibration functionality on your phone.

I came across this information while going through various YouTube video comments. One comment mentioned that when the battery saver mode is enabled to save the battery, the phone’s vibration motor may not work and won’t start.

In the replies to that comment, some people confirmed this observation and mentioned that they had disabled the battery-saver mode, which resolved the vibration issue.

someone in the yt comments says to disable battery saver to fix phone not vibrating

Disabling the battery-saver mode allows the vibration function to work properly on their phones, based on the experiences shared in the comments.

5. Potential Hardware Malfunctions

Before writing this article, I conducted extensive research. While researching, I came across YouTube comments where many mentioned needing a different solution. In some of the replies, it was mentioned that the issue could be related to hardware requiring the assistance of a repair professional.

phone's hardware shown on a capture photo shown on a android

If you have tried all the steps mentioned earlier and have yet to resolve the problem, the issue may lie with the hardware. In such cases, your phone’s vibrator may continuously vibrate without stopping. These types of issues are more likely to be related to hardware malfunctions.

Please note that when encountering persistent vibration issues, it is recommended to seek the assistance of a professional repair person who can diagnose and fix the hardware problem.

Advanced Troubleshooting Methods:

6. Analyzing Vibration Patterns Using Diagnostic Tools

As mentioned, the phone may not vibrate due to software or hardware problems. In most cases, it is related to software issues. Here’s how to determine the cause.

Vibration Test App

Firstly, you need to install a vibration testing app from the Play Store (for Android) or Apple’s App Store (for iOS). Download the app and run the test to check if your phone vibrates or not. If your phone vibrates, congratulations! It indicates that the issue is not hardware-related but rather a software error.

If the vibration test doesn’t work, it could be due to hardware failures or a malfunctioning vibrator motor.

7. Resetting the Device’s Vibration Settings

To adjust the vibration settings on your device, follow these steps:

fix the phone's vibration
  1. Open the Settings app on your device.
  2. Tap on Accessibility.
  3. Look for the option labeled “Vibration & haptic strength” and tap on it.
  4. Within this menu, you can review and change the settings for different types of vibrations, including ring vibration, notification vibration, and touch feedback.

By customizing these settings, you can ensure that your device vibrates according to your preferences for notifications and interactions.

8. Safe Mode and System Updates

Safe Mode and System Updates can also play a role in resolving vibration issues on your device.

safe mode gif in fun way
  • Safe Mode: Booting your device in Safe Mode can help identify if a third-party app is causing conflicts with the vibration feature. To enter Safe Mode, follow these steps (which may vary slightly depending on the device model):
  • System Updates: To check for system updates:
    • Go to your device’s Settings.
    • Look for “System” or “Software Update” (may vary depending on the device).
    • Tap on “System Updates” and check for any available updates.
    • If an update is available, follow the prompts to download and install it.
    • After the update, check if the vibration issue has been resolved.
Software update_ Samsung smartphone
update the app asap

By utilizing Safe Mode to identify problematic apps and ensuring your device has the latest system updates, you increase the chances of resolving vibration-related problems.

9. Clear the Cache of the Settings App

  1. Clear the cache of the Settings mobile app. This can typically be done by going to the Settings app, selecting “Apps” or “Applications,” finding the Settings app in the list, and then choosing to clear its cache.
  2. Disable the Settings app. Similarly, there should be an option to disable the Settings app in the app settings. This may require tapping on “Disable” or a similar option within the app settings menu.
  3. Reopen the app. After disabling the Settings app, reopen it to check if the vibration feature works properly when receiving calls.

Here are some expert-level troubleshooting methods to resolve the issue of phone vibration failure:

  • Check the vibration motor. If the vibration motor is damaged or defective, you must replace it.
  • Update the phone’s software. If the phone’s software is not up to date, it may cause the vibration to stop working.
  • Check the phone’s battery. If the phone’s battery is low, it may not have enough power to vibrate.
  • Check the phone’s case. If the phone’s case is too thick or bulky, it may block the vibration motor.

We hope this guide has been helpful. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

You can visit these links to access the respective Reddit threads:

reddit threads i read on phone isn't vibrating screenshot
Threads that I read.
  1. Phone doesn’t vibrate anymore for some reason? – Link to Reddit thread
  2. Phone isn’t vibrating when receiving notifications? – Link to Reddit thread
  3. My phone doesn’t vibrate. Recently I’ve dropped it, dropped into water, rooted it and broke it. – Link to Reddit thread
  4. Just updated my phone and now it won’t vibrate when I get a notification. – Link to Reddit thread

Conclusion

You can regain control over your devices and restore much-needed vibration functionality by diving into the possible causes of phone vibration failure and utilizing advanced troubleshooting methods.

ALSO READ: Guide on Fixing Greyed Apps Icon

Whether addressing software glitches, adjusting settings, or exploring hardware diagnostics, this guide equips you with the knowledge and expertise to confidently fix phone vibration issues.

I hope you found the article helpful, and if you have anything to contribute, please feel free to share it in the comments. Your comments are valuable to those seeking additional information and confirmation from users like yourself.

Thank you for taking the time to comment and provide your insights.

Kunal
Kunalhttps://www.fixitkunal.com/author/kunal-kashyap/
Kunal Kashyap, the tech guru behind FixItKunal.com, simplifies complex tech issues with clear and user-friendly guides. With expertise in Android, iOS, and more, his tutorials empower users to tackle tech problems confidently. Kunal's engaging style makes technology accessible to both beginners and experts. Beyond tech, he explores psychology and keeps up with tech and business trends awarded by the Government and Namita Thapar.

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