[Q] Earpiece Does Not Work: Software to Blame? - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I just received a Nexus 4 for my wife (mine is awesome). Everything works except you can't hear callers using the phone's earpiece (meaning just holding it up to your ear like normal). You can only use bluetooth or the speakerphone.
Is there anything on the software end that may be causing this, or could it only be hardware? We just got a new micro-sim(switched from regular sized sim from old phone) and the phone is on 4.2.1.
Thanks.

Related

HD2 in-call speaker is dead after dropping from 2 stories

This is not my phone but a friend's phone that I am trying to fix. She dropped it 2 stories and the phone, due to its sturdiness, looks absolutely fine.
In any case, there is nothing wrong with the phone:
External speakers (used for playing music, watching Youtube, etc) works
When calling people, they hear me just fine [works]
However, the in-call speaker doesn't work (when I call people, they can hear me but I cannot hear them)
Here's what I have tried so far:
-putting the call on speaker works but that's probably because it switches to use the external speaker
-I reflashed her ROM but the problem still persists
-if I use headphones, I can hear the caller speaking
Any other things I can try?
P.S. I am amazed at the sturdiness of this phone!
Two stories, did you say? She's lucky.
You gotta open it up- see if the contacts of the handset speaker are in the right place. I don't think it would have gone bad.
While you are at it, make sure the antenna contacts are proper, a known problem after dropping this phone is low or erratic signal after a fall.
Swyped from my HTC HD2 using XDA Premium
2ft or 2meters right?
but 2 stories high & it's still OK?
man what casing was she using?
anyways there could be a dislodge wire/ connector from that fall & luckily it's just that:fingers-crossed:
nexus14 said:
This is not my phone but a friend's phone that I am trying to fix. She dropped it 2 stories and the phone, due to its sturdiness, looks absolutely fine.
In any case, there is nothing wrong with the phone:
External speakers (used for playing music, watching Youtube, etc) works
When calling people, they hear me just fine [works]
However, the in-call speaker doesn't work (when I call people, they can hear me but I cannot hear them)
Here's what I have tried so far:
-putting the call on speaker works but that's probably because it switches to use the external speaker
-I reflashed her ROM but the problem still persists
-if I use headphones, I can hear the caller speaking
Any other things I can try?
P.S. I am amazed at the sturdiness of this phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hd2 have two speakers, front called ear speaker and back speaker which is activated on notification, playing media files and putting call on handsfree mode.
You need to check Ear speaker.
There are few movies on youtube how to open hd2, search for disassembling hd2.
Check connector on ear speaker.
If doesn't help then buy new one there on internet from 5 to 10$ if you are from States you can have free shipping.
Changing ear speaker isnt complicated just be sure to check few videos before doing it.
I have same issue atm, ill need to do this also.
Sent from my NexusHD2 using xda premium
ph03n!x said:
Two stories, did you say? She's lucky.
You gotta open it up- see if the contacts of the handset speaker are in the right place. I don't think it would have gone bad.
While you are at it, make sure the antenna contacts are proper, a known problem after dropping this phone is low or erratic signal after a fall.
Swyped from my HTC HD2 using XDA Premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the late reply. Based on the responses I got, it seems the only way to fix this is to open it up. Thanks for your help
mengfei said:
2ft or 2meters right?
but 2 stories high & it's still OK?
man what casing was she using?
anyways there could be a dislodge wire/ connector from that fall & luckily it's just that:fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
She was not using any case at all, surprisingly.
simply replace the speaker
its very easy just unscrew four screws from back and and lift the front from back from edges from opener
here is guide for hd2 from mikechannon
http://mikechannon.net/PDF Manuals/HTCHD2Dismantling.doc
Similar problem here
Hi,
I have the exact same problem you have regarding the non-working ear speaker. I inherited my phone so I don't know if it's been dropped or not, or if the non-working ear speaker is due to software and/or ROM issues. The previous owner had winmo and he said it worked fine.
I suspect it's due to software since sometimes the ear (front) speaker does work, but usually not. I've tried a bunch of different ICS ROMS (CM9, AOKP, PA, currently on Slim-ICS 4.2) and the problem remains which would seem to point to hardware failure, no? What confuses me is the fact that it sometimes (rarely) works. Most of the time I have to enable speakerphone to hear the other side of calls.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
I have enclosed a clip from logcat in case anyone sees anything weird that I'm not seeing.
janus19 said:
Hi,
I have the exact same problem you have regarding the non-working ear speaker. I inherited my phone so I don't know if it's been dropped or not, or if the non-working ear speaker is due to software and/or ROM issues. The previous owner had winmo and he said it worked fine.
I suspect it's due to software since sometimes the ear (front) speaker does work, but usually not. I've tried a bunch of different ICS ROMS (CM9, AOKP, PA, currently on Slim-ICS 4.2) and the problem remains which would seem to point to hardware failure, no? What confuses me is the fact that it sometimes (rarely) works. Most of the time I have to enable speakerphone to hear the other side of calls.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
I have enclosed a clip from logcat in case anyone sees anything weird that I'm not seeing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thing for me. Im 99% sure is hardware failure, ear speaker died or it is disconnected from slot.
Why im thinking this, when gently tap back of cover where speaker is i can here like its disconnected from slot. Sometimes when i tap while in call sound come back for sec.
Next week ill dissemble my hd2 to check if its disconnected or ear speaker died.
Anyway you can buy ear speaker on net for few bucks, they are mostly for u.s. model but think its same as for eu version
Sent from my HTC HD2 using xda premium
Looks like this may be more common than initially thought.
Any one know of any app or diagnostic software in Android that can be used to test the rear and ear (front) speakers to determine whether this is a hardware or software issue?
I'd like to make sure this is a hardware issue before opening the phone up.

Low microphone volume?

Does anyone else have the person they are talking to mention how low you sound to them when speaking on the phone?
It seems like I have a low microphone on my nexus 4, unless the phone is directly in front of my mouth the person can't hear me clearly, I'm thinking it might be hardware but I know with some phones this can be corrected with a custom driver that makes the microphone more receptive
Is there an app or setting that I can use that would disable noise cancellation in case that's what causing my mic to make me sound low?
mastrgamr said:
Does anyone else have the person they are talking to mention how low you sound to them when speaking on the phone?
It seems like I have a low microphone on my nexus 4, unless the phone is directly in front of my mouth the person can't hear me clearly, I'm thinking it might be hardware but I know with some phones this can be corrected with a custom driver that makes the microphone more receptive
Is there an app or setting that I can use that would disable noise cancellation in case that's what causing my mic to make me sound low?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I have the exact same problem - not sure what we can do to fix it.
If I crank up the volume fully it appears to -sometimes- solve the low audio problem.
_stefans_ said:
Actually I have the exact same problem - not sure what we can do to fix it.
If I crank up the volume fully it appears to -sometimes- solve the low audio problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if it -sometimes- solves the problem then it might be a software bug. i hope some dev can be notified of this. have you tried a different ROM? if yes, have you notified the dev of the ROM?
Jamal Ahmed said:
if it -sometimes- solves the problem then it might be a software bug. i hope some dev can be notified of this. have you tried a different ROM? if yes, have you notified the dev of the ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its actually on stock, so I just rooted it, and will try with a different rom shortly.
Same thing here.. Sometimes they hear me, sometimes they don't even during the same call..
I'm starting to think the noise cancellation is playing some tricks.
While driving home this afternoon I was on headset on the freeway, where those I talked to could barely hear me.
Unplugged my headset (klipsch s4 image ii), and sound was good. After a while I plugged headset in again, still bad.
When coming off the freeway I kept the headset on while talking - and all of the sudden it was crystal clear (using the words of the guy I talked to at the time). At the same time I noticed that I had no data (outside even edge coverage), don't know if that is related or not.
Is there some way we could experiment / disable or tweak the noise cancelling?
Ps: I have had the same issues without headset also, so definitely something general software things going on
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
_stefans_ said:
Its actually on stock, so I just rooted it, and will try with a different rom shortly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same setup. I am using the Xylon (stable) 15 ROM for several days now, and SO FAR I think the microphone reception is better. I haven't heard complaint from the person I speak to on the regular. *cross fingers* hope it's 'fixed' in some way.
equi said:
Same thing here.. Sometimes they hear me, sometimes they don't even during the same call..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly how my phone was as well. I would be on one call for a while and all of a sudden out of nowhere the person I'm speaking to says I sound like I'm speaking across a room and I'm like 'wtf happened? I haven't changed positions since I started talking to you!'
I did a little testing with the person I was speaking to as well, to test the microphone receptiveness and the mic seems to pickup my voice better, I wasn't speaking directly into the mic and they said they heard me fine.
_stefans_ said:
I'm starting to think the noise cancellation is playing some tricks.
While driving home this afternoon I was on headset on the freeway, where those I talked to could barely hear me.
Unplugged my headset (klipsch s4 image ii), and sound was good. After a while I plugged headset in again, still bad.
When coming off the freeway I kept the headset on while talking - and all of the sudden it was crystal clear (using the words of the guy I talked to at the time). At the same time I noticed that I had no data (outside even edge coverage), don't know if that is related or not.
Is there some way we could experiment / disable or tweak the noise cancelling?
Ps: I have had the same issues without headset also, so definitely something general software things going on
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a sneaking suspicion It might have to do with the noise cancelation as well, I think on paper whoever designed that feature on the phone thought it would be cool but it doesn't seem to be panning out too well. I've read somewhere on this forum about how to increase microphone volume and cancel the noise cancellation using the Terminal Emulator app and/or the phone's dial codes (#*#*some sumbers*#*#).
I have the same earphones (no mic attached) and I have similar experience but I haven't taken note of it like you have since 95% of the time I have my headphones in the phone.
I also want to mention a little trick that I think seems to work when on calls. Whenever I turn the phone over, screen facing opposite of me, I hear less complaints of me sounding too low to the other person. Maybe it's doning something... i dont know.
Same issue - with headset only though
I have the same issue, people really struggle to hear me on conference calls (which I spend a lot of time on), so I have to hold the mic in front of my mouth to speak which gives awful sound quality. I don't have this issue when not using a headset (phone mic works fine).
Nexus 4 + Klipsch s4a = really quiet mic, people can't hear me at all.
Nexus 4 = No problem, phone mic works.
Note - music playback is fine, no issues there.
My klipsch headphones worked fine on my GNex, no issues, so I don't think it is a problem with them. It has been an issue from the moment I switched to a Nexus 4. Have also tried other headset (samsung one that came with Gnex) - and have the same issue of sounding very quiet on the headset mic.
I did wonder if it was an OMTP vs CTIA issue, but the button on my headset works fine to answer/hangup/skip tracks/open voice search etc. so I don't think it is that.
I also tested with another Nexus 4 handset using Soundmeter and got very similar results on both handsets, suggesting it isn't a handset issue (though not a very scientific test).
Does anyone have any ideas?
Just In Phone Calls?
Hi Folks,
Is this mic issue just related to phone calls?
I'm using the latest CM10.1 nightly build and my mic is useless for phone calls.
However, Google's voice search works just fine and if I record a video my voice is recorded just fine.
I could be wrong but I suspect the Nexus4 can not use the phone jack for incoming audio.
In my opinion when one plugs a headset into the audio jack the Nexus4 camera microphone
becomes activated, not the headset one. And the Nexus4 cam mic is really bad.
Again, I might be completely wrong. (I hope)
---------- Post added at 04:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:59 PM ----------
Ord Mandrell said:
Hi Folks,
Is this mic issue just related to phone calls?
I'm using the latest CM10.1 nightly build and my mic is useless for phone calls.
However, Google's voice search works just fine and if I record a video my voice is recorded just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMG you have it reversed. What a mess!
I have yet to see Google Search understand anything I say and video sound is horrible. Call audio is great.
Hi guys - I am on stock android - same issue on 4.2.2 as on 4.2.1.
This isn't just related to phone calls, same issue on google search. I tested headset mic pickup volume when speaking normally with Soundmeter - around 35-40dB (what it calls a quiet whisper at 3ft to quiet residential area, Park).
I also tried moving the headset mic closer and further away from my mouth with the phone in the same position - with the headset mic virtually touching my lips it went to about 60 dB (normal conversation at 3ft) - so it does seem to be related to the headset mic. I can only guess it is either a dodgy connection in the handset or some noise cancelling functionality that is cancelling out my voice!
Any ideas or thoughts greatly appreciated
OMG you have it reversed. What a mess!
I have yet to see Google Search understand anything I say and video sound is horrible. Call audio is great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Darn it!
I knew I was an outlier.
No way I'm getting a fix for my issue then
Anyone figure out a fix? I'm having similar issues with my microphone.
Hooked as bluetooth device in my vehicle, other end hears me fine.
On phone call using speaker phone, other end hears me fine.
On phone call WITHOUT speaker phone, other end cannot hear me at all.
Using a sound recording app to record voice, playback of the recording I can hear my voice faintly if I was YELLING during the recording.
Shazam/Soundhound apps do not work.
I am rooted on rasbeanjelly/trinity kernel. I have to say this issue started a few days ago when I have done no changes to the phone. Already running the rom/kernel for weeks.
I've tried flashing back to stock rom/kernel and the same problems persist.
Any ideas?
akira112 said:
Anyone figure out a fix? I'm having similar issues with my microphone.
Hooked as bluetooth device in my vehicle, other end hears me fine.
On phone call using speaker phone, other end hears me fine.
On phone call WITHOUT speaker phone, other end cannot hear me at all.
Using a sound recording app to record voice, playback of the recording I can hear my voice faintly if I was YELLING during the recording.
Shazam/Soundhound apps do not work.
I am rooted on rasbeanjelly/trinity kernel. I have to say this issue started a few days ago when I have done no changes to the phone. Already running the rom/kernel for weeks.
I've tried flashing back to stock rom/kernel and the same problems persist.
Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just an update, I unrooted and reverted back to stock and the problem went away, so it was defnitely a software issue. Will be trying other roms/radios/kernels and see if the problem comes back.
I was on rasbeanjelly 4.2.2/trinity
akira112, did you get any success with your experiments?
Guys, is there any progress / comments regarding this issue?.. Microphone itself works fine when recording the voice with some app, but during the voice calls it is the mess...
My Nexus 4 is two months old and is being returned to Google due to the microphone constantly cutting me out on calls to business clients. I've tried every trick from sound apps to custom roms. No joy. I'm hoping my replacement doesn't have the same problem (although given the sheer number of postings on this issue, I suspect a Nexus 4 design flaw)...
Hello
Is there any solution to low microphone volume problem?
I have been using my N4 for a week and some people complain about my voice's volume. There was no such problem with my previous phone (Defy). There is no difference whether I use phone's mic or bluetooth headset.
My Nexus runs CM10.1 with Franco kernel.
Also keen for a solution
I just returned my first N4 due to the speakerphone cutting out after a minute or two, and getting stuck in non-speakerphone mode.
The replacement seems to not have this issue, which is nice.
But now people are telling me they can hardly hear me. It happens both with normal mode and speakerphone mode.
Ridiculous.
I will be calling Google tomorrow to see what they say, but I am not going to hold my breath for a decent response. Judging by the number of people reporting this issue online, it's not something Google has a solution for.
If anyone figures this out, I'd love to hear about it.
Have sent mine for repair because of this problem. People told they could not here me well.
Skickat från min GT-I9305 via Tapatalk 2
I have the same issue, couldn't fix it but what I noted was that any mic gain adjustments I made only applied to the phone's mic not the headset mic. That means that there is something else that modifies the headset mic, but I do not know.

Can no longer hear phone calls without speaker phone.

Seeing as there's no earpiece and it uses that 'direct wave technology feature to vibrate the audio off the screen, dropping the device can cause this issue.
No external damage whatsoever, but it must have jogged some pieces around inside and caused 2 issues.
1. Extremely quiet (can't hear it really at all) audio during phone calls
2. My apple headphones all of the sudden don't work with this device. Only standard headphones work. (they have a slightly different plug. The order of the L and R inputs are switched on the plug)
I only had the phone 2 weeks. Not sure what to do seeing as I have it on Boost Mobile and bought it from their site. Its not worth sending back and being without a phone (which I can't anyway (14 day warranty))
There's no obvious damage on the inside so I can't tell what happened in there.

Primary mic broken, is it possible to redirect to secondary mic?

Hi all,
I am having problems with calling since i bought my n9005 4 years back, people did not hear me speak on the other side, but when i put the phone in speaker mode the sound was just fine on receiver side.
Using different roms from stock to CM13 and miui nothing software related seemed to be the problem (tried all the things that i could find on the net and in settings).
Anyway, so I always been calling on speaker or using my huawei watch.
Now after all this time i thought lets fix it, and bought a new USB / Mic unit which i installed without success.
Since on speaker calls still works great, normal calls only cracking sound, i thought maybe its possible to redirect thru software to secondary mic on top of phone which i believe gets activated when talk on speaker phone?
Thanks in advance.

Is my Nokia 6's earpiece speaker broken?

Hi all,
I've had my Nokia 6 since September, and I've noticed call quality was not so good. Yesterday I finally investigated this by calling making some calls to another cell phone using the both regular cell network and over WhatsApp. For both, the audio is clean only at low volume levels (sub 33%). For higher volumes, it is distorted. It sounds like the speaker is in overdrive (?).
I also noticed that when I shake the phone or tap the top lightly, it sounds like something (the speaker?) inside is loose. And no, I didn't drop it (yet . The distortion was present from day one.
However, when playing music through the speakers, it sounds fine to me, also at maximum volume. I'm assuming this is using the same speaker as for calls?
Has anyone else noticed the distortion during voice calls? Or at least the loose component inside the phone?
I'm guessing I need to return it for repair, but I first want to make sure this is not the normal behavior (software/configuration issue). The phone is working fine otherwise. I've the global (European?) dual-sim version TA-1021 ordered from amazon.de with the latest updates.
Thanks!
brechtm said:
Hi all,
I've had my Nokia 6 since September, and I've noticed call quality was not so good. Yesterday I finally investigated this by calling making some calls to another cell phone using the both regular cell network and over WhatsApp. For both, the audio is clean only at low volume levels (sub 33%). For higher volumes, it is distorted. It sounds like the speaker is in overdrive (?).
I also noticed that when I shake the phone or tap the top lightly, it sounds like something (the speaker?) inside is loose. And no, I didn't drop it (yet . The distortion was present from day one.
However, when playing music through the speakers, it sounds fine to me, also at maximum volume. I'm assuming this is using the same speaker as for calls?
Has anyone else noticed the distortion during voice calls? Or at least the loose component inside the phone?
I'm guessing I need to return it for repair, but I first want to make sure this is not the normal behavior (software/configuration issue). The phone is working fine otherwise. I've the global (European?) dual-sim version TA-1021 ordered from amazon.de with the latest updates.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same voice distortion issue since Oreo update today.
Looking forward to XDAdevs to fix the issue soon!
My phone turned out to have a defective speaker. I received a replacement from Amazon and returned the broken one.
I also noticed a sound issue after the Oreo update. This only is present when Dolby is turned on, though.

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