Why is my mic and speakers no longer working?

[Android Central Question]

Hey everyone,

So this issue has been ongoing for a while and it's a pretty confusing one.

My speakers and microphone suddenly stopped working when I upgraded to Android 9. I thought it could have been a hardware failure, but after much testing it's clearly software related.

I bought a Bluetooth headset, audio works when it's rooted to a Bluetooth device, but the microphone still doesn't work.

When I go into settings, and adjust the volume for the ringer and the alarm, my speakers work.

When I boot into safe mode, my microphone works for one recording, then stops working. However my speakers don't work in safe mode.

I have flashed an OTA recovery, done a factory reset and also uninstalled updates to the phone, sms and camera app in a hopes it was an issue with one of those.

Any ideas of what it could be?

Do I need to install TWRP and reflash a custom rom?

 

[mustang7757]

Hi, welcome to Android Forums

I'd like to recommend creating a account so me or other members can assist you, as guest have limitations in replying here and if we need further Information to communicate with you.

I'll provide a link to register, please come back to your post so we can further assist you . Thank you
https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

 

[mustang7757]

Let's start by which phone? You flashed back to stock firmware but do you still have a custom recovery?

 

[Kwongjr]

Hi Mustang,

I've created an account as per your suggestion.

I am on an OG Google Pixel, purchased via Pre-order in Canada, initially locked to Telus.

I am running Sailfish stock firmware, no custom rom or recovery. I am also unrooted if that helps in any way!

 

[mustang7757]

Hi, welcome
So this issue happened after you rooted and put a custom recovery?

Hi Mustang,

I've created an account as per your suggestion.

I am on an OG Google Pixel, purchased via Pre-order in Canada, initially locked to Telus.

I am running Sailfish stock firmware, no custom rom or recovery. I am also unrooted if that helps in any way!

 

[mustang7757]

Or you thinking about doing this to see if helps?

 

[Kwongjr]

Or you thinking about doing this to see if helps?

Sorry, to clarify I have not rooted my device, and I have not flashed a custom rom.

I am thinking I may try this to see if it could help, but not sure if there is an easier fix someone may know of.

 

[mustang7757]

Ok thank you , no I don't recommend root or flashing another Rom . I would recommend taking to a repair center if both mic and speakers are not working . At one point they did work correctly?

 

[B. Diddy]

The 1st gen Pixel was known for mic issues, such that there was a successful class action brought against Google about it: https://www.classlawgroup.com/google-pixel-microphone-defect-lawsuit/. Might be what you're experiencing.

 

[Kwongjr]

Ok thank you , no I don't recommend root or flashing another Rom . I would recommend taking to a repair center if both mic and speakers are not working . At one point they did work correctly?

At one point the speakers and mic worked.

Yesterday my speakers just randomly decided to work for approximately 5 hours, then stopped again.

I've looked at the mic class action that's on going- however I purchased the phone in Canada, and presently live in NZ.

I'd like to clarify again that the microphone is working in safe mode, just for some reason even after a factory reset, it cannot work in a normal boot.

 

[mustang7757]

At one point the speakers and mic worked.

Yesterday my speakers just randomly decided to work for approximately 5 hours, then stopped again.

I've looked at the mic class action that's on going- however I purchased the phone in Canada, and presently live in NZ.

I'd like to clarify again that the microphone is working in safe mode, just for some reason even after a factory reset, it cannot work in a normal boot.

If works in safe mode, then a app is causing this