Google Pixel microphone not working? Here's how to fix it

⚡ Fast fix

• Kill Bluetooth: Turn off Bluetooth to stop your phone from routing audio to a hidden pair of headphones.
• Clean the ports: Use a dry cotton swab or soft brush to clear lint out of the microphone holes.
• Force a restart: Press Power + Volume Up and tap Restart to clear out temporary audio glitches.
• Hunt down toxic apps: Hold down the power menu to boot into Safe Mode to see if a sketchy third-party app is blocking your mic.

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“Hello? Can you hear me? Are you there?"

If you've ever said—or maybe shouted—those words into your Google Pixel™ then you know how frustrating it can be when someone can't hear you through the microphone. Don't worry, whether you've got a Pixel™ 4a or a Pixel 6, we've got you covered.

Asurion is your one-stop shop for troubleshooting, fixing, and getting the most out of your tech. From repairing a frozen Pixel screen to taking screenshots, our experts are here to help.

Here are some tips for fixing a Google Pixel microphone that's not working.

1. Make sure your phone isn't muted

When your microphone is working for everything else but phone calls, try making a call and check to see whether your mic is muted. You can do so by taking a look at the call or app screen to see whether you have the mute button pressed or whether the mute icon (typically a microphone with a line through it) is present.

2. Turn off Bluetooth

Another common problem could be the audio and microphone is being connected to a device using Bluetooth®. To know for sure, turn off Bluetooth. Here's how:

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
2. Tap Bluetooth to turn it off.

With Bluetooth turned off, try using the microphone. Be sure to verify that the phone is not muted.

3. Restart your Pixel

Restarting your phone is a simple fix that resolves most glitches, including some microphone issues. On a Pixel 7 and newer, press and hold the Power button and Volume Up button simultaneously.

Restart a Pixel 6 by holding Volume Down + Power, and older Pixels by holding just the Power button.

4. Update your software

The software on the Google Pixel can have trouble communicating with the microphone due to a glitch or a bug. Restarting your phone can help, but you may need a software update as well to resolve the problem. Go to Settings > System > Software updates > System update.

5. Clean your speaker

Giving your phone a good cleaning could be just what your microphone needs. Remove the phone case and find your speakers, which are located at the top and bottom of the device.

To clean your phone's speakers, use canned air, a dry cotton ball, or a speaker cleaning brush with soft bristles.

6. Test out the microphone

Microphone still not working? Let's test it in two ways to help figure out the problem.

1. Turn on Safe Mode. Safe mode turns off third-party apps. This helps you determine the cause for your Pixel's microphone not working: the microphone itself or an app you've downloaded. From your phone's restart menu, press and hold Restart until the device turns off and then restarts in Safe Mode. Then test the microphone on a call and with an available app, like Google Assistant™. To turn off Safe Mode, restart your phone again.
2. Try recording audio. If the microphone picks up audio in a recording, the problem isn't likely to be the microphone itself. To test this, open the Recorder app on the phone and tap Record. Once you've got the recording, tap Pause > Save. Listen to the recording to see whether you can hear anything.

7. Uninstall apps with microphone trouble

If you're having trouble with the microphone in just an app or two, this means your apps might be the problem. Go back and delete any apps that don't work with the microphone. Make sure to test out the audio in between deleting your apps.

Uninstall and then re-install by long-pressing the app icon right on your home screen and tap App info (the "i" icon) > Uninstall.

8. Bring it in for a repair

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FAQ

What causes a Pixel microphone to fail?

Usually pocket lint blocking the ports, a software glitch, or a third-party app hoarding audio permissions.

Where are the microphones located?

Most Pixels have three: on the bottom edge, the top edge, and the back camera bar.

Why does my mic only work on speakerphone?

Pixels use different mics for different tasks. If speakerphone works, your top mic is fine but your bottom mic is clogged or broken.

How do I manage app mic permissions?

Go to Settings > Privacy > Permission manager > Microphone to view or block app access.

What if my microphone is completely dead?

If cleaning, updating, and testing in Safe Mode fail, you likely have a hardware issue requiring physical repair.