Is Headphone Jack Not Working on Android? Here’s How to Fix It

A headphone jack not working can be frustrating—especially when you just want to listen to music, take calls, or watch a video without disturbing others. I recently ran into this issue on my Android phone, and after testing multiple fixes, I figured out exactly what works.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the proven ways to fix a headphone jack that isn’t working, including some advanced fixes you won’t find on most troubleshooting guides.

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:

Over time, lint and dust can clog the TRRS contacts inside the jack. This simple cleaning trick helped me:

How to Clean the Headphone Jack

1. Use a toothpick to gently remove any lint inside the jack.
2. Blow compressed air into the jack to clear out tiny particles.
3. Dip a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol (91%) and gently clean the inside.
4. Let it dry for a minute, then try plugging in your headphones.

👉 What I found surprising

I pulled out a shocking amount of lint from my headphone jack, and after cleaning, my headphones started working instantly!

Use a can of compressed air or a cotton swab to clean out any dirt or debris from the headphone jack.

Quick Fix 3: Check for a Software Bug

A software update can break audio functionality. To rule this out:

1. Update your phone:
   • Go to Settings > Software Update and install the latest version.
2. Boot into Safe Mode:
   • Hold the Power button > Long press “Power Off” > Select Safe Mode.
   • If your headphones work in Safe Mode, a third-party app is causing the issue.

Quick Fix 4: 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.

Some devices (like the OnePlus 7 and Galaxy Note 10) have a separate audio board. If this board is loose or damaged, you may need to:

✅ Press firmly near the headphone jack to check if pressure restores audio.
✅ Get a replacement audio flex board from iFixit or a local repair shop.

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.

If your phone was recently exposed to water or humidity, moisture inside the jack can short-circuit the contacts.

What worked for me:

• Turn off your phone and let it sit in dry rice for 24 hours.
• Use a hairdryer on COOL mode to evaporate moisture.
• If you see a water droplet icon, check your phone’s moisture detection settings.

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.

If your headphone jack is physically damaged, an easy fix is using a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter.

Best USB-C Audio Adapters for Android:

• Anker USB-C to 3.5mm Adapter (Best Overall)
• Google Pixel USB-C Adapter (Official & Reliable)
• Apple USB-C to 3.5mm (Works on Android too!)

Why this works:
A USB audio adapter bypasses the internal DAC, giving direct digital audio output.

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.

Still Not Fixed? Let Me Help!

If you tried all these fixes and your headphone jack is still not working, drop a comment below with:
✅ Your phone model
✅ Your Android version
✅ A photo of your headphone jack

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.