Volume Buttons Not Working On iPhone During Calls? (Fix?)
Last updated on January 24th, 2023 at 06:15 am
Posted in TILs, Errors and Issues by Patricia on October 20, 2022
Volume button not working during call.
Are volume buttons not working on iPhone after iOS 16 update? You’re not able to lower or increase the volume during calls? Clicking Volume Up or Volume Down causes no change in audio intensity whatsoever? Here is what you can do!
Volume Buttons Not Working iOS 16
This issue has been reported by Paul:
“Not able to change volume with buttons during calls. Is this a bug or another functionality that apple considered tweaking in ios 16?”
We’ve found similar complaints on Reddit:
“…still experiencing the bug where you cant adjust the volume while in a phone call when the phone is against your face.”
Update: This bug has been fixed by the iOS 16.3 update! Thanks Tomasz for confirming.
How To Fix Volume Button Unresponsive
This strange behavior might be related with the new Prevent Lock to End Call functionality, that allows you to turn off display during a call by clicking the Side Button, without hanging up.
Intentionally or not, when enabled this feature might also render the Volume buttons unusable. Please try the following:
- Open Settings and browse for Accessibility -> Touch.
- Turn Off Prevent Lock to End Call.
- Dial a new call and test out the Volume buttons are they working now?
Workaround For iOS 16 Volume Buttons Issue
If the above setting won’t fix this strange behaviour for you try the following:
- While on a call, distance the iPhone from your face and bring it into normal holding position.
- Click Volume Up or Volume Down. Is the earpiece audio level being altered? It should work!
However, as soon as you bring your iPhone back to your ear they will become unresponsive again.
Have you managed to fix Volume button not working during calls? Do you have a better solution or other problems to report? Share your feedback in the commnets!
Related: Volume slider lagging in Control Center after iOS update? Here is how to fix it!
In my case, it worked turning prevent lock to end call on, strange
Thank for the feedback. Strange indeed. Glad it worked though. That’s the important thing.
This happens not only during calls but also listening to iMessage and whatsapp messages. Turning off/on “Prevent lock to end call” didn’t help.
Thanks for reporting. Have you updated to iOS 16.1.1 a bug fixing update that was recently released? Does it help?
The problem is still there after update to 16.1.1
Thanks for confirming.
Same problem here in my iPhone 13 Pro Max iOS 16.1.1 , What is your iPhone model?
Glad I’ve found this – thought my phone was broken. Same issue here. Above suggestions sadly didn’t work for me. It’s so annoying having to move the phone away from my ear (so I obvs can’t hear the other person and then have to ask them to repeat what they were saying!) whilst I adjust the volume up or down. Hope it’s fixed soon. It’s driving me nuts. Fully updated to 16.1.1.
Thanks for confirming that this is still an issue in iOS 16.1.1.
Apparently it’s been fixed on iOS 16.1.1 for iPhone 14 Pro Max. All other models will have to wait. I have XR.
That’s interesting. Fix should come in iOS 16.2 in this case. It’s scheduled for December.
This is still an issue in ios 16.1.2 …
Thanks for confirming. Unfortunately, you’re correct.
Problem still persists in 16.2
Thanks for confirming. Sorry to hear this.
Iphone 12 pro same problem and i update my phone to 16.1.1
Thanks for reporting. You’ve tweaked the Prevent Lock to End Call setting?
New iPhone 12 here, have the same problem with phone calls and WhatsApp audio messages. Hope they fix this. If anyone finds help let me know it
Thanks for reporting. Follow us and you will get the fix once it’s available.
I was searching like crazy for this issue…. So glad there’s nothing wrong with my iPhone 13 Pro but that this might be a software issue.. I hope this gets solved quickly…. Non of the above solutions fixed it unfortunately.
Thanks for confirming. Too bad they did not help. Let’s hope that a fix will come in iOS 16.2.
Okey. It is confirmed… It is an IOS 16 problem. My father updated his iphone 13 pro to ios 16 last night and same issue. Never had this problem before.
Thanks for confirming. Does the Prevent Lock to End Call setting influence this behavior if you enable or disable it?
still having the same issue even after 16.2 update :(
Thanks for confirming. We’ve reported this again to Apple. Feedback no. FB11879784
iOS 16.2 does not fix the issue.
Thanks for reporting. Yes, it seems that it isn’t fixed yet.
I’m reading reports that it’s finally been fixed in 16.3 beta 2. Fingers crossed!
That’s great news.
Anyone heard about fixing the volume bug? iPhone 12 still has the problem
Yes, this bug still persists. No fix yet.
have the same problem yet… iphone 14 plus, it’s so annoying
Thanks for confirming. Apparently they fixed in iOS 16.3 Beta 2, so the fix will come out alongside iOS 16.3 in February or March.
16.3
This updated fixed the issue for me.
Excellent. Thanks for confirming!
Yes, definitely fixed – iPhone XR. At last!
Awesome! Enjoy iOS 16.3 and let us know if you encounter any other bugs!
My iPhone 11 is still having the issue with the volume buttons! I have applied all updates through 16.4.1. This is very annoying… Is anyone else still having the problem??
It’s working at our end… iOS 16.5 will be released very soon. Let us know if it makes a difference.