The sound quality of your phone is a primary feature so it's a problem if it suddenly nosedives. If your speaker settings haven't changed, it's probably time for a regular cleaning. The most common speaker issue happens when the external components are blocked by particles of dust, lint, all kinds of dirt, or general debris buildup. When your phone speaker grills are blocked, you may experience sound distortions, scratchy noises, hard to hear phone calls, or need oddly loud music volume. Usually a gentle cleaning will do the trick.
Do This, Not This
- Opt for gentle tools like a soft-bristled brush or painter’s tape to safely improve the audio performance without risk of damage to the internal speaker components.
- Make sure there are no indications of water damage like stubborn spots on the screen. Even minimal water exposure can affect speaker quality and cause severe damage and should take priority over dust buildup.
- Don’t use liquid cleaners or harsh cleansers directly on the speaker. Water droplets can seep into the phone and harsh chemicals can cause permanent damage.
- Avoid sharp objects or metal tools. These can cause physical damages by puncturing the speaker's delicate mesh, or causing internal damage with scratches.
- Don’t use compressed air cans. The strong force of air can push debris further into the speaker hole instead of removing it.
- No matter the method, clean it carefully so you don’t damage delicate components.
You'll Need
- A soft toothbrush or a dedicated cleaning brush
- Painter's tape or masking tape
- Adhesive putty (optional)
- A dry microfiber cloth
- Air blower (manual, not compressed air)
- A flashlight
- Vacuum cleaner (optional)
1. Gently Brush Away Loose Debris
- Check the speaker surface for obvious dirt buildup or obstructions.
- Use a clean toothbrush or a small, soft brush.
- Hold your phone at an angle, so loose dust falls away as you clean.
- Lightly brush the cell phone speaker openings in small circular motions to loosen dirt.
- Test to see if the phone sound has improved.
2. Use Adhesive Tape for Fine Particles
- Tear a small piece of painter’s tape or masking tape (avoid tape with strong adhesive).
- Roll the tape around your finger with the sticky side facing out.
- Gently press the tape onto the speaker grilles to lift away loose surface particles.
- If you can see a lot of gunk buildup deep inside, a clever solution is to set your phone to a basic vibration to shake things loose. You can also use a vacuum cleaner with a small nozzle attachment, or a dedicated cleaning putty to pull out stubborn dirt.
- Check to see if the audio quality has improved.
3. Remove Embedded Dirt with an Air Blower
- Use a handheld air blower to blow light bursts of air across the speaker surface. In a pinch you can use a hair dryer on a cool setting. Again, don't use compressed air!
- Avoid aiming the air directly into the speaker hole; instead, angle it slightly to blow debris loose without pushing it deeper which can cause future damage.
- Repeat the entire process as needed while checking with a flashlight and testing for clearer sound.
- With continued distorted audio or if the sound quality is not improving, it's a sign of ongoing damage. Stop and get professional repair shop rather than risk expensive damage.
4. Use a Sound Technology
- A non-invasive method is to download a reputable speaker cleaning app from your phone's app store. (Clean Tune for iOS and Clear Tune for Android are *free*)
- Open the app and follow the step-by-step instructions to initiate the "cleaning sound mode." This will play specific sound frequencies or a vibration mode.
- Position your mobile phone speaker downward so that as the sound waves vibrate, the dislodged debris falls out.
- Repeat the sound cycles a few times if needed. Some apps include a progress bar to show the cleaning status. Check to see if any scratching noises or distortions during calls have been remedied.
How to Keep Your Phone Speaker Clean
Now that your sound quality is back to optimal performance, keep your speakers clean and free from potential damage by using a phone case. A cover will protect the speaker ports from excess dust. Store your phone properly to avoid exposure to lint by keeping it out of loose bags or pockets.
Also, get used to giving your phone some routine maintenance by wiping it down with a soft cloth. And every couple of times, be sure to clean out pesky dust particles. Clean your phone more carefully at the first sign of muffled calls or gritty distortion. Always keep your phone dry by avoiding humid areas or contact with water.
