Many phones play stereo using two speakers: the bottom speaker and the earpiece at the top. If one side sounds weaker, it’s worth knowing what’s normal before you start fixing things.
Some difference is normal
The earpiece is designed mainly for calls, so it’s often a little smaller and quieter than the bottom speaker. Phone makers tune the two to sound balanced, but a slight lean toward the bottom is common and nothing to worry about.
Test each side
Use the Left and Right buttons in the speaker sound test while holding the phone sideways. You’ll hear clearly which speaker is weaker, and by how much.
Check the balance setting
On iPhone, go to Settings, then Accessibility, then Audio & Visual, and make sure the Balance slider is centred and Mono Audio is off. Many Android phones have a similar left and right balance option under Accessibility.
Clean the quiet side
If the bottom speaker is the weak one, run the phone speaker cleaner for two or three cycles. If it’s the earpiece, follow our earpiece cleaning guide, since it collects skin oil from calls.
When one side goes silent
A speaker that has gone completely quiet after a drop or water exposure may be damaged or disconnected inside. That needs a repair shop.
