How to Fix your iPhone Headphones Mic If It’s Not Working

by Gary on February 9th, 2009

The Apple iPhone headphones are very functional headphones that get the job done. They won’t please audiophiles out there, but for the rest of us they are just fine. One of my favorite features is the mic/button that lets you control music (even on my MacBook!) and have conversations.

A couple weeks ago I noticed my mic stopped working, along with the button remote. At first I thought it was my iPhone and a recent firmware update that caused the headphone jack to malfunction. So, I ended up calling Apple Support on the phone. I told them how my mic/remote wasn’t working and they immediately sent out a new pair via next day via Fedex!

I opened the package I tested out these brand spankin’ new headphones–only to have them not work still! At this point in time I decided to turn to Google. I was able to discover what was causing this minor headache of mine: a chunk of lint!

I ended up using the end of a paperclip to dig out the massive chunk of lint below:

iphone_jack_dust

I was pretty shocked at the size of this chunk of lint! I had no idea this could make its way down the headphone jack. So there you go folks, if your mic/remote doesn’t work, shine a light down the headphone jack to see if you can find a massive chunk of lint. Just make sure you turn OFF your iPhone before you start picking around!

**Looking for an iPhone 3G/3GS case? Get the invisibleSHIELD by ZAGG, the strongest protection for your iPhone backed by a 30 day moneyback guarantee, lifetime replacement warranty, and FREE shipping! Use coupon code 'iphoneinca' for 20% off your purchase! Order today!**

Don't forget to follow iPhone Fan on twitter!

Posted under: How To..., Tips & Tricks, iPhone 3G

No related posts

Popular Posts

Recent Forums

Freshgirl604

Holy smokes -- i had my doubts but did what you suggested. THANK YOU! Worked like a charm.

nick

Haha wow, thanks a lot man! I thought I had broken the actual interior of the jack because my headphones wouldn't click into place. I was going crazy trying to think of what I could possibly do since I don't have any warranty to fix the situation and was even researching ways to open my iPhone and buy a new metal casing for the jack. Then I read into this site and low and behold, there was a bunch of lint preventing the headphone from going all the way down the jack. You just saved me a lot of time and trouble.

shane

thanks dude , i thought there was something in there i even took it all apart down to the mother board wasted so much time

mattyrhino

Spon on. I was having the same problem and it's now sorted thanks to this 'fix'. Thank you ever so much.

jemclajes

Thanks very much OP. My headphones haven't been working for ages and just about to send it away to be recycled and get some cash back as I'm getting a new phone tomorrow and wanted to try and find out why they have been playing up and this has sorted them out!! 18 month Iphone and I found loads of lint in it....!! Thanks again.

David

Thanks for the tip! Saved me some heartache ;-)

JF

Great post !!!!
I was thinking it was due to the new OS just (3.1.3) but never thought it could be this simple but useful tip.

Tippopotamus

thanks for this post - you have solved a problem that has been dogging me for months!

Garry

omg ur a frickin genius!! it workd! the amount of shit in my headphone socket was rediculous!! thanks a lot... however 4 pairs of headphones later i wish id stumbled upon this months ago lol

Gary

I went through one set of headphones from Apple, before I decided to go lint
digging!

Auke

Thanks Gary!!!

I had the exact same problem. I had my iPhone just a few months when the remote and mic didn't work anymore. I reported the problem at my dealer and got a new pair yesterday. At the same time I bought a pair of Apple in-ear headphones (with mic and remote). I was very disappointed when both headphones didn't work. I restored my iPhone, but no effect. Thanks to Google and your great article, I have found the sollution. In my iPhone there also was a chunk of lint (which I removed with a paperclip). Problem solved! I will spread this knowledge in Holland! Thanks again.

Gary

;)

Gary

Nick

Man, I'm so glad i found this!! I had accidentally dropped my iphone about the same time the mic went out on it and i thought the drop had caused it but it was just the lent. Thanks for the post!!

Hugo

Hilarious!!! Headphones working, down pocket fluff :-)

markstringer

Your a star man. Thanks for going to the trouble, you saved me a trip to the Apple shop. Mine was a very small (very small) amount of fluff. I used a pin and it worked a treat (wifes hair clip was too blunt).

All the best from 'sunny' Manchester England!

Gary

This is considered one of the biggest mysteries solved! CHEERS!

dougbattaglia

just bought the otter iphone case,has a rubber sleeve inside a hard cover with built in ear phone and power plug covers .keeps everthing lint free

guy garvey

this was bloody helpful. thankyou. x

Anon

You absolute legend, thought my brand new bose headphones were broke! Much love!

Ugur Bastug

This is the solution. i just did that for my Sennheiser MM50.
brilliant, thank you so much

Erik

You just saved me 1) a massive headache 2)a trip to the apple store 3)apple store employees trying to tell me I need to get a new phone past warranty 4) quite possibly a bunch of $$

God bless you man!

Gary

You're welcome everyone!!! :)

Martin T-W

Bloody genius! I was sweating that something much more nefarious was going on...just fixed my problem. Thank you!

Robin in the UK

Legend... Had two pairs and feared the worst as iphone out of warranty!

Alek

Thanks man – I was just about to give up on my headphones and shell more hard earned dough for a substitute! This post should be definitely included in some Apple 'knowledge base' article... ;-)

theKimsta

That's amazing! I didn't believe it at first. But damn, first good to be able to fix it after having the problem for a few months now! Thanks alot.

Peter

I can see I'm only one of many. But THANK YOU. This is what the internet is supposed to be. Power to the People!

Gary

Glad to help!!!

free at last

you are GOD!

Gene Oltz

Thanks for your help. That did the trick.

Jamie Campbell

thanks your a god damn star. The amount of forums telling people to contact tecnical help and check warranties etc and all I needed was a paper clip. My Klipsch S4i buttons work a treat now.

Gary

Cheers :)

DP

This exact situation happened to me about a month ago. I coordinated a family shopping trip with my Apple Store visit (made an appointment and everything). I was all set to demand they fix my %$*@! phone pronto and it took the guy 2 seconds to diagnose the problem, and 5 more to fix it. He actually had a half unwound paperclip and a flashlight on the string that his badge was on for this. I was back shopping before my wife even knew I left.

Lint bunny

Just returned my "faulty" apple in ear buds for a new pair... turns out it was the lint bunny!!! Thanks mate.

Dustin

It worked for me too! Thank a million.

sav

I saw this posting and laughed when i saw the ball of fluff but guess what i pulled out of my iphone??? lol a ball of fluff !!!!! quality,many thanks switch now working perfectly

dennism

I looked actually exactly as on the picture :o) Problem fixed! Mic is working again, thanks!

Nigel Hudson

just fixed my iPhone after buying another set of headphone. Thanks for posting this.

btw, you need to use a paper clip or something slender and try to make a small hook or angle on it so it can dig out the lint that has been pressed into the buttom

phong

ha! you just saved me $30 and decimated the economy by saving me the $30 i was about to spend on a bluetooth headset. thanks for the tip!

Gavin

I just spent a second lot of £19 on new headphones because I thought the last pair that I bought last month were faulty... which is my fault as I put them through the wash by accident.. I just removed some lint and now both pair work.. the mic even works on the pair I put through the wash, which they weren't doing this morning.

ben

just fixed my phone. amazing

Myreon

MANNN, I have went through about 2-3 headphones....YOU ARE MAN....Thanks for you and thanks for google....HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!

Gary

cheers! :) tell your friends about this fix!

SHAUN FROM CARDIFF

THANK YOU WOOOOO

Choy

WOOOTT! I ahde the exact same problem. Thank you so much!

Erik

Thanks for the post. I was baffled by the mic not working, until I found your post and my own headphone jack pocket lint bunny.

Gary

No problem. It still baffles me to this very day when I found that huge
chunk of lint in the headphone jack!

stevenis

That was the problem for me too, Thanks heaps

Gary

Cheers everyone! I still wonder how many more people have this issue and
ended up getting replacement units. The fix is so simple!!

veeru

How did you get the amazing thought that iPHONE holes also get the lint !!! I have changed three headsets, nothing worked. But your smart suggestion worked for me. Thanks a million.

FP2009

Mate, you're a legend!!
Thanks, I was a getting concerned as my warantee ran out last month.
I guess I now know why my pocket lint supply had dried up... it was camping out in my iphone socket.

Cheers,
F.P.

jassired

great .it really worked...............although it seemed to be ridiculous after reading the post ....u saved lot of headache

Matthew

Bingo! That totally did it. I had a big piece of lint in there. Much better. You rock

Gary

Glad it worked!! ;)

sonza76

That WORKED!!!!!

THANK YOU!!!!!! very much for the post

Patrick

Hhahaah same shit happened to me!!! Thanks a bunch buddy I was about to spend 30 bucks on a new pair of headphones. Apple must hate you haha.

Luis

Dude, you are a life saver. i exchanged 3 ear plugs. nothing, i read this online and it worked. i can't believe that much lint would build up. i could hear other people and listen to music. but they could not hear me and i couldn't forward music with the clicker. lots of lint. thanks brother

bravelittlememe

YES! Nice one, I was starting to fear the worst... Amazing how much lint I found in there :)

craig1410

Thanks, this worked for me too. There wasn't much pocket fluff involved but obviously enough to stop the mic button from working.

Nice one!
Craig.

cliff

you're a f*****g genius man !!!!!!!!!!
thanx :)

Si

Your a bloody genius. I had been pluging my Iphone into my car stereo and using it as hands free. I assumed that 3.0 had a some sort of problem with it as it seemed to be after i installed it the mic stopped working once i pluged the lead in. After carful inspection i found a lump of lint the size of the moon in the socket and hery presto it all good again.

Cheers mate

mikeman

wow this actually worked, i had a piece stuck in too and i thought my was broken!

peter

whuuhhooooo... it fixed my phone as well!! Thank you so much!

Etienne

THANKS !!!!!!!!!!
2 Apple store genius were not able to do anything for me !!

TT

Wow ... I was having trouble with the mic not working ... went to the Apple Store ... they sold me new headphones ... got home and the mic still didn't work ... yikes! I found this article and KaBoom!!! ... Billy Maise Here! This really works ... I pulled out a wad of fuzz ... How it got from my belly button to the phone jack ??? Thanks for the insight.

Mchewy

This was a great article. I had the same problem and didn't know what it was.

akhil

the problem with my laptop is while talking suddenly the outgoing voice got stoped .
now the mike is not working.but can hear the incoming clearly.
what could be the reason and how it can be fixed?

kewl dude

Excellent information. I thought my mic was dead but once I followed your instructions and cleaned the jack, the mic and the button both started working.

What a simple solution. Awesome. Thanx a lot!!

hedz

Bought my ipone just a a week ago and suddenly the mic stopped working. Bought a new headphone from ebay n the mic still wudnt work. came across ur page after ages searching. didnt believe it at 1st. but gave it a go. and wey heii, wut do u know.. a lint exactly that size came out!! thanks!! glad i only bought those really cheap headphones.. imagine buying myself thos mega expansive ones n still couldnt get it to work..lol thanks man!!

TomKat

I can only say that I was simply amazed at the size of the lint ball that came out. I had just returned my headphones, purchased a different pair to discover they weren't working either as well as the store clerk's iPhone which probably had the same problem.....I need to get a pair of headphones now and see if it did the trick. I suspect yes....nuts.

luke

Thank you! This actually solved the problem I was having with sound only coming out of the right headphone. I hadn't considered trying this until I saw your blog. Looking at the Wikipedia article now on (a headphone plug), it makes complete sense since the tip is the left-channel, and the lint was apparently preventing the tip from touching the connector.

You rock!

lucas

o meu tambem tinha esse problema... limpei com uma agulha e voltou a funcionar beleza!!! valeu pela dica!!!

sean murphy

just followed your advice and there was that much lint in there im gonna make a pair of socks out of them.
now works perfectly.

fmg00

Wow, that worked like a charm, thanks!!

alaw

I have been searching for weeks on how to fix the problem. I would have never thought that was it.

blog comments powered by Disqus

<script language=JavaScript src="http://adserver1.backbeatmedia.com/servlet/ajrotator/18346/0/viewJScript?pool=18263&type=43&zone=5000"></script>
<script language=JavaScript src="http://adserver1.backbeatmedia.com/servlet/ajrotator/18346/0/viewJScript?pool=18264&type=43&zone=5000"></script>
<script language=JavaScript src="http://adserver1.backbeatmedia.com/servlet/ajrotator/18346/0/viewJScript?pool=18265&type=43&zone=5000"></script>
<script language=JavaScript src="http://adserver1.backbeatmedia.com/servlet/ajrotator/18346/0/viewJScript?pool=18266&type=43&zone=5000"></script>
<script language=JavaScript src="http://adserver1.backbeatmedia.com/servlet/ajrotator/18346/0/viewJScript?pool=18260&type=43&zone=5000"></script>
<script language=JavaScript src="http://adserver1.backbeatmedia.com/servlet/ajrotator/18346/0/viewJScript?pool=18261&type=43&zone=5000"></script>
<script language=JavaScript src="http://adserver1.backbeatmedia.com/servlet/ajrotator/18346/0/viewJScript?pool=18262&type=43&zone=5000"></script>

Blogroll

Categories

Archives