How do I get my headphones to work on my Samsung Galaxy?

If you’ve got an Android device and you’re having problems with the headphones, it could be a simple fix. Before you toss them out and waste money buying a replacement set, we’ve got some quick tips you can do to troubleshoot.

You know the first thing any IT amateur or pro says is, “did you restart your device?” So, bookmark this article, restart your device and if you’re still having problems, read on.

By the way, if you’re thinking about upgrading, we have recommendations for the best Android wireless headphones.

1. Android headphone jack not working

Dust is your enemy, when it comes to your Android smartphone. You may not have thought about this, but dust and grime in your headphone jack cause a lot of problems.

If you use the jack to charge up your phone, junk in there may prevent a proper charge. If your phone keeps dying on you, this may be the reason.

Tech news that matters to you, daily

Privacy, security, the latest trends and the info you need to live your best digital life.

It may also be causing your headphone to stop working. The problem is that the stuff in there is blocking a proper connection.

Be sure to spread the word on this fix — it’ll save your family and friends some money and a lot of headaches. Get a flashlight and a paperclip handy.

Look inside the headphone jack at the bottom of your Android. Use the paperclip point or a needle to carefully get in there to pull out dirt and accumulated gunk. Then plug in your headphones to see if they work.

2. Android settings prevent headphones from working

You need to figure out if your headphones or your Android smartphone is the problem. If you plug in your headphones and you don’t hear music, you can determine if your headphones or your phone is the problem.

You can start by plugging your headphones into another smartphone or a tablet. If they’re still not working, your headphones are the problem.

If your headphones do work in another device but not in your smartphone, your phone’s the problem. Check your sound settings. Did you turn down the sound down when you went to bed last night? (Don’t be embarrassed — happens to all of us.)

Try this: Go to Settings >> Sounds >> Vibration. Tap on Volume and similar settings to make sure your sound settings are turned on.

Note: Several companies make Android smartphones, so the steps to correct your sound may be slightly different.

3. Bluetooth connection isn’t working

Your Bluetooth connection for wireless devices could be causing some problems. It’s possible that you have paired your phone with a wireless device that has turned off your headphones.

First, you can check to see if this is the problem by turning off Bluetooth. You should be able to do this by swiping down from the top of your screen, which will open a menu with items like Sound, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth – tap on Bluetooth to turn it off.

Try your headphones now. If they’re still not working, there is another thing to check with Bluetooth.

Your second option is to go to Settings, then Connections. You should see a list of paired devices that are working with Bluetooth.

You can tap on paired devices to un-pair them. Do that and check your headphones again.

If none of these options is working, before you pay for a repair or a new Android smartphone, you may want to call your cellphone provider for technical support. They may be able to spot a problem that’s easy to fix.

Of course, you’ll probably need to spend money if none of these fixes is doing the trick. Here’s one tip: Get a couple of opinions before you spend money to get your smartphone repaired.

If music is a big part of your daily routine, then a problem with your smartphone’s jack is the least you could wish for. Unfortunately, headphone jack problems are not as uncommon as people think, and it might become extremely frustrating to pinpoint where the problem originates from.

The issues related to headphones giving out can be traced back to three main things: lint/dirt accumulation, software malfunction or hardware failure. If you use headphones regularly, it might make sense to try the fixes down below before taking a trip to the repairman. But before moving on with the solutions, restart your device and then check if you can use your device’s headphone jack without any issue. Another important point, many headphones come with volume control built-in to them. If so, make sure volume is not muted from the headphone’s volume control.

How do I get my headphones to work on my Samsung Galaxy?
Headphone with built-in volume control

Prerequisites

  • SoundAbout App
  • Another device with a jack slot
  • A spare headphone headset that is compatible with your device
  • A very small pair of sharp tweezers, toothpick or needle
  • A cotton swab
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Flashlight

Method One: Pinpointing the Cause

Before you go around trying each fix, you should make sure that the headphones aren’t broken. The quickest way to check this out is to plug the headphones into another device. It doesn’t have to be another Android, any device with a 3.5 mm jack will do the job.

If you can’t hear any audio from your headphones when using the headset with a different device, you have just uncovered the culprit. The fix, in this case, is to replace your headphones with a new pair. If your headphones do work when plugged in with another device, the problem lies elsewhere and you should follow through with the other fixes below.

Now try to plug in a different pair of headphones into your smartphone and see if they work. If you get any audio out of them, there’s a high chance the first pair isn’t compatible with your Android device. If you don’t hear anything, there are two possible causes – you either have a jack malfunction or there’s a software issue. In both cases, you can easily fix it with one of the guides below.

Method Two: Cleaning the Headphone Jack

You’d be amazed at how easily lint, dust, and other foreign materials will make their way into your headphone jack as time passes. The problem is, these can easily block any type of connection between the headphones and the jack.

Start by picking up a flashlight and take a look into the jack for any evidence of dirtiness. Now power off your device completely and disconnect the power cable if it’s charging. Use a pair of tweezers, a toothpick or a needle to carefully remove any foreign presence. You can also blow into the headphone jack, but I don’t recommend using compressed air because you might just force the junk further inside.

Once you successfully remove any large pieces of junk, damp a cotton swab with a tiny amount of rubbing alcohol and insert it into the jack. Swirl it around gently to get any remaining lint or dust out.

Once you’re done, use the flashlight to look into the jack again and see how well you did. Wait a while before powering up the device again and see if your headphones are working.

Method Three: Eliminating any Bluetooth connection

If you have paired your Android device with a wireless device like a speaker or a wireless headset, then your jack may be disabled by your OS. The standard behaviour on stock Android is to recognize anything inserted inside the jack regardless of the Bluetooth settings. But since Android is diverse and highly fragmented, the behaviour is altered across different manufacturers and Android versions.

  1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth and check the list of paired devices.
    How do I get my headphones to work on my Samsung Galaxy?
    Check Bluetooth Paired Devices
  2. If you see an entry that outs audio from your smartphone, tap the info icon and unpair it.
    How do I get my headphones to work on my Samsung Galaxy?
    Unpair the Bluetooth Paired Device
  3. Turn OFF Bluetooth and see if the headphones are working.
How do I get my headphones to work on my Samsung Galaxy?
Turn Off Bluetooth

If it doesn’t work, move on to the next guide.

Method Four: Fixing software Malfunctions

If none of the potential fixes above helped, the issue is most likely related to a software malfunction. Start by opening your Android’s audio settings and make sure the volume levels aren’t muted. Turn them all to full volume and restart your device.

If the problem still isn’t solved, follow the steps down below:

  1. Download and install the SoundAbout App from Google Play Store.
    How do I get my headphones to work on my Samsung Galaxy?
    Install SoundAbout App
  2. Open the app and tap on Media audio.
    How do I get my headphones to work on my Samsung Galaxy?
    Tap Media Audio in SoundAbout
  3. Select Wired Headset if you use a standard headset with a mic or Wired Headphones if you use custom headphones.
    How do I get my headphones to work on my Samsung Galaxy?
    Select Connected Device Type
  4. You can close the app as it will run in the background. Plugin your headphones/headset and see if they work.

We certainly hope one of the fixes presented above fixed your headphone jack issue. If none of them helps, the problem is not minor and should be handled by a professional. Chances are your headphone jack is busted and needs a replacement. The best course of action in these cases would be to contact the retailer and send it for a repair or ask for a new device if you’re still under warranty.

How do I get my headphones to work on my Samsung Galaxy?

Kevin is a dynamic and self-motivated information technology professional, with a Thorough knowledge of all facets pertaining to network infrastructure design, implementation and administration. Superior record of delivering simultaneous large-scale mission critical projects on time and under budget.

Why are my headphones not working when I plug them in Samsung?

Check the headphone jack and volume buttons on the phone or tablet. Use the volume up and down keys to make sure they're working. You should also inspect the headphone jack on the phone or tablet with a flashlight and make sure there are no debris or bent pins. If the pins are bent, service is required.

Why are my headphones not working when I plug them in?

Check your headphone cable, connector, remote, and earbuds for damage, like wear or breakage. Look for debris on the meshes in each earbud. To remove debris, gently brush all openings with a small, soft-bristled brush that's clean and dry. Firmly plug your headphones back in.

How do I get my headphones to work in this Samsung phone?

Simply plug in a USB-C to 3.5mm Adapter to your device, then your headphones into the adapter. The Samsung USB-C Adapter lets you connect devices that use a standard 3.5mm audio plug to your USB-C devices.

How do I activate headphones on my phone?

For wireless headphones, you'll need to pair your phone to your headphones with Bluetooth..
Make sure your phone is connected to the Internet..
Turn on Bluetooth..
Turn on your headphones. ... .
On your phone's Home screen, open the Settings app. ... .
Tap Pair a new device..