Just before going to sleep, I open HBO Max on my Samsung phone to catch an episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
After a tiring day, this helps me relax and clear my mind. But last night, the exact opposite happened.
It wasn’t anything related to the show, but rather with my phone. The volume had suddenly vanished.
I couldn’t hear any sound even though the volume was turned up to full. I tried adjusting the volume settings and even relaunched the episode without success.
Surprisingly, the volume issue wasn’t limited to HBO Max. YouTube and Netflix gave me the same problem.
After going through several troubleshooting articles, I found out why the volume was not working.
And then it was only a matter of a few minutes before I could get back to my regular comedy fix.
If the Android media volume is not working, restart your device to fix it. However, if the Android media volume is not working on a particular app, clear the app cache.
Restart Your Device
Minor bugs in the operating system often lead to several problems in an Android device, like volume malfunction.
The easiest fix for all such problems is to restart your device.
- Press and hold the Power button on your device.
- Click on Restart from the available options. Your device will then reboot automatically.
Once your device is up and running, play a media file to check if the volume works normally.
Check the Volume Settings of Your Device
The media volume controls the sound of music, videos, and all other media files on your Android device.
The quickest way to control the media volume is to press the volume Up or Down buttons while the media is playing.
However, if the volume is turned up and there is no sound, you need to check if you have accidentally muted the media volume.
To check media volume in your device settings:
- Launch Settings on your device.
- Select Sounds and Vibration.
- Click on Volume. The volumes of different sounds will be displayed on the screen.
- Check to see if the Media Volume is on.
If the media volume is muted, turn it up to a satisfactory level and check if the sound issue is resolved.
It’s also worth checking and disconnecting any external audio devices like headphones or speakers connected to your Android device.
Clear the Cache of the Faulty App
If the media volume is not working on a particular app, you need to check the volume settings within the app.
Click on the volume button in the app while a media file is playing and check if the volume is turned up.
If all volume settings are okay, the problem can be due to a bug in the app.
In such a case, you should clear the app cache to resolve it.
App cache is all the temporary data apps store on your device to load the content faster.
Sometimes, the accumulated cache can interfere with the settings causing the app to malfunction.
Note: Clearing the app cache will not delete your personal data.
To clear the app cache on an Android device:
- Open Settings on your device.
- Scroll down and click on Apps or Manage apps.
- Select the app having the volume problem.
- Choose Storage.
- Click on Clear Cache.
Once the cache is cleared, the app will start afresh when you open it. Play a media file in the app and check if the volume works.
Update the Faulty App
If the volume does not work on your Android device, even after clearing the app cache, there may be a major glitch in the app.
In this case, you will need to update the app to the latest version.
- Launch the Play Store on your device.
- Tap on your profile picture in the upper-right corner of the screen.
- Choose Manage apps & device.
- Click on See details under Updates available.
- Find the app you want to update.
- Tap on the Update button beside it.
Note: If you do not see a particular app in the updates list, it’s already up-to-date.
Update Your Device Software
Sometimes, the Android media volume malfunctions because the device is missing the latest OS updates.
Here, the solution is to update the device software to the latest version.
Software updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can resolve most problems with Android devices.
To update the software of an Android device:
- Open Settings on your device.
- Scroll down and tap on System.
- Click on System Update or Software Update.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the update if available.
Your device will restart a few times during the update process.
Factory Reset Your Device
If none of the solutions discussed above fix the media volume on your Android device, you may need to reset it to factory settings.
A factory reset will eliminate all major software bugs from the device and reset it to a working condition.
Note: Factory resetting will erase all data on your device, so make sure to back up your data before proceeding.
To factory reset an Android device:
- Go to your device Settings.
- Scroll down to System or About phone.
- Click on Reset or Backup and Reset.
- Tap on Factory Data Reset.
- Enter your device PIN or Lock pattern if required.
- Confirm by clicking on Reset Phone.
Your device will take several minutes to complete the reset process.
And once the factory reset is done, the device will restart automatically.
After setting up your device again, play a video to check if the volume works normally.
If you were having trouble with a particular app, download the app and see if the issue is resolved.
In case you are still not able to hear the media volume on your Android device, it might be a hardware defect. The best option here is to get your device checked and repaired.
A Simple Restart Goes a Long Way
This wasn’t the first time media volume was not working on my Android phone. On a couple of times that it has happened before, a quick restart did the trick.
And so, I was a little surprised this time when the sound didn’t turn on after a reboot.
As it turned out, the issue was a little more complex, as only the video streaming apps were affected by the sound malfunction.
Fortunately, clearing the app cache fixed the media volume for me within no time.
If these solutions prove of no use, you may need to update the faulty app and your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the media volume automatically decrease on my Android device?
The media volume may automatically decrease on an Android device if it detects a notification or incoming call. This is a default feature designed to prevent interruptions during calls or notifications.
How can I increase the maximum media volume on an Android device?
Some Android devices allow you to increase the maximum media volume by using third-party apps or modifying the system settings.
However, it’s important to note that increasing the volume beyond the recommended levels can damage your device speakers and harm your hearing.
What should I do if my Android device’s volume buttons are not working?
If you cannot control the volume of your Android device using its volume buttons, restart the device to fix the issue. Restarting removes any minor bugs present in the device and optimizes its functioning.
