Headphones Not Working On FaceTime? 10 Solutions (Solved)

The Apple brand hardly misses a beat in providing innovative technology to its users, this is what makes it one of the world’s sought-after brands.

This is visible with the FaceTime feature, which happens to be one of the best video-calling services on the market. FaceTime’s interface is simple to use and very efficient.

However, even the best apps have their limitations. FaceTime has its flaws, such as the persistent headphone connectivity problem.

In this article, we will walk you through step-by-step solutions to any headphone connectivity issue with Facetime.

Assess Headphone Compatibility

Compatibility issues are a possible cause of headphones not working on FaceTime.

Not all headphones work with all devices.

If your headphones aren’t working, it’s possible that they’re incompatible with your device. Before using your headphones during a FaceTime call, ensure they are compatible with your device.

You will most likely need to go to FaceTime support on Apple’s support page or contact retail outlet where you purchased your headphones.

Check Your FaceTime Settings

If your headphones are working properly, the next step is to double-check your FaceTime settings. 

1. Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner of the FaceTime app on your device. 
2. Then, choose ‘Settings’ and navigate to the ‘Audio & Video’ section. 
3. As the audio output device, make sure ‘Headphones’ is selected.

Clean the Charging Port and Earbuds

Debris is the most common cause of why headphones would not work with FaceTime. 

The charging port becomes clogged with dust particles over time. 

Long-term use can lead to the buildup of ear wax and other debris inside the earbuds of your headphones. 

The dirt can be muting the sounds and giving the appearance that the headphones aren’t working.

To clean them out, you can use methylated spirits and a muslin cloth. 

Using a q-tip or a toothpick may aggravate the situation. Instead of removing the dirt, you could push it further down and further down the port.

So, if you suspect a debris buildup, I’d suggest taking your headphones to a reputable local repair shop for a thorough cleanup. 

Check if FaceTime is Accessible in your Country

FaceTime is only available in certain countries. 

As a result, if your country is not on the list, the feature will not work regardless of the headphones you use. 

So, if you’re considering purchasing an iPhone or another Apple device because of this feature, make sure it’s available in your country first.

Check whether FaceTime is supported, a simple Google search will suffice. 

You can also check Apple’s official website to see if your country is included.

Ensure that your Headphones are Connected Properly

It’s always a good idea to double-check that they are securely connected to your device. 

• If you’re using wired headphones, make sure they’re connected to the audio jack or adapter.
• If you’re using wireless headphones, ensure they’re Bluetooth-enabled and paired with your device.

Examine your Headphones for Damage

When you’re having problems with your headphones, the first thing to do is make sure they’re working as they should be.

Test them by plugging them into another device, such as a smartphone or laptop. If they work smoothly in a new device, the problem isn’t with your headphones but rather with your device.

Check for damage on Bluetooth Headphones

Bluetooth headphones are not as durable as wired headphones. 

A single drop of liquid has the potential to harm them. 

So, if the headphones fail to connect with the Apple device, retain charge, or cause other issues that prevent you from using FaceTime, restart/reset the device a couple of times and see if the problem is resolved right away.

If not, it’s recommended that you take your Bluetooth headphones to your local repair shop – they will have the correct tools and know-how needed.

Check for damage on wired headphones

The most frequent damage you will encounter on headphones is an exposed wire near the plug end. 

In order to prevent shocks, headphone wires are coated with a protective layer.

Although though wired headphones have a long lifespan, if this covering starts to crack or peel off, the live wire beneath could become dangerous and cease to function as intended.

Headphones may not function if their cable connections are unreliable. 

The majority of the time, a weak connection will be audible when the sound coming from the headphones begins to stutter. Or, you begin to hear sounds from only one side of the headphones.

Check your Audio Settings

When using an iPhone, it is simple to fiddle with the audio settings and fail to notice when you accidently have disabled something.

It’s pretty simple to check and update your audio settings, which might even be why your headphones aren’t working.

Make sure your audio settings are set up such that the FaceTime call will utilize your headphones. 

Follow the steps below to check your settings:

1. Go to Settings 
2. Scroll to FaceTime and select Audio on your iPhone or iPad.
3. Choose your headphones from the ‘Audio Output’ menu.

Check the volume settings

You may have reduced the volume to the lowest setting without realizing it, which is another potential cause of your headphones not working on FaceTime.

Sometimes, if the device output volume is too low your Bluetooth headphones won’t pick it up well.

So, double-check it and turn up the volume a notch. It should now work and make the volume louder for you.

Using the controls on your headphones or the volume controls on your device, you can change the volume to the desired level.

The Microphone on your Device could be the Issue

Similar to how the volume button is frequently ignored when issues emerge, the microphone is also often taken for granted, making inadvertent microphone mutings a concern. 

People frequently unintentionally silence their phones while taking them out of their pockets, blinding them to the issue. 

Make sure that you unmute the app if there is no sound from your headphones.

Even after unmuting, if the microphone is still not working, it most likely sustained damage and stopped functioning entirely. 

Calling someone from another app and seeing if they can hear you is the best way to determine whether your microphone is working. 

The audio recorder can also be used to test the microphone.

The history of microphone-related problems with iPhones includes water-damaged and often dropped devices. 

Get your smartphone checked as soon as you can if you fall into this category, or else the issue may extend to other components of your phone.

Check if any Other Applications are Using the Microphone.

Your Apple device’s microphone can only be used by one app at a time. 

The second app won’t be able to access your microphone if the first one is still using it without the first app being closed. 

So, in this case, FaceTime won’t be able to connect to your microphone if another app is using it, and it may seem as though your headphones are at fault.

There are a few methods available for disabling apps on Apple devices.

Let’s look at them now:

Close apps by using the Task Manager

Open the task manager and force-quit any apps you think are using your microphone.

1. To view all the apps that are open on your device right now, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and maintain your position until you are in the middle of the screen.
2. Swipe left/right to find the app that is using your device’s microphone.
3. When you’ve located it, swipe up to close it.

Disabling apps in Settings

• Go to the ‘Settings’ menu.
• Scroll down and select ‘screen time’
• Now, select ‘Allowed apps’ from the list of content and privacy restrictions.
• You should now see a list of each of the apps on your device that you cannot remove but can disable.
• Toggle the switch next to the apps you would like to disable since they are using the microphone too much.
• Apps that are disabled will not show up on the main screen.

Ensure your Device’s Software is Up-To-Date

If your device does not have the most recent software update, this could cause your headphones not to work during FaceTime calls. 

Check that your device is running the most recent version of its Operating System (OS).

And, once you’ve done that, restart your device. A simple restart can sometimes resolve software glitches and connectivity issues.

Hard-press and hold the power button until the “slide to power off” slider displays on an iPhone or iPad to restart it. 

Your device can be turned off by sliding the slider, then turned back on by pressing and holding the power button once more.

General Pros and Cons of using headphones on FaceTime

Pros

The FaceTime experience is superior over headphones because the purpose of a video chat is to enhance the realism and believability of a phone call by adding video. 

Using headphones on FaceTime is pretty astounding because it not only keeps your attention fully in the caller but also makes that voice sound like it’s in the same room as you.

Additionally, headphones are a must if you are using FaceTime at the office or on public transport.

Cons

You may experience connectivity issues which may require you to:

• Assess headphone compatibility
• Check your FaceTime settings
• Clear the charging port and clean the earbuds
• Check to see if FaceTime is accessible in your country
• Ensure that your headphones are connected properly
• Examine your headphones for damage
• Check your volume and audio settings
• Check your microphone
• See if other apps are using your microphone
• Ensure your device’s software is up-to-date 

Sources

Fix FaceTime No Sound Error on iPhone

iPhone headphones not working