iPad Speaker Not Working? Complete Fix Guide

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A frustrated mum came in last week with her daughter's iPad. "The sound just stopped working. She can't watch her videos anymore." Turned out Bluetooth was connected to an old pair of headphones in a drawer somewhere. Five seconds to fix, no charge. We diagnose speaker complaints 8-12 times a month.

That's the thing about iPad speaker problems - most of them aren't actually hardware failures. Software glitches, Bluetooth confusion, or blocked speaker grilles account for the majority of "no sound" complaints we see. If your iPad has been exposed to water, check our water damage guide first - liquid damage commonly causes speaker issues.

Quick Checks First

Before anything else, rule out the obvious:

• Volume buttons - Press the volume up button. Look for the volume indicator on screen. If it doesn't appear at all, there might be a button issue.
• Silent/mute switch - Older iPads (iPad 2 through iPad Air) have a physical side switch. If you see orange, it's muted. Flip it.
• Control Centre volume - Swipe down from top-right. Check the volume slider. Also check the speaker icon isn't crossed out.
• Settings volume - Go to Settings > Sounds. Make sure the "Ringer and Alerts" slider is up.
• Do Not Disturb - Check Control Centre for the moon icon. DND can silence some sounds.

Pro Tip

Test with different apps. If YouTube works but Music doesn't (or vice versa), it's an app issue, not a speaker issue. Delete and reinstall the problematic app.

Software Fixes to Try

If the basic checks didn't help, work through these software fixes in order:

1. Force Restart Your iPad

This clears temporary glitches that can freeze audio:

• iPads with Face ID: Press and quickly release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold the Power button until you see the Apple logo.
• iPads with Home button: Hold both the Home button and Power button until you see the Apple logo.

2. Check for iPadOS Updates

Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Audio bugs are common after major updates, and Apple typically patches them within weeks. If you're behind on updates, this could fix it.

3. Reset All Settings

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings. This resets audio preferences without deleting your apps or data. You'll need to reconnect to WiFi and Bluetooth devices afterwards.

Warning

Don't choose "Erase All Content and Settings" unless you have a backup. That wipes everything. "Reset All Settings" only resets preferences.

Bluetooth and Audio Routing

This is the most common cause of "silent" iPads we see - audio is routing to a Bluetooth device you've forgotten about.

Check Active Audio Outputs

• Open Control Centre (swipe down from top-right) and long-press the audio card in the top-right section.
• Look for the AirPlay icon or speaker selection. If it shows AirPods, a Bluetooth speaker, or AirPlay device, your sound is going there.
• Tap "iPad" to route audio back to the built-in speakers.

Disconnect All Bluetooth Audio

• Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
• If any audio device shows "Connected", tap the (i) and disconnect.
• Better yet, toggle Bluetooth off entirely, test the speakers, then turn it back on.

Forget Problematic Devices

If a device keeps auto-connecting and stealing your audio, tap the (i) next to it and choose "Forget This Device". You can always re-pair it later.

Did You Know?

Some Bluetooth issues persist after turning Bluetooth off because the audio routing gets "stuck". A restart usually clears this. If your iPad keeps routing to a device you can't identify, try Reset Network Settings.

Cleaning Your iPad Speakers

iPad speakers sit behind tiny grilles that collect dust, lint, and grime. If sound is muffled rather than completely silent, dirty speakers are likely.

Where Are the Speakers?

• Most iPads: Two speakers at the bottom edge (either side of the Lightning/USB-C port).
• iPad Pro: Four speakers - two at top, two at bottom - for stereo sound in any orientation.
• Check your case: Some cases block speaker grilles. Remove the case and test.

Safe Cleaning Methods

• Soft brush: A clean, dry toothbrush works well. Brush gently across the grilles to dislodge dust.
• Compressed air: Short bursts at an angle. Don't blast directly into the grille - you might push debris deeper.
• Blu-Tack: Press gently onto the grille and peel off. It picks up debris without pushing it in.

Warning

Never use water, alcohol, or any liquid to clean speakers. Don't use metal tools or toothpicks - you'll damage the mesh. Don't blow with your mouth - moisture from your breath can cause problems.

Signs of Hardware Failure

If you've tried all the software fixes and cleaning, here are signs you're dealing with actual hardware damage:

• No sound from any app - Video, music, system sounds, keyboard clicks - nothing at all.
• Distorted or crackling audio - This often indicates a blown speaker driver or loose connection.
• Sound from only one side - On multi-speaker iPads, one speaker failing while others work is common.
• Speaker icon greyed out - In Settings > Sounds, if the speaker indicator is dimmed and won't respond, iPadOS has detected a hardware problem.
• Physical damage visible - Dents near the speaker grille, signs of water damage, or visible debris stuck deep in the grille.

What Causes Hardware Failures?

Repair Options and Costs

UK Repair Costs by iPad Model

What's Included

• Free diagnosis: We test the speakers, check for software issues, and confirm exactly what needs replacing.
• Quality parts: We use original-grade speaker modules, not cheap replacements that sound tinny.
• 27-month warranty: If the replacement speaker fails within that time, we replace it free.
• Same-day service: Most speaker repairs are completed within 1-2 hours.

DIY vs Professional

iPad speaker replacement requires removing the screen, which is glued in place. Heat, precision tools, and experience are needed to avoid cracking the display. Unlike iPhones, iPads have very thin bezels and tightly integrated components. We don't recommend DIY for this repair unless you have experience with tablet disassembly.

Did You Know?

If your iPad still has value, professional repair makes sense. A £89 speaker fix on a £400 iPad is worthwhile. On an iPad 5th gen worth £100, you might consider whether the repair cost is justified.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the most common iPad speaker questions we hear. These are based on real PAA questions from Google UK searches.