3 Ways to Fix Volume Buttons Not Working on iPhone

Quick Tips

• Check if your iPhone case prevents you from clicking the volume buttons. Further, check if there are any dust particles inside the buttons.
• The volume buttons only change your media volume by default. Go to Settings > Sound and Haptics > enable Change with Buttons to control the ringer volume too.
• Alternatively, use the Control Center, AssistiveTouch, or Siri to control the volume on your iPhone.

Basic Fixes

• Remove the case: The case might be tight and restrict the volume buttons from clicking. Or, a few particles might be stuck between the case and the volume buttons.
• Clean volume button: A few particles might stick in between the volume buttons and their casing. You can gently clean your volume buttons using a soft brush to get these particles out.
• Re-install app: If the volume buttons are not working within a particular app, the issue is with the app, not your iPhone. You can try reinstalling the app.
• Restart iPhone: Restarting your iPhone can fix any temporary bugs and glitches.

Fix 1: Check Volume Settings

The volume buttons only change your media volume by default. So, you can change the volume settings on your iPhone to enable the buttons to control the ringer volume too.

Step 1: Open the Settings app > go to Sound & Haptics.

Step 2: Turn on Change With Buttons.

This will ensure you can change your ringer volume level using the volume buttons.

Also Read: How to fix volume level keeps going up or down on iPhone

Fix 2: Contact Apple Support

If your volume buttons are damaged, there’s little you can do to fix the issue by yourself. Therefore, contact Apple customer support to fix the issue.

• Official iPhone Support page
• Contact Apple Support
• Schedule a Repair

Fix 3: Temporary Workarounds to Adjust Sound on iPhone

While you wait for the issue to get fixed, here are a few alternate methods to control the volume on your iPhone without using buttons.

1. Use the Volume Slider in the Control Center

The control center provides a slider to control the volume. Here’s how to access the control center on your iPhone to adjust the sound.

• iPhone X and later: Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center.
• iPhone SE, iPhone 8, and earlier: Swipe up from the bottom edge of your screen to open Control Center.

2. Use AssistiveTouch

AssistiveTouch provides a set of controls for using your iPhone and has volume control settings.

Step 1: Open the Settings app > select Accessibility > Touch

Step 2: Now, select AssistiveTouch > toggle on AssistiveTouch.

Step 3: You will see a floating button on the home screen. When you click on it, a box of controls opens. Click on Device > tap on Volume Up or Volume Down to adjust the sound.

3. Control Volume Within Settings

Apple also provides a slider within the sound settings to control the volume.

Step 1: Open the Settings app > click on Sound and Haptics.

Step 2: You will find a slider for volume control. Use it to adjust the volume.

4. Ask Siri

Here’s how to use the voice assistant to adjust the volume of your iPhone.

Step 1: Open the Settings app > select Siri & Search > turn on Press Side Button for Siri.

Step 3: Now, press and hold the side button for a few seconds to summon Siri.

Step 4: To adjust the sound, use a simple phrase like ‘decrease the media volume‘ or ‘increase the ringer volume’. Siri will also give you feedback.

Also Read: How to personalize Siri’s response and actions on iPhone