Galaxy S7 speaker stops working during calls, messages sound notifications not working, other issues

This troubleshooting article addresses some audio issues of the #GalaxyS7. Like any smartphone, the Galaxy S7 audio system can fail due to a lot of inside and outside factors. Today, we bring you three sound problems on this device so hopefully our suggestions will help fix your own issues as well. Remember, audio problems may have different circumstances but solutions for all of them don’t vary much.

If you are looking for solutions to your own #Android issue, you can contact us by using the link provided at the bottom of this page.

When describing your issue, please be as detailed as possible so we can easily pinpoint a relevant solution. If you can, kindly include the exact error messages you are getting to give us an idea where to start. If you have already tried some troubleshooting steps before emailing us, make sure to mention them so we can skip them in our answers.

Problem 1: Galaxy S7 speaker stops working during calls

I was having a problem with my phone losing the data (4G LTE) connection every couple of days just sitting there. My carrier TING (Sprint?) suggested a new SIM card and sent one for me. I installed it with telephone assistance with a Ting rep and everything seemed to work and the phone did not seem to want to lose the 4G LTE connection anymore. A few hours later, I attempted to make a phone call and the phone seemed to lock up. Then I realized, no sound from anything (although it will vibrate and text fine). It eventually dropped the 4G LTE connection and still no sound, only text works. I have exhausted every possible ‘switch’ or function option in controls but it’s as if there is something in the software (?) telling the phone not to make sound. Any ideas? Thanks. — Scott Randolph

YouTube video

Solution: Hi Scott. An issue like yours is most likely caused by poorly coded app or by a software glitch. To troubleshoot it, follow these steps:

Install app and Android updates

Before you proceed with any software solution, be sure to check that ALL apps are up-to-date, and that you’re running the latest available Android version. Updates not only bring cosmetic and under-the-hood changes. Oftentimes, they also contain patches that fix known bugs.

To check for app updates, follow these steps:

  1. Open Google Play Store app.
  2. Tap Menu icon at the top left (three horizontal lines).
  3. Tap My apps & games.
  4. Tap UPDATE ALL button.

To check if there’s an available Android update:

  1. Open Settings app.
  2. Tap Software update.
  3. Tap Download updates manually.
  4. If you want to ensure that your phone downloads updates automatically, you can set the slider for Download updates automatically to the right to enable it.

Restart the phone to Safe Mode

To determine if there’s an installed third party app causing the problem, the best way to go is by rebooting your phone to safe mode. In this mode, third party apps and services will not be allowed to work. This means that only official pre-installed apps will be allowed to run, removing any interference from third party apps. If your phone works normally and the issues mentioned above will not appear, you can bet one of the third party apps is to blame.

To restart your S7 to safe mode, follow these steps:

  1. Turn your Galaxy S7 off.
  2. Press and hold the Power button.
  3. Once the ‘Samsung Galaxy S7’ logo appears, release the Power key and immediately press and hold the Volume Down button.
  4. Continue holding the button until the phone finishes rebooting.
  5. Once you see the text “Safe mode” at the bottom left corner of the screen, release the Volume Down button.
  6. Observe the phone or try to replicate the issue to see if it returns or not.

Remember, safe mode is not a fix for an app issue. Rather, it’s like a diagnostics tool that you can use to determine if an installed app is causing interference with the system or not. As mentioned above, if the issues won’t occur while your S7 is running on safe mode, that’s a confirmation of our hunch. If you think a third party app is causing a problem, you must use the method of elimination to identify the culprit. We suggest that you try to uninstall the most recently installed apps first. Make sure to check if the problem still exists after every uninstall.

Problem 2: Galaxy S7 sound notifications for messages not working

After Samsung software update two days ago, notifications sounds for messages dont work. I have checked the settings, the volume, the sound and everything is as it should be. I turned off the phone and nothing. All the other notifications such facebook/messenger works. I really need this to work as I connect with my employee through text and I cannot check every second for a text (which has happened). — Loreen

Solution: Hi Loreen. Notification schemes in Android allows for more customizations than ever before so you want to make sure that everything is set properly before you attempt any drastic solution.

Verify if app notification is set correctly

By messages, we assume you are referring to text incoming SMS/MMS that are supposed to be displayed by the stock Samsung Messages app. If this is the messaging app you’re using, be sure to check if its notification settings are set. Here’s how:

  1. Open Settings app.
  2. Tap Notifications.
  3. Move the slider for Messages app to the right to enable notifications.
  4. Alternatively, you tap ADVANCED at the top right, then tap Messages app.
  5. Tap the circle with an “i” inside beside Messages and make sure that ON is enabled. Then, set the Notification sound you desire.
  6. Press the back button once to go back to App Notifications section.
  7. Turn off Show silently.
  8. Depending on your preference, you can either change the setting for On lock screen.
  9. If you use Do not disturb feature from time to time, make sure that you set Set as priority to on.

The same steps can be repeated for third party messaging app.

Clear data of the messaging app

Another good way troubleshooting step that you can do in this situation is to return all settings of the app in question to defaults. This can be achieved by wiping its data. If you haven’t tried it yet, below are the steps on how to do it:

  1. Create a backup of your messages if you can’t afford to lose them. Wiping the messaging app’s data will wipe your text messages. If you have a Samsung account, you can sign into it and back your messages up to the cloud. Just go to Settings>Cloud and accounts>Accounts>Samsung account. Then, once you’re signed in, you can go back to Settings>Cloud and accounts>Backup and restore>Back up my data.
  2. Open the Settings menu either through your notification shade (drop-down) or through the Settings app in your app drawer.
  3. Navigate down to Apps. This may be renamed to something like Applications or Application Manager in OEM skinned versions of Android 6 or 7.
  4. Once in there, look for the application and tap it.
  5. You’ll now see a list of stuff that gives you information about the app, including Storage, Permissions, Memory Use, and more. These are all clickable items. You’ll want to click on Storage.
  6. Tap Clear Data buttons for the application.

Clear data of BadgeProvider app

If the steps above won’t fix the problem at all, wiping the data of BadgeProvider may. For a brief explanation on how BadgeProvider works, kindly visit this previously published article.

Problem 3: Galaxy S7 microphone can’t be accessed by Google Assistant

My month old Samsung Galaxy S7, which has not been damaged in any way, is having problems with the microphone. Unlike the various complaints I have seen, I can still be heard in calls and Skype sessions. The problem is that voice-to-text and google assistant can’t seem to access my microphone. They all have the permission enabled, and I have tried following the various suggestions like “re-enabling” s voice and google search. The problems is, even in Google Play, I found nothing called “Google Search.” The google and google chrome apps are fully updated and enabled. Likewise, I found no “s voice” on my device or google play. In my apps, not a single one is labeled as “disabled.” I am unaware if I have downloaded anything that could be messing with the microphone, but I highly doubt it, as they are all the same apps as I had on my last phone, which could use both voice to text and google assistant. A few times it said “Unfortunately, google has stopped,” or something like that, but after all I’ve looked at, I dont actually remember what I was trying to access when it happened. Google voice recognition setup simply says it is having issues with the mic, and to try again in a few seconds. Google assistant says it cannot access the mic. And voice to text simply says try again. — Caitlindgrogan

Solution: Hi Caitlindgrogan. Since we have no way of knowing what causes the problem, the best thing that you can do right now is to perform a factory reset. This will return all software settings back to their defaults and bring back the “missing” stock apps like S Voice and Google Assistant. If you’re not using a headset while doing Skype and calls, then your phone’s hardware must be intact, which means the microphone must be working fine. There may be an app or service that causes it to be muted when doing certain tasks. Because we don’t know the full history of your device, we can’t tell you what app this might be.

The best thing that you can do right now is to perform a factory reset and see how your phone works afterwards. If you haven’t performed this procedure before, here are the steps:

Factory reset via Settings

  1. Create a backup of your important files like photos, videos, etc.
  2. From the Home screen, tap the Apps icon.
  3. Find and tap Settings and then touch Backup and reset.
  4. Tap Factory data reset and touch Reset device.
  5. If you have screen lock feature turned on, enter your password or PIN.
  6. Touch Continue.
  7. Tap Delete all to confirm your action.

Factory reset via Recovery Mode

  1. Create a backup of your important files like photos, videos, etc.
  2. Turn off your Samsung Galaxy S7.
  3. Press and then hold the Home and Volume UP keys, then press and hold the Power key.
  4. When the Samsung Galaxy S7 shows on the screen, release the Power key but continue holding the Home and Volume Up keys.
  5. When the Android logo shows, you may release both keys and leave the phone be for about 30 to 60 seconds.
  6. Using the Volume Down key, navigate through the options and highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset.’
  7. Once highlighted, you may press the Power key to select it.
  8. Now highlight the option ‘Yes — delete all user data’ using the Volume Down key and press the Power button to select it.
  9. Wait until your phone is finished doing the Master Reset. Once completed, highlight ‘Reboot system now’ and press the Power key.
  10. The phone will now reboot longer than usual.

 


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