How to fix Google Pixel 3 calling issue: person can’t hear when call is on speaker

There are many forms of calling issues. In today’s post, we want to address a particular problem for a Google Pixel 3 that has voice calling problem when using the speaker. Basically, the other end can’t seem to hear the caller who’s using speaker on calls. If you encountered this problem before, find out the steps that you can try below to fix it.

Problem: Google Pixel 3 calls on speaker not working properly

Hello, when I call people using speaker or answer phone using the speaker option, the person on the other end cannot hear me for about 30 seconds. I am told all they hear is silence.. When I take the call off speaker they can hear me just fine and once I out back on speaker it’s ok.

Solution: Knowing the reason for your problem is not straightforward but there’s a number of things that you can do to help you identify it. Follow our suggestions below to know where the issue lies.

Forced restart

Sometimes, temporary bugs may develop and cause problems ranging from minor annoyances to downright software malfunctions. To see if your Pixel 3 has developed a bug after running for some time, you can forced reboot it. Also known as simulated “battery pull”, the procedure is meant to imitate the effects of physically disconnecting the battery. You can’t obviously remove the battery from the device that easily so this is the closest thing that you can do to it. Here’s how you do it:

Press and hold the Power key for 30 seconds or even more and when the logo shows up on the screen, release it.

Unlike other devices wherein you have to press and hold a couple of keys, you only need the power button on Pixel phones and again, it’s hard-wired to respond to it. So, if it actually boots up, that would be the end of the problem but try to do it a few more times if the first try didn’t work. After that and your device still remains unresponsive, try the next solution.

Install updates

Keeping both apps and Android up-to-date is one of the simplest yet effective means of lessening the chances of bugs from developing. If calls on speaker are still not working properly after a forced reboot, the next good thing to do is to ensure that all apps are running the latest version available. Some apps may cause problems if they are not properly coded to work with a certain Android version. This is rectified by developers by updating their products as they encounter problems and bugs. Make sure to check for new app updates manually in the Play Store app. By default, your Pixel 3 should download and install updates on its own. If you change this before, you want to regularly check for updates.

To check for software updates (for Android OS), you can go under Settings > Software update.

Clear cache of Phone app

If the problem remains after installing app and OS updates, the next good thing to do is to clear the Phone app’s cache. Here’s how it works:

1. From a Home screen, touch and swipe up to display all apps.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Tap Apps & notifications.
4. Tap See all ‘xx’ apps.
5. Tap the appropriate app.
6. Tap Storage.
7. Tap Clear cache.
8. Restart your Pixel 3 XL.

Reset Phone app settings to defaults

Should the problem remain after clearing the Phone app’s cache, you should then try to clear the phone’s data. This will revert the app to its factory state and hopefully, fix the problem with your calls.

1. From a Home screen, touch and swipe up to display all apps.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Tap Apps & notifications.
4. Tap See all ‘xx’ apps.
5. Tap the appropriate app.
6. Tap Storage.
7. Tap Clear data.
8. Restart your Pixel 3 XL.

Reset network settings

Another troubleshooting step that you can try in this case is to clear your Pixel’s network settings to delete possible incorrect configurations or bugs. Resetting network settings will delete all previously connected wifi networks, wifi passwords, VPN settings, and cellular settings. To do it:

1. Open your device’s Settings app Settings app.
2. Tap System.
3. Tap Advanced.
4. Tap Reset options.
5. Tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
6. ​If you don’t see “Advanced,” tap Network & internet > More t> Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
7. At the bottom, tap Reset settings.

Reset app preferences

Some users were able to successfully make their device work by clearing their network settings. If you haven’t tried it yet, here’s what you need to do:

1. From a Home screen, tap the Arrow icon Up to display all apps.
2. Go to Settings app icon.
3. Tap System About icon.
4. Tap Reset options icon.
5. Choose from the following:
   • Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth
   • Reset app preferences
   • Erase all data (factory reset)
6. Tap RESET SETTINGS. If prompted, enter the PIN, password or pattern.
7. Tap RESET SETTINGS to confirm.

Safe Mode

A downloaded app may be causing this problem. To check, try to boot to safe mode and see what happens. To boot to safe mode:

1. Press and hold the Power button.
2. On your screen, touch and hold Power off.
3. Tap OK.
4. After you see “Safe mode” at the bottom of your screen, wait to see if the problem goes away.

Remember, safe mode blocks third party or downloaded apps. If the problem goes away in safe mode, you can bet one of the apps is to blame. To identify which of your downloaded apps is causing the problem:

1. To exit safe mode, restart your device.
2. One by one, uninstall recently downloaded apps. After each removal, restart your device. See whether removing that app solved the problem.
3. After you remove the app that’s causing the problem, you can reinstall the other apps that you removed.

Factory reset

If all the troubleshooting steps above won’t solve the freezing issue on your Pixel 3, the final software troubleshooting step that you can do is to wipe it. This way, you can return all software settings back to their defaults in one stroke. If the reason for the problem is software related, factory reset will most likely help.

To factory reset your Pixel 3:

1. Create a backup of your personal data.
2. Make sure to know the username and password for Google account in the phone.
3. Open Settings app.
4. Tap System.
5. Tap Advanced.
6. Tap Reset options.
7. Tap Erase all data (factory reset) and then Reset phone. If needed, enter your PIN, pattern, or password.
8. To erase all data from your phone’s internal storage, tap Erase everything.
9. When your phone has finished erasing, pick the option to restart.
10. Set up your phone and restore your backed-up data.

Use another Phone app

If the problem is yet unresolved at this point, the only other step that you can do to address possible Phone app issue is by using another app. There may be a coding bug that affects the current Phone app. Switching to a new one may help fix that. There are many apps that you can use to allow you to make calls in the Play Store. Pick one (be sure it’s from a reputable developer and has many good reviews) and use it to make calls on speaker. If that works, then the current app you’re using is probably bad and may require an update.

Talk to your network operator

Telling your network operator about this problem may not help if your phone did not come from them. However, if your Pixel 3 is part of your subscription (carrier branded) and they gave it to you, working with them to figure out the cause of the problem might be a good idea. Carrier branded devices runs firmware and apps that are usually developed by carriers themselves. Any coding problem one of these products encounter may be referred to them for checking and resolution.

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