10 Tips to Fix iPhone Stuck in Headphone Mode Like a Pro

Part 1: Why is the iPhone stuck in Headphones mode?

Understanding the root cause of the iPhone stuck in headphone mode issue is crucial to finding an effective solution. In the vast majority of cases, this problem is attributed to a hardware-related malfunction, specifically a faulty or damaged headphone jack. The headphone jack is a critical component that detects when headphones are inserted or removed, and when it fails, the iPhone can become stuck in headphone mode, leading to frustrating audio issues. While software-related glitches can also contribute to this problem, in approximately 99% of cases, the culprit is a malfunctioning headphone jack, which can be caused by wear and tear, moisture damage, or physical trauma.

If there is debris or dirt in the socket, then the chances are that your phone would assume it is connected to headphones. This automatically turns on the headphone mode and compromises with the ideal functioning of the device. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to fix the iPhone 11 stuck in headphone mode. We have discussed this in the next section.

Part 2: 10 Tips to fix iPhone stuck in Headphone Mode

If the iPhone headphone mode is turned on even without connecting the headphones, then you can fix this issue by following these expert suggestions.

1. Restart your phone

Restarting your iPhone is a simple yet effective way to troubleshoot and potentially fix software-related issues, including the frustrating problem of being stuck in headphone mode. If a minor glitch or software bug is causing your iPhone to malfunction, a quick restart can often resolve the issue and restore normal functionality. To restart your iPhone, simply press and hold the Power (wake/sleep) key, or press the Power button and the Volume down/up button simultaneously, until the power option appears on the screen. Slide the power slider to the right to turn off your device, then wait for a few seconds before pressing the Power button again to restart it.

2. Remove your phone’s cover

In some cases, the iPhone case or cover can be the culprit behind the device getting stuck in headphone mode. If the case doesn't have a precise cutout for the headphone jack, it can put pressure on the jack or obstruct the sensor, causing the iPhone to malfunction and display the headphone symbol even when no headphones are connected. This is a common issue with poorly designed or low-quality cases, and it's often overlooked as a potential cause of the problem. To troubleshoot this issue, simply remove the case or cover from your iPhone and check if the device is still stuck in headphone mode. If the problem resolves itself after removing the case, it's likely that the case was the cause of the issue.

3. Clean the headphone jack properly

As stated, the iPhone stuck on headphone problem usually occurs when the headphone jack is damaged. Too much debris can also cause this issue. Therefore, you should clean the headphone jack properly. Take the assistance of a cotton cloth and blow several times. You can also use compressed air to clean the socket. Make sure that you don’t apply water to the jack directly while cleaning it. One of the best ways to clean it is by using cotton buds.

4. Plug and unplug the headphones

To fix this issue, try plugging in your headphones and waiting for a few seconds as your iPhone detects them. Then, gradually unplug the headphones, allowing the iPhone's audio system to reset and recalibrate. You may need to repeat this process a few times, typically 2-3 times, to successfully trick your iPhone into exiting headphone mode. By doing so, you're essentially re-syncing the iPhone's audio circuitry and allowing it to properly detect the absence of headphones, which can resolve the iPhone stuck in headphone mode error and restore normal audio functionality.

5. Check for water damage

The headphone jack is one of the most exposed areas of the iPhone, and it can get damaged unknowingly as well. If you like to run or exercise while listening to your favorite tracks, then the chances are that the sweat can go to the headphone jack and cause water damage. Even if you have placed it in your pocket, too much humidity can damage your phone.

To resolve this issue, try to drain your device while checking for water damage. You can always place silica gel dehumidifiers on the phone or keep them in a jar of unwashed rice as well.

6. Plug headphone while playing music

For iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and iPhone 13 users struggling with the frustrating issue of being stuck in headphone mode, this expert tip can be a game-changer. By leveraging the iPhone's audio playback functionality, you can trick your device into exiting headphone mode and restoring normal audio operation. To try this method, start by playing a song on your iPhone and letting it lock automatically while the music is playing. Next, plug in your headphones and unlock your device, then manually stop the song playback and carefully unplug the headphones. This sequence of actions can help reset the iPhone's audio system and disable headphone mode, allowing your device to function normally once again.

7. Turn on/off Airplane Mode

For a quick and effortless solution to exit iPhone headphone mode, try this simple trick that doesn't require any technical expertise. If your iPhone's headphone jack is functioning properly and not damaged, you can utilize the Airplane mode feature to reset the device's audio system and disable headphone mode. To do this, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the Control Center, then toggle on the Airplane mode option. Leave your iPhone in Airplane mode for at least 10-15 minutes to allow the device to fully reset its audio circuitry.

8. Connect it with a Bluetooth speaker

It has been observed that by pairing your iPhone with a Bluetooth device, you can make it come out of the iPhone headphone mode. To do this, firstly turn on Bluetooth from the Control Center or via Settings.

After connecting it to a Bluetooth speaker, play a song. While the song is being played, turn off the Bluetooth setting on your phone. This will let you fix the iPhone stuck in headphone mode problem.

9. Update to a stable iOS version

There might be a problem with your iOS version as well. If it is not a stable version, then it can cause some serious issues with your device. Therefore, it is highly recommended to update it. Not only will it fix your iPhone stuck on headphones, but it will also resolve any other persisting issue with your device as well. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and “Download and Install” the new iOS update on your device. You can also learn more about how to update the iOS version with or without iTunes here.

10. Reset All Settings

If none of the above-mentioned solutions seem to work, then you can walk the extra mile and reset all settings on your device. Needless to say, it will erase all the existing settings on your phone. Though, it is likely to fix the iPhone stuck in headphone mode problem as well. Simply go to Settings > Reset > Reset All Settings and confirm your passcode. Your phone will reset its settings and would be restarted in the normal mode.

Bonus tip: Fix the iPhone Stuck in the Headphone Mode with Dr.Fone - System Repair

Is your iPhone still stuck in headphone mode and you can’t seem to fix it? In this case, you can use Dr.Fone – System Repair which can easily resolve this issue with your iPhone. During the repairing process, no data on your iPhone would be lost. The application has two dedicated repairing modes and is extremely easy to use. Here’s how you can fix your iPhone issues with the help of Dr.Fone – System Repair:

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Step 1: Connect your iPhone and Launch Dr.Fone - System Repair

At first, you have to connect your iPhone to your computer with a lightning cable and launch the Dr.Fone toolkit. From its welcome screen, just launch the System Repair module.

Step 2: Select a Repairing Mode to Fix your Device

Subsequently, you can go to the iOS Repair feature and pick a repair mode. It can be either Standard or Advanced mode. The Standard mode will retain your data while the Advanced mode will erase the data on your iOS device.

Step 3: Enter your iPhone Details and Download the Firmware

To proceed, you just have to enter the model of your iOS device and its supported firmware version. Afterward, click on the “Start” button and commence the repairing process.

As the application would download the iOS firmware, you can just wait for a while. Try to maintain a stable internet connection and don’t close the application in between.

Afterward, Dr.Fone will automatically verify your device for the firmware version, making sure that there are no compatibility issues.

Step 4: Repair and Restart your iOS Device

That’s it! After verifying your device, it will let you know the essential details on the screen. You can now click on the “Fix Now” button to upgrade your iPhone and fix any issues with it.

Since it might take a while, it is recommended to just wait as the application would upgrade your device. In the end, your iPhone will be restarted in normal mode without any issue. The application will also let you know so that you can safely remove your iPhone.

Most likely, the Standard Model will be able to fix your iPhone. If not, then you can repeat the process with the Advanced Mode instead which can repair even the most critical issues with iOS devices.

Conclusion

Go ahead and follow these steps to resolve the iPhone stuck on the headphones issue. We have covered both hardware and software-related fixes in this guide, which will come in handy to you on numerous occasions. If you also have an expert tip for fixing the iPhone headphone mode issue, feel free to share it with us in the comments below.