Top 7 Solutions To Fix iPhone Stuck In Headphone Mode

All the methods are from simple to harder methods (where you need some equipment to fix the problem in later methods). The starting methods are just to do simple things inside of your device.

iPhone Stuck In Headphone Mode

Whenever the stuck-on headphone mode happens, your iPhone thinks that headphones are plugged in your iPhone’s headphone jack if you’re using iPhone 6s and older or in your iPhone’s lightning port using iPhone 7 or newer version, but they are not plugged in.

First of all, let me tell you that it’s not a software problem in most cases. It is a hardware-related problem, and it does not mean that you can not fix it in your home. Follow the methods below.

Before we move on to the solution, let’s first confirm if your phone is really stuck on headphone mode. Below is the simple method to check if your iPhone is stuck on headphones mode.

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Checking if iPhone Stuck On Headphones Mode

Go into your iPhone’s control center to make sure if iPhone is stuck on headphones mode. Also, check it must not be playing music somewhere else.

What you need to do is to plug in your headphones in the headphone jack if you’re using iPhone 6s and older or in your iPhone’s lightning port if you’re using iPhone 7 or newer. You should also hit the volume up and down button, and it must show Headphones there, not the speakers.

After that, check it through the control center, so open it up by swapping it up from the very bottom of your screen. Then press and hold on to the music section and then tap the airplay button at the upper right-hand corner.

As you can see, headphones there, now unplugged your headphones and check what happens. You must see changing it back to the iPhone, but it means your iPhone is stuck on headphones mode if it still shows the headphones. See the picture below.

Don’ts of fixing iPhone stuck headphones mode

Do not use something metallic like a paper clip, or sim ejector tool, or a knife. It can conduct electric charge, and it also can cause damage to inside components of your iPhone, which are fragile.

Let’s suppose iPhone stuck into headphones mode. First of all, you should take a look inside if the headphones jack or lightning port by a torchlight. Check if some dirt is fooling your iPhone to think like there is something plugged in.

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Solutions To Fix iPhone Stuck In Headphone Mode

1. Plug and unplug your headphones

The quickest and obvious solution, which works well, is plugging and unplugging, to fix iPhone stuck in the headphone mode. You need to remove the headphone jack from the port for few seconds and then again plugin back. 

When a headphone connects with the phone through circuit points in the 3.5mm port, the phone knows that it is in contact with the headphones jack. The moment it connects, the phone quickly runs its default algorithms to instruct its software to relay played audio to the headphones.

Supposedly, while unplug and plug process, at some point, the software gets a reboot and well recognizes if headphones are plugged in or not.

2. Restart iPhone To Fix Headphone Stuck Problem

This issue can be resolved by merely restarting your iPhone. Sometimes there is an issue with your device’s software that doesn’t let the headphone work correctly.  This is the easiest way you should try first before anything else hope this would help you fix iPhone stuck in the headphone mode issue.

For an iPhone X iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, or iPhone 12, or later

1. Keep the volume button, or side button pressed and wait a while for the power off slider to appear.
2. Drag the slider in the direction of the ‘Turn off’ option.
3. Now, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo turning it on.

For an iPhone SE (2nd generation), 8, 7, or 6

1. Keep the volume button, or side button pressed and wait a while for the power of the slider to appear.
2. Drag the slider in the direction of the ‘Turn off’ option.
3. Now, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo turning it on.

For an iPhone SE (1st generation), 5, or earlier.

1. Press and hold the given button on the top-right corner of the phone until you see the Power off slider option pops up.
2. Move the slider towards the Turn off option.
3. Again, press and hold the side button until you see that the Apple logo appears to turn it back on.

3. Removing Back Cover or Case To Fix Headphone Stuck issue

If you have a back cover on your iPhone, try removing that and check if your device still shows the headphone icon. Sometimes, low-quality covers don’t have a proper cut at headphone jack cover, making the Apple device stuck in headphone mode.

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4. Enable and disable Airplane mode

Airplane Mode is a setting in smartphones and tablets that lets you quickly turn off cellular, voice, WiFi, and Bluetooth connections.

This fix works best for Bluetooth headphones but is also worth a shot even when you’re using wired ones.

The quickest way to activate Airplane Mode in iPhones is via the Control Panel.

For an iPhone X /11/12/13:

1. Swipe down from the top-right portion of the screen.
2. You’ll see a button with an image of an airplane on it.
3. Click on it once to turn it on.
4. Click on it again after a few seconds to turn it off.

For iPhone SE (2nd generation) or earlier:

1. Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen.
2. You’ll see a button with an image of an airplane on it.
3. Click on it once to turn it on.
4. Click on it again after a few seconds to turn it off.

5. Cotton Buds To Fix iPhone Stuck Headphone Mode

When it comes to cleaning the inside, the softest way is to try the cotton buds first, blow them multiple times; you can use compressed air. Keep in mind, do not apply direct water when you’re cleaning it, you can use petrol. This is the best method to try first to fix iPhone stuck on headphone mode.

In this method, we’d use a static brush to cleaning the inside of the port or headphones jack. It’s merely a brush that doesn’t conduct electricity. Using this, get in there as it won’t harm any of the components inside. Clean the dirt and test if you are still stuck in the headphones mode problem. If yes, then follow the below step.

6. Solution To Fix iPhone Stuck In Headphone Mode With Toothbrush

Brush inside of your lightning port or headphones jack and test again if headphones mode is still stuck. Please don’t use the toothbrush you use to brush your teeth with, but a new one as the other one could have some moisture in it.

With that, brush inside your lightning port or headphones jack and test again if the headphones mode is still stuck. If it is not fixed, then follow the below method of a big pen trick.

7. Use Ballpoint Pipe To Fix iPhone Stuck On Headphone Mode

Take a ballpoint pen; the back of it is perfect for getting out the junk from a headphone jack. Twist out the inside pipe, which contains the ink. The back of it is perfect for getting out the junk from a headphone jack. It is soft enough not to damage anything inside, and it won’t conduct electricity either.

All you need to do is to put it back inside of the headphone and twist it gently. You can see some dirt will come out if there is some. After that check, if you still your iPhone stuck in headphone mode, but probably it wouldn’t.

Even after following all the steps, if your iPhone is still stuck in headphone mode, you can try to reset your phone. Although it’s not a software problem, you can try it before going to repair your iPhone.

I recommend you go directly to the Apple store if your iPhone is under warranty. Take it in there, and it is not necessarily covered, especially if it is water damage. Because it is persuasive with iPhone 6 or older, if a water drop somehow gets inside your headphone jack, it causes a problem.

If Apple does not protect it, then you can consider a third-party repair service that can come to your home or office to fix your phone within an hour or so. It’s a good option if you are not under warranty, you can save some money this way. So those are the things you can do if your iPhone is stuck in headphone mode.

Leave a comment below to tell me which trick worked for you? Whether it’s a toothbrush or a pen trick to let others know.