(2023) How to Fix iPhone Stuck in Headphone Mode？

Did it ever happen to you that you answer a call and can’t hear anything the other person is saying because your phone says your headphones are plugged in when they’re not? Well, it happened to me just recently.

Last week, I received an urgent facetime call from my boss. I could see that he was talking, and his mouth was moving but couldn’t hear a word he said! Suffice to say, it was frustrating and annoying. It took me two sleepless nights to dig out the internet and solve my problem.

To make sure none of you go through the same ordeal as I did, I am listing all the ways that I found to solve this issue. So, just read along and you’ll be good!

Part 1: Why Does My iPhone Get Stuck in Headphone Plugged in Mode?

• There is moisture and dust accumulated in your headphone jack.
• An OS update caused a software issue leading to this problem.
• You hurriedly removed headphones from your iPhone when it was busy with another function and it didn’t detect the removal.
• You were using faulty or substandard headphones that damaged the headphone jack causing the wrong interpretation.

Part 2: How to Solve the Problem if iPhone is Stuck in Headphone Mode?

1. Plugging and Unplugging your Headphones Again

The simplest solution is to gently unplug your headphones from the headphone port, and then plug them in again.

If this solves the issue, it is probably a one-off instance that won’t happen again. So, you don’t need to fret about it anymore.

2. Restart your iPhone

If the issue is with your iPhone’s software, then restarting it is the solution for you. A restart will allow the phone’s software to refresh. After restart, it will hopefully correctly check if a headphone is plugged into your iPhone’s jack.

You can follow the steps listed below to restart your iPhone:

• iPhone 6S or earlier models: Press the Home and the Power button once while holding them until you see Apple’s logo disappear and reappear, then release it.


Force to restart under DFU Mode - iPhone6 and earlier versions

• iPhone 7: Press the Power and down volume buttons while holding them until Apple’s logo disappears and reappears on your screen.


Force to restart under DFU Mode - iPhone7s

• iPhone 8 or newer models: you can press then release the volume up and the volume down buttons, then long-press the side button till the Apple logo appears on the screen.


Force to restart under DFU Mode - iPhone8

3. Clean your iPhone’s Headphones Jack

Sometimes your iPhone headphone jack sends a false signal to the phone even when there is nothing plugged in. This is because moisture or debris has accumulated in the headphone jack giving an incorrect signal. This causes the iPhone to think something is plugged in even when it is not.

To solve this issue, clean your headphone jack regularly using compressed can of air. However, If you cannot find compressed air, you can also use a swab of cotton to gently clean the headphone jack. This should resolve the issue.

4. Update your iPhone

You can update your device to the latest stable version of iOS by using the following steps:

Settings > General > Software Update > Download and Install

5. Try Using Mobitrix Perfix

If none of the above methods solve your issue of iPhone stuck in headphone mode, it is time to try Mobitrix Perfix. It is an iOS repair tool with which you can solve most of your problems in just a few clicks. It is a secure and efficient tool that can make your life a lot easier.

You can follow the steps given below to fix your iPhone:

Step 1 - Connect your iPhone to a computer and launch Perfix.

Step 2 - Select the standard mode option to fix your iPhone.

Step 3 - Enter the model number of your iPhone’s iOS and supported version of its firmware.

Step 4 - The app will now download the required firmware of iOS and verify the connected device.

Step 5 - To upgrade your iPhone’s software and fix any problems with it, Click the button labeled "Fix Now”.

Here are some advantages of using Perfix:

• You don’t have to download Finder or iTunes on your computer.
• You can repair your phone without any data loss.
• You can follow easy steps for recovery and fix your phone in a single click.
• Support for all iPhone models and iOS versions is available.

6. Using DFU Mode to Fix Your iPhone

DFU is Device Firm Update. It allows you to halt your iPhone during the bootup process. You can then easily restore your device.

For this method, you need to connect your iPhone to a computer through a USB cable and follow the following steps:

Step 1 - Download and Install the newest version of iTunes on your PC or computer.

Step 2 - Connect your iPhone to the computer via a USB cable.

Step 3 - Wait for the computer to acknowledge your iPhone.

Step 4 - Go to Summary Restore iPhone.

Disadvantages of This Method

This method, unfortunately, comes with a few disadvantages, such as:

• It has complicated steps that are hard to follow for children and the elderly.
• You have to download another software i.e., iTunes
• It does not have compatibility with every model of the iPhone.

Part 3: How to Fix Phone if You Have Attempted All Methods Above to No Avail?

In case you have followed all the methods that I have listed above and the issue is still not resolved, I’d suggest you take your iPhone to a seasoned repair-person. Alternatively, you can contact your local Apple support center and find a solution there.