How to properly clean a phone speaker without damaging the smartphone
Kyiv • UNN
Dirt on the speaker mesh often degrades smartphone sound quality. For cleaning, you will need alcohol, a toothbrush, and a needle to carefully remove buildup.
Over time, a smartphone may start to sound quieter—this doesn't necessarily mean it's broken. The reason could be ordinary dirt accumulating on the speaker mesh. UNN explains how to safely clean a phone speaker at home, what tools you'll need, and what mistakes to avoid.
Why a phone speaker starts working quieter
A change in the maximum volume of a mobile phone is almost always related to external factors. In particular, dirty speaker meshes. The protective mesh has very small holes. On one hand, this prevents particles that could harm the speaker from getting inside. On the other hand, they easily get clogged with a buildup formed from sweat and dust. Usually, these accumulate over years, which is why there is no sudden change in volume.
Another reason is oxidation or damage to the contacts. Contacts oxidize due to prolonged and regular exposure to moisture. For this, the phone does not necessarily have to come into direct contact with liquid; it is enough, for example, to periodically be in a bathroom full of steam.
In addition, problems can arise with the speaker itself. During falls or impacts, the moving components of the speaker can be damaged. In such cases, the sound disappears completely or obvious defects appear: wheezing, distortion, and sometimes a decrease in volume. With contact problems, the sound most often disappears completely or subsides for a while and then returns to normal. A long-term decrease in volume is rarely related to contacts.
The end of the era of cheap gadgets may be on the horizon – media06.05.26, 09:19 • 14390 views
Cleaning a phone speaker at home
Smartphones use two types of speakers, and the approach to cleaning them may differ.
Earpiece. Used during conversations. Usually, the earpiece speaker is covered by a metal mesh.
Loudspeaker (Polyphonic). Used for listening to music and speakerphone. The polyphonic speaker is usually located on the bottom edge of the phone and may be covered by a metal mesh or a fabric membrane.
A metal mesh is easier to handle because it is harder to damage. You need to be careful with a fabric membrane. Firstly, you can puncture it. Secondly, the membrane is held on by glue, so it can peel off when using solvents.
What can be used to clean a smartphone speaker
Required tools and materials:
- a toothpick;
- cotton swabs;
- alcohol;
- a toothbrush or a small brush;
- a needle.
How to clean the speakers in a phone
Secure the smartphone. It is better to turn it off before starting work. Inspect the speaker for external contamination. Remove it using a toothpick. At the same time, you need to scrape it sideways and upwards, as if prying it out, so as not to push it inside.
Dip a cotton swab in alcohol, then squeeze it out so that it is damp but not dripping.
Carefully apply the alcohol to the mesh and wait a couple of minutes. After a few minutes, the dirt will soften, and you should try to pull it out.
If this doesn't help, you can try another method. It is somewhat harmful because the dirt is pushed inside. This will have a positive effect, but after several such cleanings, the mesh will get clogged from the inside, and then you definitely won't be able to do without disassembling the mobile phone.
Moisten the brush/toothbrush in alcohol. Press lightly on the mesh and move it slowly from side to side for 2-3 minutes. Repeat several times and check if the sound has improved.
If there is no positive effect, take a needle. Carefully clean each hole. In doing so, submerge the needle no more than 1-2 mm to avoid damaging the speaker cone.