What Causes High-Pitched Noises from Phones?
There are several potential causes of high-pitched noises coming from phones:
Interference from Other Devices
According to Quora, “The high-pitched noise you hear on a speakerphone is usually due to a phenomenon called feedback. Feedback occurs when the microphone on your phone picks up audio coming out of the speaker and sends it back through the system, creating a high-pitched sound.”1 This feedback loop creates interference that manifests as a high-pitched noise.
Faulty Hardware
Issues with hardware components in a phone, such as damaged or faulty speakers, can cause odd high-pitched noises. As noted on Samsung Community forums, “My phone stays in a protective case, it hasn’t been dropped, no water damage, and actually no damage at all. Is anyone else experiencing this?”2 This indicates the noise may arise spontaneously from faulty components.
Software Glitches
Bugs in a phone’s software can sometimes trigger high-pitched sounds. Updating the phone’s operating system or apps may resolve software-related issues.
Low Battery
As a phone’s battery charge gets very low, it may produce odd noises from strain on the speakers or other components. Charging the battery should stop the noises.
Interference from Other Devices
One of the most common reasons a phone may emit a high-pitched noise is interference from other electronic devices that use radio signals. Wireless signals can sometimes disrupt or clash with the radio frequencies used by cell phones, leading to audible interference noises.
Common household devices that can cause this kind of interference include microwaves, baby monitors, Bluetooth speakers, and other wireless electronics. The proximity of these devices to your phone matters – the closer they are, the more likely you’ll hear buzzing or screeching sounds coming from your phone’s speaker.
As explained in this Scientific American article, “Why does my cell phone make screechy noises when I …”, the reason this happens is because many consumer gadgets operate in the same radio frequency bands as cell phones. Their signals can clash and cause audible artifacts. Interference tends to be worse when actively using these other wireless devices, as they are transmitting more strongly during that time.
If the noise only occurs when near certain electronics like a microwave, consider moving farther away from the potential source of interference. Turning off or unplugging nearby devices can also help isolate the culprit.
Faulty Hardware
One of the most common causes of high-pitched noises coming from a phone is faulty hardware. Over time, the physical components inside a phone can become worn out or damaged, resulting in various sound issues.
Problems with the speaker are a prime culprit. Phone speakers contain small electromagnets that vibrate to produce sound. If these get damaged or start to degrade, they may vibrate incorrectly and create distorted or squealing sounds. Issues with the speaker connections or wiring can also lead to interference that comes through as high-pitched screeching or humming.
The microphone can likewise cause noises when it starts to fail. Microphones convert sounds into electrical signals, but worn out or faulty mics may pick up interference or produce audio artifacts that come through as whining or screeching from the speaker. Problems with the mic wiring can contribute to this as well.
Even the headphone jack can be a source of high-pitched noise if the contacts become bent or dirty. This can create an imperfect connection that results in audio feedback through the phone’s speaker. A loose headphone jack that moves slightly can also cut in and out, resulting in crackling or static-like sounds.
In most cases, high-pitched noises stemming from hardware issues tend to happen consistently and worsen over time as the components degrade further. If a phone starts making odd screeching, humming, cracking, or buzzing sounds randomly, faulty hardware inside the device is likely the root cause.
Sources:
https://www.cellphonerepair.com/how-to-fix-phone-sound-issues
https://www.quora.com/Why-is-my-phone-making-strange-noises
Software Glitches
One common cause of strange noises from phones is software glitches. These can stem from bugs, errors or crashes in apps. For example, an app may inadvertently play a sound effect at the wrong time due to faulty programming. This could result in intermittent beeping, clicking or other noises that seem to come from nowhere.
Issues with the operating system itself can also lead to odd sounds. An OS glitch may trigger alert noises, ringtones or other audio effects randomly even when no notifications are present. These anomalous noises tend to be more random and sporadic compared to sounds tied to specific apps.
Troubleshooting software issues as the cause involves determining if the noise only occurs when using certain apps. Opening apps individually can help isolate the problematic one. Updating apps, uninstalling/reinstalling them, or clearing app caches may fix glitches. Upgrading to the latest OS version can also help if it’s a system-wide problem. Rebooting the phone is one quick fix to clear any temporary software bugs.
Sources:
[1] https://qatestlab.com/resources/knowledge-center/what-are-common-sound-related-errors-of-mobile-applications/
[2] https://www.quora.com/Why-is-my-phone-making-strange-noises
Low Battery
One common cause of a high-pitched noise coming from a phone is a low battery charge. As the battery level gets low, the phone may start to emit various noises and alarms to alert the user that it needs to be charged soon. These sounds may be high-pitched beeps, screeches, or other electronic tones [1].
Smartphones are designed to make these sounds when the battery level drops below a certain threshold, often around 15-20%. The sounds serve as a warning system to prompt the user to charge their phone before it shuts off completely. The pitch and volume of the low battery sounds may vary depending on the phone model and brand. But in general, expect to hear some type of high-pitched beep, chirp or alarm as the battery runs low.
So if your phone starts making seemingly random high-pitched noises, the first thing to check is your battery level. Simply charging your phone should make the sounds stop once it has charged above the low battery threshold. Just be aware that this is a normal function of smartphones signaling it’s time to charge up.
When Does it Happen?
High-pitched noises from phones often occur under certain conditions or when using certain apps or features:
- While on speakerphone or headphone mode – Feedback between microphone and speaker can cause high-pitched sounds (https://www.quora.com/Why-does-a-phone-make-a-high-pitched-noise-on-a-speakerphone)
- When charging phone – Electrical interference with charger can produce noise (https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/galaxy-note9-series/high-pitched-noise/td-p/1087029)
- When typing on keyboard – Vibrations from tapping screen can make noise (https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/wem8qu/my_phone_makes_a_high_pitched_noise_when_i_type/)
The noise tends to occur during the use of phone features that produce vibrations or electrical interference. Identifying when the sound happens can help narrow down the cause.
How to Fix
Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to fix a high-pitched noise coming from your phone:
- Restart your phone – A simple restart can help clear out any minor software glitches causing the noise. Power your phone off completely and then turn it back on.
- Update your software – Make sure your phone’s operating system and apps are up to date. Software updates often include bug fixes that could resolve sound issues.
- Remove phone case – Take off any case or cover on your phone. Debris trapped between the case and phone could cause vibrations that lead to high-pitched noises.
- Clean ports – Use compressed air to spray out any dust or lint in your phone’s ports, especially the charging port. Foreign particles in ports can create interference.
Following these steps may help isolate and resolve any minor issues causing the annoying high-pitched noise.
When to Get Repaired
If the high-pitched noise persists after trying various troubleshooting solutions, it’s likely time to get your phone repaired. Most major hardware issues like speaker damage or a faulty microphone require professional repair.
First, check if your phone is still under the manufacturer’s warranty or if you have insurance. The warranty typically covers defects for 1 year after purchase, while insurance covers damage from drops or liquids. Getting a repair covered under warranty or insurance is ideal to avoid out-of-pocket costs.
According to Cell Phone Repair, you should get your iPhone or Android phone repaired professionally if the noise issues “don’t go away after trying some troubleshooting tactics.” They recommend finding a qualified technician to inspect your phone and determine if a repair or full replacement is needed.
A technological issue like a software glitch may be fixable with a simple software update at a repair shop. But as Lifewire notes, if your phone speaker is damaged from dropping your phone in water, you’ll likely “need to get them repaired/replaced.” In those cases, a hardware repair or replacement is required.
Preventing Issues
There are a few ways to help prevent high-pitched noises and other interference issues with your phone:
Keep your phone’s software updated. Installing the latest OS and app updates can fix bugs that cause noise and interference. Software updates often include improvements to call and audio quality. Check for system updates regularly to get fixes as soon as they become available.
Avoid damage to your phone. Dropping your phone or getting it wet can damage components like the speaker, microphone, or antennas. This physical damage can lead to buzzing, static, and other noises. Use a protective case and keep your phone away from moisture.
Manage battery charging. Overcharging lithium-ion batteries can degrade battery health over time. Letting the battery completely drain also strains it. Charge your phone regularly but avoid leaving it plugged in overnight after it reaches 100%. Replace aging batteries that can no longer hold a full charge.
Other Causes
While interference and faulty hardware like speakers are the most common reasons, there are some less common causes of high-pitched noises from phones worth mentioning:
Damaged or blown speakers can emit a high-pitched squealing or hissing sound. This typically happens from playing audio at high volumes over time, which damages the speaker components. Replacing the phone’s speakers would resolve this issue.
Some phone components like power amplifiers, codecs, and audio chips can malfunction and cause distortion or squealing noises during calls. This indicates a hardware problem that would likely require component-level repair or full replacement of the phone.
In very rare cases, noises can come from a software glitch or firmware bug. For example, an issue with the audio driver software interacting with the operating system could introduce noise. Updating to the latest OS and app versions may solve intermittent software-based noise problems.
Overall, unusual high-pitched noises point to a hardware defect in most cases. But if basic troubleshooting doesn’t reveal an obvious cause, exploring software issues or meticulously inspecting individual components may be necessary.