5 Simple Ways to Clean a Phone Speaker

An in-depth guide to cleaning and minimizing damage to your phone speakers

Co-authored by Mitch Harris and Rain Kengly

Last Updated: February 25, 2023 References

Removing Speaker Dirt with Household Items

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Blowing out Dirt with Compressed Air

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Cleaning the Speakers from the Inside

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Removing Water with Silica Gel

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Removing Water with a Video

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Video

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Tips

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Things You'll Need

Over time, your smartphone speakers collect lint, dust, and all kinds of dirt that you probably don't see. When you leave them uncleaned for long enough, you'll start to hear your sound getting muffled. This can also happen if you accidentally get water in your phone. Before heading to the repair shop, there are a few great do-it-yourself techniques for cleaning your speakers from both the outside and inside of the phone. This wikiHow will show you how to properly clean your phone speaker whether it's affected by dirt, dust, or water.

Things You Should Know

Clean dirt and debris from your phone's speaker by using a can of air, a cotton swab, or a toothbrush.
To clean the speakers from the inside, make sure you are comfortable with taking your phone apart.
Remove water from your speakers by using a desiccant or by playing a specific tone to encourage sound waves.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Removing Speaker Dirt with Household Items

1
Locate the speakers on your phone. iPhone speakers are typically located on the bottom to the left and right of the charger port. Samsung speakers are typically on the bottom as well, but usually restricted to the left or right of the charger port. Ear speakers are almost always located on the top of the front face of the phone where you place your ear.
- Take note of alternative speaker locations, such as the side near the volume button or on the bottom of the phone's front face.
- You may want to clean your phone screen first to remove any excess debris.
2
Rub a cotton swab on the outside of your speakers.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert
Expert Interview. 31 August 31 2021.} Gently move it in circular motions over your speaker holes while applying a bit of pressure. Continue this process until all the dirt is out. If the speaker holes are big enough, press the swab into the holes. But don't press too hard—just enough that the cotton at the tip enters the slot. Once inside, rub the swab left and right while applying a bit of pressure. ^{[2]
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- Switch cotton swabs when they get dirty.
- For better results, dab a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto your cotton swab.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Mitch Harris
  Consumer Technology Expert
  Expert Interview. 31 August 31 2021.}
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3
Compress sticky tac into a small ball and press it onto the speaker holes. Break off a 1 inch (2.5 cm) piece of sticky tac and start squeezing it into a ball. Keep compressing it until it's soft and malleable. Afterward, press it down onto the speaker holes. Apply enough pressure that the sticky tac gets into the speaker. Hold it down for 2 to 3 seconds and remove it—you should see dirt stuck to the sticky tac. Continue this process until no more dirt comes out of the speakers.^{[4]
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- Move your sticky tac around so that you're always using its clean surface.
- Purchase sticky tac from office supply stores or online suppliers.
4
Clean small speaker grills using a medium bristle toothbrush. Tilt the brush toward either the top or bottom of your phone. Keep it parallel to the top of your phone and move it in up and down motions. Afterward, turn your toothbrush vertical (parallel to the side of your phone) and clean by moving it in left and right motions.^{[5]
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- Angle the brush upward and scrub with the bottom bristles for tough dirt.
- Always use a medium bristle brush—soft bristles aren't good enough to remove dirt, while the stronger ones are too thick to reach into the small speaker holes.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Blowing out Dirt with Compressed Air

1
Purchase a can of compressed air. You can find compressed air cans at office supply stores, electronics stores, and online suppliers. Test it by aiming it downward and pressing the nozzle down. Get a feel for how much air comes out with each spray.^{[6]
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- Purchase a can with a straw for increased accuracy.
- This is also a great way to clean a television screen.
2
Connect the straw to the nozzle of the can to improve accuracy. Screw the thin straw onto the nozzle of your compressed air can. Give it a test by aiming it downward and pressing the nozzle down. The air should blow from the tip of the straw.^{[7]
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- Tighten the straw if you can feel air coming out of the sides of the nozzle as you spray.
- Skip the straw if you're comfortable aiming your compressed air can without it.
3
Blow compressed air into the speaker slot in 3 to 4 short blasts. Keep the nozzle or tip of the straw at least ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) from the speaker opening. This will remove excess dirt that was pressed into the speaker from your cotton swab.^{[8]
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- Don't blow too close to the speaker or you can damage the phone's internal electrical components.
- If you're using the straw, hold it with your non-dominant hand to keep it steady as you blow air.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Cleaning the Speakers from the Inside

1
Remove the back lid from your phone with a suction cup and spudger. Heat the perimeter of your phone for about 15 seconds using a hairdryer on low heat. Afterward, apply a suction cup to the back. With the screen facing down, gently pull the suction handle toward you. At the same time, insert the flat end of a spudger in between the perimeter opening and lever it toward you. Continue levering the back piece—while still pulling on the suction cup—until it pops off.^{[9]
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- You can purchase a spudger—a tool with a wide flat-head screwdriver end that is used as a wedge—from home hardware stores
- If you're having trouble, apply more heat to the perimeter to loosen the glue holding to two phone pieces in place.
- With older and cheaper phone models, you can pry the back off with your hands. For newer and more expensive phones with glass backs, this isn't possible.
2
Unhook the metal covers and speakers they are protecting. Both the ear speaker and phone speakers are typically held in place by metal covers. Remove the screws holding the covers in place using a #3 Phillips screwdriver and take them off. From here, gently pull the speakers out.^{[10]
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- Gently pry the speakers out using a spudger if you're having trouble.
3
Wipe down the speakers with a microfiber cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol. Dab a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a microfiber cloth. Gently scrub the speaker pieces until they are clean. For the openings, blow into them gently from the outside. Afterward, dip a cotton swab into alcohol and gently rub it through the speaker openings.
- You can also use a soft cloth or lint-free paper towel. However, they are not as effective at picking up dirt.
- Be sure to let the speakers and openings dry before putting your speaker back together.
4
Remove the second back piece if you still can't access your speakers. In some phones—typically Samsung brands—you need to remove a second back piece to access your speaker openings. These phones will have 10 to 13 more screws to remove, although the exact number varies by model and manufacturer. Use a #3 Phillips 4 inch (10 cm) screwdriver to turn each screw counterclockwise until they come loose. Afterward, pull off the second back piece.^{[11]
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- Pull off the plastic film covering the screws if your phone has one.
- Once the second back piece is off, you can access and clean speaker openings and speakers. However, in some cases you will only be able to clean the openings.
- Snap the back piece back on when you're finished cleaning the speakers and reattach the screws. Afterward, you can reattach the metal covers to the speakers and snap the back lid back on.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Removing Water with Silica Gel

1
Turn off your phone. If your device was turned on when it was dropped in the water, you'll need to turn it off as soon as possible.
2
Dry the phone with a towel. As long as the phone is turned off, it should be safe to handle. Make sure to dry the outside completely.
- If you have an Android device, be sure to take out the battery and SIM card if you're able.
3
Place the phone in a sealed plastic bag with silica gel packs. Silica gel packs can be purchased online, or you may find some in packaging around your house. These packs are small, white, and usually have a printed Do not eat warning on them.
- If you don't have silica gel packs, you can use dry, uncooked rice or another drying agent instead.
4
Leave the phone in the bag for at least 24 hours. It's best to use a spot with some sunlight as this will help pull the moisture from your phone.
- Do not expose your phone to direct sunlight for an excessive amount of time.
- When there is no condensation in the bag, you can remove the device.
5
Turn on the phone. After inspecting your phone for residual water, you can turn it on.
- If you find that there is water lingering in your speakers, use the next method.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Removing Water with a Video

1
Ensure your phone has been dried properly. You can save a wet phone by acting quickly and using a desiccant.
- Use this method if you have water in your speaker and your charging port is not damaged.
- The tones will generate sound waves that can eject the water from your device.
2
Open the tone video in your mobile browser. If you have the YouTube app, it may open in the app automatically.
- There are a variety of tones marketed towards removing water from your speakers. If this tone does not work for your device, you can use the search bar to find another similar video.
3
Play the video. Be sure your device has its volume set to its max. This will ensure the tones play properly and create the sound waves you need to push the water out.
4
Repeat if necessary. You may need to adjust the device's position throughout the playback. Always keep the speaker holes face down to ensure the water leaves your device.