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iPhone 4S Users Complaining of Audio Issues: No Audio on Outgoing Calls, Echoes, Static

Thursday November 3, 2011 10:50 am PDT by Eric Slivka

Earlier this week, BGR noted a growing number of complaints in Apple's support forums regarding problems with echoes on the iPhone 4S when used with a headset, with calls typically degrading over the duration of the conversation. One thread on the issue has reached 14 pages of posts with a number of users reporting the same issue on a variety of different phone models and carriers.

When using the Apple hands free headset with the phone during a call, I get an echo problem. It does not occur immediately. It can very from 30 seconds into a call and as far up to 9 mins in before it begins the annoying echo. If I unplug the headset it goes away but will return when I plug the headset back in. I have tried 3 brand new iphone 4s headsets with the same problems. So far I have tried rebooting, and also restored phone back to factory original settings as a new phone and still no resolution. I have been told by the other person on the line a screech sound is made then the echo begins.

Users seem to be having some success in fixing the issue by briefly toggling the speakerphone option on and off when the echo begins.

A potentially related issue of static on iPhone 4S calls is also being documented in its own lengthy thread, with the issue affecting both incoming and outgoing calls and some users reporting the issue occurring on multiple handsets as they've exchanged devices at Apple retail stores in attempts to address the problem.

Finally, a third issue being tracked in a nearly 300-post thread involves users experiencing no audio on a subset of outgoing phone calls.

Picked up a Verizon iPhone 4S - 32GB and on about 1 in 10 calls I get no outbound audio when dialing. Call shows the timer counting as if the call is progressing but absolutely no ring back and cannot hear the party on the other end when they answer.

As with the echo issue, some users have reported that toggling the speakerphone option may fix the lack of audio on a given call, but others claim that the tactic does not always work. For its part, Apple support staff have been unable or unwilling to specifically diagnose the issue as either a hardware or software problem. At least one user has reported that the first developer beta of iOS 5.0.1 released yesterday does not fix the issue.

Related roundups: iPhone 6, iPhone 6s (2015)

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

SandynJosh

42 months ago

I did have an issue with Siri when the volume will get extremely loud after I use it.

Siri's a woman, it's normal.

Can you hear me now now ow ow www...?

Rating: 20 Votes

soco

42 months ago

Audiogate, right? :rolleyes:

Rating: 7 Votes

ArcaTech

42 months ago

Heh, "it just works". This is why I didn't get the iPhone 4 untill they had most of the bugs worked out. Seems Apple has a lot of trouble with their new phones.

I am SO tired of people trying to make fun of that phrase every single time there's a bug. When Steve Jobs said "it just works", he did not say, "there will never ever be a bug in our software ever." There will ALWAYS be bugs in software and that will never change.

"It just works" meant that you don't have to configure a bunch of settings or go through any kind of long and annoying process to use a feature. You're being immature when you continually make fun of a company by taking a phrase in a direction it wasn't meant to be taken.

Rating: 5 Votes

sbrhwkp3

42 months ago

Steve Jobs would be making heads roll right about now.

Rating: 5 Votes

I8P'CS

42 months ago

Dispite what some may say this is why its always best not to rush and get a product on launch. Waiting 3-6 month is good as to enable all the problems to get rectified, this goes for cars also.

People always rush to have the latest but the ones that wait and are not bothered on having a new product on release or asap are the true winners.

No doubt the people tat rush to get the product then have minor/major problems are going to thumbs down me for speaking the truth. Oh well

Rating: 5 Votes

dbit

42 months ago

By the way, for people asking if it's a problem with the carrier, each of these issues have been confirmed on AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint. It is NOT a carrier issue!!!

Rating: 5 Votes

Spectrum Abuser

42 months ago

You're holding it wrong.

Rating: 5 Votes

till213

42 months ago

Bois, you're holding it wrong!

----------

I called Apple Tech support and they told me

This is what happens when you call Apple Tech Support with a 4S:

Customer: "Hello support? Battery time sucks big time! And Siri just dropped dead. And I can hear myself, or sometimes not at all..."

Support: "Sorry, can't hear you, we're hanging up right now. Glad that you called us and thank you for being a proud Apple customer!"

Rating: 5 Votes

extradryny

42 months ago

I am now on my 3rd replacement 4s and I still have the echo issue, hardware or software?

Time will tell!

I'm on my second phone -- still have the echo issue and it's terrible. It usually happens a few minutes into a call, not right away, which is why I imagine many have not experienced it (since most people don't use their phone as, like, a phone).

I'm going for a 3rd phone this weekend.

Rating: 4 Votes