6 Ways to Fix iPad Stuck in Headphone Mode

If you’re playing audio on your iPad and there’s no sound, and you see the headphone volume bar even though no headphones are plugged in, your iPad is probably stuck in headphone mode.

Don’t worry it’s a common issue, and the good news is that it’s usually easy to fix.

So let try all the fixes one by one and surely one of it will fix t for you

1) Plug and unplug headphones

The first thing you should try if your iPad thinks headphones are plugged in is simple: plug in, then unplug, a pair of headphones.

Do this 3 to 5 times. It’s possible the headphone jack didn’t recognize when you last unplugged your headphones and still thinks they’re connected.

If this trick fixes the problem, and it doesn’t happen regularly, you can chalk it up as a weird one-off and nothing to worry about.

2) Check audio output settings

In recent versions of iPadOS, you can control where the audio is played: headphones, the iPad’s speakers, AirPods, HomePod, or other external speakers.

It’s possible that the issue with your iPad being stuck in headphone mode has to do with these audio output settings.

To check the settings:

Control Center Access:

• Swipe up from the bottom of the screen for iPads with a Home button (like the iPad 8th generation or earlier models).
• For iPads without a Home button (like iPad Pro models from 2018 onward), swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen.

Audio Controls:

• iPadOS 10: You need to swipe right to left in Control Center to see music controls.
• iPadOS 11 and later: The music controls are part of Control Center. You tap the music controls in the top right to expand them.

AirPlay Icon:

In iPadOS 11 and later, tapping the AirPlay icon (three rings with a triangle) shows available audio output options, such as headphones, speakers, AirPods, or iPad.

If the audio is set to another device, you’ll want to select “iPad” to ensure sound is playing through the iPad’s speakers and not an external device.

3) Enable and Disable Airplane Mode

If your iPad still thinks it’s connected to external audio, like Bluetooth headphones, Airplane Mode can help reset those connections.

Turning on Airplane Mode temporarily disconnects all network functions on the iPad, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

If Bluetooth is causing the issue, this quick reset could solve your problem.

Here’s how to do it:

1)Open Control Center:

• For iPads with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
• For iPads without a Home button, swipe down from the top-right corner.

Tap the Airplane Mode icon (the airplane symbol).

Wait a few seconds, then tap the Airplane Mode icon again to turn it off.

4) Reset Your Network Settings

If you have tried other software fixes and your iPad still thinks headphones are plugged in, resetting your network settings might help.

This action will revert your iPad’s network settings to their original default state, similar to when you first got it.

Don’t worry resetting network settings won’t erase your personal data or media, but it will remove saved passwords for Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth connections, and other network settings.

To reset your network settings:

Go to Settings > General and then Tap Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset.

Select Reset Network Settings.

This will reset all your network settings and hopefully resolve the issue with your iPad.

5) Force Restart iPad

Sometimes, simply restarting your iPad can clear up temporary glitches, including issues with headphone mode.

If your iPad isn’t responding, follow these steps to force restart:

• For iPads with a Home button: Press and hold both the top button and the Home button at the same time. Release both buttons when you see the Apple logo.
• For other iPad models: Quickly press and release the volume up button, then the volume down button. After that, press and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears, then release the button.

This quick reset can help resolve minor technical issues and might just get your iPad back to normal.

6) Clean the Headphones Jack

If your iPad thinks headphones are plugged in, it might be due to debris or lint in the headphone jack, which could be sending a false signal.

Here’s how to check and clean it:

Inspect the Jack:

Look into the headphone jack to see if there’s any visible lint or debris.

For older models with a headphone jack, you might need to shine a flashlight or penlight to get a good view.

You should only see the metal inside. If you spot anything unusual, it might be causing the problem.

Clean the Jack:

The safest way to remove debris is with compressed air. You can get a can of compressed air from office supply or computer stores.

Use the straw attachment and give a few short bursts into the jack to blow out any dust or lint.

If you don’t have compressed air, you can use a cotton swab or the plastic ink tube from a ballpoint pen.

Gently insert it into the jack to clear out any debris, but be careful not to push anything further in.

Cleaning out the headphone jack might resolve the issue if it’s being caused by something in the port.

Tip: If there was water damage then try your best to take out as much water by using a qtip (take off some cotton from the bulb so it thins out to fit the jack port- once it fits gently clean out any moisture)

Some Other Solutions That Work for Users on Reddit

1: Use a Music App and a Paper Clip

1. Open a music app, like Spotify, where you can see when the music plays and pauses.
2. Take a paper clip and gently move it around inside the headphone jack, similar to how you’d clean a cup.
3. Watch for the music to pause. If it does, your iPad should switch out of headphone mode.

2: Try This Sequence

1. Have someone call you.
2. Switch the call to speaker mode.
3. Turn off the speaker mode.
4. Plug in your headphones.
5. Unplug the headphones.

This sequence can sometimes reset the audio output and resolve the issue.

3: Adjust Sound Settings

1. Go to Settings > Sounds.
2. Turn off Keyboard Clicks and Lock Sound.
3. Restart your iPad.

Get Tech Support from Apple

If your iPad still thinks headphones are plugged in after trying all the fixes, it’s time to consult the experts at Apple. They can help diagnose the issue and determine whether it’s a software problem or if your iPad needs a repair.

You can get support online through Apple’s support website or make an appointment at the Genius Bar for in-person help at your nearest Apple Store. Good luck!

Hopefully, these solutions help you enjoy your iPad without any more audio hassles!