iPad 3 has lost sound

[Teste]

For the last few days, sound coming from my iPad 3 was distorted. Now, sound is gone (and no, before someone asks, it's not on mute). I think the speaker has broken.

Does anyone have any suggestion on how to fix this? Other than buying a new iPad?

 

[nagromme]

For the last few days, sound coming from my iPad 3 was distorted. Now, sound is gone (and no, before someone asks, it's not on mute). I think the speaker has broken.

Does anyone have any suggestion on how to fix this? Other than buying a new iPad?

iFixit sells that speaker for $25, and has instructions, but they are rated "Very Difficult." So it may call for special tools and risk destroying your iPad.

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/iPad/iPad-3rd-Gen-Speaker/IF116-014#installGuides

If you're less brave than that, you could ask for an advance price quote from your Apple Store--if you have one! Or search here for an Apple Authorized Service Provider:

https://locate.apple.com/country

Lastly, depending on your habits, beaming to a nearby Bluetooth speaker (or Apple TV or AirPlay speakers) might be a good workaround: BT speakers can be cheap, and sound much better than the iPad's little speaker! Choose one that turns on and re-pairs easily (see Amazon reviews). I have one that sounds great, but I have to re-select the Bluetooth device in the iPad's settings every time I turn the speaker on. (Luckily, no PIN code is involved.)

 

[Osarkon]

Hold down the home button and the lock button at the same time until the ipad resets.

That normally fixes it for me.

 

[Teste]

Lastly, depending on your habits, beaming to a nearby Bluetooth speaker (or Apple TV or AirPlay speakers) might be a good workaround: BT speakers can be cheap, and sound much better than the iPad's little speaker!

Thanks, that's a good idea.

It's odd, though — I have noticed that there is actually sound coming from my iPad, but it's very low, so I can only hear it when I put my ear close to it. I wonder if the speaker is filled with dust or something like that.

 

[nagromme]

It does kind of sound physical (blockage) rather than electrical (loose connection). But almost impossible to get in and check/clean.

I suppose you could try carefully blowing air into the dock port, in the hopes that the air would be forced out the speaker holes... but they're really small.

Maybe playing a lot of bass would knock some dust loose!

Or maybe the speaker became unattached, and is now touching something it shouldn't, damping the sound.