How to Fix an iPad Stuck in Headphone Mode: 7 Easy Ways

Quick ways to force your iPad back to speaker mode

Co-authored by Rain Kengly Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: December 11, 2025 Fact Checked

Are you getting no sound on your iPad? It may be stuck in headphone mode. This means your iPad is recognizing something in its port or there's a software issue. Here's what to do when your iPad is stuck in headphone mode.

Getting Your iPad Out of Headphone Mode

If your iPad is stuck in headphone mode, it may recognize debris as something plugged in. Turn off your iPad and clean the port with a dry, soft-bristled brush. You can also plug the headphones in, remove them, and repeat until the symbol disappears.

1

Restart your iPad.

Turn off your iPad and turn it on again. You can do a force restart, which requires a few extra buttons.^{[1]
X
Research source} Do the following:
- Without a home button:
  - Press and release the volume button closest to the lock button.
  - Press and release the volume button farthest from the lock button.
  - Press and hold the lock button until the Apple logo appears.
- With a home button:
  - Press and hold the Home and lock buttons until the Apple logo appears.

2

Clean the port.

You can clean the charging port or audio jack port with a dry, soft-bristled brush. Just be sure to turn off your iPad completely before doing so.

3

Turn off Bluetooth.

Disable Bluetooth. If your iPad is stuck in headphone mode, it may still be synced to your AirPods or speaker.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Bluetooth.
- Toggle off Bluetooth.
- You can also open the Control Center and tap the Bluetooth icon.

4

Plug the headphones back in again.

This temporary fix can get your iPad out of headphone mode. You may need to repeat this a few times until the headphone symbol disappears.

5

Update your iPad.

Make sure your iPad is updated. This provides common software bug fixes. Do the following:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Software Update.
- Tap Download and Install.

6

Turn off keyboard sounds.

Disable keyboard click sounds. Some users reported this fix as a success on their devices.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Sounds & Haptics.
- Tap Keyboard Feedback.
- Toggle off Sound.
- Restart your iPad.