Samsung Galaxy S22 Speaker Crackling Bug: Learn How to Fix the Problem
More and more complaints about speaker problems in Samsung's Galaxy S22 series are surfacing on the web. The phone's speakers are said to have suddenly started creaking, crackling, and shrieking. While time cured the problem for some users, there is apparently a fairly simple solution.
TL;DR
- Users of the S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra phones report issues with the speakers on the web.
- Problems mainly occur after flights or after strong temperature fluctuations.
- According to Caschy's blog, the solution is to temporarily remove the SIM card.
October 2022 update: Just in time for the colder temperatures during fall in the northern hemisphere, still no response from Samsung.
If you use a device from Samsung's Galaxy S22 series, you might have to be prepared for creaking speakers on your next flight. This is because reports are surfacing on the web that Samsung's latest flagship does not handle pressure changes well. Besides the disappointment that it will thus never be able to take up a manager position (couldn't avoid the joke), the issue makes for some truly deafening noise:
Volume warning for the following video.
Apart from flights, temperature differences are also said to cause problems. As Caschy's blog reports, a longer use in cold weather with a subsequent change to a heated room is also problematic. While Samsung has not officially confirmed the phenomenon yet, there is apparently already a simple solution.
The bug is probably very easy to fix
According to a reader from Caschy's blog, removing the SIM card tray is enough to fix the speaker problems. This opens the phone, which is actually sealed for water protection, and thus ensures pressure compensation. Afterward, the speakers should sound as usual again.
If this doesn't solve the problems, you will have to open an RMA case if it is still under warranty. In this case, it is best to contact Samsung's customer service directly and describe the problem. Alternatively, you can also contact the store where you purchased the phone.
Have you already noticed a temporary deterioration of the S22 speakers? If so, how long did the problems last? Let us know in the comments!
Source: Samsung Forum (1), Samsung Forum (2), Caschys Blog
My S22 just got overheated while left in the sun, and the speaker started crackling. I removed and placed back the sim card as suggested here and problem solved!
My S22 Ultra right speaker started crackling after about 18 months. Since it wasn't under warranty, Samsung won't fix it. It'd be nice if they stood behind their products when so many people are having the same issue. The only thing I found to fix the problem is Settings>Accessibility>Hearing Enhancements. Go to bottom and move the Phone Speaker to the Left.
I live at 8888 feet. Whenever I travel to the neighboring town or pretty much anywhere lower in elevation I have to pop my sim card out. I have to do this multiple times a day and I am sick of it. Samsung lost a customer over this. Going back to Apple.
I live at 8888 feet in Colorado so altitude and temperature us a constant issue. When I am traveling, even just driving to the neighboring town 30 minutes away and lower in elevation I have to pull my sim card. I just did a trip to AZ and I had to pull the card out EVERY DAY! THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I called Samsung and they said I'd have to send my phone in for them to make sure it's the phone. I have 3 of the pieces of **** and every one has the same problem. And what person, in this day and age, can be without their phone to send it in?! I will never, ever, ever buy Damsung again!!! Kicking myself. I shouldn't have to pull my sim card out multiple times a day to be able to use my phone. The speaker renders it useless in making or receiving calls because I am unable to hear the other person.
I resolved this issue by lifting the edge of my camera lens protector that I installed. Issue occurred after returning from a ski trip.
Well, here to tell you the sim card trick fixed it! Just seems so odd.
Mine first did it when listening to amazon music in the car. Disabling Alexa and her access to the microphones fixed it. However, it did it again after a fairly long trip using Android Auto. I'm going to try sim card. I might try getting rid of Android Auto, as well.
I purchased my s22 on the 15th December. 3 weeks later I walked to & from work all week and each time I was out in the cold weather, I found that I was unable to make or receive calls due to feed back from the speaker. This problem has persisted and I now have the same problem even if the temperature in the house is cold. I went back to carphone warehouse were I was told to go directly to Samsung which I have done. I was told only yesterday by a Samsung that I would have to prove the fault to them. That is very difficult to do when it only happens if the phone is cold and the store is located in the middle of one of the countries biggest retail centres. As i explained this, I was advised to ring Samsung and book a home appointment were a technician will come to me. He then advised that I take the sim card tray out the next time it does it and see what happens. The same issue began again today so I tested his theory. It worked! BUT NOT FOR LONG! The problem has not gone away. It fixes it only temporarily. As soon as the temperature drops I'm back to square one. Am I expected to carry around the pin in order to take my sim card tray out each time this happens. Absolutely ridiculous! They should all be recalled. I will be straight on the phone to them tomorrow morning.
Sadly, that's exactly what I've been forced to do. I have to carry a sim card tool in my phone e case so I can remove the tray multiple times a day. 🤬
Had not done any airline travel since getting this phone, until a 4 day trip going from Florida on the ocean to high elevation Mexico City (& on 47th floor of the hotel). I experienced the distortion in the phone's speakers afterwards upon landing back in Florida. By the next morning the distortion was gone & the sound was back to normal. Ahhh!!!! I have a glass cover on my camera lenses, not designed by Samsung, & wonder if that affected the pressure equalization. I can't just remove that cover as I need the camera lens protection. I'll research if Samsung has a glass cover designed for the S22. For now nice to know of the tray opening tip. Thanks.
Just bought the S22. First couple of days running with it, everything was fine. And then I went running on the third day. Not only did the crackling speakers become an issue, but the barometer (used for measuring altitude) was giving obviously inaccurate results (showing my run as 95% uphill at about 500 ft/mile).
Trying to decide whether to undo the purchase and use my old phone til the S23 or take a chance that simply a different S22 will not have this issue.
I've warranties my phone several times. All have the issue.
Wife and I had the same issue with both of our S22+ phones after return flight home. Mine went away but hers persisted - we were about to submit a ticket when I came across this helpful info. Temporarily opening the SIM card compartment fixed the issue, though I am now concerned we will face it again. We've had Samsung phones almost exclusively, this is very unfortunate.
Both my wife's and my S22+ are having this annoying and potentially dangerous issue since we can't hear each other when using the device. The "fix" appears temporary as it continues to happen sporadically and without warning. Reluctant to exchange the phone since it's my only one. But I may have no choice if it continues.
Same here. Went on a plane and I couldn't hear people calling me the whole time there. Also, had it in window sill at home during cold snap and crackling happened. Can't really have sim key with me at all times, that's not an easy fix. Nervous to cut notch in tray but maybe I'll do that.
My S22+ has this issue. Popping the sim works, but still frustrating. I heard a rumor of a different fix and am looking for verification. My phone case came with a separate glass protector to cover the camera lenses. Rumor is to remove/not use that lens cover and the pressurization problem goes away. Somehow the pressure equalizes through/near the lenses? Can anyone verify?
Yes, I confirm. This rumour is true and this became my life saviour. Thanks for this comment.
So my Galaxy S22 was having crackled speaker issue in temparature changes just like others. Tried many things, nothing worked.
Then when I noticed this comment, I remembered, I was using a camera protector lense too. So, I had to test it. In cold wheather, when it was again crackling, I removed the camera protector lense and boom! The issue is gone!
So somehow Samsung is equalizing the pressure difference through that camera lense or near somewhere.
So, tips for everyone, DO NOT USE CAMERA LENSE PROTECTOR IN S22.
Thx, it worked for me to remove the camera glass protector. I had the issue for 2 months and sent it for repairs, but it still had the same problem when I was outdoors in cold temp, but removing the protector fixed it
Taking the sim card out temporarily fixed the issue for me
Mine seems to act up when I change elevations (driving from and to work), and only in the lower elevation area. Once I get back towards the city I live in (a higher elevation), the sound reverts to normal. And it seems to change how sound is emitted from the phone (sound coming from where you press your ear for a phone call, as well as the speaker at the bottom of the phone). I started noticing the issue at least 6 months ago (I got the phone 7 months ago).
I live in the valley and have been resently been working on top of the mountain. When I return home my speaker is cracking and it takes a few hours for it to return to normal
Yep, I can confirm this. I live in Minnesota and it's the start of cold season here. This phone is garbage when brought outside. So we have to leave our devices vulnerable to water threats in order to use them in cold weather environments? Simply not at ALL acceptable. Contacted Google Fi, my carrier, and was offered a replacement. However, they want to hold $1100 of mine to receive the replacement! Again, not at ALL acceptable. I'm done with Samsung, and Google Fi is ditched at the end of deal. Both companies are f'n jokes.
Fantastic - fixed! Really appreciate this- was convinced something dire had happened
My issue in in cold weather as from the UK as soon as the phone get cold I have speaker distortion as soon as you warm the phone its back to normal and with winter coming this is going to be so annoying there needs to be a fix for this.
There is a rubber seal around the sim tray that pressurizes the phone. You can use a butter knife to gently cut off a small piece of the outer flap on the grey rubber Sim card tray seal but you may lose some of the waterproof capability in that specific area however that seemed to take care of it..
i played a song with my phone speaker towards the freezer fan and within about 90 seconds it started crackling real bad. Popped sim out and fixed instantly. So I decided to take matters into my own hands, because I happen to really like this phone a lot. After cutting a little bit of the extra rubber, I took my phone back to the freezer and let a 5 minute song play, and the mission was a success! If you are concered about warranty you could always buy another tray online and save it in your junk drawer.
It's a Grey rubber seal, don't remove all of it just cut off some of that extra foreskin that goes around it. Hope it helps.
I'm on day 10 with my s22 and it just got cold outside today. I work outside and the speakers crackled all day. I was going to return it after reading all the complaints on the internet but this seems to have done the trick. Thanks Chris!!!
I am not sure where/how to cut...I see the grey seal...do I cut around the seal? or a notch?
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Admin
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Staff
Dec 12, 2022 Link to commentWe do not recommend cutting the rubber seal, as it may affect the smartphone waterproofness.
Do you know how I can fix the sound distortion problem permanently then? Restarting is only a temporary fix, so is removing the sim card tray (which is not easy to do when there is a tight cover to wrestle with)
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Admin
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Staff
Dec 14, 2022 Link to commentWe currently don't know of any alternative method to fix the issue, unfortunately.
Just flew for the first time with s22 ultra. Removing sim card did the trick, but this design flaw will cause major inconvenience. Very dissapointing, samsung
Visited CO for a few days in the mountains and my speakers sounded more quiet with crackles. The crackles were more evident as I turned the volume up. I removed the Sim card just as the article said and my speakers are back to normal!
Yes i just had phone for few days and the seakers are definitely not working properly, they make horrible noise.
Two weeks old and on my S22 my sound goes completely off and then it comes back on and I haven't gone anywhere. I'm ready to throw it in the lake.
Without a doubt, if you’re with one of the big carriers, exchange it for Apple or other brand. Samsung cannot and will not fix this.
Wow, yes this is a real bummer, folks. Being from the Rocky Mountains myself, I'd push for a tougher phone without this problem. Stay strong!
Sad to hear. Just got back to Missouri from a trip to the Rocky Mountains and evidently the altitude difference was too much. My speakers are now cracking.
I guess I will start the return process. I've only had the phone a few months.
Just an update to my previous post regarding my S22 Ultra.
Forget about Samsung fixing this issue. After numerous frustrating calls to my carrier for tech support, I returned my second S22 and went with Apple.
I really tried to stay with Samsung. I’ve had Android from day 1, starting with HTC and then many models of Samsung. I should have never traded in my Note 9 for this S22.
Even though I did not want anything Apple, I needed a phone that would actually work after a flight. Luckily, my second phone was still eligible for an exchange.
The transition to Apple was much easier than I could have imagined. Apple has an app that will transition everything from your Android to Apple wirelessly. And it actually worked quite well.
Also, I was able to keep everything Google, so I still feel I am getting the complete Android experience including maps and photos. Gestures and swipes are the only difference and that’s just muscle memory. And no S Pen, that part is what I miss.
Samsung, you really messed this up. I’m really impressed, (but not really), that you built a phone with such water resistance that I could go deep sea diving, but if I take a flight the phone doesn’t work. Great job… Seriously, Samsung, you’ve been building phones for a hundred years , how do you screw something like this up?
Everyone reading this, go with Apple. Come on in, the water’s warm.
I'm fine with my S22 Ultra thanks. I have no intentions of supporting such a company like Apple. Thier intentional pig headed decisions to make a profit, keeping an outdated, slow connector on their phones while giving the rest of their products USB-C, just so they can keep their license income for the phones (You can't charge a fee to use USB-C). Zero support for open text standards, so people are forced to use iMessage or the outdated MMS. There's a reason they're now the biggest tech company in the world, and we thought we had to worry about Google/Microsoft XD.
Same problem here, it was working excellent then one day it started crackling, but not only the speakers but also through Bluetooth my earphones sound horrible I returned a bluetooth speaker thinking that it was defective, music sound horrible in my car i thought my subwoofer was busted then I started playing music from my USB and sounds fine. thinking about it I took a trip that had me going trough the mountains at 4500 ft in elevation and then the crackling started. I just opened the sim card and works fine again, But that is unacceptable having to pull the sim card every time you fly or go through change in pressure. I want to say that it happened before the trip but then it went away but I am not that sure
This is also happening to me.
I fly every week with multiple trips to high altitudes. It is definitely a pressurization problem, and the phone not properly equalizing on the descent.
My first S22 Ultra started this problem a month ago. I received my new replacement phone 2 weeks ago and the problem persists.
Opening the sim tray after landing, or keeping the sim tray open during flight fixes the problem. However, having to open the sim tray every time to have an operable phone after landing is unsustainable.
I'm at a loss as to what to do next. I've always been a fan of Samsung, but this isn't acceptable. I'm not interested in the Apple alternative at all, but it may be my only option. I need a phone that works every time and Samsung has failed.
Has anyone found a fix to their S22 with regards to this problem other than opening the sim tray?
Any phone alternatives to suggest?
It happened to me after a flight last week. I didn't have my card key with me. I went to the Verizon store and explained the problem and they looked at me like I was nuts. Powered the phone off, popped the tray in and out-- problem solved. Did it again after the flight home.
Not a convenient fix though.
I'm dealing with this now, samsung support was of no help
Been having this issue since month 1, what usually helps is just leaving a song playing and the phone fixes itself magically??? Very strange issue. When I took it to TMobile, they said they couldn't help me due to not being able to show any problem.
Earlier today, I clicked on the scren slightly too hard and that's how I ended up finding out it was a pressure issue! Very strange nonetheless, gotta see how they can fix that.
This happened to me for about 4 days the week if April 25th. Drove to a project 500 miles away. Once I arrived, speakers were crackling to point I could only make calls via Bluetooth in my truck.
Googled fixes and tried everything, nothing helped. Then.....
Web chat with AT&T, they said they would push an update to my phone in "a couple of hours". Still waiting on that update.
Chatted with AT&T again the next day and they said to try Samsung.
Chatted with Samsung techsupport, they told me to take to Best Buy so Geeks could fix or give me "options for repair". Can't get into them in a timely fashion so I decided to wait until I was back home.
Then on the 29th my speakers magically went back to working flawlessly. WTH???
No problems with them in last 5 days but I strongly suspect they're not fixed.
S22 is horrible. My first 2 same issues. Going to pick up my 3rd one with the warranty this week. Waste of time for me and money for them. Huge huge problem with this phone. Also horrible no SD card and photos hard to find now.