How to Fix an iPad Stuck in Headphone Mode Quickly and Safely?

"My iPad is stuck in headphone mode, and consequently, I can't hear anything via the speakers."

- from Apple Community

Do you keep noticing your iPad stuck in headphone mode even when there are no headphones plugged in? It might not interfere with the device's operations, but it's still an annoyance. Imagine missing essential calls from family or friends because of this issue. It can be so frustrating.

In addition, you won't be able to enjoy any music coming through its speakers either because the device thinks headphones are connected and thus diverts all audio signals into them. If that has happened to you and you want to discover what could be causing your iPad to be stuck in headphone mode and how to address the problem, read on!

Part 1. Why Is My iPad Stuck on Headphone Mode?

Having your iPad stuck in headphone mode and having no sound can be incredibly frustrating. Though it isn't clear why this can happen, there are a few potential causes. Below are possible reasons why an iPad says headphones are in, but they aren't:

• Faulty headphone jack: Hardware damage to the headphone port could lead to your iPad's circuitry and wiring malfunctioning, making it think that headphones are attached. Additionally, dirt buildup in the jack may give your device a false indication of being connected.
• Software glitch: Software glitches occur due to downloading applications from untrustworthy sources, installing corrupted apps, unsuccessful iOS updates, or restoring an iPad through an outdated backup. Such circumstances often lead to the iPad being stuck on headphones.
• Removing the headphones abruptly: Unplugging the headphones abruptly from your iPad can lead to it not recognizing the move and may not react accordingly. Plus, there is a chance that damage could be done to the iPad's headphone port, which could keep the iPad stuck in headphone mode.
• Physical damage: If you dropped your iPad on a hard surface or it came in contact with water, the internal components, such as its circuits and motherboard, are likely damaged. This can cause the iPad to sound stuck on headphones.

Since you have an idea of what might be the cause, let's move to how to get rid of the iPad from the headphone mode.

Part 2. How to Get an iPad Out of Headphone Mode?

We will now go over 8 straightforward solutions to help resolve an iPad stuck in headphone mode issue. Let's start!

Fix 1. Unplug and Replug the Headphones

If your iPad hasn't detected that you've removed the headphones, you can try replugging them in and then unplugging them again. This is the simplest solution and one that many people recommend.

You can repeat this a few times to see if the iPad detects the headphones properly. If it still doesn't work, you can move on to other effective solutions.

Fix 2. Clean the Headphone Jack or Lightning Port

Dust or debris inside the headphone port can cause your iPad to stay stuck in headphone mode. Cleaning the port carefully is a simple and effective way to fix the issue.

Turn off your iPad completely. Then, using a soft brush, toothpick, or compressed air, gently clean the headphone jack or Lightning port. Afterward, power the iPad back on and test the audio to see if the issue is resolved.

Fix 3. Force Restart the iPad

Sometimes, the iPad stuck in headphone mode after update issue is caused by a temporary system glitch affecting the audio service. A force restart clears the system cache and reloads essential processes. Follow the steps below to force-restart the iPad.

iPad without a Home button:

• Quickly press and release the "Volume Up button.
• Quickly press and release the "Volume Down" button.
• Press and hold the "Power" button.
• Release when the Apple logo appears.

iPad with a Home button:

• Press and hold the "Home" button and "Power" button together.
• Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.

Fix 4. Check Bluetooth Devices

In some cases, your iPad may not actually be stuck in headphone mode; it's just that the audio is being transmitted to a Bluetooth device, and you're unaware of it. By checking and disconnecting Bluetooth devices, you can ensure the sound plays directly through your iPad's speakers. Here's how to fix the issue:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Bluetooth" on your iPad.

Step 2. Check if your iPad is connected to any Bluetooth audio devices, like headphones or speakers.

Step 3. Temporarily turn off Bluetooth to disconnect any connected devices.

Step 4. Play audio to see if the sound now comes from your iPad's speakers.

Fix 5. Toggle Airplane Mode On and Off

Another way to fix the "iPad stuck in headphone mode without headphones" issue is to toggle Airplane Mode on and off.

You can open the Control Center and tap the airplane icon to toggle Airplane Mode on and off. Alternatively, go to the "Settings" app, select "Airplane Mode", turn it on for a few minutes, and then turn it off.

Fix 6. Update the iPad to the Latest Version

Ensure that your device is up to date, as an outdated system can sometimes cause your iPad to get stuck in headphone mode. To check if the latest updates are installed:

Step 1. Open the "Settings" app > go to "General" > tap on "Software Update".

Step 2. If an update is available, proceed to install it.

Fix 7. Restore iPad to Factory Settings

Another way to get your iPad out of headphone mode is by performing a factory reset. This will erase all settings, data, and content on your iPad, returning it to its default state and potentially fixing any software issues. To avoid losing important data, be sure to back up your iPad to a computer before proceeding.

Here is how to fix an iPad stuck in headphone mode by resetting the iPad:

Step 1. Open the "Settings" app on your iPad.

Step 2. Tap on "General" and scroll down, and select "Reset".

Step 3. Tap "Erase All Content and Settings".

Step 4. If prompted, enter your Apple ID password or device passcode to confirm.

Step 5. Tap "Erase iPad" to begin the reset process. Your iPad will restart and return to its factory settings.

Fix 8. Contact Apple for Assistance

If nothing works and your iPad is still stuck in headphone mode after water damage or getting wet, an Apple Store or authorized service center should be your final destination. They are trained to handle such issues and will be able to fix the problem on your iPad, including cases where it's stuck in headphone mode after water exposure.

Part 3. The Ultimate Way to Fix an iPad Stuck in Headphone Mode

If you want to fix the issue of your iPad being stuck in headphone mode without losing data or resetting the device, a professional iOS repair tool may be the best solution. iPad System Repair is designed to fix system-level issues that standard troubleshooting cannot resolve. It can repair the problem of your iPad being stuck in headphone mode without data loss, while also addressing a variety of other system errors.

Key features of iPad System Repair:

• Fix an iPad stuck in headphone mode and no sound without losing data.
• Resolve a wide range of iOS system issues, including iPad stuck in recovery mode, frozen on the Apple logo, boot loops, stuck on the Hello screen, restore failures, and more.
• Guarantee a 100% success rate with no data loss.
• Upgrade and downgrade your iOS version.
• Fully compatible with the latest iPhone 17 series and iOS 18/26.

Free Download for PC

 

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How do I get my iPad out of headphone mode?

Words in the End

That's all on how to get the iPad out of headphone mode. If none of the methods above work, you may need to contact Apple Support. But if your iPad problem is just a software issue, iPad System Repair should do the trick and get you out of headphone mode in no time! This tool will not erase your data on the iPad when you choose the Standard Mode, but please remember to back up your data first if using Advanced Mode.

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