Imagine you have suddenly opened your iPad and see that it shows the headphones are connected. But actually, there are no headphones connected. Have you ever wondered why your iPad thinks headphones are plugged in?
Some concerned users have readied similar queries, and this article will answer probable fixes for the same. You may need to check a few areas, which may resolve directly. Otherwise, you may look into fixes later.
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iPad Thinks Headphones Are Plugged In – Preliminary Checks
If your iPad thinks headphones are plugged in and gets low on sound, before you may look into fixes, perform some easy checks. Most of the time, ensuring these checks often clears out the issue for people. Let’s check these in detail:
FIX 1: Disconnect the Bluetooth devices
The first reason why the iPad thinks headphones are plugged in even if they are not physically connected is due to the Bluetooth speaker being connected. All the wireless devices like earpieces and speakers are often considered external headphones.
For this reason, you may start by checking if there are any Bluetooth devices connected to the iPad. If yes, unpair those devices and turn off the Bluetooth of the device and see if the issue is resolved.
FIX 2: Restart the Device
If you are unpaired of all the Bluetooth devices and still facing the same issue of “iPad thinks headphones are plugged in,” you may restart the device. This clears out minor software loading glitches and refreshes the drivers.
You just need to press the top button of the iPad and slide the button to turn it off. Wait for a couple of minutes and then turn on the device; now check if the issue still persists.
FIX 3: Check the Covering Case
Most Apple users use multiple cases to cover and protect the device from various external stimuli. Some of these cases may cover the headphone jack too. This may make the iPad thinks headphones are plugged in. Therefore, try removing the case and check if the issue is resolved.
The iPad thinks headphones are plugged in: Fixes That work!
Have you read and followed all the above checks? Do your iPad thinks headphones are plugged in even now? You may need to check out the following fixes to ensure your issue is fixed. Some of these are physical protections, while some others are software-based. Read through the lines and check out which one works for you:
FIX 1: Clean the port
With extensive use, there may be every chance that your iPad may be exposed to dust and pollutants. These foreign particles may settle down in your aux jack over time. This may lead to your iPad thinking headphones are plugged in. The only solution we can have here is t clean off the dirt carefully.
At the basic level, you can employ an earbud and gently remove the foreign particles. Since it may be difficult and a delicate matter, you can try blowing into it. Otherwise, you may gently use a ballpoint pen nib, toothpick, or spray cleaner available on the market. Once the jack is cleaned, check if the issue is resolved.
FIX 2: Enable the DFU Mode
DFU, also known as device firmware update, ensures the drivers of the device work properly without a glitch. For that reason, if any of the physical components are not working (speaker here), try putting it into DFU mode and see if the issue is fixed.
You may need third-party software for ensuring this. Here, let us check out how is this done:
- Step 1: Download and install proper DFU software on your PC.
- Step 2: Launch the Software and then connect your iPad to it now.
- Step 3: Now, quickly press and release the volume up button.
- Step 4: Swiftly press and release the volume down button.
- Step 5: Now, press and hold the power off button will the turn off slider appears.
- Step 6: Drag to the slider to turn the device off.
- Step 7: Wait for a couple of seconds and then press the power button for 3 seconds to turn the screen black.
- Step 8: While holding the power button, choose the volume down button too. Continue this for 10 seconds.
- Step 9: Release the power button while pressing the volume button.
You can see the iPad is illuminated in black light, implying it is in DFU mode.
Fix 3: Check for Device Updates
By now, your issue will be solved. However, updating it may be a good option to ensure that such issues may not arise in the near future. You can simply go to settings and then to general settings. Now, navigate to Software Update and then choose download and install. The updates will download and install automatically now.
Concluding Thoughts
We hope by now you understand why your iPad thinks headphones are plugged in. While this is not a serious issue in most cases, you may need to address it to relish speaker services. For this, you may check out the above-mentioned six working fixes. Make sure that similar issues may not appear in the near future.
