Very bad microphone sensitivity

[Sethuna]

Everyone of my friends has told me that I'm not sounding properly when they call me. It sounds like I'm in a well (they literally said that) or I'm a couple of meters away from my phone. When I turn the speaker on (which I believe switches to the second microphone) they can hear me just fine. I did the media test from Sony support app and it shows some problem with the microphone (I'll attach a screenshot). Same happens in safe mode too. I updated just now to the latest firmware, the problem is still there. I also did 3 software repairs but the issue remains. 

[Martin1]

Hi @Sethuna, I am sorry to hear about this.

Firstly i would suggest that you check whether the main microphone is covered in any way. The main microphone for Xperia XZ3 is located at the bottom of the display as you can see in this overview. Please make sure that this microphone is not covered by a cover or a protective film of some sort. Another good idea is to check if the microphone slot is free from any form of water or dust.

If this does not manage to improve the sound from the microphone I would suggest that you try to perform a software repair using a computer and Xperia Companion. Please note though that a software repair will erase all user data, so remember to do a backup of your user data first. 

If you have performed a software repair and the sound quality remains as before the repair I suggest that you get in contact with your local support team in order to have the phone sent to an authorized service center. If you have any questions regarding the service, such as routines, warranty and consumer laws, these type of questions are best answered by your local support team as well, as they vary between markets.

Try this and let me know how it goes! 

[Sethuna]

Nothing is blocking the microphone and I just finished the software repair. The issue persists unfortunately. I wonder if there is a way to raise the microphone sensitivity manually. I'm sure I didn't have this issue from the beginning. It started sometime around February's security patch. That's when I got the first complaint that I'm not coming through properly. 

[Martin1]

Thank you @Sethuna your quick reply!

I am afraid that there is no way to raise the sensitivity of the microphone in the phone settings. If the software repair failed to improve the sound quality, I suggest that you get in contact with your local support team in order to have the phone examined by an authorized service technician.

Let me know if you have any further questions! 

[Mimosarc]

Hi.

I'm having the same problem. In the beginning the microphone worked fine but since a couple of weeks people started to say that they couldn't hear me very well on the phone. This is with a normal phone call, whatsapp etc. I also noticed that when I was using "google assistant" that initially it would recognize my voice and would activate the assistant, even if I was speaking soft or was quite a distance away from my phone. But after that it didn't record my command. I had to speak very loudly and close to the microphone to get it working. Only then I saw the dots turning in to lines and record my commands.

I tried what was written above. Safe mode, software repairs but the issue remains. I also tried turning off "google assistant" to see if that would a difference but it did not.

Did anyone got any luck solving this issue yet?

[Martin1]

Hi @Mimosarc, again I am very sorry to hear about this.

As I mentioned in my reply to @Sethuna there is no way to adjust the sensitivity of the microphone. And if you have tried all the troubleshooting steps that is mentioned in the thread to no avail or improvement, I suggest that you get in contact with your local support team in order to have your phone examined and possibly repaired.

I am sorry for any inconvenience this might cause, please return to me if you have any further questions!

[Axelx5]

Dear friend, 

Same inconvenience also happen to me. 

Microphone doesn't work properly only during call. Since 2 week before no one can heard me.

Microphone works in all other situation. 

Have someone solved the problem? How? 

B. R. 

[Sethuna]

I have sent the phone to Sony service in my country as the last resort. They changed the phone's motherboard and sent it back to me. I received it yesterday and the problem is gone. So far I can't replicate it, thankfully. Now, I was a bit surprised they changed the whole motherboard and not just the failing microphone, but after a bit of research it seems to be attached to it. So it must be replaced as a whole. I payed nothing ofc since I have the warranty. I suggest everyone else that has this problem to send your phone at the local Sony service, it's the only solution. The problem won't be fixed by an update, if you don't. 

[GhostHuntter83]

I'm sorry for my english. I am the owner of XZ3 and after 6 months I have a problem with the microphone. When I call normally is not heard me on the other side, but when ladies tapping goes normal. Next in HW test I tried home microphones and no faults.
I thought that the higher sony from sony would not be as disturbing as the middle row. And even software recovery to the factory set did not help. what next ?

[Strampke]

You did try in safe mode too?

Tried holding the phone in different positions closer and further apart from your head?

No obstructions on the microphone? Covered by a cover? Or maybe even a finger?

All settings checked?

When you tried everything and nothing worked then contact support.

You will find how in the support app.

Hope your problem will be over soon.