Why is the volume low on my Apple Watch Series 10?

I have an Apple Watch 7, and an Apple Watch 10. Until I saw an article about the bad speaker possibility on the 10 I never would have noticed I had something wrong, but it appears I do! I recorded voice memos on both watches at the same time and playing them back, the 7 is loud and clear at max volume, while the 10 (also set to max volume) is quiet and sounds like it has a blown speaker. Looks like I need to take a trip to the Apple Store.

Both watches on the latest software as of February 11th, 2025. Apple Watch 10 was bought in November of '24.

So, here's an update...I left the Apple store, having left my watch with them, feeling like they were just going to tell me it was not repairable. Pretty crappy feeling. Several days later, I got it back in the mail and it worked again! The sound was great and no problems with it whatsoever. Also, no explanation of what they did or what was wrong. While my watch was with Apple, I did some digging on the internet. It seems a whole lot of people are having the same trouble with their Apple watch 10's. Here is what I gleaned from this whole ordeal: Take your watch off if you are washing your hands with soap, or putting on lotion, or those kinds of things where things can get in those tiny little holes along the side of your watch. The Apple watch 10 is thinner that the watches ever have been and the speaker is right behind those little holes. Anything clogging those tiny holes effects the speaker. When the Apple folks were grilling me about how I use my watch, they continually asked me about water and this puzzled me because it is supposed to be waterproof. This was my first clue. They are definitely having trouble-not with water, but other things getting in the little holes.

Since I got my watch back, I am super careful not to get anything on it. I take it off when I am doing dishes, washing my hands, putting on lotion, etc... I recommend doing this so you don't encounter the problems that I have had. I wish you all the best of luck with your 10's.

Same problem, my new Apple 10 series volume was working great with it being a good volume and then one day I could not hear anything. All my calls, notifications and music were so low you could barely hear anything. I ran water on the watch like I was taking a shower it so it got good and wet. I clicked on the water drop icon to have the watch vibrate and remove all the water from the speaker and was surprised and relieved that it solved the problem. The watch is back to normal with the speaker being good and loud enough to enjoy using its features and calls. Anyone having a problem with their watches volume being too low just run some water over it and then use the vibration mode to rid the water because as it doing that it's also removing anything that is obstructing the tiny speaker grill. This teardrop water icon works great to rectify the problem.

Same issue with Series 10 watch. Zero help from the folks at the Apple Store. Super low sound. Tried the water lock trick multiple times with no luck. Then, with the watch in water lock mode, ran water over the speaker holes and gently used my Sonicare toothbrush for about 10 seconds on the speaker holes and the sound is fully restored. I’m thinking that even salt from sweating can block these tiny holes. I hope this is helpful to others.

After reviewing this thread, I broke the problem down to settings, device failure, or physical obstruction of the speaker apparatus. I’d already ensured that the settings were for high volume, so I thought the speaker could be blocked in some way.

After washing the watch and my Sonicare toothbrush with soap and water, and setting the watch to waterproof, I brushed soapy, warm water over the speaker several times, cycling the waterproof mode on and off repeatedly. Problem solved.

Not sure what was blocking the tiny little holes over the speaker, but it’s working fine now. (I washed the toothbrush again, afterwards).

Another person suggested using a soft toothbrush gently against the speakers. With the water lock on, I swiped the speakers several times with a wet soft toothbrush. Then dried the speakers and turned off the water lock. It worked! I heard the sound of the water lock makes when turned off and Siri’s voice loud and clear. I will be more aware of keeping the speakers clean from now on.

I have had 4 Apple Watch 10 series replaced since 11/24!! The volume works for about 6 weeks then suddenly becomes almost absent.

Unfortunately, I am 5 hours away from an Apple Store, so they keep overnighting me new watches. I am beyond frustrated and agree something needs to be done. I am paying for extra “line” on my cell phone bill for the watch when I couldn’t utilize the watch for that purpose due to the volume!

I have to call AGAIN regarding the last watch they sent me 6 weeks ago. One tech told me Apple may have to do a service recall on the Series 10 due to all the issues with the volume.

I had the same problem with the speaker and I was going to visit apple store . I wore my watch in the shower and then pressed the button 💧 . I did it twice and now the speaker sounds really good .

Finally! I have an update for everyone fighting this Watch Series 10 low volume+distortion issue. You are not alone and an escalation fix request is underway - via a firmware update! (per Apple Store)

Unfortunately, no timeline for the fix was available.

First, note that this is NOT a cleaning issue at least for my Series 10 watches (on #2 now) - my watch is always CLEAN with NO lotion or other gunk. Also do NOT get it wet, admittedly for mostly gray-hair paranoia reasons. Neither force-restart nor re-pairing the watch helped.

After a warranty replacement for my Series 10 and another repair disposition of "unable to reproduce" (but yet volume came back Ok again for a couple of weeks), this is starting to make sense. On the last "non-repair", I'm told the techs have a way to reload the firmware that fixes the volume... for the usual 2-4 weeks, before it backslides to useless. Now it's sounding like a firmware bug vs design problem.

Let's hope Apple prioritizes this firmware fix. In the meantime, sent my watch in for yet another replacement or firmware reload.

Taking calls is THE key feature for me, so this is a massive problem. Besides, running for my phone is sooooo 1997 ;)

Hope this helps folks suffering through the same pain. Hang in there!

Did the exact same thing and the problem is solved. The solution is to activate the 💧 eject with water in it

[Edited by Moderator]

Push the side button then from there tap the water droplet. Then to use the eject function, push and hold the Digital Crown

I have had an Apple Watch for YEARS and have had NO problems. Then I got a new Apple Watch Series 10 in November 2024 and by December the sound was so low you couldn’t hear it when it was on full volume. I turned it in on a warranty and they sent me a new one - then the new one started doing it too! Sounds like when a speaker is blown! Full volume and I can’t hear it! Took it to the Apple Store yesterday and they are sending it out for repair!!! I’m about to try finding an older used Apple Watch so I don’t have to deal with this seemingly constant problem! Apple-please fix this problem with your watches!

That sounds like a possible hardware problem.

1. check the speaker port is not blocked by debris or water.
2. How old is your Apple Watch? Any Series 10 must be less than 12 months so still in warranty or AppleCare+. Arrange an Apple Store appointment to get it checked by Apple

We had to swish my watch 10 in lukewarm water and very lightly tap the speaker side on a paper towel with the water protection on and then turn water protection back off around 20-30 times and it is back to normal sounding. mine was barely vibrating and not making the water clear out sound and now it is. ridiculous

i did that(pushing the water drop button) i can at least hear the sounds now, Problem still existing though lingering is I can not hear on the phone calls with it.