[Can't Miss] iPhone Alarm Not Working? Try These 10 Fixes
"I put on some alarms today and I didn't wake up. I didn't hear them go off at all which I found very odd. I checked settings to see if my ringer and alert volume is high and it was. So, I don't understand why iPhone alarm is not working. I need my alarms to wake me up. This is so frustrating. Does anyone know how to fix this?"
- From Apple Support Community
Have you ever missed an important event because your iPhone alarm not working? You're not the only one. Many users have reported this issue, especially after updating to iOS 18.3.1, where the alarm sound just doesn't play as expected.
In this post, I'll explain why your iPhone alarm doesn't make sound and offer some simple fixes to get it working again. Keep reading for solutions!
- Part 1: Why is My iPhone Alarm Not Going Off?
- Part 2: How to Fix iPhone Alarm Not Working in 10 Solutions
> Fix 1: Check Alarm Settings
> Fix 2: Check Your Sleep Schedule
> Fix 3: Turn Off "Do Not Disturb" Mode
> Fix 4: Restart Your iPhone
> Fix 5: Check Standby Mode Settings
> Fix 6: Disconnect from External Speakers
> Fix 7: Remove Any Third-party Alarm Apps
> Fix 8: Wait for the Next iOS Update
> Fix 9: Reset All Settings
> Fix 10: One-Stop to Fix iPhone Alarm Not Working [No Data Loss!]
Part 1: Why iPhone Text Message Sound Not Working?
There are several reasons why your iPhone alarm may not be working properly. This could be due to a software glitch, incorrect settings, or even a hardware problem. Specifically, some users with iOS 18/17 have reported bugs affecting the alarm, but not everyone will experience this - these issues may be limited to certain models or specific user settings.
The problem can manifest in different ways - maybe your alarm doesn't go off at all, or it's silent even with the volume turned up. You might also notice that the alarm goes off, but there's no noise. Identifying exactly what's happening is the first step to fixing the problem.
You may also want to know:
Part 2: How to Fix iPhone Alarm Not Working in 10 Solutions
Usually, adjusting the volume can fix most alarm issues (iPhone Volume Is Low?). But if your iPhone's alarm still isn't ringing or the snooze feature isn't working, try the solutions below to get it back on track.
Fix 1: Check Alarm Settings
First, make sure you've selected an alarm sound. If you haven't, your iPhone will only vibrate and no sound will play when the alarm goes off. If you accidentally set the alarm sound to "None," here's how to fix it:
- Open the "Clock" app on your iPhone.
- Tap the "Alarm" tab at the bottom.
- Choose the alarm you want to edit.
- Tap "Sound".
- At the top, select a ringtone or choose a song from "Apple Music" for your alarm sound.
- Tap "Vibration" and pick a vibration pattern.
- Tap "Sound" at the top left to go back.
- Finally, tap "Save".
Don't skip the last step—saving ensures your changes are applied correctly.
Next, double-check the alarm time and repeat settings. You might've set it for 7 PM instead of 7 AM, or forgot to set it to repeat on certain days. Tap "Repeat" and select the days you want the alarm to go off. Then, tap "Save".
Lastly, if your alarm isn't sounding after hitting snooze, try turning off "Snooze" for a moment, wait a few minutes, then enable it again. Tap "Save" to confirm.
You may also want to know:
Fix 2: Check Your Sleep Schedule
If you use the Bedtime feature on your iPhone, there might be an issue if you've set the same time for both your Wake time and the alarm. This can cause a conflict, and neither alarm may go off.
To fix this, you can either change the time for one of the alarms or remove the sleep schedule entirely.
To turn off the Sleep or Bedtime alarm:
- Open the "Health" app.
- Tap "Browse", then select "Sleep".
- Go to "Full Schedule & Options", then toggle off "Sleep Schedule".
If you'd like to keep using the Sleep feature but just disable the alarm:
- Tap "Edit" under "Your Schedule".
- Toggle off "Alarm", then tap "Done".
Fix 3: Turn Off "Do Not Disturb" Mode
If "Do Not Disturb" is enabled during your alarm time, it can silence the alarm. Turning off this feature might solve the issue of your iPhone alarm not going off in iOS 18.
- Open the "Settings" app and navigate to "Focus" > "Do Not Disturb".
- Toggle off the "Do Not Disturb" switch or schedule it to end before your alarm goes off.
Fix 4: Restart Your iPhone
Restarting your iPhone is one of the easiest ways to fix common problems. It can clear temporary data and fix software glitches.
To restart your iPhone:
- Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Shut Down".
- Slide to power off.
After restarting your iPhone, check that the date and time are correct. If they are wrong, your alarm may not go off as scheduled. To fix this, go to "Settings" > "General" > "Date & Time", then turn on "Set Automatically" and select the correct "Time Zone".
You may also want to know:
Fix 5: Check Standby Mode Settings
The "StandBy Mode" on your iPhone turns it into a live display, showing information like the time, weather, and more. However, this can sometimes prevent alarms from appearing on the screen, which could stop them from ringing. If this is the case, turning off StandBy Mode might solve the issue.
To do this: Open "Settings" and tap on "StandBy". Turn off the toggle for StandBy.
Fix 6: Disconnect from External Speakers
If you're using wired headphones, Bluetooth headphones, or speakers with your iPhone, the alarm will play through those devices instead of the iPhone's built-in speakers. If you can't hear the alarm, try disconnecting any connected devices and letting the alarm play through the iPhone's speakers.
Fix 7: Remove Any Third-party Alarm Apps
If you've installed any third-party alarm apps on your iPhone, it's a good idea to remove them. These apps might interfere with the default iPhone alarm system and cause issues. (Can't Delete Apps on iPhone?)
Fix 8: Wait for the Next iOS Update
If your alarm issue continues, it might be caused by a bug that could be fixed in a future iOS update.
To check for updates:
- Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update".
- If an update is available, tap "Download and Install".
- Let your iPhone update and see if the alarm issue is fixed after the update.
Fix 9: Reset All Settings
If the previous steps haven't worked, try resetting all your settings. This won't delete your personal data, but it will restore your settings to their default state, which can often fix alarm issues.
Here’s how to do it:
- Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Transfer or Reset iPhone".
- Tap "Reset".
- Select "Reset All Settings".
- Enter your passcode, then confirm by tapping "Reset All Settings" again.
Fix 10: One-Stop to Fix iPhone Alarm Not Working
If you've tried all the basic fixes and your iPhone alarm is still not working, you may want to try a more advanced solution. iOS System Recovery could be the answer. This tool is designed to fix a wide range of iOS issues, including alarm problems, system glitches, and update failures, all without complicated troubleshooting.
What makes iOS System Recovery a great choice is that it's very simple to use, even if you're not very tech-savvy. Trusted by millions of users, it can repair your iPhone's iOS system without losing any data, providing a quick and easy way to get your device back to normal.
To fix the issue of text message sounds not working on your iPhone using iOS System Recovery, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Select the "iOS System Recovery" option
Download and install iOS System Recovery on your computer. Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable, open the program, and select "More Tools" > "iOS System Recovery" from the main menu.
Step 2: Select "Standard Mode"
Follow the on-screen instructions and select "Standard Mode" to fix the problem without risking data loss. Click "Confirm" to start the process.
Step 3: Verify your iPhone details
Check the information displayed on the screen to make sure it is correct. The program will automatically download the necessary firmware for your iPhone model.
Step 4: Fix the iPhone alarm not working issue
Once the download is complete, your iPhone will restart. After the restart, reset an alarm and you should be able to successfully hear the alarm tone you were expecting.
Quick Summary
iPhone alarm isn't working or iPhone alarm going off but no sound can be a real pain in the ass. Luckily, there are plenty of solutions to get things back on track. Whether it's checking your settings or trying a more advanced fix, these steps can help restore your iPhone's alarm functionality.
If the problem persists, you can try using iOS System Recovery, a reliable tool that can fix not only alarm problems but other iOS system issues as well. By using this method, you can ensure that your iPhone is running smoothly and the alarm will work as expected.
Related Articles:
5 Techniques to Fix iPhone Won't Turn on Past Apple Logo
8 Tips to Fix iPhone 16/16 Pro Black Screen of Death
iPad White Screen Troubleshooting: How to Fix iPad White Screen of Death?
What if iPhone Won't Restore? Here Are the Full List of Fixes