A non-functional vibration motor can lead to missed calls and alerts, especially in noisy environments. If your Android phone has stopped vibrating for calls and notifications, the issue is usually a conflicting setting or a software glitch, not a hardware failure. Here are the 10 most effective fixes.
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Contents 📋
Fix 1: The Essential Mode Check (Sound Settings)
Before deep diving, ensure the phone is not intentionally muted or set to a non-vibrating mode.
1. Check Sound Mode and Vibration Toggle
The phone must be set to the correct mode for vibration to work.
- Press the Volume Up button and tap the bell icon (or sound profile icon) that appears on screen.
- Cycle through the modes: Sound (Ring), Vibrate, and Silent. Ensure it is set to Sound (Ring) or the Vibrate mode.
- Go to Settings > Sound & vibration and ensure the Vibrate for calls or Vibration & haptics toggle is On.
2. Check Do Not Disturb (DND)
DND can silence all vibrations, even if the phone is set to Vibrate mode.
- Swipe down to open the Quick Settings panel.
- Ensure the Do Not Disturb (DND) mode is Off.
Fix 2: Haptics and Accessibility Settings
Some accessibility and system settings can override the general vibration controls.
3. Review Notification Vibration Intensity
The intensity might be set too low to notice.
- Go to Settings > Sound & vibration.
- Look for Vibration Intensity or Haptic feedback settings.
- Adjust the slider for Notification vibration and Call vibration to a higher level.
4. Check Individual App Settings
Vibration can be disabled on a per-app basis.
- Go to Settings > Notifications > App settings (or See all apps).
- Find the problematic app (e.g., Messages or WhatsApp).
- Tap on the app's notification categories and ensure Vibrate is On for each relevant category.
Fix 3: System and App Conflicts
5. Clear System Cache
A corrupted cache file can disrupt system functions, including the vibration motor driver.
- Perform a soft reboot (restart your phone) to clear temporary cache.
- If that fails, clear the System Cache Partition (requires booting into Recovery Mode—search online for your phone's specific instructions).
6. Test in Safe Mode
Third-party apps (especially task killers or battery savers) often interfere with vibration.
- Enter Safe Mode (usually by pressing and holding the Power Off option until the prompt appears).
- While in Safe Mode, try calling your phone from another number.
- If the phone vibrates in Safe Mode, a downloaded app is the cause. Uninstall recent apps to fix the issue.
Fix 4: Advanced Diagnostics and Hardware Check
7. Run a Diagnostic Test
Many Android manufacturers include a built-in diagnostic tool to test the vibration motor.
- Try dialing *#0*# on the phone app (this works on Samsung and some others).
- Look for a Vibration or Motor option and tap it. If the phone vibrates, the hardware is fine.
8. Check for Software Updates
A known OS bug affecting the vibration driver can be fixed with an update.
- Go to Settings > System > System update.
- Install any pending updates.
9. Factory Reset (Last Resort)
If all software fixes fail, a complete system wipe is necessary to rule out deep software corruption.
- Strong Warning: Backup all your data first.
- Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).
10. Hardware Failure
If the phone does not vibrate even after a Factory Reset and a successful diagnostic test (Fix 7), the vibration motor itself is likely broken and requires professional repair.