Help HTC Desire - Call Volume Issue

[MDesire2010]

Hi all,

I live in Canada and after months of eagerly waiting, I finally got my paws on the HTC Desire from Telus (network provider). After having it for a little over 2 weeks now I've got nothing, but good things to say about the overall performance of the device except for the Call Volume!!! When I make a call or receive a call the Volume is so quiet I can almost never hear the person on the other end.
Have any of you had this issue or found a way to correct it? I've seen it commonly talked about on some other threads, but so far nothing on this site. Please tell me I'm not alone in this !! Thanks in Advance

Edit: I should add that yes I have the call volume maxed and I have no issues with the Speakers when playing Music or Videos. Just Call Volume during Calls.

 

[mbatson89]

i don't mean to sound patronizing, but have you tried pressing the volume up button on the side of the handset whilst in a call?

 

[rx93]

Hi MDesire2010, you are not alone. Call volume of my Desire is not loud and clear comparing to my previous REGULAR Samsung cellphone, even though I turn the volume to max.

 

[Zaichik]

I have had no problem with call volume (in fact it's lovely and clear), but I do get echo more than I used to with my old phone.

 

[SUroot]

edit

 

[MDesire2010]

@Mbatson89 - Yes I have indeed maxed out all volume controls. I talked to my Network Provider and he suggested I try using a Headset and see if it's the same or improves.

Unfortunately, I do not have a headset at the moment as I've misplaced it somewhere. I will attempt this and post my findings once I've located the ear piece and made a few calls.

 

[MDesire2010]

Talked to a Telus rep today and he said he thinks it might be the lack coverage of HSDPA in my area. I don't really buy this as I have full Bars when i'm in the city and most places I drive, yet still experience the extremely low call volume almost everytime I call or receive a call from someone. Still on the search for my ear piece to test if it makes a difference.

Would coverage really affect this sort of issue if i'm still getting full bars???

 

[rx93]

Talked to a Telus rep today and he said he thinks it might be the lack coverage of HSDPA in my area. I don't really buy this as I have full Bars when i'm in the city and most places I drive, yet still experience the extremely low call volume almost everytime I call or receive a call from someone. Still on the search for my ear piece to test if it makes a difference.

Would coverage really affect this sort of issue if i'm still getting full bars???

I don't think that's related to network signal strength. I used a headset and it's absolutely loud and clear.

 

[MDesire2010]

That's what I thought too. I phoned into Telus Tech Support and talked to someone else afterwards because the Kiosk guy I mentioned previously just didn't sound like he knew what he was talking about.
Anyways, the guy I talked to this time was very helpful and pleasant to deal with. He said it has nothing to do with the Network at all. He recommended I do a Hard Reset and restore the phone. (Which I proceeded to do using the app MyBackUp Pro to save all my contacts and apps.)
I will make a few tests call today to see if it's made any difference. If not the Telus tech said it would be best to go and exchange the phone. There hasn't been a lot of people reporting this type of issue so it's more likely the phone's in-call speaker is defective.

FYI----
On another note if anyone else is on Telus, he said there is no confirmed date yet for Froyo 2.2 to be rolled out from them. He actually said he was going to Root his own HTC Hero because it's still on 1.5 haha.

 

[rx93]

Thanks for the update MDesire2010.

That's really BAD to know Telus even doesn't have a date for Froyo update...

 

[SpicyTacoto]

YES! I also have this problem and so does my hubby who has a desire (and we're both with TELUS as well). Would love to know if hard reset worked. I also plan on calling tech support today to see what they say. I actually did a search for this which is how I found your thread. It is the ONLY negative I have experienced with the device.

 

[MDesire2010]

YES! I also have this problem and so does my hubby who has a desire (and we're both with TELUS as well). Would love to know if hard reset worked. I also plan on calling tech support today to see what they say. I actually did a search for this which is how I found your thread. It is the ONLY negative I have experienced with the device.

Glad I'm not the only one with this issue on Telus! I've made only a handful of calls since I did the hard reset, but they have been much better! The issue is intermittent though so it's possible I've just had a good streak haha. Doing a hard reset didn't really make sense to me because the phones come already with the factory settings when you first turn them on so I don't really see what changes by doing this, but to answer your question "Yes it seems better so far" .

Please let me know what you hear from Telus and what you end up doing

 

[sskenny]

YES me too, my phone is just a week old. Also from Telus in Vancouver.

Same problem, very low volume when I am on a call.

Would love to know if there is a fix

 

[rx93]

I didn't do the hard reset trick but it seems like getting better recently all of the sudden.

This phone needs to run-in??

 

[SpicyTacoto]

OK gang...here's an update. I didn't get around to calling TELUS, however I did load froyo on my device by RUU. Call volume has improved ten fold! It's truly night and day. That said, its only been today that I've had froyo and I haven't made that many calls, but the ones I have made were much improved.

I'll report back in a couple of days once I've had more time to test this theory.

 

[MDesire2010]

Hi All,

Since the original issue I have Restored my phone twice (1st time due to trying to fix this issue and 2nd time due to not doing it properly the first time)

In short the Call quality has been superb since Factory restoring. I have not used a ear piece to see if the quality and volume were different still, but I've not needed to since restoring. I still stick to my previous statement in that it doesn't make sense having to Restore a brand new phone.....but what can you do. The more Cell phones become like computers, the more issues they'll have...just like computers.

@SpicyTacoto - I'm thrilled you are getting better volume with the 2.2 Update. I'm still just waiting for Telus to announce it this month and hopefully have it rolled out in the next couple weeks.

 

[RandomSanity]

Hi All,

Since the original issue I have Restored my phone twice (1st time due to trying to fix this issue and 2nd time due to not doing it properly the first time)

In short the Call quality has been superb since Factory restoring. I have not used a ear piece to see if the quality and volume were different still, but I've not needed to since restoring. I still stick to my previous statement in that it doesn't make sense having to Restore a brand new phone.....but what can you do. The more Cell phones become like computers, the more issues they'll have...just like computers.

@SpicyTacoto - I'm thrilled you are getting better volume with the 2.2 Update. I'm still just waiting for Telus to announce it this month and hopefully have it rolled out in the next couple weeks.

I've been having the same issued on my HTC Desire I purchased from Telus and am using on Fido. Restoring to factory defaults improved your call volume a great deal? This is such a frustrating problem because I can no longer make phone calls in public places since I cannot hear a word the person on the other end is saying.

 

[MDesire2010]

I've been having the same issued on my HTC Desire I purchased from Telus and am using on Fido. Restoring to factory defaults improved your call volume a great deal? This is such a frustrating problem because I can no longer make phone calls in public places since I cannot hear a word the person on the other end is saying.

Yes it did improve it a great and it's been over a week now and my volume seems to be working fine now. I still do have to have the "in-call-volume" maxed, but it's much better since the restore. As well, I'm still anticipating Telus to release 2.2 Froyo......someday.......

And as a random fyi - The battery life has improved nearly 2 fold since originally getting it if you had any concerns.

 

[Jobbyj]

Hi All,

I got the Desire just over a month ago now and noticed the quiet volume in calls. I expect it can't be this simple for everyone but for me it was just a case of where i hold the phone to my ear. If you look, the speaker is actually at the very top of the phone. Me coming from an iphone i'm used to putting the flat of the phone to my ear when i make/recieve a call but it seems with this phone you actually need to put the top to your ear. Does any of that make sense? When in a call just try moving the phone down a bit so the actual speak is over your ear. Sorry, my wording is pretty rambled but hopefully i got the point across.

Am in the UK and desperately waiting for Orange to bring out Froyo!

 

[jeange]

Hi,
I have been experiencing the same problem too, I ahve done a hard reset twice but I still don't think the volume is load enough, I am still in my 14 day exchange period with Telus so I'm not sure i f I should return the phone or what, I like the phone so far apart from that I heard about custom roms fixing the problem but I don't want to lose the warranty. and I don't know when Telus is going to release Froyo 2.2 so I was wondering if you guys would maybe have some answers, should I return it, is there something I can try maybe to make it better, I just don't want to be stuck in a 3-year contract with a phone I won't like

 

[MDesire2010]

Hi All,

I got the Desire just over a month ago now and noticed the quiet volume in calls. I expect it can't be this simple for everyone but for me it was just a case of where i hold the phone to my ear. If you look, the speaker is actually at the very top of the phone. Me coming from an iphone i'm used to putting the flat of the phone to my ear when i make/recieve a call but it seems with this phone you actually need to put the top to your ear. Does any of that make sense? When in a call just try moving the phone down a bit so the actual speak is over your ear. Sorry, my wording is pretty rambled but hopefully i got the point across.

Am in the UK and desperately waiting for Orange to bring out Froyo!

Thanks for the Info, but i've attempted it as well and I still had issues regardless of how it was placed on my ear >.<''

 

[MDesire2010]

Hi,
I have been experiencing the same problem too, I ahve done a hard reset twice but I still don't think the volume is load enough, I am still in my 14 day exchange period with Telus so I'm not sure i f I should return the phone or what, I like the phone so far apart from that I heard about custom roms fixing the problem but I don't want to lose the warranty. and I don't know when Telus is going to release Froyo 2.2 so I was wondering if you guys would maybe have some answers, should I return it, is there something I can try maybe to make it better, I just don't want to be stuck in a 3-year contract with a phone I won't like

I'd definitely return it and get another one if you can. If restores aren't working and you've done everything else you can do then you better just get it Exchanged. And do so quickly as I hear Telus is VERY short on Desires. Also, maybe try out a Bluetooth ear piece and see if it's still quiet? My volume is perfect if I use mine i've found out.

 

[jeange]

ya the volume is fine with my jawbone but I just use it in the car whenever I go into a restaurant or shopping center thats when i have the issue,when there is lots of noise in the background

 

[MDesire2010]

ya the volume is fine with my jawbone but I just use it in the car whenever I go into a restaurant or shopping center thats when i have the issue,when there is lots of noise in the background

I know that there was one minor complaint during some reviews of the Desire, in that it lacked really good background noise control compared to the Nexus One. I'd have thought though it would be better than it is! As I mentioned before though if Restoring hasn't assisted and you've turned the In-call Volume all the way up I'd definitely Return it asap. Or if you can live with it for a few months you might be able to get one of the 2 new Desires coming out haha.

 

[jeange]

I stop by the telus store today and the rep told me I could flash my desire to a custom rom and get the volume fix for now until android 2.2 comes out, I said but what about warranty, then he sad well just factory reset it and they won't be able to tell that you flashed it, is this true?