iPhone Alarm Not Going Off | How to Fix it

An iPhone alarm not going off makes a serene morning become a rush you were not prepared for. Just imagine setting up the alarm in the night, placing it beside the pillow, sleeping confidently, and then waking up later than you would have thought. No sound, no alert; just silence, a whole day thrown off in seconds.

That is how any given moment makes someone wonder how to fix an iPhone alarm that refuses to go off, when everything was fine before bed. This is then followed by a spate of settings checking, scrolling down the Clock app, and querying as to why the alarm does not go off on your iPhone when it worked perfectly yesterday.

This becomes very confusing when that happens right after an update, so most of the users see their iPhone alarm not going off after the update, without having changed any settings themselves.

That’s not uncommon. Lots of people have the very same problem with their Apple iPhone alarm not going off, and more often than not, it’s easily resolved. A few quick changes usually have everything back to normal.

Now, let’s go through the fixes that bring your alarm back to life and ensure it rings when needed most.

Why is iPhone Alarm Not Going Off?

Before diving into solutions, it helps to understand what causes the problem. The more you know, the faster you’ll fix it next time.

These are the most common reasons for an Apple iPhone alarm not going off:

  • Alarm volume turned down
  • The ringtone is set to “None” or is too soft
  • Phone on silent mode
  • Do Not Disturb / Focus mode active
  • Sleep/wake schedule incompatible with a conventional alarm
  • Software glitch
  • iPhone Alarm Not Going Off after Update
  • Outdated iOS version
  • Bluetooth paired with an external audio device

Most of them are pretty easy to fix. Once sorted, you’re back to normal mornings.

Read Also – How to Flash iPhone | Step-to-step Guide

How to Fix iPhone Alarm Not Going Off

Now that we know what exactly has been the cause for an iPhone alarm to fail, let’s move into how to fix an iPhone alarm not going off in the easiest way possible.

Let’s get into the fixes that restore a reliable wake-up system.

1. Check the Volume and Alarm Sound

This is the first thing to check if your alarm isn’t going off on your iPhone. You might have lowered the “Ringer and Alerts” volume on your iPhone; this has the effect of lowering-or completely silencing-your alarm. Here’s how you check and increase your alarm volume on the iPhone.

  • Go to Settings -> Sounds & Haptics. Here, drag the “Ringtone and Alerts” volume slider to increase the volume of your iPhone’s alarms.
iPhone Alarm Not Going Off

Note that this volume is associated with alarms, notifications, and your iPhone’s ringtone. You can also enable the toggle for “Change with Buttons” to adjust the Ringtone and Alerts volume on your iPhone with the volume buttons.

2. Select a Louder Alarm Sound

The default iPhone alarm sound is very aggressive; hence, many people change it into something more soothing.

However, some of the alarm tones are very quiet, and you may be sleeping through them, thinking that your iPhone alarm didn’t go off. Here is how to change your alarm sound on the iPhone:

  • Open the Clock app, then go to the “Alarms” tab. Tap on an alarm for which you want to change the sound.
iPhone Alarm Not Going Off
  • Tap on “Sound” and then select a tone that’s loud enough for you. When you are done, tap the back arrow.
iPhone Alarm Not Going Off

Also Read – How to Remove Private Number on iphone | Full Guide

3. Make Sure You’ve Set the Correct Alarm

Another obvious, yet easy to forget, reason your iPhone alarm is not going off is the simple fact that you might have set the alarm wrong. Whether it be selecting PM instead of AM, or just making an error with the time, here’s how to check and correct your alarm time:

  • Open the Clock app and then select Alarms. Ensure that the time on all of your alarms is correct, along with the AM/PM setting.
iPhone Alarm Not Going Off
  • If there’s an error with the alarm time, tap the alarm; you will be able to change the time and also set the AM/PM of the alarm right here.

4. Disable Bluetooth Devices

That means if your earphones or Bluetooth speakers are connected to your iPhone while it is ringing, you will not hear your alarm because it will be playing through those earphones or speakers, and not the speaker of your iPhone.

The best way to ensure your alarm sounds through your iPhone’s built-in speaker is simply to disconnect your Bluetooth devices.

Here’s how to check if a Bluetooth device is connected to your phone and how to disconnect it.

  • Go to Settings → Bluetooth. A list of Bluetooth devices will appear. Tap the “ⓘ” icon next to the device you want to disconnect.
iPhone Alarm Not Going Off
  • Here, tap on “Disconnect.”
iPhone Alarm Not Going Off

That’s it. The device will now be disconnected from your iPhone. Alternatively, you can open the Control Center and tap on the “Bluetooth” tile to turn off Bluetooth and disconnect all the connected devices in one fell swoop.

Read Also – How to Import Contact from SIM to iPhone

5. Check your iPhone’s Sleep Settings

If enabled, the sleep schedule will interfere with your iPhone’s alarm sounds, particularly in cases where the wake-up time happens to be the same as the alarm on your iPhone.

You can change the alarm time or sleep settings to avoid conflicts. Here’s how you can change your iPhone’s sleep settings:

  • Open the Health app and tap on “Browse”. Tap “Sleep”.
iPhone Alarm Not Going Off
  • Tap on “Full Schedule & Options”, then on “Edit“.
iPhone Alarm Not Going Off
  • You can use the slider to change your wake-up time or simply turn off the toggle next to “Alarm” to disable the wake-up alarm.
iPhone Alarm Not Going Off

6. Clear all alarms and reset

This could be a random glitch if all your settings are correctly configured and the alarm is still not working on your iPhone. Deleting all your alarms and setting them up again may be among the best ways to fix such an issue. Here is how you can delete the alarms on your iPhone:

  • Open the Clock application, then tap “Alarms”. You can now swipe left on each alarm individually and tap the option “Delete”.
iPhone Alarm Not Going Off

After removing all the alarms, you can now set new ones, and they should work fine this time.

7. Use the Default Clock App

While there are a lot of great applications for the iPhone, including alarm and clock apps, some of those third-party apps may not always play well with your device.

If you are using a third-party app for alarms, then it may be worth your while to try using the default Clock app instead.

This can ensure that bugs with the third-party app aren’t causing your iPhone alarms not to go off as expected.

Also Read – How to Open Command Prompt

8. Restart your iPhone

Obviously, software glitches can happen at any time, and more often than not they can be easily fixed by simply restarting your iPhone. This may be a well-worn cliché but it is a valuable one: just try turning it off and on again.

9. Check for Software Updates

Less likely, but sometimes older software can be quirky, and random issues may arise, such as problems with your alarm on the iPhone.

Generally speaking, it is a good idea to keep your iPhone updated to the latest version of iOS, not just for security, but also for quality of life. If your alarms aren’t working as they should, the first thing you should try is checking whether you are running the latest version of iOS:

  • Go to Settings -> General -> Software Update
iPhone Alarm Not Going Off
  • Install any updates available, and then see if this resolves the issue with your iPhone’s alarms.

10. Reset All Settings

If none of the steps above worked for you, well, there actually is another thing you could do to fix things. Resetting all settings on your iPhone can ensure that there are no settings you’ve inadvertently changed that are causing your iPhone’s alarm problems.

To do this, one should:

  • Go to Settings -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone
iPhone Alarm Not Going Off
  • Tap on “Reset” then select “Reset All Settings”.
iPhone Alarm Not Going Off
  • Enter your passcode and tap “Reset All Settings” again.
iPhone Alarm Not Going Off

That’s it. It will reset all settings to their factory defaults, and that will also fix the alarm in your iPhone.

11. Restore Your iPhone

When all else fails, the last resort would be to reset your iPhone completely.

Basically, this brings your iPhone to the state it was when you first unboxed it; this means all of your apps, data, and everything else will be gone from the phone, so make sure you back up your iPhone before doing this.

Also Read – How to Turn Off Incognito Mode 

iPhone Alarm Not Going Off After Update

Software updates sometimes reset sound and notification settings or conflict with older configurations. Some users report problems immediately after updating iOS, which is not strange.

Here’s how to fix it:

  • Reset alarm sounds
  • Delete and recreate your alarm
  • Turn off Bedtime Schedule if Overlapping
  • Update to the latest iOS version again, if it’s available

If this problem happened after an update, it’s most likely a temporary glitch. Rebuilding the alarm settings normally works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my alarm sound during a phone call?

No, alarms do not override active calls. If you’re on a late-night call, or fall asleep on one, the alarm mightn’t play through. If you depend on your alarm, make sure to end the call before sleeping.

What if my alarm vibrates but does not make a sound?

Your ringtone might be set to None or too soft. Go to Clock > Alarm > Sound and choose a louder tone. Also, raise the volume under Sound & Haptics.

Does the alarm on an iPhone work in Airplane Mode? 

Yes. Alarms are not blocked by Airplane Mode. Provided it’s powered on and set correctly, with a good alarm tone and volume, you will still be able to wake up at the right time. 

Conclusion 

The frustrating thing with an iPhone alarm is when it refuses to go off, but now you know that is no mystery and it is definitely fixable. Sometimes, all it needs is a simple tweak to resuscitate your alarm in an instant. 

Wake up with the sunrise, on time and unruffled, with the right settings programmed. Keep these fixes in mind and apply those that match your situation; this way, your alarm will never fail you each morning.

If you find this piece useful, kindly leave a comment and follow for more updates

Facebook at Silicon Africa

Instagram at Siliconafricatech  

Twitter at @siliconafritech

Refrences

Recommendations

Onyinyechi Ikemefuna
Onyinyechi Ikemefuna

Ikemefuna Onyinyechi Patience, a skilled Content Writer hailing from Anambra State Nigeria, holds a Higher National Degree in microbiology from Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra. Armed with robust research and SEO expertise, she excels in crafting articles spanning technology, finance, healthcare, education, and lifestyle. Her work stands out for its ability to authentically inspire and engage while inciting action. Beyond her writing prowess, Ikemefuna finds joy in reading, exploring movies, and delving into continuous research, contributing to her growth as a proficient writer.

Articles: 458