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Troubleshooting: Background Scene Sounds Won't Play

Frances
Updated

If you open the Calm app and the background ambient noise (like the sound of rain, crickets, or a crackling fireplace) is completely silent, a setting may have been accidentally adjusted.

(Please note: This guide is specifically for missing background sounds on your home screen. If you cannot hear your guided meditations or Sleep Stories either, please see our broader guide here: How to Fix Calm Audio Stopping or Pausing During a Session

Follow the steps below to restore your background scene sounds:

Fix 1: Check the In-App Scene Volume

The Calm app has a dedicated volume slider just for background scenes. It is very common for this to accidentally get turned all the way down!

  1. Open the Calm app to your home screen.

  2. Tap the Mountain icon (Scenes) in the top-left corner of the screen.

  3. Look for the Scene Volume slider.

  4. Drag the slider to the right to increase the volume.

Fix 2: Check Your Device's Audio and Hardware Settings

If your in-app slider is turned up, your device's external settings might be blocking the sound:

  • Check the Mute Switch (iPhone/iPad): Check the physical Ring/Silent switch on the left side of your Apple device. If you can see an orange line, your phone is on silent. Flip the switch toward the screen to turn the ringer back on.

  • Check Bluetooth Connections: Your phone may still be connected to a pair of wireless headphones, an external speaker, or a car stereo in another room. Toggle your device's Bluetooth off and back on to ensure the audio isn't being routed elsewhere.

Fix 3: Change the Scene to Force a Refresh

Sometimes, a specific scene's audio file gets stuck while downloading or loading. Changing the scene can force the app to refresh the audio.

  1. Tap the Mountain icon (Scenes) in the top-left corner.

  2. Swipe through the available scenes and select a completely different one.

  3. Wait a few seconds to see if the new scene's audio begins playing.

  4. If it works, you can switch back to your original favorite scene and it should now play correctly!

Fix 4: Force Quit and Restart the App

If the volume is up and changing the scene didn't work, the app may just need a quick reset.

  • Force close the Calm app completely on your device, and then reopen it.

  • If the issue persists, check your device's App Store or Google Play Store to ensure you are running the most recent version of the Calm app.

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