There is an app called GeneralInfo. It allows you to switch from ringer to silent without the switch. It only cost 99 cents and it works. My switch is still broken but now that I have the app it doesn't matter because I can change it on my phone.

I don't think it's the switch. I had this happen to and I posted the questions here. When I took it apart, I found they the drop had caused a connector to pop loose. I think it was the one marked #5. It's a super tiny connector. I plugged it back in and everything worked. Might be worth looking at. The instructions are on here, just follow the instructions for taking it apart and look for the #5 connector to be loose.

Go to the "Repair" section of this site and find the repair for the mute switch and follow those to take it apart. Look for that small plug and make sure it's plugged in.

You'll off course need a replacement, the part you need to replace is the headphone jack, it includes the ring/silent switch.

I've actually had this problem before. I dropped my iPhone 3GS the first week I got it (actually it fell out of my jacket pocket). The switch felt a little sticky, but it still moved both ways. Of course I was mad I had already broken an important feature as the ringer volume doesn't go all the way down otherwise.

Oddly enough about 3 months later, I was showing someone that my silent feature was broken and to my surprise, it worked! I've always wondered what stopped it from working and eventually fixed itself. Judging by "forum"'s answer it sounds like my connector was loose, too. It must have been just loose enough to not work, but still be able to slide back into place eventually.

I've just done the same thing with mine! (iPhone 3GS)

However, when I squeezed the front and back of the phone together (using thumb & forefinger) it gave it enough pressure to make the connection and the switch started to work again...and is still working!

I think the connection had just worked loose inside.

- It's a quick fix and worth a try!

Hello people gust had the same thing phone hit the floor and both volume and silent button didn't work and I tried squeezing the phone together by the buttons but only volume button worked as long as I kept squeezing it then I worked out if I lay the phone I'n my hand flat and slap the back and front of the phone at the same time as if I was clapping my hands together fairly hard for a few seconds firmly both buttons now work and all seems good but squeezing it together or any other thing I tried wouldnt make the mute button work but slapping it together hard has sorted them both so hope this helps as I read all your coments and used them to work it out so thanks to u all

does anyone have a vid on how to replace a mute switch i have tried a couple of times but it feels stiff not light a usual

Slapping my phone between my hands restored the audio ring tone; great tip; thank you!

The audio flex cable is probably still good. You need to disassemble the vibrate assembly to place the switch into the housing (it got knocked loose and is not aligned right). Alternatively, the switch sometimes becomes hyper-sensitive and vibrates too much. Just needs to be re-aligned (basically what happens when a new part is put in).

I refurbish iphones on ebay and the headphone jack, well, sideswitch, is the most common thing to have issues. I'm forever replacing them, but these tricks are news to me! Might save me a bit.

The general info app fixed mine - even re-enabled the switch if you can believe that.

And this is after I went to the apple store and they indicated I would need to replace the phone!!!

Dave

the switch remains in the muted position all the time