Possible reasons your alarm isn’t going off and how to fix them
- Volume and sound settings
- Alarm volume might be too low or muted, or the selected alarm sound is quiet. Check Settings > Sounds & Haptics (or Sounds) and raise the Ringer/Alerts or Alarm volume. If you have an iPhone, ensure Change with Buttons is off so you don’t accidentally mute alarms when adjusting media volume. Also verify the specific alarm’s sound is enabled and not set to a silent track.
- Do Not Disturb or Focus modes
- If Do Not Disturb, Sleep Focus, or a custom Focus mode is active, alarms can be silenced or delayed. Review Focus settings and ensure alarms are allowed or temporarily disable Focus when you need the alarm to sound.
- Attention Aware / Face ID features (iPhone X and newer)
- Attention Aware Features can reduce alert volume if the phone isn’t looking at you. If this feature is on, alarms may not sound as expected. Turning off Attention Aware Features can help.
- Incorrect alarm setup
- Double-check the alarm time, enabled days, and that the alarm isn’t set to a different clock (e.g., a second clock, or a mislabeled alarm). Ensure the alarm is turned on and set for the correct time zone if you travel.
- Bluetooth and connected devices
- Bluetooth headphones, speakers, or car systems can affect alarm output. If a Bluetooth device is connected, the alarm might route there or fail to wake you. Try disabling Bluetooth or changing the output to the phone’s speaker.
- Software issues
- Occasionally, a software glitch can interfere with alarms. Restart the device, check for OS updates, and re-create the alarm if problems persist. Some guides mention re-creating the alarm as a simple fix.
- Other potential causes (varies by device)
- For some devices, sleep tracking or medical/fitness integrations can modify wake-up alarms. Review any related apps or routines that might impact alarms.
What to try first (quick checklist)
- Increase the alarm volume to a clearly audible level and verify the alarm sound is selected and not muted.
- Disable Do Not Disturb or Sleep Focus, or adjust exceptions to allow alarms.
- Turn off Attention Aware Features if available on your device.
- Ensure the alarm is set for the correct days and time, and that “Every day” or the intended days are selected.
- Reboot the device, then test with a new alarm if the issue persists.
If you’d like, share:
- Your device type (iPhone model or Android), and
- Whether you’re using any Focus modes, Bluetooth accessories, or Sleep/Bedtime features,
I can tailor exact steps and confirm the settings to check for your specific setup.
