<p>A phone speaker can sound muffled for several reasons. One common cause is the accumulation of dirt and debris in the speaker grill, such as dust or lint, which blocks sound waves and affects clarity. Cleaning the speaker with a soft brush, compressed air, or a gentle vacuum can often resolve this issue. Another potential reason is water damage; exposure to moisture can interfere with the speaker’s performance. If the phone has been exposed to water or high humidity, placing it in a dry environment or using silica gel packets to absorb the moisture can help. Software issues or a malfunctioning speaker component might also cause muffled sound, requiring a software update or professional repair.<br /> </p>