My unrooted, basically stock android decided to stop sending audio through any channels except call audio today. I have not installed any new or unstable apps recently. Symptoms include:
the lower speakers (the ones used for playing music, etc.) are completely nonfunctional.
The upper speaker sounds like I'm in a call all the time. When I am actually in a call, it is nearly silent unless I'm on speakerphone, at which point it's as quiet as any other app.
I have attempted general troubleshooting. To wit, this includes:
I closed all current apps and then tested sound. No change.
I rebooted the device. No change.
I booted into 'Safe Mode.' Problem persisted.
Connection over Bluetooth seems to be immune to the issue. I connected a headset and nearly blew out my right eardrum.
Any suggestions on what the heck is going on and/or how to fix it?
Update:
Appears it was a hardware issue, as it spontaneously corrected itself a few days later.