Xperia Z3 Compact headphones not working

[eaardal]

I have the z3 compact and I'm having some issues with the headphones jack plug which I now think may be related to an Android update. Basically, I've had my phone for a year without issues, until some time late in May this year, my headphones stopped working. Definitely after the Android Lolipop update, but I can't recall if they stopped working immediately after the update or sometime later. Not long after, in any case. The phone registered the headphones connecting, but all sound was still routed through the phone speaker, not the headphones. I looked up some similar issues on forums and they claimed this was most likely due to lint/dust/particles that had been accumulating over time inside the jack plug. Sure enough, using a pincer and creativity, I fished out some lint and it got marginally better. Maybe 1/10 times I would get sound out through the headphones, but even so they would disconnect at the slightest touch to the wire. I then sent the phone to service and got the jack replaced entirely and the phone reset to factory settings. The headphones worked perfectly! But then the phone kept updating itself and its apps over the next days and it stopped working again... I don't know which update killed it but I don't think it's a hardware issue anymore. Still looking for a fix... Using the old Z1 for now since Spotify + podcasts are really important to me and I just can't use the Z3 for this at all =\

[Phy]

You can repair the phone with Sony PC Companion or get your phone inspected by your local Xperia support

http://www.sonymobile.com/gb/tools/pc-companion/

[SophiaW]

Hi eaardal, welcome to the community!

I agree with @Phy, here are some additional steps on running the repair: 

You will need to download either PC Companion or Bridge for Mac.
Note: a software repair will delete all user data, to back up your phone:

using PC Companion
1. Go to Support to install PC Companion on a Windows computer.
2. When installed, start PC Companion on the computer.
3. Connect your phone to the computer using a USB cable.
4. Click Start under Backup & Restore.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.
(Exactly what contents will be backed up may differ depending on phone model.
You can view detailed information about this as you follow the steps in the Backup & Restore wizard).

using Bridge for Mac
1. Launch Bridge For MAC.
2. Select "Back up your Xperia device".
3. Select the data you wish to back up from your device (the windows can be expanded for more detail as below; then select "Next".
4. The backup will now be in process, do not disconnect the phone while this runs.

Running the software repair on PC Companion:
1. Install and open PC Companion then select Support Zone.
2. Phone Software Update.
3. Start.
4. Repair Phone
5. Continue
6. Accept data removal
7. Next
8. Wait for prepare
9. Select Phone
10. Follow the connection steps

Running the software repair on Bridge for Mac:
1. Launch Bridge for MAC without the handset connected.
2. On the Main Window select "Xperia > Repair Xperia Device".
3. Ensure the phone is charged and select "Ok" in the following window.
4. Select Continue on the following page.
5. Wait until the initialising step is finished the continue as below.
6 . Select your model of phone from the list that appears
7. Follow the connection steps that appear, ensuring that you are holding the relevant button down before during and after the connection phase until the update/repair begins.

I hope this helps, if it doesn't then contact Xperia Customer Care like @Phy suggested.