It seems my audio has ceased to come out of the left side when I use the built in audio jack. Is this more likely a hardware or software problem? And does anyone know a fix?

Are the built-in speakers still stereo? If so, I'd be inclined to think it's a hardware problem.

Try cleaning the jack and/or your headphone plug. You can also try lightly wiggling or pressing on the plug when playing music, to see if it's just a loose connection.

The speakers still work. So yes, I was afraid it was hardware. How does one go about cleaning up an audio jack?

Just to be sure - have you pressed the connector fully in? It needs a bit of force.. but if you had it working before I guess you already knew that.

Yeah it worked before. connector is fully in, tried with multiple headsets.

I'd use a Q-tip, with isopropyl alcohol or some such.

Best practice is probably to turn off the device, remove the battery, clean it, and shake it dry, then let it sit for a while (with the headphone jack down) to evaporate/drain any remaining solvent before reinstalling the battery.

Thoughtfix's disassembly video is, of course, a good first stop if cleaning doesn't fix it, and you want to try effecting a repair yourself.

I've lost my headphone out pretty much completly, if I amp up the output to the max I get a nasty faint sound of music but lots of junk. Headphone had been working fin until then. Time to fit a new socket I guess.

BT

There is one thing that make me wonder if it might not be software.

You know that faint fuzz you get whenever you tap the screen?
That still comes out that speaker.
ll try formatting it. Else yeah, going to have to disassemble or something.