Why are my headphones so quiet? We show you the most common causes and detailed fixes for each error in this article below. Let’s check it out!
The situation of headphones does not work even though plugged in or connected to a phone or computer makes you not know what to do.
Moreover, this incident happens not only once but also quite often. Headphones that work fine but sometimes flicker are noisy or don’t make any sound.
The situation of suddenly silent headphones makes you feel frustrated. Don’t worry, and our article will help you.
We will find out the main reasons why headphones are silent: audio and connection issues, dirt getting in the way, and jacks. All help you with the best solution to fix these errors.
Why Are My Headphones So Quiet?
Usually, there are five reasons why headphones are silent. It comes from your headphones and transmitter.
Sound problem
Headphone Sound problem
Although very few headphones are silent due to volume problems, it does not happen. Here we mean the type of audio file you want to play.
Because not all kinds of max volume headphones can play, even headphones can’t encode and transmit sound or cause noise. Or even if you increase the max volume on both the device and the headphones, it still won’t notice the effect.
The reason is that the audio file itself is inherently poor quality. When recording or transcoding an audio file for playback, it is at a low volume.
In other words, the cause is not in your headphones. The necessary solution now is to reconsider your sound.
Dirt interferes with volume transmission
Hygiene issues are a common cause hindering the operation of any device. And, of course, your headphones are among them.
When using headphones, many users have the habit of curling up and putting them in their pockets, bags, briefcases, etc.
They interfere with the transmission of sound to the headphones. It can even cause a short circuit, damaging your headphones.
Besides, the hygiene of the ears also makes the headphones dirty and silent. After a long time of use, earwax causes the speaker grille to accumulate a lot of wax. As such, the sound will be obstructed, reducing the sound quality.
Wireless headset connection problem
Connection problems are common for Bluetooth wireless headphones. During the pairing process, Bluetooth headphones and the transmitter often encounter some errors.
The first is a headphone or device connected to a headphone/another device. Because most headphones and phones, computers only allow you to pair with one device. So now, you cannot connect headphones to the desired transmitter. That makes the headphones inoperable.
Although some Bluetooth headphones now offer the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously, they are not yet widespread. So if your headphones don’t play, try rechecking the pairing sound settings.
In addition, another common cause is the connection line is obstructed.
The connection line between the headphone and the transmitter should be clear and less obstructed. Most Bluetooth headphones these days can connect within a radius of 33 feet to 100 feet.
However, you can measure this distance unit in open space conditions. It means that there are not many obstacles on the transmission line or too many wifi signals that interfere with the movement.
See more:
What Are ANC Headphones? How Does Active Noise Cancellation Work?
How to connect wireless headphones to TV?
Best Noise-Canceling Headphones For Sleeping Reviews
Headphone jack error
Headphone jack error
This cause only applies to wired headphones. Once the connector is loose, it will cause strange sounds or noise.
The connection between the jack and the transmitter socket is not sure the main reason for the significant drop in sound quality. You probably won’t even hear any sound.
Usually, using low-quality headphones for a long time is the leading cause. Moreover, the habit of leaving headphones or transmitters such as phones in the pocket causes the socket to collect dust.
You may not notice, but in your pocket, you have a lot of tiny cotton fibers. Over time, they gradually build up in the socket, hindering its original function.
Besides, a broken headphone jack or a missing plug is also a reason. In this case, it’s best to replace it to solve the problem.
Lucky for you, replacing them isn’t difficult. If you still don’t know how to replace the damaged headphone jack, you can refer to this video tutorial.
Due to your transmitter
The reason your headphones are not playing or the sound is too low may be coming from the transmitter itself. The media player or audio settings on the computer are the reason behind why the sound plays errors.
However, first, you need to determine if the right cause is not from the headphones. The method is straightforward, and you need to connect the headphones to another transmitter.
If it still works properly and plays the desired sound, you can now conclude the problem with your device.
For more reasons, you can check the video below for details
What Do I Need To Do To Test My Headphones?
How to test My Headphones?
If you want to know why headphones are silent, you need to check your headphones and phone or computer. The problem will lie in either of these devices.
Hardware test
Hardware test
Whenever you have a problem with your headphones, the first thing you need to do is check the hardware. It is to help you to rule out some possibility of headphone failure.
When reviewing this section, you need to keep a few things in mind.
Step 1:
First, your headphones must be in correctly. Most importantly, your headphone jack should be clean and free of dust because just a little dust or lint on the jack can interfere with your sound.
It can distort the sound, cause noise, or make it sound smaller. This problem also occurs with the socket of the transmitter device such as phone, computer.
Step 2:
Next is the issue of hygiene. You need to make sure the headphone cushion is clean, without dust or earwax accumulation.
Because after a long time of use, it is normal for ear canal to accumulate in the pads. So it would help if you cleaned them regularly so as not to affect the sound quality.
Step 3:
Finally, you need to check the headphone cord for any damage. Because in the use process, we cannot avoid the effects of wear and tear on the headphones.
Therefore, depending on the deterioration of the headphone cord, you can take timely repair measures.
If the headphones are seriously damaged, I think it’s time to replace them. Don’t worry because the cost of new headphones is not high either.
Checking devices
If the problem is not with the headphones, then try checking your transmitter. Maybe the audio file you want to play is not suitable for headphones.
Or the sound setting is not appropriate. To check, go to the sound settings on your device.
The incompatibility of headphones and devices is also the cause of headphones not working. At this point, you need to check the specifications of both devices.
Headphone Troubleshooting Tips
When having problems with headphones, you can apply some of the following tips to fix them.
Proper use and care of headphones
Proper use and care of headphones
First, to fix audio problems caused by dirt and jacks. Check your headphones to make sure that the headphone jack is clean and does not lose connection. A perfect trick to fix this problem is to plug in and unplug the headset a few times.
Thus, it is very likely that the headset will usually work again. When you can hear the sound in the ear canal, it means you have succeeded.
In case this still doesn’t work to fix the low headphone volume problem, try another way. Because most likely, the problem is in the headphone cord or its jack.
Volume up
Volume up your headphone
As you know, increasing the volume so that your headphones are not silent is obvious. But when the headset does not make any sound, try checking the volume knob on the headset.
All you need to do is make sure the headphone volume is up. In case your headphone is not equipped with a volume control button, you can customize it on your playback device (phones and computers all support this function).
In fact, the headphone volume control button is also easy to collect dust. It makes it difficult to adjust the volume.
The solution is to move the control up and down a few times. These operations have the effect of loosening the dust particles inside.
In addition, you need to adjust the volume to a reasonable level. Because even setting the volume to the maximum will affect the volume quality.
Use headphones that fit well
The use of improperly sized headsets is a cause of silent headphone problems. In addition, it also makes you feel uncomfortable when using it. It also damages your ears.
Recommendation
So we do not recommend you to use over-ear headphones or earbuds. All you need to do is find suitable headphones. You need to make sure the headsets are placed in or around the ear canal and not just above.
Headset position is significant; if worn correctly will help eliminate outside noise more effectively, resulting in clear volume.
Headset position
If the headset is too big, it will have a hard time getting in your ear. It does not only cause damage to your ears, but the volume waves are also silent. Now increase the volume to improve the sound.
In case the headset is too small, you will feel loose connection when wearing it. The solution is to insert a little cotton or soft material to wear the headset more firmly.
Check Bluetooth connection
Check Bluetooth connection
With that said, connection problems often occur with Bluetooth headphones. It causes the headset to work only on one side, of the volume is small.
Even headphones don’t work. So please check and make sure the headset and transmitters do not connect to any other device.
If that still doesn’t work, you should close the gap for better transmission. And it is best to stay away from broadcasting devices such as wifi to avoid causing audio and transmission interference.
Set the volume on the player
When your devices themselves have problems, you can go to the equalizer to balance the volume between your right and left ears.
For AirPods or EarPods
First, go to audio settings, select General and Accessibility. At this point, a panel of options appears; scroll down the screen and find the ‘listen’ section. In the end, you need to customize the left and right balance channel in the middle.
For Android mobile phones
Similar to the above, try to hold down the main screen to access the ‘headphone settings’ section.
In addition, you can also apply another way by clicking on the top-right icon of the ‘google assistant app. In this, you will find the ‘your headphones’ dialog in the volume settings.
For computer
For computers, whether your device is a PC or a Mac, you can still check the settings related to headphone volume.
However, you need to disconnect the other audio devices and connect them directly to the motherboard volume card. This is very important if you use a 3rd party product. Here we are referring to the external sound card.
After completing those connection operations, check to see if headphones not playing volume is resolved because it is more likely that the third-party product is the source of the problem.
If not, proceed to equalize the sound and set the volume on your Pc or Mac.
Conclusion
Knowing why your headphones are silent will help you have a better solution whenever you have a problem with your headphones.
Hopefully, the simple solutions that we share will help make headphones work again instead of buying new or going to a repair shop.
If you have any questions regarding this topic, don’t hesitate to mention them in the comments section below. We will try to answer.
Last but not least, don’t forget to share this article on any social network so it can reach many of your friends. Maybe it’s what they need right now.
