Trying to listen to your favorite music with broken earphones is frustrating, if not impossible. The good news is that this guide will teach you how to repair broken earphones once and for all. The troubleshooting steps in this article apply to most headsets, including headsets that use Bluetooth to connect to a device.
The causes of broken earphones
Due to their mechanical nature, there are many different reasons why earphones may not work. Some of the most common causes include:
- Debris stuck in the earpiece
- Cable fault
- Cable jack failure
- Cannot connect properly
Also read- How to find stolen or lost Airpods
Check the audio cable first
Regardless of the problem encountered with the earphones, first make sure the cable is in good condition (if you are not using the wireless earphones ). Check for frayed cables, broken or split plastic coating and other problems.
In this case, you will need to repair the cable or purchase new headsets. If this is not your problem, you can go on.
How to repair earphones that don’t work
Can’t hear the sound coming from the earphones? Follow these steps to solve the problems.
- Make sure the earphones’ power source is turned on. Some earphones have power sources. In this case, turn them off and turn them back on, then try again.
- Make sure the audio source is turned on or turned on. Sometimes strange things happen and we accidentally raise or lower the volume on our devices.
- Check for debris in the earphones. A build-up of dirt or other debris inside the earphones may not make them work properly. Clean them gently.
- If the earphones are wired, disconnect and reconnect the earphones. Just like turning off and turning on a device solves many technical problems, disconnecting and reconnecting the earphones can reactivate the sound. Be sure to check the connection of the audio cable jack when reconnecting the earphones. Gently push the cable plug to make sure it is connected to the audio jack. Otherwise, you may not hear the sound.
- If the earphones are wireless, check the Bluetooth connection. If your earphones use Bluetooth to connect to your devices, make sure Bluetooth is on. If you use Bluetooth headsets, you can also try unpairing and reconnecting the earphones with your device.
- Connect the earphones to another audio source. If you can hear audio from another audio device, your device, the one you’re trying to listen to, probably needs to be repaired.
What to do when a single headset does not work
Does only one of your earphones work? Follow these troubleshooting steps.
- Disconnect and reconnect. This could solve the unilateral audio problem.
- Clean the headset. A build-up of debris can cause a lack of sound.
- Disconnect and reconnect the Bluetooth. If the earphones are wireless, this will restore the sound, which may solve the sound problem.
- Check the side balance on your device. Check that the device you are using does not have left or right side balance settings.
How to solve the static or crackling noise coming from the headset
Do your earbuds crackle? In this case, follow the procedure below to resolve the problem.
- Disconnect and reconnect the earphones. This can solve any problem that is causing the rattle.
- If you are using wired headsets, check the connection of the audio cable jack. Push it gently to make sure the audio cable is completely connected to the device.
- Clean the audio jack of the device. The accumulation of debris can cause crackling sounds. Try blowing into the audio jack to remove dust or debris. You can also use a little compressed air to remove any debris.
- If you are using wireless headsets, disconnect and reconnect the Bluetooth. If you are using Bluetooth headsets, try disconnecting them and reconnecting them to see if this solves the static or crackling noise coming from the headset.
- Are you near your device? If not, approach them. This can resolve crackling or other sound problems, such as the sound coming and going.
- Change your EQ settings. If your device has EQ settings, make sure the bass or treble is not too high. Sometimes, this can cause static or crackling when the sound is at its maximum, especially if the earphones are not meant for that level of audio.
In terms of audio output, simply reducing the volume of the audio can solve the problem with crackling. After all, the earphones may not be designed to handle the level of audio you’re trying to play.
If your earphones still don’t work
If none of the above solutions solve the earphone problem and the earphones are not Bluetooth, you may need to repair the device’s audio jack. Although you can repair them yourself, it’s not something I recommend.
You can always contact the store where you bought the earphones to see if they are under warranty and what you need to do to get them repaired.
