Physical Address

304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124

Buzzing Sound In Headphones

We’re passionate about music and our recommendations are genuine. If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Have you been wondering why there is a buzzing sound in your headphones? Fear not! You are not alone in experiencing this annoying noise.

Headphone buzzing is one of the most common issues people face when using their headsets or earphones to listen to music or watch movies on computers, laptops, tablets, etc. However, whether or not it scares you, the buzzing noise from your headphones is often resolved with these easy DIY solutions that don’t require a professional and will cost minimal time to execute.

In this article, we have compiled a list of different methods to fix this problem depending on what’s going wrong in each case.

Why do you hear a buzzing noise in your headphones?

Several reasons can cause a static or buzzing noise. Therefore, it is essential to know the initial cause before starting any DIY repair solutions for headphones. Below are some of the most common reasons why your headphones are making a buzzing noise:

  • Loose or disconnected wires
  • Auxiliary port issues
  • Electronic interference
  • Backdated audio drivers
  • Wrong audio settings
  • Damaged headphones speaker

Let’s stop for a second before we move into our article. Wondering why there is a beeping sound in your headphones?

Please read our article here: Why Are My Headphones Beeping?

How to fix buzzing sound in headphones

1. Inspect the headphone wires:

Sometimes, the internal wiring of the headphones may be damaged, although they are well-built. This is usually caused by improper handling of wired headphones and overuse, which wears down the wire over time, causing it to become loose and disconnected from its socket.

To fix this problem:

  • First, check if there is any visible damage on the wire casing of your headphone jack.
  • Second, replace the audio cable with a new one.

However, repairing your current pair of wired headsets is possible by rewiring them yourself using soldering techniques. The method is easy enough for beginners to learn how to do it independently.

DIY soldering techniques

2. Fix auxiliary port issues

One potential reason for static noise in the headphones is the dirt accumulated in the auxiliary ports of the devices. This is caused by oxidization from long-term use. The condition will eventually degrade until they cease functioning altogether if you do not clean them periodically.

There are two fixes to this problem:

Fix 1: Cleaning the ports with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol

  • Make sure all loose cables are tucked away neatly before we start cleaning anything else up around here.
  • Use a cotton bud dipped in alcohol and gently rub the inside of the auxiliary port for about 30 seconds. This should be enough time to remove all dirt from inside the port and eliminate any buildup on its surface.

Fix 2: Cleaning the ports with compressed air

  • Point the nozzle at one end and press down on the release mechanism for two blasts. Now switch ends and do it again. The volume of compressed gas will clear up any debris that’s inside.
  • Now, use a toothpick to remove the moistened material inside the jack.
  • You can also use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment, but you might not deliver enough power this way. You will need to point the nozzle directly at the hole for it to be effective.  

3. Use alternative audio jacks

Audio jacks are the wires that allow you to plug your headphones in. To reduce static noise, pull out one wire and then insert it into a different port on the computer or device. However, this is only a temporary solution when you need a quick fix to the problem.

4. Turn the headphone volume down

Sometimes turning the volume down can cut static noise. If this helps make things more audible and clear up any potential distortion, then maybe your headset is just too sensitive for its sound.

The headphone amplifier may be another reason to hear static sounds in headphones. For example, you may hear a buzzing noise if the amplifier does not have enough to drive the headphones properly. For such cases, you need to consider upgrading your headphones.

5. Check if there is any electronic interference

Another possible cause of the buzzing sound is electrical interference. It’s common to have many devices near together. Still, these electronic gadgets can interfere with each other and cause a buzz in your headphones or speaker system.

If you think that your headphones are buzzing because of electronic interference with nearby devices, try the following steps to determine if it is a problem:

  • Turn all of your devices off in your vicinity. Make sure that nothing is on that could cause any trouble.
  • Then, to ensure zero electrical currents through any potential capacitor, you should switch things off and unplug them from their outlets.
  • Turn on your device and plug in the headphones so that it is the only thing turned on.

If the buzz stops when they’re turned off, then your issue may be due to an electronic interference problem and not a faulty headphone jack. However, if it doesn’t stop, you need to check for other possible reasons and fixes.

6. Check if the headphone speaker is damaged

Headphone speaker damage is a common issue that affects all types of headsets. It’s essential to check the condition of the hardware before blaming software issues for bad sound quality or noise interference in your headphones.

  • Simply plug your headphones into a trusted audio playback device like an mp3 player or smartphone that works properly and see if the static noise still persists.
  • If the noise is gone, there is no problem with the headphone hardware or speaker. But if it persists, then chances are that you have a hardware problem with your headphones and should consider buying replacement headphones or getting them replaced under warranty, if available.

7. Update audio drivers

If you’ve recently updated your sound drivers and suddenly have a lot of static noise in the headphones, it might be time to reinstall them.

  • If any updates are available from the manufacturer’s website for those specific driver models, download one that matches what is installed on your computer so there will not be compatibility issues.
  • Download a driver update application. There are many third-party apps that scan for all the necessary drivers on your computer and then manually download any updates from manufacturer websites. However, this hands-off approach is easy but could come with an additional fee if there’s one associated with the app itself.
  • Here’s a video tutorial that may be helpful in solving the same issue manually through the registry editor on your PC.

8. Disable audio enhancement in sound settings

Sometimes the buzzing sound on your headphones could be caused by improperly configured audio settings. Please take a moment to check them out and make sure they’re set up correctly (for example, disable any enhancements). Here’s how:

  • Open Control Panel on your PC.
  • From the available sections, click on Hardware and Sound:
  • Click on Sound.
  • From the pop-up window, right-click on your sound device and select properties:
  • Now click on the Advanced tab from the top panel and uncheck Enable audio enhancement option. Hit Apply, then OK.

If disabling the audio enhancement and updating the audio driver does not fix the buzzing noise, try re-configuring some audio settings mentioned in the next section.

9. Re-adjust your audio settings

There are a few different ways to make your audio setup the best it can be. Still, before you start changing all of those settings on your computer or headphones, there’s something that needs to happen first.

  • Figure out what kind of headphones you have and whether they’re being used just for listening to music or if they include both an input jack (for plugging in) as well as output jacks (where the sound comes from).
  • If these are standard stereo-style earbuds with only one input/output connection point, then go ahead and mute any mic devices so that nothing will interrupt noise coming through them while still adjusting “Audio Out” levels accordingly.

Sometimes, the most insidious problem may be a feedback loop caused by a microphone and headphones. For example, suppose you’re using your mic to record sound from an external source, such as playing music on speakers or recording someone speaking with their voice projected out in front of them. In that case, the two systems mustn’t be introduced together because this can cause problems later when it comes time for editing.

  • Check your settings on both the device and computer side of things. For example, if you have an internal mic, make sure you have disabled it before using external mics or headsets (you should only use one simultaneously).
  • Next, adjust the volume levels on both your headset/mic and computer speakers so they match each other. Otherwise, some feedback could occur when they don’t match up properly. Then test out your setup to see if the buzzing goes away.

10. Replace your headphones

The fact is that your old headphones are probably already starting to exhibit signs of wear and tear. For example, you might have noticed some static noise or muffled sounds when using them for an extended period. This is normal, but if you don’t want such issues to occur anymore, it would be best for you to get a new pair altogether.

A great option would be getting yourself some over-ear wireless Bluetooth headphones or Bluetooth earbuds. They are comfortable while also being high quality enough so that your music sounds crisp and clear. Moreover, Bluetooth headphones provide a much more comfortable experience than wired models, with no tangling or untangling wires acting as gripes on your ears.

Additionally, Bluetooth has become increasingly popular for its ability to connect instantly without any hassle of pairing up devices beforehand- saving you from those exhausting moments when your phone rings, but you can’t find it under all that junk.

FAQ

How can I prevent static noise in my headphones?

  • Clean your headphones jack and port regularly.
  • Always keep an eye on the headphones wires. Make sure you maintain them properly.
  • Keep audio drivers up-to-date.
  • Maintain optimal audio settings.

How can I fix headphone buzzing sound in windows 10?

Update the sound drivers:

If you’ve recently updated your sound drivers but suddenly have a lot of static noise in the headphones, it might be time to reinstall them.

To determine if any updates are available from the manufacturer’s website for those specific driver models, download one that matches what is installed on your computer so there will not be compatibility issues. If an update is unavailable or incompatible with your current setup, look into downloading a third-party app that scans for all necessary drivers on your computer before manually installing any software updates from manufacturers’ websites.

Turn of sound effects:

Sometimes the buzzing sound on your headphones could be caused by improperly configured audio settings. Please take a moment to check them out and make sure they’re set up correctly (for example, disable any enhancements).

Re-configure audio settings:

Did you know that improper settings can cause buzzing sounds to occur? First, you’ll need to make sure the audio is appropriately configured. For instance, disabling sound enhancements will fix this issue and eliminate any extraneous noises or distortion from occurring in your mix.

How can I fix the buzzing noise on PS4?

  • Turn off the Playstation 4 controller (DualShock 4) and reset it. The reset button (actually a hole) is placed at the back of the controller, just below the light bar. Use a clip or toothpick to reach the end of the hole to press the reset button. Now, use the USB cable to connect to the PS4 and sync.
The reset button of the DualShock4 controller
  • Make sure your Dualshock 4 controller is optimally charged. Sometimes it may cause noise in the headphone.
  • The crackling or static noise may also occur due to the electric interference of the devices nearby. You should try turning on nearby wireless devices and check if this is the reason for the noise.

How to fix Buzzing Sound In Bluetooth Headphones?

  • Install the latest software updates: When new software updates become available for download via OTA update notification from your carrier, install them as soon as possible. Updating to the latest version of software on your phone will eliminate any bugs or glitches causing this issue and provide a better overall experience for using the OS.
  • Turn Wi-Fi off and switch to mobile data: Many users have reported this tip to work after trying everything else in this guide. It may seem like an odd solution, but many claim it works.
  • Do a factory reset: This will wipe everything from the phone but hopefully fix the issue. If you don’t want to lose any important data, back up anything that needs backing up before proceeding further.

How can I fix headphone buzzing noise issue on my iPhone?

Do a soft reset:

Doing a soft reset may fix any temporary issues. You can do this by following these simple steps:

  • Hold the power button of your iPhone until you see the Slide To Power Off screen.
  • Drag the slider to turn off the phone
  • Wait for 1-2 minutes and hold the power button again until you see the Apple logo.
  • Check if the problem persists.

Check for debris

Maintaining cleanliness should always be at the forefront of every music listener’s mind in order not only to protect their ears but also to maintain high-quality audio output. Unfortunately, your headphones or earphones can have a buildup of dirt and debris, inevitably affecting sound quality with extended use. The best way to avoid this problem is by cleaning them regularly with an antibacterial solution.

Restore the iPhone

  • Connect your iPhone with iTunes on your computer
  • From iTunes, click on the Device button in the top left corner. The device icon will appear like a phone.
  • Click on Summary followed by Restore. This will start restoring process.
  • Once you restore your iPhone, the buzzing sound problem should be resolved.

How can I fix headphones buzzing in one ear?

  • Check the wirings. Sometimes loose or disconnected wires lead to a buzzing noise.
  • Have a look into the aux port. Make sure it is clean and there is no debris or dirt in it.
  • Update the audio drivers. Check if there is any update available for the device. Sometimes updating the driver may help solve the buzzing/static noise.
  • Re-configure audio settings.
  • Check if the headphone speaker is damaged. Serious earpiece damage is a common issue that affects all types of headsets. It’s important to check the condition of your hardware before blaming software issues for bad sound quality or noise interference in your headphones.

Conclusion

In this guide, we’ve shared the different causes of headphone static and how you can fix those issues. Hopefully, by reading our tips, you’ve found a solution to your problem.

If you found this blog post helpful, please share it with others experiencing the same problem. The more people know about these tips and tricks to fix their static headphones issue, the less likely they’ll be frustrated by something that can easily be solved.