This article is about Why are my headphones so quiet? If you plan to watch a movie listen to a song with your headphones but the sound is too low. You will find it very difficult and you can not understand let alone enjoy listening. You will get frustrated when you do not know the exact problem and its solution.
Headphones that work well but are sometimes noisy or have no sound at all. This happens not just once but often. Now you may be wondering why my headphones suddenly went silent? Or maybe, why is the volume so low? I have come up with a complete way to get rid of all your worries.
Why Do Headphones Sound Get Quiet?
Are you wondering why are my headphones so quiet suddenly whether it’s on both ear cups or just one? When investigating the causes of silent headphones, it is important to look at the entire situation in which this problem occurs.
In other words, be sure to check the headphones yourself to see if they’re the cause of the problem, but also check things like the device you’re listening to, your ears, your connection, and the context you’re listening in.
There may be one or all of these problems. Make sure to dismiss any of these reasons before wearing the headphones properly. The most common causes of quiet headphones (both wired and wireless) are given below:
- Plug or Socket Issues (For Wired Headphones)
- Connectivity Issue (For Wireless Headsets)
- Device Settings
- An issue in Audio File
- An issue in Headset Itself
- Ear Issues
1. Plug or Socket Issues in Wired Headphones
A loose connection between a media player device’s audio jack and the headphone jack can cause headphone volume problems such as strange silent noises or very weak sounds.
One factor that can affect the overall connection between these devices is dirt or debris on the headphone jack/audio port, or your device’s headphone jack may be damaged. So it is better to repair or replace it.
2. Connectivity Issues in Wireless Headphones
For wireless headphones, interference such as a metal table or a physical obstacle (such as a wall) between you and the media player can cause connection problems. This interference can affect the overall quality and volume issues with your headphone.
3. Device Settings
One of the common reasons why headphones remain so weak or the left air bud is much quieter than the right, or when turning to the maximum volume, is due to incorrect volume settings.
If you have connected the headphones to another device and it seems to be working fine, then you need to make some adjustments in the initial settings of the device.
4. Issue in Audio File
Although it’s unlikely, it’s possible that the audio file itself is the reason your headphones are muted. This is when the audio was recorded or transcoded to play at a very low volume.
This means that no matter how much you turn up the volume on your device or headphones, the volume will still be relatively quiet due to audio files.
5. Issue in Headset Itself
On the other hand, it’s possible that your headphones have a hardware fault or low battery that automatically reduces output. This usually happens when your headphones are either brand new or the device is already widely used.
Note: If you are using new headphones and you are experiencing a factory defect, try using the manufacturer’s warranty policy to get a free repair/replacement.
6. Ear Issues
Since humans are naturally asymmetrical creatures, it should come as no surprise that our ears differ in size from one another. These small discrepancies in the shape of our outer ear can affect the way the earphones fit in the ear. This can lead to different sound quality or higher volume for each ear, especially when wearing earphones.
Check These Things When Your Headphones have Quiet Volume
If your headphones sound quieter than the usual, you should do the following things immediately:
- Check Hardware
- Check Playback Device
- Personal Check
1. Check Hardware
When you encounter problems with your headphones, the first thing to do is to check the device so that there is an immediate possibility of factory malfunctions, defective parts, or other problems with your headphones and/or media player device.
Here are some things you should keep in mind when checking your audio devices.
- Make sure the headphones are connected correctly. If the headphone plug is not properly plugged in, try unplugging and reconnecting the headphones to make sure they are inserted correctly. If they have bluetooth then make bluetooth connection strong. You should feel a separate click when you push it directly into the audio port of your media player.
- It is important that the headphone jack is clean. Any dirt, grime, or pocket lint can cling to the headphone jack which can interfere with the audio signal, distorting the audio or making the audio very mute. Simply use a rag or cotton swab to dampen the rubbing alcohol and wipe away any debris you see. The same goes for the audio port of your media player device.
- Make sure each earbud is clean and free of air wax, dirt, or grime. Since we’re using our headphones for extended periods of time, it’s normal to see airy wax forming around and inside each earbud, usually for hours.To clean the earbuds, simply take an old toothbrush and carefully brush the teeth inside each airbag, then take a damp cloth or cotton swab with alcohol and clean the rest of the earbuds.
- Check for any defects or damage to the headphone wires. Prolonged use with the effects of normal wear and tear can really damage the headphone wires. Depending on the severity and location of the damage, it’s best to get a new pair of headphones.
2. Check Playback Device
Sometimes, you just need to make some necessary changes to the audio settings of your device. You can also adjust the headphone volume knob in this situation.
- For iPhones
- For Android Devices
- For Mac
- For Windows
For iPhones
If your iPhone sound is too low you can make the following changings to the apple device:
Step 1: There are volume up and volume down buttons on the side of your iPhone. You will need to press them until you hear enough sound from the phone.
You can also summon Siri to adjust the incorrect audio settings and volume levels of the device.
If you want to change the audio balancing options on your iPhone, you will have to follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to the settings where you find the Accessibility option.
Step 2: Find the Hearing Section to change the channel balance of your headphones by adjusting the sliders.
For Android Devices
You can adjust the volume settings on your android device by following these steps:
Step 1: Press the volume buttons on the side of your phone until the volume issue is fixed.
If this does not work, then try the given method to adjust the audio settings.
Step 1: Go to the settings and tap Sound & Vibration.
Step 2: From there adjust the volume settings of your calls, messages, notifications, alarm, music, and media with the help of sliders.
For MAC
You can follow the given steps to check the mac volume and audio balancing:
Step 1: Go to the Apple menu in your mac device properties.
Step 2: Now click on the Sound icon in the System Preferences.
Step 3: Select the headphone option in the Output tab.
Note: If your headphones do not appear in the list, then your headphones are not connected to the mac.
Step 4: By moving the sliders, you can adjust the main MAC volume.
If your mac still does not responds the way you want, then you should restart the sound controller. If you do not know how to do so, then read the following steps:
Step 1: Click on the Applications and select Utilities.
Step 2: Click on the Activity Monitor and find the Core audio controller by searching CoreAudio in the search bar at the right top corner.
Step 3: Open the app and click on the X at the left top corner of the screen to restart.
For Windows
To access headphone volume in your windows, follow these steps:
Step 1: Right-click on the sound icon that you can find in the lower right corner of the screen.
Step 2: Open volume mixer option.
Step 3: Make adjustments to your headphones’ volume and audio output by using the given slides accordingly.
To adjust the master volume and sound settings window, read the given steps:
Step 1: Press Window keys + S and in the search bar type Sound and click on it.
Step 2: Adjust the master volume under Output on the Sound Settings window.
Step 3: On the same window, check the audio balance in the Device properties.
Step 4: You can adjust the sliders of the left and right speakers of your bluetooth headset.
For more checkups on application volume and device preferences do the following steps:
Step 1: Click on the App volume and device preferences under Advanced sound options in the Sound Settings window.
Step 2: Change the device preferences and adjust the volume.
3. Personal Check
When you ask yourself, “Why are my headphones so quiet?” The answer is usually a glitch in the audio settings on your media device and/or the hardware in your headphones.
However, it is also possible that the problem is in your ears. Excessive use of headphones for a long time can impair your hearing over time. If this sounds like you, it’s not that the sound is too quiet, it’s that you have a poor hearing!
So if you think there’s nothing wrong with your headphones and media player device, but still think the sound is too quiet, you might want to get your ears checked.
How Do I Fix Low Headphones Volume?
Here we have provided you with some additional ways that can help you to fix quiet headphones or improve the low volume of bluetooth headphones. In this way, you can enjoy loud music. You need to follow these steps to make your headphones sound louder.
- Ensure proper placement during wearing wireless earbuds
- Make sure the headphones are not tangled
- Start caring for your ears
- Install volume-boosting apps
1. Ensure Proper Placement During Wearing Wireless Earbuds
People’s external ear shape and sizes vary, so there is no one-size-fits-all earbud or headphones that fits all. The proper placement is essential if you want to get the best sound quality and the right volume level from your AirPods.
It is good practice to gently tighten the ear lobe when inserting the air cushion and then release it completely after it is inserted. This should form a secure seal that carries the sound waves directly into the ear canal perfectly.
However, if you still find that your current headphones do not fit your ear well, it may be time to look for a different model that is more suitable for your specific ear shape.
2. Make Sure the Headphones Are Not Tangled
Proper storage of headphones not only keeps them looking neat but also prevents unnecessary tugging or pulling of wires. Carrying earphones in your pocket and turning them into a mess can really affect the longevity of the device.
You can easily wrap the headphones with your fingers and store them in a safe place, or more specifically in a special pouch or pouch. Spending your few seconds is more than enough to save your money on a new pair of earphones.
3. Start Caring For Your Ears
The most important thing you can do is take care of your ears. No matter how hard you try to fix your headphone or media player device, it doesn’t matter if you can’t hear properly.
Here’s how to do it right:
- Do not listen to music/audio at high volume.
- Take off your headphones from time to time so your ears can rest all day long
- Keep your ears dry (high humidity = bacteria)
- Don’t use cotton swabs inside the ear canal (it’s OK to use them outside).
- Clean your headphones; do not put bacteria back in your inner ear.
4. Install Volume-Boosting Apps
Another way to increase the volume on your phone is by installing the Volume Booster app. Here are 5 great options for you to choose from.
- Bass Booster (Available on iOS)
- KaiserTone (Available on iOS)
- Boom Music (Available on Android & iOS)
- Equalizer FX (Available on Android)
- Precise Volume (Available on Android)
1. Bass Booster
Bass Booster has a noise compensation mode with automatic volume adjustment so you can listen to sound faster, clearer, and more comfortably. It also comes with ambient sound adjustment for those moments when you want to hear birds chirping or street sounds while playing your favorite tunes.
2. KaiserTone
KaiserTone lets you listen to your music in the highest possible sound quality, thanks to an application that has more than 64,000 frequency bands operating at 768 kHz / 32 bits. It also has other features such as the ability to change the volume balance of the left and right headphones, change the master volume, equalize the gain level, and more.
3. Boom Music
Boom Music lets you completely customize your tunes with its 16 frequency bands. It has a lot of parity options as well as 3D surround sound which gives you a different perspective on how you can enjoy your music.
4. Equalizer FX
Equalizer FX works with other third-party audio apps and surprisingly with Google Play Music. The app also has bass boost options and loudness enhancers that will help improve the volume of your phone or headphone speaker.
5. Precise Volume
True Volume in Volume Booster app provides everything you need. It has a comprehensive audio counterpart with a loudspeaker function that allows you to listen to music at high volumes. It comes with equalizer presets, as well as allowing you to completely customize your profile for each pair of headphones you use.
Conclusion
This was all about why are my headphones so quiet. If you have bluetooth headphones and you want the max volume but are unable to do it because you do not know how to do it, then we have above given all the information. If the sound volume is low, then do the same as we have told you.
What do you think about headphone volume which is too low to hear audio? Have you followed this guide to adjust the audio balance so that you can listen to the proper volume? Let us know your experience with us!
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