How To Fix A Loose Headphone Jack

A loose headphone jack can be aggravating as it makes it difficult to use your headset and hear surround sound, particularly when you’re in public. However, there are a number of things you can do to fix it, which are highlighted below.

Why Do Headphone Jacks Become Loose?

There are a number of things which can cause a headphone jack to become loose. They may become blocked due to an accumulation of dirt or dust, or it may be the result of normal wear. Also, if you continually use headphones which have a plug that is jammed or bent this can also cause problems.

Open And Investigate The Case

There are times when you’ll need to open your electronic device to get a closer look. Depending on whether you’re working with a smartphone, tablet, desktop or laptop, you might need a Phillips style screwdriver so the screws which hold the case together can be extracted. There are also some electronics which have locks that can be unclasped. This will give you a better view of the audio jack so you can identify and address specific problems.

Solder Your Headphone Port

Soldering your headphone jack back inside its pins can be useful in situations where it is dislodged from your circuit board. You’ll need to be handy with a soldering iron and after plugging it in and allowing it to become hot, which takes about 5 minutes, you’ll want to wear magnifying glasses to get a better view of the small pins so you can solder them. When performing soldering work it is absolutely critical not to touch other areas of your mainboard or they could become damaged.

Use A Hot Glue Gun

The heated glue from a glue gun can be applied to headphone ports which are loose by pressing it against the board underneath to secure its position. However, this step should only be taken after repairing pins that have been broken, or when the jack has become loose as the result of supportive plastic which has become cracked.

Adjusting for Headphone Irregularities

Sometimes you’ll want to try a different headset because attempting to force the large pin within a jack that is smaller can lead to damage. However, if the pin is too small, you can place aluminum foil on it so that it can fit within the jack. However, when doing this you have to be careful not to cover the pin’s contact otherwise it won’t work so be sure to leave it free.

As you can see, repairing a headphone jack which has become loose on your own takes some skill. You’ll need to open the case and depending on the damage you’ll need to know how to use a soldering iron or heat gun. You’ll also want to read your manual because some newer devices aren’t designed to be opened and if you attempt to do so the case may be broken, and if you have a warranty tinkering around with the internals may void it so this is something to be mindful of.