How To Quickly Fix Headphones With Crackling Noises

Crackling noises from headphones can be extremely annoying, as it degrades the sound quality. Below are some explanations of why this happens and how to resolve it.

The Auxiliary Port Isn’t Working

The auxiliary port is also referred to as the headphone jack, and can be a source of crackling within headphones. To find out if it’s the culprit, all you need to do is try plugging your headset into various AUX ports or devices to see if the issue is resolved.

Make sure the cable is fully plugged in. If your AUX port is indeed the issue, cleansing it with a dab of rubbing alcohol on cotton wool should do the trick.

Inadequate EQ Settings

Modifying the EQ (equalization) settings for your device can cause crackling, especially if the issue occurs primarily when you’re playing music with strong bass or treble. It usually means the settings are too high for the media player, so you’ll want to reduce the volume to see if this fixes it.

Your Audio Drivers Haven’t Been Updated

Those that are using their headphones with a PC might notice crackling sounds if their audio drivers haven’t been updated. Drivers are a type of software which is used with various computer components and they are periodically updated.

A failure to update to the newest version can lead to various issues, so you’ll want to check your audio drivers to ensure you’re using the latest versions and Windows can also perform driver updates automatically so you won’t forget.

The Wire Is Loose Or Broken

Sometimes the crackling stems from headphone wires which are loose or broken. Headsets are often manufactured with plastic and rubber materials which are designed to protect the internal wires within the headphone cables.

However, since plastic and rubber can be bent easily, the wires are prone to becoming loose or broken, especially if you’ve owned the headphones for a while and have been careless with them. The most common breakage points are near the areas where the wires form connections with a jack, or where they attach to its ear buds or inline controls.

Those that are familiar with repairing electronic devices can resolve the issue using electrical tape, but this often looks unsightly and may be a temporary fix. The better solution is to purchase Bluetooth wireless headphones that don’t depend on physical wires which can be easily loosened or damaged.

The Headphone Driver is Spoilt

Next to loose or broken wires, a headphone driver which becomes spoilt is one of the worst things that can happen to a headset. It is physical damage which usually results from listening to audio at high volumes, as well as extended wear or inadequate wiring.

Another cause of spoilt headset drivers is significant damage from accidentally stepping on and crushing the device. If this happens it is probably best to replace it as headphones are relatively inexpensive these days.