Why are My Headphones Crackling and How to Fix It?

When you are listing music or playing games with your headphone, there is nothing more unpleasant and annoying than a crackling, popping or static noise coming from your headphone. This kind of problems decrease the quality of sound and you will have a poor listening experience. There are many possible causes for headphones crackling and that can often be fixed easily. So it is very important to consider every possible cause for headphone crackling and solutions before replacing or buying another headphone     

Causes of Headphone Crackles

There are many reasons a headphone can crackles. To identify the problem first turn down the volume of your device or PC. If the crackles stop then the issue might be your headphone cannot handle the volume or the amplifier might not have enough power to drive the headphone. But, if the crackles continue then disconnect the headphone from the device and reconnect it again. If the problem is still there then below are some other possible causes:

• Loose or Broken Wires
• Poor EQ Settings
• Auxiliary (AUX) Port Problems
• Update your Audio or Sound Card Drivers (For PC)
• Spoilt Headphone driver

How to Fix Headphone Crackles

There are many ways you can fix the headphone crackles. But first, you have to make sure that you have identified the problem. Here are the solutions to some common headphone crackling problems.

Repair Loose or Broken Wires

Loose or broken wires are one of the common causes of headphones crackles. A rubber or plastic material protects the wires inside and it can easily be bent. This makes it easy for the wires to loosen or break if you don’t use them carefully. There are some points in headphone cable that are vulnerable to this problem like the point where the wires connect with the jack, connection point with the earbuds, or the points of the inline controls. If the wire doesn’t loosen too much then you can use electrical tape for a quick fix. If the problem is severe then it is beyond repair.

Adjust EQ Settings

Sometimes wrong EQ settings might also cause your headphone to start crackling. If you experience crackling sounds mainly when the music is loud then it is pretty sure your EQ settings might be high for your media player to handle. Lower the volume and listen if the issue is still there. If the problem persists after lowering the sound then your EQ settings are just fine. However, if it stops crackling after lowering the sound then try changing EQ settings for better sound quality.        

Fix Auxiliary Port Problems

Auxiliary port is also known as a headphone jack. This is a very common cause of crackling in headphones. To identify if an AUX port is a problem, try to plug your headphones into different AUX ports of different devices. This will help you understand if there is any problem with your headphone or not. Sometimes we don’t plug in the headphone fully and it causes the crackling. If the auxiliary port is the problem then try to clean the port as much as you can with cotton wool and alcohol. Cleaning the port will remove any dust or any material residue inside the auxiliary port and solve the crackling problem.          

Update Audio or Sound Card Drivers

If you are listing music using your headphone with your PC then you might face the crackling problem due to backdated audio or sound card drivers. You can very easily fix this problem by updating your sound drivers to the newer versions. Make sure you schedule an automatic driver update on your PC to ensure your drivers are up-to-date whenever a new version is available.      

Spoilt Headphone Driver

This is the worst that can happen to your headphone to cause a crackling sound. There are many reasons behind a spoilt headphone driver. This can happen because of physical damage, listening to the headphones at high volumes, poor wiring, or long-term wear. The chance of fixing a spoilt headphone driver is minimal and it’s better to replace it with a new headphone. If there is any warranty available for your headphone then you might get a free replacement.

Bottom Line

Hopefully, this article helps you successfully resolved the crackling issue of your headphone. If you still hearing a crackling sound from your headphone then it is time you should consult with an expert to resolve this problem.