How To Troubleshoot Noise in Headsets (In 4 Easy Ways)

OneOdio A10 Focus ANC Headphones on a headphone stand - side view - Fix Static Headphones

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Imagine this scenario. You just walked into the gym with your headphones on, and you have a great playlist on Spotify that can make you feel like Chris Bumstead if you avoid every single mirror, but suddenly static noise interrupts the audio. 

Now you have to lose the headphones and probably lose your focus, too, since you can’t listen to your workout playlist. The awful thing is that no matter how much you toy around with your headsets, it’s hard to find where the issue comes from. So, how can you solve the static problem in your earphones?

Luckily for you, I made an entire article covering the subject. Let’s get to it.

Why Does Static Sound Appear in Headphones? 

The “buzzing” or static sound can be very annoying because it interrupts your listening experience. 
Whether you’re enjoying a podcast, an audiobook, or the latest album from The Killers, static can have a major impact on sound quality.

Bose QC 35 ANC Headphones side view

The static in headphones may appear for many reasons, such as:

  • Damage to the speakers
  • Incorrect audio settings
  • Loose wires
  • Dirty headphone jacks or ports 

The challenging task is determining the root cause of the issue and pinpointing what needs to be fixed.

Easy Ways of Resolving Noise Problems in Earphones

Since static in wired headphones is a common issue, people have developed different methods for dealing with it. Before doing any troubleshooting, you have to establish if the problem is really occurring in your headphones or not. 

To do this, simply swap out your audio device. If the static sound is gone, then there’s no doubt that the issue is with your headphones.

To solve noise issues in headsets, you can do any of the following:

  • Reinforce the jack or replace it with a new one
  • Clean the jack and the port properly
  • Rotate the jack
  • Buy new headphones

Learn more about each option below.

Static in headphones
Headphone driver | Make Life Click

1. Reinforce or Replace the Jack 

The jack is usually at fault when there is a static noise in your headphones. A bad headphone jack can make the listening experience very frustrating because it cuts the audio every time you move. 

To fix this, you can check the end of the jack and reinforce it with tape. Before applying the tape, ensure the cable is in a position where the audio is playing uninterrupted. 

If your headphones have a removable jack, replace it with a new one and see if that fixes your problem. 

Obviously, if you have wireless headphones, then the jack cannot cause the problem.

2. Clean the Jack and Port Properly

Headphones are some of the dirtiest things in the household. 

We place our headphones everywhere, from school or office desks to gym floors and park benches, so dirt and debris can accumulate in them and cause the dreaded static. So, I suggest cleaning the port and the jack using a lint-free cloth.

OneOdio Monitor 60 Headphones ear pads and plugs
Headphone jacks| Make Life Click

In fact, make sure to regularly clean the jack and the port to prevent the issue. Experts recommend cleaning them once every two weeks—it’s easy and doesn’t take much time.

3. Rotate the Jack

Because of overuse, the wires from our headphones often loosen up and disconnect. Before panicking about the noise, try rotating the jack until the static sound completely disappears. 

If it doesn’t work and the audio is just getting worse, no matter how much you rotate the jack, then maybe it’s time for a new pair of headphones. 

4. Upgrade Your Headphones

If you’ve tried every method I suggested, and there’s still static noise in your headphones, then there’s only one option left: buy a new pair. 

This should be your last resort. Headphones can be quite pricey, and you should only throw them away if none of the fixes work.

Customizing the Settings in Audio Playback Devices

I mentioned how swapping the headphones with another audio device can help you determine where the issue is coming from.

If the swapping of audio devices eliminates the static noise, then the issue isn’t with the headphones. If you still hear the static noise after switching to a new audio device, then the issue may be caused by your current audio settings. 

Static noise can sometimes be caused by incorrect audio settings. In this case, you just have to make some adjustments. 

Fixing Static on MAC 

On MAC, the static noise usually happens after an update. If a restart doesn’t solve the problem, then connect the headphones, go to “System Preferences,” and find the “Sound Effects” tab. 

In this menu, uncheck the box “Play Feedback When Volume is Changed” and check if the static noise is gone.

Fixing Static on PC 

You will need to change the audio format to remove static on the PC. You can do this through the “Control Panel.”

In the “Hardware and Sound” menu, right-click on “Speakers” from the “Playback” tab and select “Properties.” Then change the audio format to the default setting in the “Advanced” menu. Before exiting, make sure to click on “Apply” and then “Ok.”

Conclusion

Hopefully, some of the tips and tricks will help you solve the static problem in your headphones, regardless of which device is connected to them. However, if you need any further assistance, feel free to leave a comment below or reach out at hello@makelifeclick.com

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A passion for writing and ongoing research projects gives Catherine an incredibly broad knowledge of all things. She has authored an incredible number of articles and can be found in the wilderness when not attached to technology or listening to podcasts.


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