What is the most annoying thing while you are working on your computer and want to listen to some music to keep your head in the game? Yes, you guessed it right, the buzzing sound from speakers! After you are done clenching your eyes and teeth, why is my speaker buzzing? is the first thought that comes to your mind and how to fix the buzzing noise from the speakers follows it afterward.
There is no need to panic and before taking it to the repair shop or calling someone to repair it at home we would like to self-train you on how to fix the speaker’s buzzing sound.
Common Causes of Speakers Buzzing Sound
Most often the high-pitched buzzing is considered to be an electrical issue of the speakers, due to the nature of the sound. It is a common notion because it is correct most of the time. To make sure of it, the simplest and easiest way is to replace the cords connecting the buzzing speaker to an electric or sound source to eliminate the noise.
Conversely, there are two other things that can cause the humming in speakers. The first one is constructional; a blown or torn speaker can produce a buzzing distortion. The latter could be abstract; like software related like having your audio drivers being outdated on your system. Multiple possibilities are there to look out for the buzzing sound that speakers are making.
We have made a list of the issues which can be what cause buzzing in speakers. Read along and start eliminating the possibilities one by one to find the right one and solve it.
Unequal Wires
Even though you haven’t read it anywhere, this is the first thing you will do when the instant buzzing sound from the speaker starts. To make sure it is the cables that are connecting the speakers from the audio source, check them. The noise will continue without any audio output and it will enhance if any other electrical appliance comes near.
The center of this problem lies in the RCA cords (the cables with red and white plugs), it can be unequal or unbalanced. Simply put there are two wires instead of three. This makes the speakers susceptible to outside interference resulting in a low frequency buzzing of around 60 Hz.
Ground Loop/Grounding Issue
Apart from the cables there is another cord attached to the back of the speakers that is a power cord. Its use is to supply current to the speaker. If the humming in speakers is electrical then it is most probably a grounding issue.
A power cord has two ends, usually one end is attached to the speaker and the other one has a three head plug. Two heads or pins are the AC power conductors and the third one is there for grounding purposes. Or another underlying cause can be the ground loop wire issue. We will elaborate this in the solution later on.
Blown Speaker
Establishing that cords aren’t the main culprit, it’s time to look for the constructional issue in the speaker. A tiniest of pinhole or a tear can cause the air to escape the speaker causing a buzzing sound from the speaker.
The composition of the speaker consists of three main components. A small bubble in the center is the dust cap keeping the dust out. Circling it is a cone or diaphragm usually made of plastic, paper, metal, or fibre. This cone or diaphragm is attached to the speaker with a surround, a rubber foam suspender. This foam allows the free vibration of the coil inside the speaker.
If any of these components gets a tear or crack in it, it will create a speaker buzzing sound.
Not Updated or Outdated Driver
If all the physical or computer lingo “hardware” aspects of the speakers are intact, then the problem could be software related. The speakers are working seamlessly but the system is making them produce absurd noises.
Not to worry, this is a matter which you don’t have to resolve by putting in extra effort physically. Troubleshoot this issue by going to the device manager of the pc and looking if the audio drivers are updated. If not, then windows has made it super easy for you as you can ask the windows to look for the drivers online. Other than that a lot of aftermarket drivers are available online too.
How to Stop Speaker Buzzing
Fixing a Ground Loop
If the grounding pin of the plug is the issue, to change it yourself is dangerous and unreliable so it’s better to replace the plug. Conversely, you wouldn’t face any problem while identifying and fixing ground loops even if you’re an amateur. Usually, a ground loop buzz refers to when two or more than two wires have the same base connection. As a result, a small electrical voltage passes through the signal paths and causes unneeded interference. Here’s what you can do to fix it:
- Start by checking the volume of your speaker on any device like PC or TV. Set your levels to 75% higher and adjust the volume on speakers.
- Purchase a ground loop isolator. A simple device which you can add between the speakers and amplifier to trap the unwanted buzz from electrical interference. After that, it won’t be audible from your speakers anymore.
2. Fixing a Blown Speaker
When you establish that the ground loop isn’t the main problem, it’s time to move ahead and check if the speakers are blown. For that, you’d need a few items like screwdriver, rubber cement, and damp cloth. Let your speakers be in the same place and plug them in. Follow the next few steps in detail:
- Expose the Speaker: When you’re all set up, start by removing the cover of your speaker. It’s usually attached with four screws in place so that’s when the screwdriver comes in. Once you’ve removed the cover, the membrane of your speaker is exposed to you. Take the damp cloth and gently wipe each wire super carefully to locate the hole or tear in the speaker.
- Identify the main problem: Play a sound on that speaker to locate a tear or any minor hole. In case if the buzzing is louder and more annoying, the hole or tear is most likely to be on the edge of the membrane. Even the tiniest hole in your speaker can cause loud buzzing so look carefully until you find one.
- Repair the Damage: Once those steps above are done and you’ve successfully located the hole or tear, it’s time to put rubber cement. Unplug the spear and apply a small quantity of rubber cement on the area. Spread it out evenly around the damage to cover it.
- Test the Speaker: When everything is done and speakers are good to go, plug it in again and start by playing it in low volume. Listen carefully to any buzzing sound if you don’t hear any, reattach the cover with the help of a screwdriver and you can continue listening on your speakers!
3. Troubleshoot by Checking the Speakers, Knobs, Cables, Etc.
Before experimenting with any other method, you should try this first. Sometimes, the problem isn’t that complex but super easy like turning down the volume. And sometimes it requires you to go through a few steps to manually stop buzzing.
If disconnecting and reconnecting the wires hasn’t solved the problem, we’re sure this will.
Troubleshoot to check if there’re any loose connections on the back of your sound system’s input panel. It could be between your audio device connection or your computer (laptop too) and the power cords used to connect the speaker.
After that, take notice if you or anyone else has tied an equalizer knob that controls bass levels. These unsubtle adjustments are likely to cause distortion in the sound and increase pressure on the speaker. Hence, buzzing.
Why Are My Computer Speakers Buzzing?
Sometimes the buzzing can be stopped with quick assistance like turning down the volume, changing the audio, or simply detaching and reattaching the audio cables to your speaker. If none of these work, check with a different pair of speakers and they work well, the problem is not in your sound card.
If another pair of speakers doesn’t work as well, then your sound card needs replacement. Even if a new sound card doesn’t work, then your motherboard needs repairing.
Conclusion
The ideal purpose of this article was to make you understand why your speakers are causing buzzing sound and how easily you can fix it. Just identify the issue and resolve it.
For the safe side, if you’ve tried everything we’ve mentioned above then the best option is to connect your speakers via Bluetooth to the device wirelessly, only if your kit supports that. For example, smart TV, mobile, laptop, and other electronic devices usually have the accessibility to connect with Bluetooth. Not the primary option but your buzzing sound will definitely be resolved.