Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions remain my own. You can learn more about our editorial policies here.
One of the most common questions I get via email is, Why Are My Headphones So Quiet? In this article, I will run through some potential issues along with how to fix the volume of headphones on your phone or device.
It’s no secret that headphones have become a staple in everyday life. We use them to listen to music while we work, to watch movies on our laptops, and to stay connected with friends and family during phone calls. But what if your headphones are so quiet that you can’t hear the person on the other end of the line? Or what if you can’t hear the music playing through your headphones?
About Driving Headphones and Ohms
Before starting to troubleshoot why is your headset suddenly quiet, first take a minute to understand ohms and how it impacts the volume of your headphones. In very simple terms, ohms (Ω) is the measurement of electrical resistance. The lower the number of ohms, the less resistant your headphones are to current. This results in a louder sound because more electrical energy can flow through the headset. For example, most consumer headphones have an impedance between 20 and 40 ohms while professional studio headphones can have an impedance as high as 600 ohms such as the Beyer T1. The lower impedance will make the headphones sound louder without using max volume on the device.
If you are trying to run your high impedance headphones with your phone, the phone will simply will not have enough power to drive high impedance headphones. This results in is your headphone audio sounds low and your music is lacking any dynamics. To resolve this you will need a headphone amplifier such as the Topping DX3.
Why Are My Headphones So Quiet? – Potential Reasons
There are a few reasons why your headphones might be so quiet. We will discuss all possible issues and how to fix the volume of headphones on your phone or device.
Problems with Wired Headphone Volume
In this section, I will go over a few reasons why your wired headphones might be having volume issues.
About Wired Headphones
Wired headphones use an audio cable to connect to your phone or device. Since there is a hard wire connecting the headset to your device, we will not need to worry about any wireless drivers or Bluetooth connection problems.
Headphone Jack
This is the most common reason we have identified for the question Why Are My Headphones So Quiet on my phone? A loose connection between the headphone jack and your headphones can be the culprit. In addition to a loose fitting connection, the jack may have dust and dirt build-up causing the connection to be intermittent.
How to Fix A Loose or Dirty Headphone Jack
To fix a loose headphone jack, start by unplugging your headphones from your device. Take a look at the inside of the headphone jack for any dirt or debris. If there is any visible buildup, use a can of compressed air to blow it out. If you don’t have compressed air, a cotton swab can also be used to clean out the headphone plug. This will help clear up the audio signal making sure both the left and right speakers are functioning correctly.
Once you have ensured that the headphone jack is clean, insert your headphones back into the jack and try playing some music. If you still cannot hear any sound, try wiggling the connection while the headphones are plugged in. This will help determine if the issue is with the connection or with the headphones themselves. If the sound still cuts in and out, you may need to replace your headphones.
Cables
If the headphone jack does not seem to be causing the issue with your wired headphones, next test the actual cable. For this, you will need a multimeter to check for continuity. Below is a cheap multimeter that will handle the job if you already do not own one.
Start by unplugging your headphones from the device. Once they are unplugged, locate where the wires connect to the headphone jack. Using the multimeter, check the connection between the two points to see if there is a break in the wire.
After testing and you find that there is a break in the cable, you will need to replace the cable if it the headphones have a replaceable cable like the HD 660s. If the cable is not replaceable, you will need to replace the headphones.
After checking the cable and they are OK, you can do one more check.
Try Another Device
You will need access to another phone or device, try plugging your headphones into that device. If the sound still cuts in and out or is very quiet, the issue may be with your headphones and not the device. If you are able to hear sound from the other device, the problem may be with your phone or original device.
Problems with Bluetooth and Wireless Headphone Volume
In this section, I will go over a few reasons why your wireless headphones might be having volume issues.
About Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones use Bluetooth or True Wireless to connect to your phone or device. Wireless headphones are great for a variety of activities from gaming to enjoying your favorite movies.
Since there is more technology involved, there are some additional items to check to determine why your headphones are so quiet.
Low Battery
A common issue we see with wireless headphones is low battery. When the battery is low, the headphones will not be able to function at full capacity which can result in sound quality issues.
How to Check the Battery Level
To check the battery level of your wireless headphones, you will need to consult your user manual. Each manufacturer has a different method for checking the battery level.
For example, with Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones, you can check the battery level by pressing and holding the power button for 2 seconds.
The battery level will be displayed on the screen.
If you find that the battery is low, charge your headphones for at least 30 minutes to an hour before using them again.
Incorrect Volume Level
Sometimes, the volume level on your phone or device may be set too low. This can be easily fixed by increasing the volume on your phone or device.
How to Check the Volume Level
To check the volume level on your phone or device, locate the volume buttons. On most phones and devices, the volume buttons are located on the side of the device.
Other headphone tips, How To Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Roku?
Once you have located the volume buttons, press the up button to increase the volume. You can also use the volume buttons on your headphones to adjust the volume.
If you find that the volume is already turned up all the way, the issue may be with your phone or device and not your headphones.
Phone or Device Settings
The next thing to check are the settings on your phone or device. In some cases, the sound quality settings may be set to a lower quality which can result in quiet sound.
How to Check the Settings
The location of the sound settings will vary depending on your phone or device. In most cases, the sound settings are located in the settings menu.
To access the settings menu, locate and tap the icon on your phone or device. Once you are in the settings menu, locate and tap the sound or audio icon.
Other headphone tips, Fix for Headphones Is Not Working in Windows 10
From here, you will be able to adjust the sound quality settings. I would recommend setting the sound quality to high or very high.
Software Drivers
Check both that the drivers of the headphones and device are up to date. Mismatched or old drivers can cause sound quality issues. If your device is connected to the internet, you can usually update the driver by going to the manufacturer’s website.
Firmware Updates
You should also check for any firmware updates for your headphones. Firmware updates usually improve sound quality and address any bugs that may be causing issues.
Consult your user manual to see if there are any firmware updates available for your specific model of headphones.
If you are still having issues with your headphones after trying all of these tips, I would recommend contacting the manufacturer.
They will be able to help you troubleshoot the issue and determine if there is a problem with your specific pair of headphones.
Equalizer Settings
If you are still having issues with low volume, the next thing to check is the equalizer. The equalizer allows you to adjust the sound of your music to better suit your needs.
Most phones and devices have a default equalizer setting. In some cases, the default setting may not be ideal for your situation which can result in quiet sound.
How to Check the Equalizer Settings
The location of the equalizer settings will vary depending on your phone or device. In most cases, the equalizer settings are located in the sound or audio settings.
To access the sound or audio settings, locate and tap the icon on your phone or device. Once you are in the settings menu, locate and tap the sound or audio icon.
From here, you will be able to adjust the equalizer settings. I would recommend playing with the different settings until you find one that you like.
Headphone Settings
If you are still having issues with low volume, the next thing to check is the headphone settings. In some cases, the headphone settings may be set to a lower quality which can result in quiet sound.
How to Check the Headphone Settings
The location of the headphone settings will vary depending on your headphones. In most cases, the headphone settings are located in the sound or audio settings.
To access the sound or audio settings, locate and tap the icon on your phone or device. Once you are in the settings menu, locate and tap the sound or audio icon.
From here, you will be able to adjust the headphone settings. I would recommend playing with the different settings until you find one that you like.
Faulty Headphones
If you have tried all of the above and you are still having issues with low volume, the issue may be with your headphones. In some cases, the speakers in the headphones may be damaged which can result in quiet sound.
If you find that your headphones are faulty, I would recommend replacing them.
I hope this article was able to help you fix the issue with your headphones.
Problems With Ear Wax Buildup
With wireless or even wired earbuds, ear wax buildup can quickly become a problem and cause your headphones to sound quiet. The first signs of this happening are usually a decrease in sound quality and an increase in the amount of static you hear. If left unchecked, ear wax buildup can eventually lead to complete loss of sound from your earbuds.
The good news is that ear wax buildup is relatively easy to fix. The first thing you will need to do is clean the earbuds themselves. I would recommend using a cotton swab dipped in a non abrasive cleaner. For a light cleaning, the Pureport wipes work great.
For a quick and easy DIY cleaning solution, use one part dishwashing liquid with five parts lukewarm water to create a solution.
Gently wipe the cotton swab around the surface of the earbud. Be careful not to get any cleaner inside the earbud as this can damage the speaker.
If the cleaning solution does not work, you may need a some extra help. The earbud cleaning tool below does an amazing job at getting the hard to reach crevices of most earbuds.
Device Issues
If during your tests you find it is not your headphones causing low volume levels, check to see if other audio is playing quietly as well. If your ringer volume and other sounds are also low, you will need to adjust the sound settings on your device. The process for this will vary depending on what type of device you’re using, but is generally found in the settings menu.
You may have accidentally set your device to silent mode. To check if this is the case, locate the silent mode icon on your device. If the icon is set to silent mode, tap it once to turn off silent mode.
You may have also accidentally turned down the ringer volume on your device. To check the ringer volume, locate and tap the icon on your device. Once you are in the settings menu, locate and tap the sound or audio icon. From here, you will be able to adjust the ringer volume.
If you are still having issues with low volume, the next thing to check is the headphone settings. In some cases, the headphone settings may be set to a lower
Audio Track Issues
A final issue for why are my headphones so quiet is the audio track you are playing. If you are playing an audio track with low volume, it will play quietly on any device. The same goes for tracks with high bass levels. These tracks will tend to play quieter on devices that don’t have a lot of power.
The best way to test this is to try playing a different audio track. If the new track plays quietly as well, the issue is likely with the tracks themselves and not your headphones or device.
There are a few things you can do to try and fix this issue. The first thing you can try is to turn up the volume on your track. In most cases, this will solve the issue.
If the track is still playing quietly, you may need to boost the bass levels. This can be done with an equalizer. An equalizer is a tool that allows you to adjust the sound frequencies of an audio track. This can be a great way to improve the sound quality of your music.
How Can I Make My Headphones Louder?
If you are looking for ways to increase the volume of your headset, below are some tips.
Proper Placement
The first thing you can do is make sure your headphones are properly placed. If your headphones are not snug against your ears, you will likely experience lower volume levels. Make sure the ear cups are positioned correctly and that the headband is not too loose.
If you’re using in-ear headphones, it’s important to get a good seal. This can be done by gently pushing the earbuds into your ear canal. Once they’re in, twist them around until you get a snug fit.
If you’re using over-ear headphones, make sure the ear cups are positioned correctly over your ears. You should also adjust the headband so that it’s not too loose or too tight.
Adjust the Settings
If you’re using your headphones with a device, there are a few settings you can adjust to try and increase the volume.
The first setting you can adjust is the volume level on your device. In most cases, you will find the volume level in the settings menu. If you’re unable to find it, consult your device’s manual.
You can also try adjusting the EQ settings. EQ stands for equalizer and is a tool that allows you to adjust the sound frequencies of an audio track. This can be a great way to improve the sound quality of your music.
Volume Boosting Apps
If you’re still having trouble getting your headphones to a comfortable volume level, there are a few apps you can try.
Headphone Volume Booster is an app that allows you to boost the volume of your headphones. The app also includes an equalizer to help improve the sound quality of your music.
Take Care to Store Headphones Correctly
When you’re not using your headphones, it’s important to store headphones properly. This will help ensure they last longer and perform better.
The first thing you should do is unplug the headphones from any devices. Once they are unplugged, fold them up and place them in a case or bag. If you don’t have a case or bag, you can wrap them in a soft cloth.
It’s also important to avoid exposing your headphones to extreme temperatures. This includes both hot and cold temperatures. Headphones should be stored in a cool, dry place.
Conclusion
Headphones are a great way to enjoy your music. However, in some cases, they can be so quiet that it’s difficult to hear what’s being played. This can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to enjoy your music. Now that you know the potential reasons making your headphones too quiet, you can hopefully resolve the issue and get back to listening to your tunes.
FAQ
Below are other questions that have come in around my headset is really quiet.
Why Are My Bluetooth Headphones So Quiet?
The most common reason for this issue is that the volume on your device is turned down too low. The first thing you should do is check the volume level on your device and turn it up.
If the volume is already turned up, you can try adjusting the EQ settings. EQ stands for equalizer and is a tool that allows you to adjust the sound frequencies of an audio track. This can be a great way to improve the sound quality of your music.
You can also try using a volume boosting app. Headphone Volume Booster is an app that allows you to boost the volume of your headphones. The app also includes an equalizer to help improve the sound quality of your music.
How to Fix Headphones with Low Sound?
Both of these issues could be caused by a number of factors. The best way to troubleshoot the issue is to try the different solutions listed above. If you’re still having trouble, you may need to contact the manufacturer of your headphones for further assistance.
Why Are My Earbuds So Quiet?
There are a few reasons why your earbuds might be quiet. The most common reason is that the earbuds aren’t properly placed in your ears. Make sure the earbuds are snug against your ear canals and try twisting them around until you get a snug fit. If you’re still having trouble, adjust the EQ settings on your device or try using a volume boosting app. If you’re still having trouble, contact the manufacturer of your earbuds for further assistance.
Why Is My Headset Quiet on PC?
If your headphones are quiet on pc and not other devices it may be a driver issue. The first thing you should do is check for updates to your audio drivers. You can usually find these in the “Updates” section of your computer’s settings.
If there are no updates available, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers. This can often fix issues with corrupt or outdated drivers.
If all devices and your pc headset volume too low, then it may be an issues with the headphones. Use our troubleshooting guide above to try and resolve the issue. If you’re still having trouble, contact the manufacturer of your headphones for further assistance.
Why is the volume on my headphones so low iPhone??
There are a few reasons why the volume on your headphones might be low on your iPhone. The most common reason is that the volume is turned down too low. The first thing you should do is check the volume level on your device and turn it up.
If the volume is already turned up, you can try adjusting the EQ settings.
How can I increase my iPhone volume?
Navigate to Settings > Settings > audio and visuals then select Balance. Set the music volume in the middle.
