Are you having trouble with your headphones because only one side is working? Imagine how frustrating it can be when you’re trying to enjoy your music app or watch a movie, and only one side of your headphones is giving you a sound. And if you purchase it just recently, it could be a waste of money to buy a new pair. So how do you fix headphones with no sound on one side?
If your headphone is only functioning in one ear, check your device settings and then try some quick fixes to get your headphones working properly again.
Why Do Headphones Only Working on One Side?
If you can only hear sound in one ear, there are a few potential reasons. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones:
🎧Wiring is Cut or Loose
It is among the common causes of headphones producing sound on one side. The wiring might have been accidentally cut or loose, preventing the sound from passing through both earpieces. So, before you go and purchase a new pair, it’s worth checking the wiring first.
🎧Device Settings
As mentioned above, the issue might be underlying in your device settings. Some devices have a setting that allows you to choose how the audio is played. For example, you can have it play through the earpiece or the speaker with an iPhone. So if your headphone is only working in one ear, it might be because this setting has been changed on your device.
🎧Dirty Earbuds
Another common issue is when the earbuds are dirty. Earwax and other debris can easily get lodged in the headphone’s speakers and prevent sound from passing through. In this case, all you need to do is clean the earbuds.
🎧Water Damage
If your headphones have been exposed to water, the water has likely damaged the speaker. There is not much you can do in this case, and you will need to purchase a new pair.
🎧Faulty Jacks
The headphone jack might be the problem if the sound only comes out of one earpiece. The jack can easily become loose and stop working altogether. So, if you’re having this issue, try tightening the jack or use a different jack adapter.
🎧Faulty Sockets
The socket might also be a problem if your headphones are not working on one side. The socket could be loose or have a bad connection, so the sound only comes through one side. If this is the case, you can try to fix it by tightening the screws or using a connector.
How to Fix Headphones No Sound on One Side
To fix the issue of headphones having no sound on one side, First, you need to determine. Suppose the problem is within the hardware or software of the headphones. Then, you can try some simple solutions to try and fix the problem.
Generally, you must fix shorted headphone wires, fix connection problems, clean the auxiliary socket, or reconnect the disconnected wires.
❗❗Important Reminder❗❗
Before starting the fixes, ensure the problem isn’t confined to a single audio file. If the headphones work efficiently with any other music or video clip, the issue might be with that certain sound file. The defective audio was most likely taken in mono format, producing only one track.
It’s also worth noting that altering the headphones will almost certainly invalidate their warranty. If the device is under warranty, you should ask the supplier, manufacturer, or visit a service center to request a replacement or repair. Otherwise, follow the procedures outlined below to get started.
➊Check Wires and Cables
You should also check for possible damage to the cables and headphone wires. If you see any cuts, frays, or breaks in the wiring, this is likely the source of your problem. Here’s how to do it:
- Determine the damaged part of the headphones
- Next, mark the damaged part of the headphones with a piece of tape or a pen.
- After that, use a pair of scissors or wire cutters to cut the damaged wire and remove the insulation. Be careful not to cut the wire any further.
- If you see the wire is now exposed, find the cut portion or the part that’s been damaged. It is usually black/white, red, and copper wires.
- Next, reconnect the wires using a solder gun, and splice the wires back together.
- You can also use a connector if you don’t feel comfortable soldering.
- Once the wires have been reconnected, reattach the insulation and protect it with electrical tape.
If you’re not sure how to do any of this, there are plenty of online tutorials that can walk you through the process. Just be sure to take your time and be careful not to damage the headphones further. You can now check to see if the headphones are working properly. If the headphones still have no sound on one side, you might need to try some of the other solutions listed below.
❷Possible Device or Software Issues
If the headphones are plugged into the device, and there is still no sound coming through, there is likely a software or device issue. The following are some solutions that you can try:
📢Check Volume Level
The first thing you should do is check the volume level on your device. Make sure that it is not muted or turned down too low. If it is, turn it up and see if the sound now comes through the headphones.
📢Restart Device
If the volume is turned up and still not working, try restarting your device. It will usually fix any software issues that might be preventing the headphones from working properly.
📢Change the Audio Settings
If restarting your device doesn’t work, try changing the audio settings. It could be a fix if the headphones are not working in one side. Sometimes, you have to change the output from stereo to mono.
Also, ensure that the voice levels on both headphones are balanced. You may check this by navigating to Levels, then choosing Balance from the Sounds icon on your PC. On both sides of the headphone, the voice volume is in Balance.
📢Restart Device
If one side of your headphones stops functioning after an audio or software program update, all you have to do is restart your computer or phone. It is an easy solution that often resolves the problem.
📢Reinstall the Audio Drivers
If restarting your device and changing the audio settings doesn’t work, you might need to reinstall the audio drivers. Here’s how you can do it:
- going to the Device Manager.
- Locate the “Sound, video, and game controller.
- Right-click on the audio device and select Uninstall.
- Restart your computer or phone.
- Windows will automatically install the drivers for the uninstalled devices when it restarts.
After the installation is complete, try using the headphones again to see if they’re working.
📢Try a Different Set of Headphones
Check if you can hear sounds from both sides by plugging another set of headphones into the audio source (mobile, PC) that you are using. If you can hear sound from both sides of the headphones, the problem is with your current headphones.
❸Clean the Headphone Jack
If you’ve been using the same set of headphones for a while, the aux port might be dirty. Dirt or dust might become stuck in the audio input port of your 3.5 mm audio port mobile phone or PC, causing connection problems. In such instances, you must clean the headphone socket gently and clear the dirt from the socket without damaging the internal parts.
A brush toothpick and a bright light source are the best tools for the process. You just need to insert the toothpick into the headphone jack and move it around to clear any debris. If you are using a laptop, remove the side panel and blow out any dust with compressed air.
❹Insert Jack Properly
Another possible reason for headphones producing no sound on one side is that the jack might not be inserted properly. If this is the case, you can try pushing it further and see if that solves the problem.
❺Check for Indications of Water Damage
If your headphone is not water-resistant or waterproof, it is susceptible to water damage. So, if you are using headphones near water, such as a pool, there’s a chance that water has gotten inside the headphones causing the sound to only come out of one side.
If this just happened recently, you might be able to fix the problem by drying out the headphones. You can do this by using a hairdryer on a low setting or placing them in a bag of rice overnight.
However, if the water damage is too severe, you might have to buy a new pair of headphones.
➏Troubleshooting Wireless Headphones
If you’re using wireless headphones, there are a few additional troubleshooting steps that you can try.
- Make sure the batteries are fully charged and inserted correctly.
- If there is an obstruction between the headphones and the audio source, the sound will be blocked. Remove any obstructions between the two devices.
- The sound will also be blocked if the headphones are too far from the audio source. Try moving closer to the audio source.
- Check that your device is within range of the headphones. The maximum distance between the devices may vary depending on the brand and model of your headphones.
- If necessary, you can do a factory reset on the headphones by pressing and holding the power button for about 15 seconds. It will reset the device to its original factory settings.
These are some of the most common solutions to the problem of headphones having no sound on one side. If you’re still experiencing problems, then you can contact the manufacturer or take your device to a technician for further assistance.
How to Take Care of Your Headphones
To prevent problems with your headphones in the future, you should take care of them properly. Here are a few tips:
✅Keep Them Away From Water and Other Liquids
If your headphones are not water-resistant or waterproof, keep them away from any liquid. Water can damage the internal components of the headphones and might cause them to stop working.
✅Don’t Expose Them to Extreme Heat or Cold
Extreme heat or cold can also damage the internal components of the headphones and might cause them to stop working. Keep them in a cool, dry place when not in use.
✅Don’t Twist Them Too Much
Twisting the headphone cables too much can damage the wires inside and cause them to stop working. Be careful when handling the cables and try not to twist them too much.
✅Don’t Wrap Them Too Tightly
Wrapping the headphones too tightly can damage the wires inside and cause them to stop working. Try not to wrap them too tightly around your audio device.
✅Store Them in a Safe Place
When not in use, store your headphones safely where they won’t be damaged or lost. A pouch or case is ideal for this. If you are using a wireless headset, ensure the batteries are removed to prevent them from rusting.
✅Clean them Regularly
Dust and dirt can also damage the internal components of the headphones and might cause them to stop working. Clean your headphones regularly with a soft cloth. Do not use any cleaning products, as these might damage the surface of the headphones. You should also clean your audio device, jack, or socket regularly to prevent dirt and dust build-up.
✅Do Not Overcharge the Headphones
If your headphones come with a charging cable, make sure you do not overcharge them. Overcharging can damage the battery and might cause it to swell or burst. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging the headphones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why won’t my headphones play when I connect them to my phone?
There are a few possible reasons your headphones might not play when you connect them to your phone. One reason might be that the headphones are not turned on. Another reason might be that the audio jack on your phone is damaged or blocked. You can try using a different audio jack on your phone or use an adapter if one is available. If the problem persists, then you might need to contact the manufacturer or take your device to a technician for further assistance.
Q: Why does my left headphone have no sound?
If you can only hear sound from one headphone, check if the problem is with the headphone itself or the audio device. If your audio is in mono mode, the sound might be coming from only one side of the headphones. Try changing the audio settings on your device and see if that fixes the problem.
Q: How to play sound out of both headphones?
If you want to play sound out of both headphones, you can try using a stereo audio cable. It will allow you to connect the left and right channels of the audio device to the corresponding channels on the headphones. You can also try changing the settings on your audio device. Some devices have an option to enable or disable stereo mode.
Q: How do you fix issues at the halfway point of headphones?
A mechanical trigger in the headphones can sometimes get stuck at the halfway point and will not play sound from either side. If this is the case, you can insert an aux cable into the jack and use that to push the trigger back into place. You can also gently bend the headphone cable until the trigger is released.
Then, check if your headphones are in wireless mode to see if the issue has been resolved.
Q: How can I reset my wireless headphones?
If you are having trouble connecting to your wireless headphones, or if the connection keeps dropping, you can try resetting them. To do this, hold down the power button and the Bluetooth button at the same time for 3-15 seconds. The headphones will then restart and try to connect to your audio device. If this doesn’t work, you might need to reset the audio device. Refer to your device’s instruction manual for more information.
Q: Can I fix the broken internal wiring in the headphones?
If the wiring inside your headphones is broken, you might be able to fix them by yourself. However, this requires some knowledge of electronics and soldering, so it might be best to leave this job to a professional. You can try finding a local audio technician or searching online for a headphone repair service.
Q: How do I prevent my headphones from getting tangled?
If you are having trouble with your headphones getting tangled, you can try using a headphone cable wrap or a headphone stand. Some headphones come with a carrying case to help protect them from damage.
Final Thoughts
If you have trouble with your headphones, try troubleshooting them yourself before taking them to a technician. By following the steps in this guide, you should be able to resolve the most common headphone issues. If the problem persists, then you might need to contact the manufacturer or take your device to a technician for further assistance.
Do you have any other tips for fixing headphones? Let us know in the comments below.