Have you noticed your headphones making a clicking noise? If so, you may be wondering why this is happening. It might be alarming if you suddenly start to hear popping, clicking, or other weird noises from your headphones.
These bothersome audio quality issues might essentially make a set of headphones unusable. If this is your concern, don’t worry. In this article, we’ll explore the potential causes of why your headphones might be making a clicking noise. We’ll also provide some tips on how to fix it.
Headphones Making a Clicking Noise: Reason and Solutions
There are several reasons why headphones making a clicking noise, and we’ll go through a few of them below. Several headphone-clicking issues can now be quickly fixed. It’s critical to figure out what’s causing the problem and solve it before additional damage has been done. If you’re experiencing static in your headphones, here are possible reasons why and quick fixes you can try.
⌧Caution⌧
Do not try to fix the issue without having any experience repairing electrical devices or if you’re not confident in your skills. You might end up causing more damage to your headphones.
#1 Broken or Loose Wires
The first and most common reason for headphones making a clicking noise is because the wires are loose or broken. Headphones are delicate electronic devices, so it’s not surprising that they can get damaged easily. Headphone cables are covered with a plastic or rubber substance that protects the wires. Since they are quickly twisted, the wires are prone to breaking or loose if not handled carefully.
▶Quick Fix
If you think that a loose wire causes your headphones’ clicking noise, you should first check the headphone jack. Ensure that it’s not broken and that all the wires are still intact. If everything looks fine with the jack, take a closer look at the wires themselves. Check to see if there are any cracks or frays.
If the problem is not severe, you can try some remedy methods to fix it. You can use electrical tape to hold the wires together. Just be careful not to put too much pressure on the wires as this might cause even more damage. If the problem persists, you might need to get a new set of headphones.
#2 (AUX) Auxiliary Port Problems
Aux ports or jacks are among the most common reasons headphones making a clicking noise. Headphones are usually connected to phones, laptops, and other devices through an auxiliary port. Over time, these ports can get damaged or dusty, which can cause all sorts of audio quality issues like static, pops, and clicks.
▶Quick Fix
First, you may try to test it on multiple devices to ensure that it is not your device causing the issue. While you’re at it, ensure that the headphone is properly inserted in to prevent a faulty connection that could result in clicking noise.
If the problem persists, take a look at the aux port itself. If the AUX port is the root cause of the issue, try cleaning it with alcohol and cotton wool. To begin, take a piece of cotton wool to the AUX port size. Next, soak the cotton wool in alcohol and clean out the port.
In order to clean any material residues or dust within the port, apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to the wool and insert it into the port. Make sure you’re careful not to apply too much pressure as this might damage the port.
#3 Poor EQ Settings
If you’re using your headphones with an equalizer, it might be the reason why they’re making a clicking noise. If the equalizer is not set up properly, it can cause static and other audio quality issues. It’s possible that customizing the EQ settings to your desires will lead the headphones to make a clicking noise. Your settings might be too loud or high if you notice a clicking noise while playing your music.
▶Quick Fix
If you think your EQ settings are the reason for the clicking noise, try resetting it to its default settings and see if that solves the problem. If not, try customizing the settings one by one until you find a setting that doesn’t produce any clicking noise.
#4 Spoilt Headphone Driver
It’s the worst possible case that could result in your headphones clicking, crackling, or popping. A variety of factors can cause a damaged headphone driver. It could be due to physical damage, bad wiring, loud decibels, or long-term use of the headphones.
▶How to Fix
Apart from the case of physical damage, such as stepping on the headset, the odds of having damaged headphone drivers are minimal. Unfortunately, if your headphone driver is spoilt, there’s not much you can do to fix it. The only way to solve the problem is to replace the headphone drivers. Headphone drivers are not easy or cheap to replace, so this should be your last resort.
However, if your case involves an overindulged driver, it’s important to consider replacement options. If your device is under warranty, you may be able to get a free replacement.
#5 Update Sound or Audio Card Drivers (For PC)
If you’re using your headphones with a PC, it might be a problem with the sound or audio card drivers. Outdated or corrupt sound and audio drivers can cause all sorts of audio quality issues like static, pops, and clicks.
▶Quick Fix
If you’re using your headphones with your computer, you might be able to resolve the issue by upgrading the sound drivers to the latest versions. You could get new sound drivers from your soundcard manufacturer or your pc.
You could perhaps schedule an auto driver update on your PC to ensure that the drivers are updated. It will save you the time it would take to maintain and update the drivers.
If you don’t want to schedule an automatic update, you can do it manually by going to your soundcard manufacturer’s website or your PC’s support site. Head over to the “Downloads” or “Support” section and look for the latest sound drivers for your model. Once you’ve downloaded the driver, run it and follow the
#6 Too Low Processor State
The CPU is responsible for processing all the audio signals through your headphones. If the processor state is too low, it might be a clicking noise.
▶How to Fix
There are a few ways you can try and fix this problem. The first thing you can do is close any unnecessary programs that might be running in the background. It will free up some processing power for the audio signals.
If that doesn’t work, you can try and update your sound drivers (see the previous section on how to do that).
Another thing you can do is lower the quality of the audio signal. You can do this by going into the program’s settings you’re using to play the audio. Look for an option that says “bitrate” or “quality” and lower it. It will reduce the amount of data the CPU has to process, which might help fix the problem.
Ways to Prevent Headphones from Making a Clicking Noise
Now that you know some of the reasons your headphones might be making a clicking noise let’s look at some ways to prevent it.
📌Use Equalizer APO
Equalizer APO is a free audio equalizer for Windows. It’s easy to use and can help you fix any audio issues, including clicks and pops. It can also help improve the overall sound quality of your headphones. You can download it from their website.
📌Use a Headphone Stand
If you’re not using your headphones, it’s good to put them on a headphone stand. It will help keep the drivers in good condition and prevent them from being damaged. Since damaged drivers are one of the main causes of clicks and pops, this is a good way to prevent the problem.
📌Clean Headphone Jack Regularly
Regularly cleaning the headphone jack is important if you’re using a pair of wired headphones. Dust and dirt can build up over time and cause audio quality issues, including clicks and pops.
You can use a can of compressed air to clean the headphone jack. Just point the nozzle into the jack and give it a few blasts of air. You can also use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to clean the jack.
📌Protect the Weak Points
One of the most common places for clicks and pops to occur is at the points where the wire meets the drivers. It is because these areas are usually not very well protected.
You can prevent this by using a piece of electrical tape or heat shrink tubing to cover these areas. It will help protect them from being damaged.
The Benefits of Using Headphones Without a Clicking Noise
✅Listen to Music Without Interruptions
If you’re using headphones with a clicking noise, it can be very interrupting and annoying. It can make it difficult to enjoy your favorite music app or concentrate on what you’re doing. When the clicks are gone, you’ll be able to listen to your music without any interruptions.
✅Improved Sound Quality
Headphones that don’t have a clicking noise will also have improved sound quality. The clicks can mask other sounds and make the overall audio quality worse. When you get rid of the clicks, you’ll be able to hear all the details in your music that you were missing before.
✅Less Stress
Listening to clicks can be very stressful. It can cause a lot of anxiety and make it difficult to relax. When you get rid of the clicks, you’ll be able to listen to your music without any stress or anxiety.
Alternative Headphones That Don’t Make a Clicking Noise
If you’ve tried all of the solutions in this article and still have problems with clicks, it might be time to get a new pair of headphones. Here are some alternative headphones that don’t have this problem.
Beats Solo Pro
The Beats Solo Pro is a great option if you’re looking for alternative headphones. They have active noise cancellation and a Transparency mode that lets you hear your surroundings. They’re also very comfortable to wear for long periods.
Sony NEEGO
The Sony NEEGO is another great option if you’re looking for alternative headphones. They have a noise-canceling feature that can help reduce clicks. They’re also very comfortable and have long battery life.
Sennheiser PXC 550-II
The Sennheiser PXC 550-II is another great option if you’re looking for alternative headphones. They have active noise cancellation and a very comfortable fit. They also have good battery life and a wide range of features.
These are just a few alternative headphones that you can use if you’re having problems with clicks. If you’ve tried all of the solutions in this article and still have trouble, one of these options might be a good choice for you.
Frequently Ask Questions
Q: How can I prevent my headphones from making a clicking noise?
You can do a few things to stop your headphones from clicking. One is to make sure the headphones are properly inserted into the audio jack. Another is to tighten the screws on the headphones if they’re loose. You can also try using a different audio cable or headphone adapter. If all else fails, you may need to get a new pair of headphones.
Q: How to check my headphones for clicking noise?
To check if your headphones are causing a clicking noise, you need to connect them to an audio source and then turn the volume up. If you hear a click when you do this, your headphones are likely the cause of the problem. You can try cleaning the headphone jack or replacing the headphones themselves to fix this.
Q: What causes audio crackling in my headphones?
Audio crackling in headphones can be caused by several factors, including a low-quality audio source, interference from other electronic devices, or damage to headphones.
Interference from other electronic devices can be minimized by turning off or unplugging any unnecessary devices near the area where you are listening to music. If the audio crackling continues, it may be caused by damage to the headphones, such as a broken wire or a worn-out connector. In this case, the headphones will need to be replaced.
Q: Can I fix my headphones if they’re making a clicking noise?
Assuming you’re talking about headphones with a 3.5mm jack, the answer is likely yes since the issue is almost certainly powered by lint/debris inside the 3.5mm jack. Simply clean out the jack using a toothpick or needle, which should eliminate the problem. If not, you might need to buy a new pair of headphones since something may be wrong with the internal wiring.
Q: Do clicking noises caused by headphones damage my hearing?
No, the clicking noise itself will not damage your hearing. However, if you turn up the volume to try and drown out the clicks, you could be damaging your hearing. It’s essential to keep the volume safe to avoid potential hearing damage.
Q: Why are my wireless headphones making a clicking noise?
Clicking noises from your wireless headphones can be caused by a few things. If you are using Bluetooth headphones, sometimes the signal can be interrupted if something is between the headphones and the device you are trying to pair them with.
It could be something as simple as your phone case, so make sure to remove it and try again. If the clicking noise persists, it could be an issue with your headphones’ battery or charging port. Try cleaning the charging port with a soft cloth to see if that helps. Contact customer support for your specific headphone model for further assistance if you’re still having trouble.
Q: My headphones are making a clicking noise at a high volume. What should I do?
You might have a broken headphone cable. If it’s just the left earphone that’s clicking, the problem is likely with the cable connecting the earphone to the main body of the headphones. If it’s both ears, then it’s likely a problem with the cable inside the main body of the headphones.
In either case, you’ll need to get a new headphone cable. You can try to fix it yourself by checking out this guide. Or, you can take it to a local electronics store and have them do it for you.
Q: Headphones make a clicking noise when I move them. What’s wrong?
If your headphones are making a clicking noise when you move them, the wires inside the headphone cable are likely to lose. It can happen if you accidentally yank on the cord or if the headphones get caught on something.
The best way to fix this is to open up the headphones and re-solder the wires. This guide shows you how to do that. If you’re not comfortable doing that, you can take them to a local electronics store and have them do it for you.
Final Thoughts
The use of headphones has become increasingly popular in recent years, but so have the complaints about the various sounds they can make. Headphones can emit all sorts of noises, from a gentle humming to an annoying clicking sound. If you are experiencing headphones making a clicking noise, follow the steps outlined in this article to fix the problem. Then, you can enjoy your music without any interruptions!