There are so many scenarios where headphones can be a lifesaver: When you are at work and want to focus, without small talk from your co-workers.
When you are on a busy train and don’t want to talk to the person sitting next to you. Or, when you simply want to listen to some good tunes, headphones really do come in handy.
Overall, headphones are great, and almost flawless. But, there is one issue with them, and that is static noise. Static noise is something that a lot of people struggle with.
It can really hurt your ears, and it can be super annoying when you have to listen to it for a long time. So, you might be wondering if there is a way to get rid of static noise in your headphones.
Luckily for you, there is. In this guide, we’ll be telling you all about how to get rid of static noise in your headphones. So, let’s jump right in.
What Causes Static Noise In Headphones?
Static noise in your headphones might be something that you have learned to accept. There is no denying that it is frustrating, but if you do not know where it is coming from, it is almost impossible to fix this problem.
So, what exactly causes static noise in headphones?
This might not be the answer that you wanted to hear, but there are actually a couple of different reasons why you might experience static noise in your headphones.
It is important to identify which of these reasons is actually causing your static noise. This is because the reason will actually affect the way in which you get rid of it.
To help you out, here are some of the main causes of static noise in headphones:
- Loose/Disconnected wires
- Wireless headset causing static noise
- Damaged speaker in headphones
- Incorrect audio settings
- Auxiliary port issues
Once you have identified the cause of your issue, you can then begin to fix it. The process of removing static noise will differ depending on whether you are using headphones with a PC or with any other device.
So, let’s start by taking a look at how to fix static noise when using headphones with your PC.
How To Fix Headphone Static In PC
Even though most people now use headphones with their cellphones, it is still fairly common to use headphones with your PC.
Whether it be for gaming purposes, or as part of your work, there are lots of scenarios where you might find yourself using headphones with your PC.
Due to this, you might be wondering how to fix headphone static when using them with your PC.
When you are fixing headphone static with any device, it’s a process of elimination.
Unless you are able to 100% determine the cause of the static noise, you are best off working your way down this list until the problem is fixed. So, here’s what to do.
One major cause of static noise is outdated drivers, so to fix this, you will need to update them. To do this, press the ‘windows’ key and ‘S’ and type ‘device manager’.
Once you have located this application, launch it. You then want to locate the ‘universal serial bus controllers’ tab and open it. In this section, you should then find and uninstall all items labelled ‘controllers’.
Then close the device manager and restart your laptop/PC, this will force a new installation of the drivers required for your headphones.
Another common cause of static noise in headphones is an issue with the current audio format of your PC, so to fix this, you can optimize the audio format. To do this, you should begin by opening your PC’s control panel.
Next, locate ‘hardware and sound’, before opening the ‘sound’ tab. In here, you will find a tab called ‘playback’, so click on this, and then right-click on ‘speakers’.
Following that, click on ‘properties’. From there, find the ‘advanced’ tab beneath ‘default format’ and change the audio format to the correct option for your headphones.
Then click ‘apply’ and your PC will be optimized specifically for your headphones.
Other Ways To Fix Headphone Static
The issues that we have just looked at fixing are exclusively caused by your PC. But, it is possible for the headphones themselves to cause static noise when you use them.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some ways to fix headphone static by focusing on the headphones.
One of the most common issues of headphone static (that can be easily fixed), is dirt on the jack or the port.
Even if you use your headphones regularly, dirt and debris will still build up on these components, and this can cause static to be heard.
To fix this, you simply need to regularly clean the port and jack of your headphones. We recommend using a cotton swab.
You will need to remove some cotton so that the bud is small enough to fit inside the port, then all you need to do is give these components a good wipe to remove the static noise.
Another common cause of static noise in headphones is an issue with the wires of the headphones themselves.
If headphones are regularly used, then they are susceptible to damage or loosening of the wires, which can cause static noise.
So, if you begin to experience static noise, you should check the wires of your headphones, especially in the area near the 3.5 mm audio jack.
It is common for damage to occur during the insertion and removal of headphones from the port.
This is why it is important that you do not use the wire when removing/installing the headphones, instead you should always hold the headphone jack.
If this is the cause of your static noise, then you might need to upgrade your headphones to fix it.
Summary
In short, there is no single way to remove static noise from your headphones. This is because there are different methods to fix this, depending on what the cause of the static is.
With that in mind, check out the guide above if you want to find out how to get rid of static noise in your headphones.