When you attach headphones to a PC to transcribe a business presentation script or listen to music alongside tackling a lengthy office task, you may come across some alarming things like audio mixed with white noise amplified by a continuous stream of pops and snaps. This is a common issue, known by the name of ‘headphone static’ noise.
How to Fix Static in Headphones?
In the first step, you can Fix Static in Headphones just put your computer in a higher position or using another headphone jack. In the next step, go to System Preferences and select Sound, then Sound Effects tab. Double-check that the selected output device is your headphones. Uncheck the “Play Feedback When Volume is Changed” tickbox, then toggle it on and off while checking your headphones if the static noise disappears.
Since there are multiple reasons behind this problem, there is no standard solution to resolving it. But the good thing is that the popular ways to fix your PC’s sound are quite easy, and at least one of these techniques definitely works. Typical methods of fixing the headphone static include rearranging or reconnecting the peripherals, upgrading the headsets, changing the sound card, and cleaning the input devices.
Given below are the details of various methods to eliminate headphone static:
Simple Fixes
Try the following things to do away with the static noise in headphones:
- Adjust and rearrange the wires connecting the speakers and related peripherals of your PC. Make sure these parts are not touching one other or the power cable. Sometimes, the wires’ different signals can create interference, resulting in headphone static or electrical noise.
- Use another headphone jack. For instance, if you generally use a front headset input, check if your PC has a rear one. If not, make use of the PC’s speaker jack.
- Remove or replace your speakers. Some speakers have an inbuilt headphone jack. This means if the audio from speakers carries no static noise, even the headphones shouldn’t.
- Update your headphones. Every recorded sound has some level of static sound or noise. The static amount depends on the type of playback system, listening device, and quality of media used. So, the issue may be resolved by using noise-canceling or noise-reducing headphones.
Cleaning the Input Devices
Follow the given steps to clean your system’s input devices:
- Close your system and remove the power cable.
- Take a cotton ball, and moisten its tip with isopropyl alcohol. Rub it along the wall of the alcohol container’s cap to wring out the extra liquid.
- Use this cotton swab tip to clean the headset jack by gradually moving it backward and forward.
- Then, take the swab out of the jack and repeat the process from step 2 until the swab looks clean.
Securing the Connections of Headphone’s Jack
Below are the steps to secure your headphone jack’s connectivity:
- Turn on a soldering iron. Close your PC, unplug the power and peripheral cables.
- Now, open up your PC’s case. If your PC has a vertically-oriented tower, you will have to detach its side panel to access the inside parts. This panel is usually bolted with Phillips screws or thumb via a back lip. Unscrew it, glide the panel backside and then pull it out from the major component.
- Most of the flat desktop versions have removable exteriors comprising of sides and top of a case. So, take out its shell by unlatching the Phillips screws or thumb from the back lip or by pressing tabs at either side of the PC’s case. Then, slip the shell backside and take off the PC.
- Make a brief contact with some unpainted metal thing to do away with a static electric charge from yourself.
- Now, look for the inner end of your headphone’s input. If you cannot reach it, put aside a few more internal parts like the PC’s hard drive, DVD/CD writer, and others.
- You will find two connectivity points present near the headset jack. Hold the solder constant and form a contract between the soldering iron tip and one connection point. Keep it there until you notice a tiny bead there. Then, repeat the same for another connection point. Ensure that the beads deposited by the solder do not touch each other.
Changing the Sound Card
Sometimes, the fault may be in the sound card. Glimpse through the steps to replace the sound card:
- Firstly, see through your PC’s documents to check if its motherboard carries PCI or PCI-E (Express) slots. You need to be aware of this before buying a sound card to avoid fitting issues later.
- Then, shut down the PC, remove its power cable, detach all peripherals, and open up the PC’s case.
- Touch any unpainted metal stuff to shove off a static charge from yourself.
- With a suitable screwdriver, unscrew the place where the previous sound card is attached. Now, remove the DVD/CD audio lead and pull the card out of its slot. In case your PC does not have an installed sound card, undo the metal cover corresponding to the similar slot.
- Please take out the new card from the packaging, align its sides with the motherboard slot’s metal ends, and then slightly push the card down until it is settled properly in the slot.
- Now, put the screw in the card bracket and fasten it using a Phillips screwdriver. Similarly, secure the open ends of the DVD/CD lead, if any, to your PC’s frame.
- Finally, close your PC’s cabinet, attach its peripheral devices, and snap in the power cable. Complete the installation of the sound card driver by following the instructions given in the manufacturer’s manual.
Cautionary Tips:
- Do not apply excessive heat to the PC’s motherboard else; it may result in permanent system damage. Besides, if you lack experience in working with soldering irons, get it done by a professional.
- A human body can carry as high as 10000 volts of static electricity. Said, a PC’s motherboard may be destroyed with just a touch of your finger. So, always ensure that you have done away with the static electricity by making contact with some unpainted metal thing before tackling your PC’s internal parts. This also applies when you have finished fixing the PC and intend to get back to using it.
Final Tips:
- Static noise may be a result of shortness in the headphones, so remember to test your headphones in another system to check whether the issue is system-related or not.
- A concentrated alcohol solution causes quick drying. Therefore, it is always a good idea to use 99% pure isopropyl alcohol to clean PC’s headphone jack to protect it from moisture harm.
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