When you put on your headphones and turn up the volume, why is it so quiet? This can happen for several reasons. You may have turned off the volume in your computer settings, or it could be that there is a problem with one of your speakers.
To find out why are my headphones so quiet might be happening, take some time to check the following steps:
- Check if you can still hear any sound when earphones are removed from both ears.
- Try adjusting the volume on your device. If there is no change, then try unplugging and plugging back in.
- Update all audio drivers.
If none of those work, we recommend reading the full article!
Why are My Headphones So Quiet?
Is it because you have a low volume, or is there another reason why they may be too quiet? It could happen for a variety of reasons, like the type of headphones.
For example, if you are using in-ear headphones and you’re not wearing them correctly. You might also be using an outdated model or even a defective pair. Whatever may be causing your issues with your headphones being too quiet, this guide will help you identify why this might be happening and what to do about it!
Here are some common reasons that are why your headphones are so quiet:
1. Plug or Socket Issues (For Wired Headphones)
When your headphone is not producing enough volume, it could mean something wrong with the device itself or with the headphones.
One of the most common mistakes people make when using their headphones is misplacing their media player. Sometimes people get dirt or debris stuck in this area, making your sounds muffled or static.
One possible cause for low headphone volume is if the jack plugs into your device have gone faulty.
2. Audio File Issue
If the sound coming from your media player is distorted or muffled, it might be due to a malfunctioning audio file.
The most common problem with an audio file is when there are inconsistencies in volume levels between parts of the song (for example, if you have one part that’s much louder than another). This will make listening difficult and can cause fatigue as well.
A ‘bad’ copy of a music track may also affect how loud your headphones work. Sometimes hardware defects can occur during recording, which causes distortions on playback – this could result in clips where different volumes are mixed at various times, irritating listeners.
There could also be problems with compression settings: some files use more compression than others, so they don’t use up as much space. This can result in a weaker sound for the listener, even if they’re using high-quality headphones.
3. Device Settings
It may be that your device is set up to play at a lower volume than usual.
Android devices have an in-built volume controller, which can easily be accessed by clicking on the bar next to one of the icons at the top right of the screen and selecting “Volume.”
Here you will find sliders for ‘Ringer,’ ‘Notification,’ and ‘System.’ Increasing these settings might help with increased headphone output levels.
Ear Wax Issue
If the sound coming from your media players is silenced, it might be because of earwax.
Ear wax can build up over time and make hearing difficult but one common symptom is that it will also cause sounds to become distorted or unclear.
So it’s a good idea to get this checked out by an audiologist if you notice anything unusual with any of these symptoms!
4. Issue With the Headset Itself
If you’ve ruled out other potential problems, the most likely reason your headphones are so quiet is that there’s an issue with the headset itself.
The most straightforward resolution to this problem would be to get a replacement pair of headphones.
If it turns out they’re not faulty and just broke your old one/dirty, etc., then this might have been what was causing them to produce low volume levels in the first place.
5. Wireless Headset Connectivity Issue
If you’re using a wireless headset, it might not be producing enough volume because of the connection.
Wireless headphones work by sending sound data from one device to another wirelessly. This will only happen if they are in range and still connected.
If your headphone has been out of range for too long, then there may be a connectivity issue, leading to reduced audio levels.
You might not be able to hear anything at all if this is the case, so it’s essential to make sure that your headphones are still in range before trying them out.
6. Ear Physical Issue
Another possible reason for low headphone volume is that you have a physical ear issue.
If there’s any wax or other debris inside your ears blocking the sound from coming through, this will stop it from working to its full potential and produce sounds that are quieter than usual. This might be what’s causing poor quality audio output on headphones.
Please see an audiologist if this also affects your hearing otherwise. They may recommend irrigation of your ears using water etc., followed up with regular checks (every six months) to make sure everything stays in good condition.
7. Mobile or Computer Settings Issue
It might be just a problem with your mobile or computer settings.
On an Android device, you would need to change the volume slider in your notification bar’s ‘Volume’ section (by clicking on one of the icons at the top right). Make sure that this is set up correctly, and it should make a difference!
On iPhone, you would need to go through the settings on your phone and find a setting for ‘Ringer and Alerts’, then change it.
If you’re using headphones connected to your laptop/desktop PC or Mac, then it’s likely there are some problems with how these have been set up.
If they were too close together, for example, then sound waves could cancel each other out, which will result in quieter audio levels than usual.
If they’re not working correctly, there may also be issues, so check that all cables are plugged into their correct ports.
8. Other issues
If you’ve ruled out all of the above, then it could be an issue with your sound card.
A computer’s audio card converts sounds into digital signals and sends them to a connected device (like headphones). If this isn’t working correctly, then there may not be enough power going through, making things seem quieter than they are!
If this seems like the problem or if you’re unsure what might have caused low headphone volume levels in the first place, contact customer service immediately so that we can help to fix any problems as soon as possible!
9. Issue With the Software
If none of these seem to be what’s causing your overheating issue, then it might just be a problem with the software on your device.
This could happen if you’re using Windows Media Player, for example (on PC or Mac), and an audio player pops up when opening files that are not in MP format/supported by WMP.
This will usually result in lower quality sounds than usual, leading to quieter headphone volume levels!
Contact customer service to help out as soon as possible if this is also happening to you! You’ll need to turn off playback via other players, restart your computer, etc., before checking whether this has made things any better.
We don’t want you to think there’s a problem when it might just be an issue with another program!
How to Make Your Headphones Sound Louder
Headphones are fabulous for listening to music, but sometimes they can be too quiet. This is usually the case with in-ear headphones that don’t have the volume control on them.
If you’re having trouble hearing your tunes or watching videos, try these steps to make your headphone sound louder:
1. Fix using OS of android, windows, macOS, and iPhone
Fix Low Volume on Android
It is possible to improve your volume on an Android device by adjusting the Developer Options in the System menu.
Go to Settings. From here, please select System > Advanced and then Developer Options, where you will find a switch that allows you to turn off Absolute Volume. If prompted for a PIN, enter it and tap ACCEPT.
Fix Low Volume on Windows
It is possible to improve your volume on a Windows device by adjusting the system settings. Please follow these steps:
Open Control Panel and click Hardware and Sound > Device Manager. Expand the item that lists your sound card driver, then right-click Speakers under Other Devices. Click Properties.
Select the Enhancements tab, check the box next to Reduce All Effects Checkbox, and tap the OK button to save changes.
Within seconds after doing so, you should notice an improvement in audio quality for whichever program you are using at this moment!
If not, please restart your computer; if still no luck, try uninstalling speakers from Device Manager again before following step #.
Note: If you are using a laptop, your speakers may be set to "Internal." Please refer back to the article for troubleshooting tips on changing this setting and adjusting the volume accordingly.
Fix Low Volume on macOS
The steps below will guide users through adjusting their mac’s system settings to improve sound quality. This should account for any noise from other applications/devices when listening via headphones or earphones plugged into the computer itself!
Open System Preferences > Sound – please make sure Bluetooth audio devices have been disconnected beforehand).
Tap Output under Audio Settings tab > line output > Adjust volume to ‘Headphones’ or similar with the desired sound level.
Tap Input under Audio Settings tab > line input > adjust volume for: to ‘Headsets’. (If it is set as Line In, please check that Headphones are not muted)
For a more accurate representation of your audio’s true sound quality, there will be a box at the bottom where you can choose “App Volume.” This lets you control the overall output from whatever application/device you are using and ensures proper integration between all other sounds emitted from your computer.
Now go back and make sure everything looks correct! If so – congratulations! You now know how to fix low volume on macOS 11.0 to give yourself a more accurate representation of your audio’s true sound quality.
Fix Low Volume on iPhone
Decreasing your iPhone‘s volume is as easy as increasing the equalizer presets to find something that better fits your taste. If this doesn’t work, there are still a few different options for fixing low Bluetooth volume.
1st way:
Go to ‘Settings’ and select the ‘Music’ option. Here, find the ‘EQ Settings’ to manage the sound for headphones. Select the ‘Flat’ EQ setting, and volume should return to an average level.
2nd way:
How to make iPhone headphone volume louder:
- Go to ‘Settings.
- Select ‘Volume Limit’ and slide the volume limit slider up to Max.
- Exit out of Settings and test your headphones for a significant increase in max volume output.
2. You have plugged in your headphones incorrectly
If the volume is low with your headphones, it could signify that they are not plugged in correctly. You may need to check where you plug them into and ensure there’s no damage or dirt on the connection point.
Troubleshooting: Check for these common problems before contacting customer service
- You are plugging your headphones securely into the device.
- It damaged cable connections on both ends of the headphone wire.
- Dirty earbud plugs preventing the optimum connection between the audio source and ears.
3. Put the volume on your headphones up
If you do not hear audio from your headphones, the first thing to check is whether or not they are turned on. Next, check for a power button on one of the ear cups and ensure it’s in an “on” position.
From there, please verify that the volume level is set at a reasonable level so you can hear what’s playing through them. If necessary, adjust this by using either physical buttons or virtual controls within whatever device is currently being used with the headphones.
4. Switch to a different pair of headphones or earbuds
This is a pretty simple fix, especially if you haven’t tried it yet. If your set of headphones comes with multiple pairs in the box, try inserting another pair and see what happens.
There may be more than one issue going on here (an audio driver that needs to be replaced, for example), but this will at least get you back up and running until you can permanently fix those issues.
5. Ensure you have a proper fit
Your ear fit may be a problem and not just those pesky headphones. Unfortunately, there are plenty of reasons why your ears might be the issue:
- You have an infection or other medical condition that has swollen up inside one of your ears.
- Your auditory canal may be blocked by wax buildup.
- A cholesteatoma (a benign cyst) could be blocking the area where sound would generally travel from outside your head into this inner part of your ear.
If you think any of these could apply to you, see a doctor for help before moving on to another solution. If none of them do, though, try inserting some additional foam tips with different shapes until something does work better in your ear.
6. Turn off any noise-canceling features
If you’ve got a pair of noise cancelling headphones, try turning off the feature to see if that helps. If your ears are too full and are sucking up all the sound in the room around you.
This would be an issue as it creates less outside input for those tiny miniature sensors inside these devices to parse through and pick out what they should amplify for you.
7. Check your Bluetooth connection
If your headphones are wireless and you’ve got many other things going on in the room around you. It could be that the Bluetooth connection is being interfered with.
It may just need to be reset or moved into another spot where there isn’t so much interference from other electronics creating radio waves near it.
If you’ve tried all of the above and your headphones still sound like they are too quiet, it may be time to make a warranty claim.
But, of course, it could also just mean that those particular devices don’t work for you. In which case, there is nothing wrong with making a new purchase!
How to Adjust Headphone Volume?
As long as both of your ears are hearing the sound, you’re good! But if one side isn’t working correctly, then nothing will happen when increasing levels even further.
To avoid this issue altogether make sure neither side is louder than the other. If necessary, adjust this by using either physical buttons or virtual controls within whatever device is currently being used with the headphones.
- To turn up the volume on a set of traditional wired earbud headphones, press and hold down the button corresponding with “volume-up” for about two seconds. After doing so, there should be a noticeable increase in audio production (though it can take around 20 seconds before the change is noticed).
- To turn up the volume on a wireless set of earphones, press the button that corresponds with “volume-up,” which should also be found in an easily accessible location on the device. There will usually be a noticeable increase in audio production after doing so (though it can take around 20 seconds before the change is noticed).
- If you’re listening to music or watching movies through headphones and don’t hear any sound coming from them, there’s a good chance that either they are deficient or turned off completely. To fix this problem, reorient yourself just enough so that your ears are directly over top one of the ear cups; if applicable, adjust their volume accordingly using physical buttons or virtual controls within whatever device was being used with the headphones.
FAQ
Do I need to turn up my headphone volume?
When listening to music or watching movies through headphones, the chances are good that someone else will be able to hear what’s going on without having their pair plugged into anything. This means if you are not hearing anything coming from headphones, the volume will need to be turned up.
What do I do if my headphone volume is too low?
If your headphones seem like they’re on, but you still can’t hear anything out of them, there’s a good chance that the volume might be deficient and needs to be adjusted. To turn it up, either physical buttons or virtual controls within whatever device is used with the headphones.
The most important thing about adjusting sound levels through your headphones is making sure that both sides work properly before turning up any volumes. If one ear cup isn’t working, then nothing will happen when increasing levels even further.
To avoid this issue altogether make sure neither side is louder than the other.
Summary
This article was a quick guide to fixing a problem with headphones that seem quieter than they should be. It also includes troubleshooting tips on adjusting headphone volume depending on whether wired earbuds or wireless earphones were being used.
Some of the most common causes are interference with Bluetooth or other electronic devices and a need to reset and move them into another spot where there isn’t so much interference.
If you have tried these options and your headphones still sound like they are too quiet, it may be time for warranty service or just making an entirely new purchase, in which case nothing is wrong if that happens!
