Why is My Speaker Buzzing?

What is the most annoying thing while you are working on your computer and want to listen to some music to keep your head in the game? Yes, you guessed it right, the buzzing sound from speakers! 

After you are done clenching your eyes and teeth, why is my speaker buzzing? What is the first thought to come to your mind, and how to fix the buzzing noise from the speakers following it afterward?

There is no need to panic, and before taking it to the repair shop or calling someone to repair it at home, we would like to self-train you on how to fix the speaker’s buzzing sound.

Common Causes of Speaker’s Buzzing Sound

Most often, the high-pitched buzzing is considered an electrical issue of the speakers due to the nature of the sound. It is a common notion because it is correct most of the time. To make sure of it, the simplest and easy way is to replace the cords connecting the buzzing speaker to an electric or sound source to eliminate the noise.

Conversely, there are two other things that can cause the humming in speakers. The first one is constructional; like a blown or torn speaker can produce a buzzing distortion. 

The latter could be abstract, like software related, like having outdated audio drivers on your system. Multiple possibilities are there to look out for in the buzzing sound that speakers are making.

We have made a list of the issues that cause buzzing in speakers. Read along and start eliminating the possibilities individually to find the right one and solve it.

Unequal Wires

Even though you haven’t read it anywhere but this is the first thing you will do the instant buzzing sound from the speaker starts. Check the cable connecting the speakers from the audio source to ensure it is the cable. The noise will continue without audio output and will enhance if any other electrical appliance comes near.

The center of this problem lies in the RCA cords (the cables with red and white plugs). It can be unequal or unbalanced. Simply put, there are two wires instead of three. This makes the speakers susceptible to outside interference resulting in a low-frequency buzzing of around 60 Hz.

Ground Loop/Grounding Issue

Apart from the cables, another cord is attached to the back of the speakers, which is a power cord. Its use is to supply current to the speaker. If the speakers’ humming is electrical, it is a grounding issue.

A power cord has two ends. Usually, one end is attached to the speaker, and the other one has a three-head plug. Two heads or pins are the AC power conductors, and the third one is there for grounding purposes. Or another underlying cause can be the ground loop wire issue. We will elaborate on this in the solution later on.

Blown Speaker

Establishing that cords aren’t the main culprit. It’s time to look for the constructional issue in the speaker. The tiniest pinhole or tear can cause the air to escape the speaker, causing a buzzing sound from the speaker. 

The composition of the speaker consists of three main components. A small bubble in the center is the dust cap keeping the dust-out. Circling is a cone or diaphragm usually made of plastic, paper, metal, or fiber. This cone or diaphragm is attached to the speaker with a surround and a rubber foam suspender. This foam allows the free vibration of the coil inside the speaker. 

If any of these components get a tear or crack, it will create a buzzing sound.

Outdated Driver

If all the physical or computer lingo “hardware” aspects of the speakers are intact, then the problem could be software related. The speakers are working seamlessly, but the system is making them produce absurd noises.

Not to worry, this is a matter which you don’t have to resolve by putting in extra effort physically. Troubleshoot this issue by going to the device manager of the pc and see if the audio drivers are updated. 

If not, then windows have made it super easy for you to ask windows to look for the drivers online. Other than that, a lot of aftermarket drivers are available online too.