How to Fix a Subwoofer with No Sound

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Updated November 9, 2022

If you have top-tier speakers, figuring out why there is no sound coming from your subwoofer can be distressing. After all, a premium subwoofer should provide booming bass levels for streaming music and video content. While a defective subwoofer with distorted sound or no audio signal is annoying, you can fix it with a few simple steps. So, stick around to learn how to fix a subwoofer with no sound.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Check your subwoofer’s volume level and ensure it has a consistent power supply.
  • Make sure your speaker wires are securely plugged into the AV receiver, and check for frayed wiring.
  • If your subwoofer’s standby mode is turned on, it may not activate along with your other surround speakers.

You can troubleshoot audio issues on a bad subwoofer with a few control knobs and speaker wire adjustments. That said, learning how to fix a blown subwoofer is a little more complicated. If you have a blown voice coil or speaker cone, you should learn how to fix a ripped subwoofer cone.

Insider Tip

If your theater subwoofer has an excessive bass response, consider moving it to the center of your connected speakers.

Before disassembling your seemingly broken subwoofer, you should check the speaker settings, wires, and power cables. So, keep reading to restore sound quality to your theater system.

Why Is There No Sound Coming From My Subwoofer?

Connection issues can get annoying, but you can restore normal subwoofer sound levels with a few essential subwoofer tips. Assuming you don’t have a flimsy speaker cone or blown subwoofer coil, most sound problems come down to control knobs or lackluster wire connections.

Raise the Volume Level

Ensure your subwoofer’s volume level is turned up and in balance with the rest of your surround sound speakers. Raise the volume knob until you hear bass tones in the mix, but do not overload your subwoofer with too much signal. If you still don’t hear your subwoofer, move on to the next step.

Check Your Power Cable

Press the power button and make sure the subwoofer has active power. Your subwoofer needs a continuous power source to accept low-frequency signals from the receiver. Whether you use a wall socket or USB port, ensure the subwoofer’s power cord is securely in place. If you notice any damage to the power cord, replace it.

Warning

Ensure you have a Dolby Atmos-enabled AV receiver before investing in an Atmos speaker system.

Check Your Speaker Wiring

Your speaker wires transfer electrical signals from the receiver to produce sound. If your speaker cables aren’t securely connected, you will get a distorted signal or no sound at all. Ensure your wires are securely connected, and check for physical damage to the wires, especially if you have pets.

Check the Subwoofer Settings

Sometimes, your subwoofer settings stand in the way of adequate sound levels. If your subwoofer is in standby mode, it may not perform. Additionally, adjust your crossover frequency control to ensure your subwoofer is playing the correct frequency range.

STAT: Neuroscience 2nd Edition states that while newborns can hear a little over 20 kHz, the top range of normal adult hearing is between 15 and 17 kHz. (source)

How to Fix a Subwoofer with No Sound FAQs

Why does my wireless subwoofer have a distorted signal?

Interference is the most likely culprit of a distorted signal on a wireless subwoofer. If your Bluetooth speaker is near Wi-Fi tech or other Bluetooth devices, your audio signal can suffer from interference. Additionally, ensure your subwoofer is within the recommended wireless signal distance for your wireless receiver.

Does my subwoofer need amplifier power?

Active subwoofers have a built-in amplifier, and they do not need an external amplifier. That said, passive subwoofers will not play incoming signals if you do not use external amp power. Check your user manual to see if your subwoofer needs extra power to function.

Does a DVD or Blu-Ray Player have better audio quality?

Your content source plays a massive role in the audio quality of your subwoofer setup. Since Blue-Ray offers a higher bitrate than content from a DVD player, you’ll experience better video and audio quality from a Blu-Ray player, even with SD content.
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