Do you have a pair of earbuds that no longer work? Is the audio choppy if you don’t hold the plug in a certain way?
These are annoying problems to have when all you want is to listen to your favorite podcast in peace. There are several things you can try before throwing those broken earbuds away.
Listed down below are some quick tips on how to get them working again!
1. Find the Problem
It’s not always easy to attempt tech repair on your own, but it’s possible with the right mindset. You’ll want to first investigate your earbuds and figure out where the problem originates.
Sometimes the problem comes from broken wires. Other times, it comes from the plug.
Test your earbuds to see what makes a difference in the audio quality and then make note of the area. For example, if your earbuds work when you hold the cord at an angle, make a small mark with a pen. This lets you find that spot without needing to troubleshoot all over again.
This method works well if you’re troubleshooting broken headphones as well.
2. Electrical Tape
Electrical tape is a great tool to have on hand when you’re trying to figure out how to fix broken earbuds. If you notice that your earbuds work better if you squeeze on a part of the wires or when you bend it a certain way, all you need to do is wrap that area with some electrical tape.
The extra tightness created by the tape keeps those inner wires touching and leaving you to enjoy your favorite music. Don’t forget to turn down the volume before you test the earbuds since you might have left the volume turned up during troubleshooting.
3. Reconnect Split Wiring
Sometimes a bit of tape isn’t enough to get those wires working again. When this happens, you’ll need to expose those split wires by using wire strippers in the problematic area. This rids the wire of the protective coating so that you can see the insides.
Cut the wire in half and trim away the broken and frayed edges. Line up the ends of the wires according to their matching colors and then twist the wires together so that the two halves are whole once again.
Use some electrical wiring to add a layer of protection, and you’re good to go!
4. Replacement Plug
If troubleshooting the broken earbuds leads you to the plug, the method is much the same as reconnecting split wiring.
The big difference is that, instead of connecting the two halves of the wires together, you’ll need a replacement plug. Grab one from an old pair of broken headphones or order a whole new one for this purpose.
Cut off the old plug and expose the wires so that you’re able to attach the new plug in its place, using the same idea as before. Your earbuds should work great once again!
Never Suffer From Broken Earbuds Again
If none of these tips for fixing broken earbuds works, then it’s possible that it’s time to call it quits. The problem with electronics is that, sometimes, they stop working without a way to fix them.
The good news is that this gives you the perfect excuse to find an upgrade!
For all the latest in electronics, check out the rest of our Technology section!
