How to Fix Headphones that have lost sound on one side

Check to make sure the headset is properly connected. If you’re using a wired headset and you notice a loss of sound on one side, the first thing to do is to check that the headset is properly connected. Proceed to unplug the headset from the jack, reconnect it and listen to it.

Check the stereo balance. If you use a smartphone or computer, check the sound settings in the Settings menu. Stereo sound should be in the center of balance, not skewed to one side or the other. In case you use an external audio device such as an audio receiver, check the settings on the device itself to make sure that the stereo balance setting is centered.

Check if you are in mono mode. Mono (or mono) audio mode transmits the same sound to all speakers. The stereo mode (stereo or stereo) transmits more of the sound from the left speakers to the right. While checking the sound settings on your device, you need to see if the device has the option to switch between stereo and mono modes. If so, make sure that the mode being applied is stereo and not mono.

Unpair and re-pair for Bluetooth headsets. If using a Bluetooth headset, you can try to unpair the headset by disabling Bluetooth on the device. Then reconnect the headset to the device to see if the problem is fixed.

Restart the device. If you’re using a computer, smartphone, or tablet, try powering off your device and then turning it back on. This can fix temporary software errors.

Use another headset. If you have the same problem despite trying many different headphones, it is likely that the problem is in the jack. In this case, proceed to clean the headphone jack. If you still have problems after cleaning, you should have the device checked.

• To clean the headphone jack, power off the device. Dip a cotton swab in a little warm water, squeeze out the excess water, and then tighten it so that the cotton ball is tightly wrapped around the stick. Insert the tip of the cotton swab deeply into the jack and swirl to remove the dirt. Then repeat this operation with a dry cotton swab. Wait a few hours and listen back to see if the problem is fixed.
• If you’re getting this error with the headphone jack on your computer, smartphone or tablet, it’s most likely caused by a virus. Scan your device for viruses. If absolutely necessary, you can back up your device and then perform a factory reset.

Dirty headphones also affect operability. Look at the side of the earphones with loss of sound for earwax or dust. If the headset is dirty, proceed to clean it with a small brush or a vacuum cleaner with a dedicated nozzle. You can also soak a little warm water or alcohol-based cleaner on a cotton swab and clean the headphones. Don’t forget to squeeze the tip of the cotton swab to dry before doing so. Then, use a dry cotton swab to wipe the headset again before use.

Check for water damage. Headphones are often exposed to sweat, rain and spilled liquids. This may lead to malfunction. If liquid damage is suspected, leave the headphones on a windowsill or in front of a fan. If possible, remove the earplugs or other outer part to make it easier for the internal components to dry out. Proceed to dry for about 72 hours for the headphones to dry completely. Then reattach and check if the problem is fixed. ^[1]

Check the wire for damage. If the headphone cord is tangled, you need to remove it and pull it straight out. Then, plug the headset into the device and play the sound. During playback, trace each piece of wire and twist to see if it is broken or open circuit. You also need to twist and break the wire at the connection to the jack. Be sure to note if you hear a sound when testing certain strings. ^[2]

• If you can identify where the cord is damaged, remove the headset from the device. Then, use wire cutters to cut the outer cover to reveal the wire inside. Be careful not to cut the power cord. Observe and debug if the power cord is tangled. In case the wires are broken, you need to reconnect them by twisting or soldering. After the repair, check if the error is fixed or not. If the headset is working properly, you can wrap the exposed wire with electrical tape.
• If the power cord is damaged right where it connects to the headphone jack, you may need technical support. Broken wires need to be soldered back to the headset. If you have a cable with another 3mm headphone jack, you can try cutting the cord and connecting to that headphone jack.