Subwoofer Not Working but Speakers Are

18 Reasons: Why Subwoofer Not Working but Speakers Are

During my career, I’ve discovered many problems that I’ve shared with you below:

1. Power Supply Issues (Insufficient):

A subwoofer needs the power to work efficiently. If you have connected it with a source that is unable to provide the required current, your subwoofer won’t work. But with the same power output, you’ll notice that the speakers are working fine (speakers need less power than a sub). Also, you can face your sub cuts out when the bass hits. That also happens because of power insufficiency.

2. Wiring Issues:

Poor wiring is also one of the main culprits that can restrict your subwoofer from working correctly. By the time your power or speaker input cables (RCA cables, too) can start losing their functionality, and as a result, your subwoofer will stop working.

That’s not only one case. Sometimes, when you have just installed your subwoofer, it is possible that you could have done the wrong connectivity (improper terminal connections), which results in no sound or bass output. If you route the power wire and speaker wires together, you can also notice some humming sound through electrical interference.

3. Car Subwoofer Not Receiving Audio Signal From Speakers:

If you plug your subwoofer into the port dedicated to the car speakers, your subwoofer may not receive the audio signals to work correctly; however, speakers will work on that output. Some woofers are so powerful that they may not be compatible with your current speakers.

4. Audio Settings (Setting Sub Too Low):

You must ensure the subwoofer is connected to the device (you may see a speaker icon if connected correctly) or amplifier (some amps contain dedicated LEDs to show successful connectivities). In the audio settings, it is possible that you may have turned off or set the subwoofer’s volume too low.

That’s why you may not get bass output from the subwoofer but from speakers. Also, there’s a dedicated bass knob that controls the frequency on the subwoofer’s back (especially powered ones). Setting all the control knobs too low may cause such an issue.

5. Audio Source Issue:

Sometimes, the issue relies on the audio files you play through the subwoofer. When you connect a subwoofer to external sources and play the music, that music may have no low frequency (bass), and as a result, you’ll only hear high-frequency sounds (trebles). If you’re using a Bluetooth (wireless subwoofer), ensure you have charged it properly.

6. Incorrect Placement (Wrong Acoustic):

That’s a rare problem. Placing a car subwoofer in an incorrect acoustic space can cause distortion and muddy bass. Additionally, incorrect placement may create points of frequency cancellation, resulting in specific frequencies (low-ones) not being heard at all, leading to a weakened overall sound quality from both the speakers and subwoofers inside your car, thus making it worse and seem like nothing is working correctly.

7. Frequency Response:

Sometimes, the subwoofer’s frequency response doesn’t match the response emitted by the audio source, such as the amplifier or head unit. In that case, you can expect low or no bass at all from your subwoofer. Frequency response is a measure of how accurately a speaker reproduces the frequencies of sound. Low-frequency content, such as bass notes, is usually reproduced by subwoofers, which typically have a limited range. If the sound from the speakers and subwoofer doesn’t match the frequency response, then the system will sound uneven or distorted.

8. Defective Subwoofer (Blown):

If you’re using a blown subwoofer, you will also not get any bass output from it. A car sub consists of many parts, such as a voice coil, cone, driver, magnet, etc. A problem, even in the minor component, can cause a problem for you, such as subwoofer distortion or no sound at all. Furthermore, if you’re using a powered subwoofer (that has a built-in amp), you can expect the problem if its internal amplifier has been defective.

9. Incorrect Crossover Settings:

Incorrect crossover settings can cause a subwoofer not to work but still cause speakers connected to the same amp or receiver to play. This occurs because when setting up a subwoofer with an external amplifier, an incorrect crossover setting will prevent the low-frequency sound waves sent by the amplifier from reaching and being amplified by the subwoofer. As a result, only high-frequency sounds produced by speakers connected directly to the amplifier are heard in this case.

10. Amplifier Issues (Defective):

Defective amplifiers can cause no sound from the subwoofer, but speakers can still produce sound. This is because you must require a correctly working amplifier to process the low-frequency bass signals sent from a stereo source such as an MP3 player.

When the amplifier goes terribly, it won’t be able to power the subwoofer, so that it won’t produce any sound. On the other hand, speakers can still play music at a normal volume even if there are issues with the amp because they don’t rely on additional amplification to produce sound.

11. Poor Head Unit or Receiver:

If you’re connecting a powerful amplifier and subwoofer to your car stereo system, you must also use a powerful head unit or receiver in order to get work from them. Basically, poor head units and receivers can’t handle the high current output demand from the powerful subwoofers and amps. A weaker head unit cannot correctly power a subwoofer, which requires more wattage than smaller components like speakers.

12. Blown Fuse:

A blown subwoofer fuse in a car’s audio system may cause the subwoofer to stop working while other speakers continue to play. A fuse protects all of the electrical components in your vehicle, and when it blows, it cuts off power to everything connected to that circuit. In some cases, other parts of the audio system may still function if connected to a different circuit.

13. Driver Issues:

Physical damage, lack of connection, or power supply problems can prevent the subwoofer from working. If the subwoofer drivers are broken or malfunctioning, it won’t be able to emit sound even though the speaker may still be able to produce audio.

14. Incorrect Phase Settings:

Phase setting is the timing of the sound waves that come from each speaker, with a different wave arriving at a slightly different time depending on its location with each other. When this timing is off, it prevents signals from mixing properly and reduces bass output. This can also create muddiness in sound, as well as dead spots where no sounds are coming out at all.

15. Poor Grounded Subwoofer:

Poor ground connections disrupt the link between your amplifier and subwoofer, making them weaker and unable to produce the proper sound. Subwoofers require a lot of power, so it is essential to ensure they have a reliable ground connection with no breaks or loose wires that could result in interference or noise distortion.

The same applies to the speakers in your car – although they don’t require as much power as a subwoofer, having poor grounding on their wiring can still lead to poor sound performance and sound distortions.

16. Subwoofer Is Not Powered On:

A lot of times, this happened to me. Sometimes, you forget to turn on the subwoofer, or the power cables get weakened due to aging, restricting the current flow from reaching the subwoofer and resulting in it not getting turned on.

17. Insufficient Voltage:

As mentioned above, subwoofers require more power than speakers to function correctly. Insufficient voltage can cause them not to receive enough current to be driven properly, leading to poor sound quality and potential damage over time. When this happens, speakers may still work since they are driven by the current, while subwoofers will remain silent as they don’t get enough power from the system.

18. Environmental Factors:

Environmental factors can affect a subwoofer’s performance just as they can with any other speaker. Moisture, extreme temperatures, vibration from the car, and even dust and dirt buildup in the speaker cabinet can cause a subwoofer not to work correctly. Additionally, suppose your car is parked for extended periods outside in different weather conditions (especially those related to extremes). In that case, this could affect the working condition of your subwoofer.

15 Steps to Fix Your Subwoofer With No Sound:

You can quickly fix your subwoofer with no sound by following the below steps:

1. Fix the Power Supply Issues:

To fix this, first, check the power cables are properly connected, and the outlet (power cord) has enough juice for your subwoofer. Next, ensure the input cable connecting your subwoofer to the amplifier or receiver is securely plugged in and calibrated correctly. If none of these solutions work, try resetting the system by unplugging it for a few minutes before reconnecting everything again.

2. Check the Wiring (Replace if Necessary):

Check for loose connections, frayed power, or speaker wires by inspecting the subwoofer cable ends and both the speaker and subwoofer jacks. If you find any damage, you must replace your power or input cables before reconnecting them. You should also test your speakers’ impedance and ensure it matches that of your subwoofer.

3. Check and Fix the Cables’ Connections:

Firstly, ensure all the power cords are plugged adequately into their ports on both devices. Then, check each audio cable individually; they should be properly connected at both ends to ensure no loose connection. If any of them appear damaged or corroded, replace them with new ones. If you’re facing such a problem in your car audio system, ensure you have connected properly your subwoofer to the car battery by following the condition + with + and – with –.

4. Check the Audio Settings:

You must head toward the audio settings on your device or amplifier. Check if you have disabled or set the low settings for your subwoofer. If yes, ensure you do the optimal settings and see if your subwoofer starts working again along with your speakers.

5. Check the Crossover Settings:

The crossover is a setting that determines which sound frequency goes to each speaker. To ensure your subwoofer and speakers work together, you should check the crossover settings of both the subwoofer and the receiver. Start by checking the crossover setting on your receiver or amplifier—it typically ranges from 40Hz to 200Hz or higher.

Then, refer to your subwoofer’s manual to determine its lowest recommended crossover frequency setting. Make sure they match; if not, set them, so they are as close as possible. Finally, adjust the bass level at any time using the volume control on your subwoofer appropriately for an optimal listening experience.

6. Check the Frequency Response:

To check the frequency response:

1. Use an audio analyzer or sound meter to measure the output level from your speakers and subwoofer at different frequencies.
2. Make sure that both devices are in the exact location for accurate measurements.
3. Adjust the levels so that all frequencies match up evenly.
4. If necessary, change some settings related to your room environment, such as damping materials used on walls, speakers’ size, and subs’ placement.

7. Check and Fix the Phase Settings:

To check the phase settings of your subwoofer, you will need to measure it with a sound pressure level (SPL) meter. You should ensure that the subwoofer output is in-phase with the other speaker outputs. If not, you can adjust any wiring issues or switch the phase setting on your amplifier or receiver to 0 degrees. Once all connections are secured, you should be able to hear clearly and without any distortion.

8. Do Proper Grounding:

Ensure all power leads and AC outlets are off to ground your subwoofer properly. Then connect the black wire from the subwoofer outlet (power cord) to a grounded terminal on your junction box. The red lead must also be connected to a terminal on the junction box, then to a separate cable running back to the amplifier or receiver.

Finally, test with an ohm meter that there is no voltage between the two terminals and turn on the power connections. If done correctly, your speaker should now work as expected.

9. Replace the Damaged Fuse:

Replacing the fuse on your subwoofer is pretty straightforward. First, locate and unplug the speakers from the power source. Then, remove the cover off the subwoofer’s back using a screwdriver or other tool as needed. Inside, you should see a subwoofer fuse holder containing a blown fuse—carefully replace it with the same type/rating fuse and put everything back together again.

10. Check if You Have Set the Volume Too Low on Subwoofer’s Knob:

To check if the volume on your subwoofer’s knob (from the volume knobs) is too low, you can disconnect the subwoofer from its power source and then connect it directly to a speaker output (without connecting it to an amplifier or receiver first). The volume is set too low if the sound does not come out of the speaker. To fix this issue, increase the volume control of your subwoofer until a sound is heard through both speakers. Now reconnect the subwoofer to its original power source, and enjoy your audio setup!

11. Fix the Damaged Subwoofer Parts:

To fix the damaged subwoofer parts and make your subwoofer work again with your speakers, find out what parts (driver, speaker cone, voice coil) have been damaged. You can fix these parts. Otherwise, you can replace them with new parts after considering the same model and size. If this does not fix the problem, check for blown fuses or capacitors in the amplifier and other equipment.

12. Check and Update the Firmware (For Computer Users):

To check and update the firmware on your computer users’ subwoofer:

1. Ensure it is connected to your speakers first.
2. Open the setup menu of your sound card (via an application such as Control Panel), locate the subwoofer in the device list, select it, and click “Update drivers”.
3. Follow prompts for installation after selecting drivers from a trusted source.
4. Once installed, restart your computer to fully implement changes before testing sound performance with audio samples like movies or songs to ensure everything works properly.

13. Match Your Impedance Ratings (Upgrade Amp if Necessary):

You must match their impedance ratings to ensure your subwoofer and speakers work together as intended. The most common is 4 ohms – this should be used if the subwoofer and the speakers are 4 ohms rated. If one has an 8-ohm rating, you need a minimum amp power of twice that rating to make it work again. If necessary, you can upgrade your amp or buy an external amplifier to support the subwoofer.

14. Replace Subwoofer (If All Above Fails):

If none of the above has worked, it could mean your subwoofer may have blown completely. Now, it’s time to replace your damaged subwoofer with the new one. Before purchasing the new one, match its impedance with your amplifier.

15. Get a Professional Help:

Getting a professional to help when your subwoofer isn’t working correctly with your speakers is often helpful. Firstly, you should check the wiring of the sub and the speakers. Ensure all connections are secure and any damaged wires have been replaced. If everything checks out, you can contact an experienced audio technician or sound engineer who can diagnose the problem and advise on how best to proceed.

They may suggest upgrading your system with higher quality components or providing some advice on adjusting settings or altering equipment placement.