Subwoofer Only Works When I Push on It

Do you have a subwoofer that only works when you push on it? If so, then you’re not alone, my friend. Many people in my circle have experienced such an issue with their subwoofers.

Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to fix the problem without needing to replace your entire subwoofer. But ensure you follow the steps correctly to avoid extra damage to your subwoofer.

In this article, I’ll discuss why your subwoofer might only work when pushed on and provide step-by-step instructions for troubleshooting and repairing it yourself.

With these tips in hand, you should be able to get your subwoofer up and running again in no time!

Why Does My Subwoofer Only Work When I Push on It?

I’ve listed all the possible causes that may have put you in such an awkward position, along with their solutions. So that you can read and check the specific reason if it exists in your matter.

1. Former Bent Over:

When the former of a subwoofer driver is bent or distorted (bent frame), it can cause the voice coil to become misaligned, resulting in poor sound quality or no sound at all. Pushing on the subwoofer may temporarily realign the voice coil and allow it to produce sound, but this is not a reliable solution as further damage may occur.

Solution:

Here are the simple steps to fix the former bent over:

1. Carefully remove your subwoofer from the box using a screwdriver.
2. Now you must examine the former if it is only slightly bent. Otherwise, you can replace it with a new one.
3. If the former is somewhat bent, you can use your hands or a pair of pliers to gently bend it back into shape (straighten). Please don’t apply too much force, as you can damage the subwoofer even more.
4. Once you have straightened the former, just reassemble the subwoofer. Ensure all the screws are tightened so that they won’t cause any rattling sound.

2. There Is Beak in Voice Coil:

As you know, the voice coils are responsible for the cone movement, and when it’s broken, the cone can get stuck in one place. In such cases, when you apply some pressure to the cone, such as pushing on it, this completes a circuit and allows current to flow through and make sound from the subwoofer.

This only produces sound when force is applied to the speaker driver. So if your subwoofer only works when you push or shake, chances are there’s a break in its voice coil. (I’ve determined this reason many times in different subs)

Solution:

If you suspect your sub’s voice coil has broken down, replacing it with a fine one is the best step. However, if you don’t have experience doing this, you should take it to an audio shop and have them replace you.

Anyway, you can start by removing the subwoofer from the enclosure. You can then disassemble it, carefully removing the main components, such as the cone and spider.

Take care not to damage any of these components while doing this. Once they’re out, you can see the voice coil and assess the damage. If it looks like it needs replacing, take it to an audio shop to get a new one and have them replaced.

3. Faulty Tinsel Connection:

A tinsel lead is a small wire that connects the voice coil to the speaker terminals. When damaged or disconnected, you may face the problem as the wire experiences an inconsistent or weak electrical signal, resulting in your subwoofer not functioning unless pushed upon.

Solution:

Here are simple steps to fix the faulty tinsel leads connection:

1. Remove the subwoofer from its enclosure to get access.
2. Now check the tinsel leads for any signs of damage, such as frayed or broken wires. Also, check if the leads are connected properly to the voice coil and speaker terminals.
3. If there is any problem with the tinsel lead, you must repair or replace it. However, you can use a soldering iron to re-attach the wires. If the damage is severe, replacing the lead with a new one is better.
4. Once the connection has been made right, you must reassemble the subwoofer and test its performance.

4. Voice Coil Is Shorted-Out:

A shorted-out voice coil in a subwoofer can lead to the speaker only working when you push it on. This happens because the electrical signal sent to the voice coil is disrupted, which causes it to malfunction unless additional pressure is applied. The most common cause of this issue is damage caused by overheating or a manufacturing defect.

Solution:

To fix a shorted-out voice coil, you must remove the subwoofer from its enclosure. After extracting, you should look for any signs of damage, such as burn marks or visible breaks in the wire.

If you find out the voice coil is damaged, you should use a repair kit that includes a replacement coil and the voice coil former’s adhesive to replace or repair the voice coil.

5. Warped Diaphragm Due to Moisture:

Moisture affects the diaphragm’s shape, which is the cone-shaped part that moves and produces sound waves. When the diaphragm becomes distorted or warped, it interferes with its ability to move correctly. As a result, additional pressure must be applied to perform perfectly and produce sound.

Solution:

To fix the warped diaphragm, follow the below steps:

1. Remove the affected subwoofer from its enclosure using a screwdriver.
2. Look for any signs of warping or misshapen areas in the diaphragm. If you see any signs of damage, this may cause the issue.
3. If moisture is the main culprit, you can dry it in a warm, dry place for several days. Please don’t use direct sunlight as it will melt down your subwoofer totally.
4. On the other hand, you can replace or repair the diaphragm If it is warped or damaged. You can use a repair kit with a replacement cone and adhesive to fix the diaphragm.
5. In the end, just reassemble the subwoofer and test its performance.

6. Heat Due to Thermal Overload:

The high temperature caused by the overload can damage or warp the voice coil, which produces sound in the subwoofer. When this happens, applying pressure may help to realign and fix the coil, allowing it to produce sound again.

So if your subwoofer only works when you push on it, there’s a good chance that thermal overload has damaged or misaligned its components causing this issue. To avoid this in the future, try to keep your subwoofers away from heat sources and never use more power than they are designed for.

Solution:

Here’s how you can fix it:

1. Get the subwoofer access by removing it from the enclosure.
2. Look for signs of warping or misalignment of the components in the subwoofer.
3. If you are repairing a subwoofer just disconnected from the amplifier, you must let it cool down to the average temperature to start the process.
4. After finding the damaged coil, you must repair it yourself. You can seek professional help if you find it challenging to handle.
5. Please don’t place your subwoofer in direct sunlight in the future, as it may cause thermal overloading again.

7. Spider’s Issues:

When the spider on a subwoofer is damaged, it can affect how the voice coil works (Moreover, it is responsible for the cone to move back and forth). This misalignment can cause the subwoofer’s performance to decrease. Applying the pressure helps realign the voice coil so that sound can be produced again.

If this issue persists, it might be best to look into replacing or repairing the spider as soon as possible to get your subwoofer back in proper working condition.

Solution:

1. As mentioned above, remove the subwoofer from its mounting position.
2. Look for signs, such as tears or misalignment, in the spider. If you see any signs of damage, this may cause the issue.
3. After finding the damaged spider, you should replace it with a new but same-sized spider.
4. Once replaced, reassemble the subwoofer and test its performance.

8. Incorrect Resistance:

If the resistance is too low, the subwoofer will draw too much power from the amplifier, leading to overheating and failure. And if it’s too high, there won’t be enough power for the subwoofer resulting in low sound levels and decreased sound quality.

Solution:

Here are the steps you should follow to correct the resistance:

1. You should use the multimeter to check the subwoofer’s resistance. Make sure its resistance match with the amplifier you are connecting it to. You can know about the recommended resistance level in the user manual.
2. If the resistance is too low, you should check the wiring to ensure it is not shorted. If shorted, rewire it to ensure no contact between the positive and negative terminals. If the resistance is too high, check the wiring to ensure it is not broken or disconnected.

Troubleshooting the Issue:

Here are some methods to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Check the Connections:

Checking the connections will help you to identify and pinpoint any loose or broken wires in the connection between the subwoofer and the amplifier. Also, faulty speaker wiring can cause your subwoofer to become unresponsive unless pressed firmly against its enclosure.

Ensuring your speakers are securely wired may be enough to fix this issue. In addition, make sure that no obstructions are blocking any part of the sound system, as this might prevent audio from reaching certain areas of your setup.

Once all issues have been identified and fixed, you should finally be able to enjoy rich bass without having to push down on the subwoofer manually!

2. Test Using a Different Device:

By doing this, you check whether the issue is with the device or its connections. Connecting a different device will help you determine if it’s related to signal interference or some other external factor causing the connection issues. It can also help you identify whether there is an issue with the signal quality sent by your speaker system.

3. Inspect the Driver:

First, check if all wiring connections are secure, and then inspect for any visible issues, such as cracks or breaks in the cone, that could cause interference with the sound coming from the subwoofer.

Finally, inspect any crossover components for defects and make sure all connections are seated firmly. If these checks do not resolve your issue, you may need to replace the defective driver.

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