Why Are My Car Speakers Not Working but Subwoofer Is?
You entered your car and turned on your car stereo. Suddenly, you realize your front and rear speakers have stopped working while the subwoofer is fine. Many reasons can cause speakers not to work. Or, they may have blown away.
However, we can know precisely about broken speakers after running some solutions. Let’s dive into the guide on why are my car speakers not working but subwoofer is.
Why Are All Door Speakers Stopped Working, but the Subwoofer is?
This is a common issue for many car owners, but you can quickly fix the problem. One of the most likely causes of this issue is that you may have connected the subwoofer and speakers to the different amplifiers, which means the power needs to be appropriately distributed.
However, some of the most common reasons are:
1. Having Aftermarket Radios:
You may commonly find aftermarket radios ⁽¹⁾ installed in the vehicle. However, some aftermarket radios can cause problems related to speakers, including they stop working. Reasons such as incompatibility, wiring, fuse, or ground loop problems are behind the scene.
Usually, an aftermarket radio will require power from one or more sources that may not be compatible with the speaker systems in a car. For example, some aftermarket radios require power from a battery, while others may need to be connected directly to the car’s primary electrical system.
2. Power Distortion To Car Amplifier:
A car amp being overdriven or operating too high of a volume level can cause power distortion. This power distortion then travels through the front and rear speakers, causing them to work improperly and may even damage them. If the door speaker sounds distorted or muffled, this could indicate that the amplifier is overdriving.
3. Incorrect RCA Cables Connection:
If you have recently installed a new car audio system, and find that the car speakers are not working correctly, then one of the most likely culprits is the incorrect connection of RCA outputs.
RCA cables are the standard audio-visual cable input to connect car stereo systems, televisions, and stereo components.
4. Faulty Speaker Wires:
When your car speakers are not working, the cause may be because of faulty wires. The wiring that connects your speakers to the audio system can become corrupted or damaged due to age and/or exposure to moisture or heat, resulting in poor sound quality, distortion, or no hearing.
5. Blown Fuse:
It can cause vehicle speakers not to work because it controls the flow of electrical current. When it is blown, the circuit is interrupted, and no power will reach the car speaker system, resulting in them not producing any ring.
The most common causes of a blown fuse are an overload on the circuit or short circuits due to moisture or corrosion. If it blows frequently, it could indicate a deeper issue with the electrical system that needs to be addressed by a qualified technician.
How to Fix Car Speakers With No Sound?
If your car’s speakers have gone silent, there are a few steps you can take to try and fix them.
1. Checking the Car Head Unit and Amplifier:
It’s essential to check the head unit and car amp before coming to conclusions. The head unit is responsible for sending audio signals from an external source (e.g., CD, radio) to the amp, amplifying the audio output to power your speakers. (Always use good power cables for your car audio game)
If either the head unit or amplifier is not working correctly, the car speakers will not work properly. Here are some points to look for:
- Ensure that your car head unit hasn’t turned on the anti-theft feature.
- Ensure the volume is turned up in the volume control.
- Check using different audio inputs like CD, USB, Bluetooth, or AUX.
2. Fixing the Issue With Aftermarket Radios if There:
If you’ve recently installed an aftermarket radio, but the speakers are not working, your radio may have tripped its protection circuit. Various issues could cause this, from grounded out or blown speakers to wires pinched somewhere or arching from positive to negative terminals.
If this is the case, one of the first steps is to remove the head unit and check for any signs of physical damage. Moreover, you need to inspect speaker connections for any shorts or disconnections. You can use a multimeter to check for continuity between wires as well.
You’ll need to disconnect the negative battery cable for about 20 minutes to reset the protection circuit. This should reset the protection circuit, and you can then reconnect the battery and power up your head unit again. If this doesn’t work, it’s possible that one of the car speakers has gone wrong or is grounding out even after being checked over. Replacing your speakers might be the best solution if this is the case.
3. Providing Power To Car External Amp:
If there comes a requirement to fix your can amplifier, it can make a massive difference in the frequency quality of your speakers. Fortunately, you can take steps to get your amp back up and running again by powering it from an alternative source.
Here are some steps that you should follow to provide power to your car’s external amp and ensure that your car speakers are working again.
- First, you will need to locate the power source for the external amplifier. This connection is typically a positive (+) and negative (-) battery terminal on the amp’s side.
- Once you have identified speaker terminals, you can use an adapter or jumper cables to connect the positive terminal to the car’s battery. Ensure the negative terminal is connected properly to a metal ground source on the vehicle.
- Once you have established power, please turn on your amp and test it by playing music through your car speakers. If everything sounds okay, then you can go ahead and disconnect the amp from the car battery.
- Finally, you will need to supply power to the amplifier more permanently. Consider investing in an external power source, such as a 12V DC power adapter which you can plug into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter socket or an adaptor plug.
4. Fixing the Incorrect RCA Cables:
It is essential to ensure that the RCA connections are correct in your car audio system. Here are some points that you should follow:
- First and foremost, you should identify whether the cables are intended for use with an amp or just your speakers. Generally, the RCA cable that runs from your head unit to your amplifier will have a blue plug on one end and red on the other. This denotes its purpose as carrying an amplified signal to the amp.
- Once you have determined the correct RCA cable for use with your amplifier, it is essential to remember that the colors should match up. This means that the blue plug should connect to the blue input and the red pin to the red input. If you incorrectly reverse these connections, it will cause interference in sound quality or no ring.
- If you connect RCA cables to your speakers, you will use the same color coding as above. However, it is essential to remember that the blue plug should connect to the negative terminal on your speaker, and the red plug should relate to the positive terminal.
- Finally, suppose you connect multiple components to your car audio systems, such as an EQ or crossover. In that case, ensuring that each element’s output connects to the next’s input is essential. This will ensure that all components work together correctly and provide optimal sound quality.
5. Fixing Or Replacing The Faulty Speaker Wires:
Fixing a faulty car speaker wire or bad RCA requires locating the fault and then cutting away the damaged section of the speaker wire. You can splice two areas of speaker wires together using a soldering iron and the appropriate type of solder.
Also, you must use suitable connectors for the cables to ensure they are secure. Once all the speaker wiring has been fixed, you should test it to check it works correctly.
If the speaker wires are old or have become too damaged to be repaired, you must replace them. You can easily do this job or take it to a car audio technician who will have the necessary tools & expertise.
When fixing or replacing the wires in your car stereo system, you take time to test it out and ensure that all connections are secure.
If done correctly, your car sound system should be functioning properly again. With regular maintenance and care, the speaker wires in your vehicle should remain reliable for many years.
6. Fixing the Blown Fuse:
Depending on the vehicle’s model or make, you can easily trace your car fuses under the dashboard, behind a panel near the steering column, or in an engine bay fuse box ⁽²⁾. It’s best to consult the car’s owner’s manual or a wiring diagram to locate it.
Once you’ve located it, remove it and inspect it for any visible signs of damage, such as melting or cracking. If damage is present, replace it with one of the same amperage ratings. Always ensure never to replace it with one of a higher amperage rating.
After replacing it, turn on the car and try your car speakers. If they are not working correctly, check other fuses in the same circuit, as this may indicate a more significant problem. A professional might need to inspect your vehicle’s electrical system if all else fails.
General FAQs
How Do I Know if My Speakers Are Blown?
Several signs indicate your car speakers may get blown. The most common symptom is a lack of sound from only a few speakers. Your speaker will likely be damaged if you turn up the volume and still hear no sound.
Additionally, you may notice a rattling or buzzing frequency coming from the speaker. A damaged voice coil may cause this unpleasure sound. If you see any of these symptoms, it’s time to replace your speakers.
Do Speakers Have a Fuse?
Yes, they do. A speaker’s fuse is a safety device to prevent the speaker from overheating or burning out due to too much power being sent through it. It works by limiting the amount of current that can flow through the speaker at any given time; if it gets too much power, it will blow.
Why Is My Car Subwoofer Getting Power but Not Working?
Several potential causes for a car subwoofer receiving enough power but not working. One of the most common causes is a bad connection between the subwoofer and the amp.
If there is an issue with the speaker wires or RCA cables, it can cause intermittent performance or no sound at all. Please read our article on fixing the car subwoofer with no sound.
Final Words:
Now that you know why your car speakers not working but subwoofer is, you can quickly fix the issue just by following the steps mentioned above. However, ping me if you have any questions.