Understanding how to repair a short in a wired gaming headset can seem intimidating, especially since electrical signals are nothing to play with and can lead to serious injury if you disregard their danger. However, if you have the best gaming headset you can afford, it’d be a shame not to fix it.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- A shorted wire is among the many common issues wireless and wired headphones have that you can quickly fix yourself.
- First, you’ll find the disconnected wire. Then, use a wire cutter to strip the rubber covering on the striped wire location.
- Use solder to combine the wires by color, including the white wire and green wire. Now, plug into an audio jack to test your audio.
Should You Try to Fix Internal Wires in Over-Ear Headphones?
In many ways, whether attempting gaming headset DIY repair or not depends on whether your wired headphones are worth fixing. Sometimes it’s better just to purchase a new pair of headphones instead.
Insider Tip
Wireless headphones are fabulous for those with gaming accessories lacking an audio jack plug.
Learning how to repair a gaming headset isn’t difficult, especially if you have a background in fixing device issues. Even if you don’t, the step-by-step guides below will help significantly.
Fixing the Internal Wires of Broken Headphones
There are a few things to know before jumping into fixing a headphone wire. First, you’ll need to ask, “What are gaming headset controls?” to get a firm grasp on what you’re messing with.
Beyond that, understand that fixing wireless headphones is a vastly different process. With wireless headphones, the problem is typically a faulty Bluetooth audio connection.
If you’re fixing a broken wire in over-ear headphones with a loose connection, it’s a different ballgame. We’ll explain more below.
STEP 1
First, find the issue. The best way to diagnose audio issues is using the audio device itself. Bend the headphone wire until you hear a change in intermittent sound quality.
STEP 2
Once you locate the faulty wire, use your wire strippers to remove the rubber covering. Be mindful not to damage the headphone jack if you’re cutting close to it.
STEP 3
Take account of the colored wires. There should be a few strands, including a green wire. Solder together the like-colored wires. Make sure you combine all frayed wires, including the copper wires.
STEP 4
Once the ground wires connect, allow the drop of solder to dry. Then, use your electrical tape. Cut a small piece of tape and wrap it tightly around to make up for the loss of the insulating rubber seal.
STEP 5
Plug in your headphone jack plug and see if the sound quality is back to normal. If not, you may have broken the insulated wires beyond repair and will need to purchase a new pair.
Warning
Use caution when using a solder gun repair kit since even a dab of solder can cause severe burns.
F.A.Q.S
How can I prevent broken headphone wires?
Protect the silicone rubber coating of your signal wires. Avoid compromising that rubber sheath by not doing the following:
- Placing heavy objects on your audio cable cord wire
- Using the cord around intense heat
- Bending the cord or holding it taut
Can I fix a broken headphone plug?
Most tech repair news channels push the idea of a DIY repair revolution. However, while you can fix a broken headphone plug using a variety of tools, it’s typically best to just buy a new pair.
Is an exposed headphone cable dangerous?
Generally, an audio or USB cable isn’t dangerous. The electrical current isn’t strong enough to do significant damage to you or others.
What can I do if one earbud isn’t working?
This is likely due to an issue with an earphone wire. If there is earphone wire damage, you can use the steps in this article to fix it or purchase a new pair.
STAT: On average, a worker is electrocuted every day. It causes 12% of young worker workplace deaths. (source)
REFERENCES:
- http://fpg.phys.virginia.edu/fpgweb/memos/soldering_instructions.pdf
- https://www.coynecollege.edu/how-to-deal-unsafe-electrical-wiring/
- http://oedk.rice.edu/Resources/Documents/TrainingModules/How%20to%20Solder.pdfr
- https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/istem/students/grades_5-12/academic/Fundamentals%20of%20Soldering.pdf
- https://www.coynecollege.edu/learn-basics-of-home-electrical-wiring/
