How to Fix a Headphone Jack on Wired Headphones
Over time, headphone wires can deteriorate, causing audio interruptions, noisy feedback, and other problems. It is possible to fix a wiring problem with a headphone jack repair, which involves cutting off the plug, stripping the wire of its outer casing and insulation, and rewiring the plug.
You will need some basic tools, including wire cutters, electrical tape, a soldering iron, and materials—namely soldering wire and flux. You may also need a 3.5mm jack replacement if the current one is damaged.
How to Assess the Damage
Before continuing, you will need to assess the headphones to identify the location of the damage. If the damage is somewhere along the wire, the fix is simple. If the damage is located at the headphone jack or plug, then you will need to replace the entire thing.
Let’s assess the wire and headphone jack on your headphones.
Look for signs of visible damage, like broken casing, kinked or bent wiring, and frayed edges. If there is no visible damage, continue. If the headphones still work, albeit abnormally, plug them into a music device and start playback. Move your fingers along the wire, specifically the area where you think there’s damage. If the problem is at the plug, you’ll notice bending or adjusting the wire near it will affect playback. The same is true for the rest of the wire. If you notice audio feedback or the sound cuts off, you’ve discovered the culprit. Make a note of where the damage is. If you think you’ll have a hard time remembering, you can wrap a piece of tape around the section.
How to Fix a Broken Headphone Jack Without Soldering
A headphone jack replacement is your best bet to get things working again with a frayed or broken wire. In most cases, you can do it without soldering. However, if the jack is the problem, you’ll most likely need to solder.
Here’s how to fix a headphone jack on headphones without soldering tools:
Use either wire cutters or wire strippers to cut off the headphone jack, about an inch or two from the top of the wire. If the problem is not at the jack, then cut the wire at the right spot, making sure to remove the damage. Remove the wire casing, and if the wires are wrapped in insulation, carefully remove it. Wire strippers work best for removing insulation. Strip enough of the lead wire to give you room to work. Twist the wires together, red to red, black to black, and ground to ground (the number and color of wires may vary between models). Then secure them using electrical tape. Use separate pieces for each wire, so they do not touch. Alternatively, you can solder the wire ends together. When you’re done, wrap them in another piece of electrical tape for added protection. That’s it. Now you can test your headphones to see if they’re working better.
It’s not an attractive fix, but it will restore your headphones to working order.
If the problem is not at the jack, then cut the wire at the right spot, making sure to remove the damage.
Alternatively, you can solder the wire ends together. When you’re done, wrap them in another piece of electrical tape for added protection.
How to Fix a Broken Headphone Jack With Soldering Tools
An alternative is to remove the casing from the headphone jack and solder the wires, attaching them to the appropriate nodes. This strategy is more difficult not just because you’ll need experience working with a soldering iron and solder, but also you’ll need to be more careful removing the cap off the headphone jack.
Here’s how to fix broken headphone jack problems with a soldering iron:
Use either wire cutters or wire strippers to cut off the headphone jack. Unless you’re using a headphone plug replacement kit with a naked jack, then you’ll need to strip the existing plug clean by removing the cap — it may be plastic or metal. Note the color-coded wires and where they have been soldered to the plug before cutting them away. Remove the wire casing, and if the wires are wrapped in insulation, carefully remove it. Strip enough of the lead wire to give you room to work. One at a time, use a bit of solder to attach the wires to the back of the headphone jack, matching the position of the initial wires. Ground goes to the bottom of the terminal; green goes to the corresponding side terminal, and red to the other terminal. Make sure none of the exposed wires are touching each other. Allow the solder to cool before continuing. You can begin wrapping it in electrical tape after the solder has cooled and you’re confident the wires are attached. If you want a more attractive fix, you can use a plastic cap or sleeve instead of the tape. That’s it. Now you can test your headphones to see if they’re working better.
If the headphones do not work, you’ll need to double-check none of the wires are touching. Failing that, you may need to re-solder the wires to ensure they’re secured to the plug terminals.
Ground goes to the bottom of the terminal; green goes to the corresponding side terminal, and red to the other terminal. Make sure none of the exposed wires are touching each other. Allow the solder to cool before continuing.
