The car speaker not working on one side is one of the common issues related to cars. This problem occurs due to faulty wires or insecure connections.
Moreover, the speaker may have some hardware defects. There can be some other reasons too. This guide will help you fix your car speaker.
You do not need technical assistance. Just try the simple troubleshooting tricks listed in this article.
1. Inspect the Car Radio
One immediate reason your car speaker is not working on one side is the bad car radio. Carefully examine it and look for damages and other faults.
Because a bad car radio can lead to a malfunctioning speaker. It can also damage the wiring of your car. Repair or replace it, if you find the radio broken or damaged.
2. Examine the Speaker
The speaker itself may be damaged. Weather, accidents, and water can damage your speaker.
So, examine the speaker properly to locate any signs of damage. You can test the speaker by connecting it directly to the car amplifier.
Disconnect it from the radio and check whether the sound comes or not. If it fails to work under any condition, you need to replace the speaker.
3. Check the Power Supply
Another cause is that your speaker is not receiving enough power. Make sure that the power cable is attached firmly both to the speaker and the battery.
Try another cable to supply the power. Look for the cuts, bends, and signs of injury. If it is defective, replace your cable with a new one.
Moreover, check the voltage supply to your speaker. The cable should show 12 volts when measured using a multimeter.
4. Swap the Speakers
A quick test can be done by swapping the speakers. Put the non-functioning speaker in place of the working one.
If it works in the new position and the other speaker cannot sound in its location, the faults lie in the car stereo system.
However, if it does not work in the new location, the speaker is defective. Consult a professional to diagnose the issue and to get the speaker repaired.
5. Balance the Settings
Some wrong audio settings and balance control settings can also create this issue. Check the fader on your radio. It should be turned up for all the speakers.
Otherwise, sound only comes from one of the speakers. So, set your radio at surround sound. Now, turn up the volume gradually and listen to the sound from both speakers.
Adjust the balance and fader settings properly to equalize all speakers. The indicator should be at the middle of the scale for accurate adjustments.
The fader settings can be adjusted as follows;
- Power ON the CD player in your car.
- Open the ‘Audio Settings’ and navigate to the ‘Fader or Balance’ option.
- Move the indicator to the right and left and adjust it where both speakers start giving sound.
The fader itself can fail to work sometimes. So, you need to fix or replace it.
6. Scan the Wiring of Your Car
Any damage to the car wiring can also stop the speaker from working. The wiring system is complex and delicate.
Many factors such as accidents, weather conditions, moisture, kids, or pets can harm them. Conduct a continuity test using a multimeter.
You need to check the difference between the output voltage from the head unit and the input voltage of the speaker. Both should be the same.
If the input voltage of the speaker is less than the output, the wiring is faulty. In this case, you should seek help from a technician.
7. Examine the Audio System
The audio output jack may be faulty. So, the car speaker cannot work on one side. The bad transistors are another reason for this issue.
So, check all these components through a multimeter. If the jack or transistors are bad, replacing them can solve the problem.
If you do not have any prior experience, do not practice the wiring system of your car. Instead, consult a nearby technician.
8. Check the Car Amp
A malfunctioning amp can also lead to such issues. Sometimes, the amp goes into protection mode when you turn up the volume.
One side of your amp may not be working. Therefore, you should check it by swapping the wires. Connect the non-working speaker to the other side of the amp.
Similarly, connect the speaker of the opposite side in place of the non-functioning speaker. In this way, you can confirm whether the speaker or the amp is bad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read the following common questions for more information about your car speakers.
How to recognize that my car speaker is blown?
A blown speaker either gives a distorted or rattling sound or no sound at all. The sound becomes distorted even at a low volume. Moreover, no current of life is shown by the dead speaker.
Is it worth repairing the car speakers?
Although you can repair the car speakers it is not worthwhile every time. The cost of repairing is too high. So, you can consider installing new speakers instead. However, a minor defect can be repaired through self-help.
What damages the car speakers?
Car speakers get damaged by mechanical or thermal reasons. If the speakers are overheated and too much power is drawn into them, they can blow. Likewise, the physical shock can destory the hardware.
Also read: How to Stop Whining Noise from Car Speakers
Final Words
The audio system of your car is complex and intricate. It has many components, the failure of a minor component can result in audio blockage.
Therefore, you need to check all the parts of the system. Replace or fix the faulty or defective part. It is better to call a technician to avoid further damage.
However, minor issues can be solved by following this guide. We have mentioned all the solutions that you can apply to your car speaker if it is not working on one side.
