Why is My Bluetooth Speaker Making a Static Noise?

Bluetooth technology is one of the most reliable wireless connections used around the globe for a variety of applications. It is widely used in headphones and speakers to establish an easy connection between two devices over short distances – and for the most part, the connection is perfect and seamless.

However, there is a common issue that people using Bluetooth speakers face, and that is static. It is quite annoying, especially when you are playing a song or watching a movie. Fortunately, there are a few fixes you can make to get rid of the static sound. First, let’s understand what causes it.

Why is My Bluetooth Making a Static Noise?

There are several reasons why your Bluetooth speaker has a static sound. The main culprit is usually lots of interference from other devices or gadgets using Bluetooth technology such as microwaves, gaming controllers, among others. But sometimes, being out of range, low battery on your speaker or the source device, and damage to the speaker’s hardware could also cause the static sound.

 These different causes make pinpointing the exact cause quite overwhelming. Nevertheless, this article will explore these common factors and a way to troubleshoot the issue.

Understanding What Causes Static Sound in Bluetooth Speakers

1. Interference from Devices Using the Same Bluetooth Frequency

If your Bluetooth speaker is fairly new, and you realize that it has a static sound while playing music, the result could be interference.

Bluetooth technology uses short-range radio waves for communication. The problem is, there are a lot of other appliances or gadgets in your home that use the same frequency that your Bluetooth speakers use. A good example is a microwave, which uses a frequency band of 2.4GHz.

This frequency band is also used by Wi-Fi routers, and if placed in proximity to your Bluetooth speaker, it could cause some interference. This problem can get really annoying, particularly if your home’s appliance setup doesn’t create enough room to keep such devices apart. You might be required to mount some, such as the router on the wall, or anywhere far enough so that it doesn’t cause interference.

2. Bluetooth Range

Apart from the interference caused by devices using the same frequency band as your connection, Bluetooth range can be the cause. In this case, I’m talking about the distance between your speaker and the controlling device, such as your phone.

This cause, however, is highly unlikely, especially since speakers generally have a long-range – some have a range of 10 meters with others functioning efficiently in a range of up to 20 meters. The same can’t be said for headphones using Bluetooth technology. Nonetheless, it is important to determine whether this is a cause and eliminate it, especially in devices that use Bluetooth Smart technology, which has a shorter range.

If you moved far away from your Bluetooth speakers and notice the static, that could be the cause. Therefore, it is important to always play your music or stream content from the web at a convenient distance.

3. Battery Status

It is not uncommon for a low battery charge on your Bluetooth speaker to cause such a problem. This, in fact, is the one thing that many people rarely pay attention to. If your Bluetooth speaker’s battery charge is extremely low, it can cause a crackling sound or static.

The reason behind this problem is because, like most devices, your Bluetooth speakers depend on their batteries to function optimally. When it begins to run out of juice, the connection will grow weaker, causing various problems, including shutting off unexpectedly, cutting out, or unwanted noise and static.

Also, if your speaker’s battery is on its dying days, you might experience the same. Pay close attention to how long it takes to drain after a full charge to determine whether it still has the endurance it had when new. If not, perhaps you should consider a replacement.

4. Outdated Software

Updating your Bluetooth speakers’ software is often the last thing one thinks about. Better versions, depending on the brand of your Bluetooth speaker, are often released, and when there is a new update available, it is highly recommended that you upgrade it.

A good example manifests itself when you are using a set of Bluetooth speakers for PCs and laptops. You might notice that the audio has a static sound when using older versions of your operating system, say Windows. Although, in such a case, you can troubleshoot the problem and update the drivers to get rid of the nuisance.

The same goes for those Bluetooth speakers that are controlled by an app on your smart device. If you have a Bluetooth app on your device that you use to manage your speakers, it is equally important that you update the app to the latest version to rid it of flaws and bugs that causes it to lag or worsen the connection’s latency. This is usually easy if you have a Bluetooth speaker such as the Bose SoundLink Revolve+, which is controlled by the Bose Connect App.

5. Faulty Bluetooth Hardware

This is such a bummer since the last thing you want to hear is that you need to replace your Bluetooth speaker’s hardware. You, however, don’t have a choice if you’ve run out of choices and fixes to your problem.

Bluetooth speakers are just like any other electronic device, which means they can get damaged. Unfortunately for you, your speakers use receiver chips that can get damaged, but it is very rare. Most of these units are designed to last long, and it would take quite a significant amount of wear and tear to get them spoilt completely.

Before you make assumptions and say your Bluetooth speaker receivers are the problem, ensure that you try playing some music on another speaker first. If the music plays, your speaker could have a problem. But if the problem is the same in both speakers, then the flaw is with your Bluetooth signal.

This issue can also be tested by connecting the music source to the audio line-in jack. If by connecting it, the static is eliminated, then the issue is with your Bluetooth signal. If the static still lingers, then your hardware could be faulty.

How to Fix the Static Noise on Your Bluetooth Speakers

Now that you know where to begin troubleshooting the problem, here are a few steps to help you get rid of the static noise on your Bluetooth speakers:

Keep it Away from Interference

If your setup allows, move your Bluetooth speaker away from interfering gadgets and appliances such as microwaves, fluorescent lights, and Wi-Fi routers among other appliances.

Mind the Mange

Check the Bluetooth range of the device you are playing music or controlling your speaker from. The recommended distance is always no more than 30 feet away from the connected or paired device. If it is far, make sure that you move it closer to the speaker. Remember that if you are trying to pair a new device, you must be at least 10 feet away.

Unpair and Connect Again

Unpair the two devices and check the battery life for both. Then charge them sufficiently. Once they are both above 50 percent, pair them again and try playing some music to see if the problem has been eliminated. If not, move on to the next step.

Sometimes the simplest fix is by pairing the two devices again. You can even go ahead and hard reset the Bluetooth speaker and pair it again with your audio source.

Update Software

Ensure that the Bluetooth speaker and the audio device both have fully updated software and firmware, which includes the apps, hardware, as well as operating system. This will fix most bugs and possibly eliminate the static sound.

Updating the firmware and apps will depend on the brand of the Bluetooth speaker you have. Most updates are pushed through the manufacturer’s website or the product’s official sites.

If you are using your laptop or computer as the controlling device, ensure that the Bluetooth drivers are updated to the latest version.

Check Your Music App

Also, delete and reinstall your music app if you are using one. You can also use a different player or device to check whether the issue will disappear or not. This step is, however, the last resort.

Manufacturer Support

If everything else fails, check the manufacturer’s support site for more information and guidance on how they can help. From their support sites, you can also find similar questions from other customers experiencing the same issue. You might find a solution that works.

Final Thoughts

Bluetooth speakers, just like other electronic devices, are prone to a few quibbles. If it is not pairing problems, it is an issue with the audio. Sometimes you can connect your laptop, smartphone, or any other device to play some music or stream online content, and a static sound ruins your experience.

Hopefully, with the above common causes of crackling sounds in a Bluetooth speaker as well as the easy fixes you should try, you can have it working again in no time.

But before trying any of the fixes, make sure that you know where the problem lies first, and you are well on your way to restoring your speaker to that seamless condition it came with.