How to Stop Headphones From Changing Volume? (5 Easy Steps)

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It doesn’t happen often, but it can be very frustrating when our headphones change the volume automatically. But what’s causing this, and what can you do to stop it from happening?

To stop your headphones from automatically changing the volume, follow these steps:

1. Clean the connector and insert it firmly
2. Tape over a part of the connector
3. Clean the volume control buttons
4. Disable the automatic volume limitation
5. Check the quality and rating of your headphones

There are various reasons why your headphones could change the volume automatically. Some of these reasons are device-specific, so you may have to adapt some steps for your phone. Let’s go through the troubleshooting steps to ensure this won’t happen to you anymore.

What You’re Going To Need

To run through these troubleshooting steps, you will need the following items:

• Your phone and headphones
• Some electronics cleaner
• A clean, lint-free cloth
• Some electrical tape
• A pair of scissors
• A can of compressed air

Step 1: Clean The Connector And Insert It Firmly

Most modern headphones have built-in controls to adjust the volume and buttons to accept or end calls or give commands. On Android phones, holding down the call answering button usually opens Google Assistant. These buttons all send specific signals through the headphone connector into your phone and based on the signal it receives, the phone determines what you want it to do.

The problem is that bad connections can cause these signals to be misinterpreted or even cause stray signals, making the phone think you pressed the volume button. Your connectors don’t have to appear dirty since it could be something as simple as moisture or skin oils.

To solve this, we have to clean the connector properly by doing the following:

1. Remove the connector from the phone.
2. Apply some electronics cleaning liquid to the headphone connector.
3. Use a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe the connector clean.
4. Ensure that the connector is dry.
5. Insert the connector into the phone and press it firmly to ensure it connects properly.
6. Test the headphones to see if this resolves the issue.

Step 2: Tape Over Part Of The Connector

It often happens that the stray signals mentioned in Step 1 cause Android phones to open Google Assistant, which could make your volume go down and up again. The cleaning might solve it, but you could try taping over one section of the headphone connector if it doesn’t.

Standard headphone jacks (the 3.5mm type, not USB-C or Lightning connectors) come in three forms. The first and least common type has only one plastic ring separating the metallic parts. These are mono connectors, which is why headphones don’t use them. Other headphones have two plastic rings, which means they are stereo.

Headphones made for smartphones have three plastic rings, creating separate contacts for each audio channel and one for the buttons like volume controls. The piece of metal below the lowest plastic ring and closest to the headphone cable is called the sleeve. That’s the part that sends commands, and taping it over will eliminate that possibility.

To do so, follow these steps:

1. Take a roll of electrical tape (also known as insulation tape) and cut a thin strip from the tip. The strip can be about 2mm wide and 10mm long.
2. Place the strip of tape all around the sleeve of your headphone connector. Ensure that it covers the entire sleeve.
3. Now test your headphones again.

The downside is that your headphones’ volume controls won’t work anymore, which also means you won’t have Google Assistant or your headphones automatically changing the volume. This is a good solution if you don’t mind manually adjusting the volume using your phone.

Step 3: Clean The Volume Control Buttons

It’s possible that the stray signals that are causing the volume to go up or down aren’t coming from the headphone connector but from the volume controls themselves. This could happen as the headphones get older and the volume controls no longer make contact the way they used to or if moisture and dirt (like sweat or raindrops) find their way inside the controls.

It’s not always possible to fix this problem. If the controls are worn out, you can’t fix them unless you are handy with a soldering iron. The same goes for dirt inside the controls; you can only do so much to try and clean the inside. However, you can try the following steps:

1. Spray some compressed air into the controls. Try to get it inside through the gaps around the buttons.
2. Apply some electronic cleaner. Let it run into the gaps around the buttons.
3. Leave the headphones for long enough to allow the controls to dry out.
4. Apply some electronic cleaner to a clean, lint-free cloth.
5. Wipe the controls with the cloth to clean them around the outside.
6. Test the headphones to see if that resolves the issue.

Step 4: Disable Your Phone’s Automatic Volume Limitation

Most Android smartphones and iPhones have a built-in function to automatically adjust the volume if you’re listening over headphones with the volume too loud. The manufacturers added these functions to protect you from hearing damage, but it can be frustrating. This could be the reason why it seems as if your headphones are automatically changing the volume.

To solve this issue, check your phone when the volume goes down, and a notification should tell you why it’s adjusting the volume. At this point, you can disable it and return the volume to its original position, but that will only last for about one day.

At the moment, the only way to permanently disable this feature is through third-party apps, but they only work if your phone is rooted or jailbroken, which will void its warranty.

Step 5: Check The Quality And Rating Of Your Headphones

There are three factors around the quality and rating of your headphones that could cause them to change the volume automatically:

1. Old and worn-out headphones could have bad connections in the controls, the connector, or anywhere along the wires. These bad connections could cause the stray signals we mentioned before, and you usually have no option but to replace them.
2. Low-quality headphones could have the same problem, even if they’re new. Lower quality could mean that the manufacturers did not give enough attention to proper connections, resulting in stray signals and changing volume. Replacement is the only solution.
3. Headphones are usually rated for specific phones and models. That’s because different brands, and even different models of the same brand, can use varying signals for volume controls. Check if your headphones are rated for the phone you’re using, including the specific model. The fact that the connector looks the same does not guarantee that it will work as it should.

This even applies to Apple’s Lightning connectors. The headphones that came with an iPhone 7 will work in an iPhone 13, but the signals will be different, and you could get erratic behaviour like automatically adjusting the volume.

Final Thoughts

The most common causes for your headphones changing the volume are stray signals caused by bad connections, dirt, or moisture. Eliminating these from the equation will often solve the problem. If it doesn’t, check that your headphones are rated for your phone because many issues stem from headphones that aren’t truly compatible with the phone you’re using.

For more information on headphones volume, check out our articles Does Headphone Volume Affect The Battery and Is Listening To Headphones At Low Volume Bad.

References

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