5 Reasons Why Your Earbuds Keep Cutting Out [How to Fix Them]

If you are new to the world of audio components, you might not know the reason why your earbuds keep cutting out. Most of the earbuds brands in the market tend to unexpectedly cut out during use, becoming a major inconvenience.

If you have been in such a situation, you must have dedicated your time and resources to find the root course and the possible solutions that would prevent them from cutting out again.

Since I have been a victim of my earbuds cutting out while using them, I made an effort to compile the possible problems and their solutions so that you can have a better listening experience free from these problems.

Whether it’s your first time experiencing this or not, this article will guide you by showing the simple tricks that will solve your problems. Some of the common issues that cause them to cut out have simple solutions that don’t require you to buy a new pair.

 

5 Reasons Why Your Earbuds Keep Cutting Out & How to Fix Them

Without further ado, let’s discuss the five primary reasons earbuds keep cutting out and the best solution to this problem.

 

1. Interference Problems

1. Interference Problems

Since earbuds operate wirelessly through Bluetooth technology, they can be highly susceptible to interference from different sources. Many wireless devices operate on the 2.4GHz band.

This radio band was initially created for industrial, scientific, and medical purposes, but over time it has been incorporated for other uses, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Most household items, such as garage door remotes, cordless phones, and baby monitors, operate on the same frequency and can cause interference while using your earbuds.

Interference occurs when there is considerable crosstalk between these devices, causing your earbuds to keep cutting out regularly while playing an audio file.

 

How To Fix It

It would help if you moved further from the source of interference. This is because technologies that operate between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz share the same wavelengths as Bluetooth technology in earbuds.

While the devices might differ, sharing the same network clogs each other’s data transmission capability as they are on the same transmission paths. Using your earbuds in spaces with low Wi-Fi usage will be the best fix for the problem.

Recommended: 7 Reasons Why Your Earbuds Sound Muffled & How to Fix Them.

 

2. Battery and Charge Problems

2. Battery and Charge Problems

The charge level of your earbuds and audio device can play a major role in cutting out. If your earbuds’ battery level is nearing the depletion point, one of the common signs you will notice is that the sound will gradually become choppy over time.

This will be a recurring feature till the battery completely drains.

This mechanism is a preset feature by earbuds manufacturers as a warning sign to the user to charge the device’s battery.

The common observation I made from the different brands I have used is that most earbuds start producing these sounds as soon as the battery drops below 20%.

The phone’s battery capacity can also be why your earbuds keep cutting out. If your phone’s charge level is too low, its operational capability will significantly drop, thus affecting various applications.

If you are using your earbuds at the moment, you will start experiencing multiple issues, and eventually, you will be unable to perform critical functions on your phone.

 

How To Fix It

Though Bluetooth uses less power compared to other features, most of the phone’s features and functions run concurrently and need each other’s support for efficient functioning.

The simplest solution to this problem is to ensure that your earbuds and phone are always charged, and you will not experience the problem.

If your earbuds or phone’s battery has issues and is draining at a faster rate than when it was new, you should consult a professional.

 

3. Shorter Signal Range

3. Shorter Signal Range

The distance between your earbuds and the connected audio device is essential to your listening experience. This is because the Bluetooth technology in most earbuds brands transmits audio data over short distances by using short-wavelength radio waves.

If you start moving further from the audio source, you will start experiencing the sounds cutting out. Step a few more feet away from the source and the sound will completely disconnect as the devices will un-pair.

Since different brands have different connectivity ranges, it is important to be aware of your earbuds manufacturer’s range when purchasing. Most brands put the earbuds’ features and specs on the package or their website so customers can access that information.

 

How To Fix It

Bluetooth devices fall under an array of classes, such as class 1, with a range of 40 to 100 meters (130 – 330 ft). Class 2 devices have a range of 15 to 30 meters (50 – 100 ft), while Class 3 has a shorter range of 5-10 meters (16 – 33 ft).

Most of the earbuds Bluetooth speakers fall under the Class 2 and 3 categories as they require significantly less power than Class 1, which is reserved for commercial speakers.

Due to the limitation of up to a maximum of 100 ft, it would be best for you to move closer to the connected device to avoid the sound from cutting out.

 

4. Bluetooth Version

4. Bluetooth Version

With the advancement in Bluetooth technology, there have been gradual changes. Since its invention, we have been graced with different Bluetooth. Each latest version provides a faster transmission experience than the previous.

With today’s Bluetooth versions being 4 and above, I have noticed issues in compatibility with other devices with older Bluetooth versions.

While trying to pair my new earbuds with a device that runs on Bluetooth version 2, I encountered software incompatibility problems.

It is tricky and technical to reconfigure your new Bluetooth devices that use Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) to offer the same clock speed as an older Bluetooth device.

The differing speeds between your source devices will cause your earbuds to keep cutting out, resulting in stutters.

 

How To Fix It

While a suitable algorithm can fix this issue so that you can have a better listening experience, the lack of software updates on an older Bluetooth device might be the root cause.

You can solve the problem by installing the latest updates on your device and restarting it. If that does not solve the problem, contact your earbuds brand manufacturer’s customer service to solve your problem.

 

5. Internet Problems

5. Internet Problems

If you are an audiophile that likes listening to music through platforms such as Spotify and YouTube, then the problem of why your earbuds keep cutting out may be due to internet connectivity issues.

While most of us point to the earbuds or audio source to as the source of the problem, that might not be the case sometimes.

Your internet service providers might sometimes offer you slower speeds than what you are accustomed to, thus affecting your music streaming experience.

This is quite a common problem when many devices are connected to the same network or when your router is experiencing some technical issues.

As a result of laggy connections, the streaming platform will prevent audio files from effectively loading; hence you will not experience a smooth playback.

 

How To Fix It

You will have to play an offline audio file to make sure the problem is with your internet. If there are no stutters while listening to the song offline, the best tip is to restart your router.

A simple action of switching it off from the power source and waiting for a few minutes before switching it on will do the trick. If the problem persists, either contact or change your internet service provider to one that offers faster browsing and streaming experience.

Recommended: The 5 Best Earbuds for Google Pixel 7 in 2023.

 

Conclusion

Though Bluetooth technology has taken us to newer heights, there are still some problems that you will experience with your earbuds. While using different brands, I found these problems often result in earbuds cutting out.

The article covers how best I solved those issues, and I believe you can do the same through the troubleshooting tips and tricks I showed.

Wireless technology has come a long way since its inception, and because of this, you do not have to settle for earbuds that keep cutting out constantly.

If your earbuds keep cutting out, and these tips on how to fix the problem seem not to work on your brand, it will be best if you consider switching to a better brand of earbuds that will suit your needs.

 

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Is a musician and journalist with over 13 years of experience writing for some of the music world's biggest brands. Ray loves getting nerdy about everything from guitar gear and synths, to microphones and music production hardware.

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