Sony wired Headphones or Earbuds User Manual

No sound, noise, or sound interruption occurs in the wired Headphones or Earbuds:
IMPORTANT: The following solutions are applicable to cases when the headphones and playback device are connected directly with a cable. Solutions will different when using a wireless connection

Overview

Identify the symptom that is troubling you by checking the following categories:

  • No sound
  • Noises can be heard
  • Interrupted sound
  • Low volume
  • Distortion when increasing volume
  • No bass
  • Damage

To reduce the chance of any problems, proper maintenance of your product is key:

  • Cleaning
  • Handling

Issue Overview
No sound

  • Make sure that the headphone plug is properly connected to the device.

NOTE: It is possible that the headphone plug has not been inserted properly due to some rigidness of the headphone jack on the device used (music player, smartphone, tablet, etc.). Make sure the plug is completely inserted into the device.

  • In cases when sound cannot be heard from the right channel of the headphones, check if the device the headphones are connected to is equipped with a monaural output. If the device cannot play stereo sound, the headphones will not replicate the stereo sound. This is due to the specification of the device and is not a failure. Test this by connecting the headphones to a device equipped with a stereo output (e.g. digital music player) and check if sound can be heard from both channels.
  • Check if the playback device is functioning.

NOTE: This can be checked by turning up the volume of the playback device or by connecting a different pair of headphones to the playback device.

Noises can be heard

  • Connect a different pair of headphones to the device and check if noises are being generated.
  • Check if noises can be heard in a state where the cable is not in contact with clothing, etc.

NOTE: There are cases when noise from the cable brushing against clothes can be heard through the cable. This noise may be reduced by using a clip for the cable.

  • When noises can be heard when the headphones are connected to a monitor or mixer equipped with a headphone terminal, it is possible that the monitor or the mixer is the source of the noise. Check if noises can still be heard when connecting a different pair of headphones to the device, or if noises can be heard when connecting the headphones to a different source of sound.
  • In cases when crackling or popping sounds can be heard when mounting canal-type headphones on the ears, this is not a failure. Such sounds may be created due to the earbuds not being stable immediately after they are mounted. Continue use as these sounds will go away after a while.
  • Depending on the device the headphones are connected to, the sound may become distorted or cracked, or noise may be generated when the volume is turned up. In such a case, use the headphones with the volume turned down.

WARNING: There is a risk of personal injury. Prolonged use under large volumes that stimulate the ears may have adverse effects on hearing. Be careful not to turn the volume up too high to prevent damaging your ears. In addition, volumes that are too high will cause the sound to leak outside from the headphones. Please be careful as this may bother the people around you.

Interrupted sound

  • Connect a different pair of headphones to the playback device and check if the song, etc. being played by the playback device is still being interrupted.
  • Check if the remaining battery level of the playback device is sufficient.

NOTE: Sound may be interrupted when the remaining level of the dry cell batteries or built-in battery is low.
Make sure that the headphone plug is properly connected to the device.

NOTE: It is possible that the headphone plug has not been inserted properly due to some rigidness of the headphone jack on the device used (music player, smartphone, tablet, etc.). Make sure the plug is completely and properly inserted into the device.
Low volume

  • Turn the volume up if the volume of the playback device is too low.
  • Check if the remaining battery level of the playback device is sufficient. The sound may be interrupted when the remaining level of the dry cell batteries or built-in battery is low.

Distortion when increasing volume

  • Depending on the device the headphones are connected to, the sound may become distorted or cracked, or noise may be generated when the volume is turned up. In such a case, use the headphones with the volume turned down.

WARNING: There is a risk of personal injury. Prolonged use under large volumes that stimulate the ears may have adverse effects on hearing. Be careful not to turn the volume up too high to prevent damaging your ears.
In addition, volumes that are too high will cause the sound to leak outside from the headphones. Please be careful as this may bother the people around you.

No bass

  • Turn the volume up if the volume of the playback device is too low.

Damage

  • If none of the solutions described above solve the issue, it is highly likely that your product has been damaged and needs to be repaired or replaced. To avoid any damage to your product please look at the maintenance section (Anchor) in order to correctly maintain your Sony product.

Maintenance

Cleaning

  • If the headphone plug is dirty, clean the plug using a dry cloth.
  • Check if there are any foreign objects or dirt (such as ear wax or dust) attached to the portion [A] of the headphones. Since this portion produces the sound, foreign objects may cause decreased volumes or deterioration of sound quality.

An image of the canal-type headphones with the earbuds removed

NOTE:

  • When a dirty foreign object is attached to portion [A], clean the headphones by blowing the foreign object away using an air blower.
  • Refrain from using a sharp object such as the tip of a pen. It might cause additional damage.
  • In cases when the headphones tend to easily slip off from the ears, replace the size of each earbud to one that sits snug in each ear to improve the fit of the headphones.
  • Replace the earbuds or earpads if they have become damaged or deteriorated.

Handling

  • Be sure to hold the plug portion [A] to pull when disconnecting the headphones from the playback device.
    NOTE: Pulling on the cable portion may cause failures such as ruptured wires.

Correct 

Incorrect

  • Don’t tightly wrap the cable of the headphone around a playback device, etc. This is because tightly wrapping the cable will apply stress on the wires inside the cable and may rupture the wires, resulting in sound deterioration or complete lack of sound.
  • Precautions regarding Static Electricity.
    Static electricity stored inside the human body may cause tingling pains inside the ear. This can be reduced by wearing clothes made of natural materials.

There is no sound from my headphones 

  1. Follow these steps if you can’t hear any sound from your headphones after playing audio from a connected source device. If these steps require model-specific information, check your manual.

Make sure your audio source is on and the volume is up.

  1. If your headphones have a volume button or knob, make sure to turn it up.
  2.  If you have battery-powered headphones, make sure the battery has enough power.
  3. Check the connection of your headphones.

o Wired connection:
1. Make sure that the headphone plug is properly connected to the device.

NOTE: It is possible that the headphone plug has not been inserted properly due to some rigidness of the headphone jack on the device used (music player, smartphone, tablet, etc.). Make sure the plug is completely inserted into the device.
2. If the audio source uses a line remote, disconnect the remote and plug it directly into the audio source. If you can hear the sound from your headphones, the line remote may
require service.

o Bluetooth connection:

  1. Make sure to select your headphones in the Bluetooth settings of your audio source.
  2. Make sure there are no multiple devices that emit radio waves nearby
  3. Turn your headphones off and on.
  4. Pair your headphones with your audio device again.
  5. Try connecting your headphones to another audio source.
    o If the sound is heard, the first audio source may require repair.
    o If your headphones don’t produce any sound after connecting to a second audio source, your headphones may require service. Go to Product Repair.
  6. Alternatively, you can use our step-by-step Troubleshooting Guide.
    o Headphones Troubleshooting Guide

How to clean the headphone’s earbud
Some foreign material (e.g. earwax, etc.) might be accumulated in the earbuds, which may result in lower sound quality.
When this happens, please clean it with a blower, etc, by removing the earbud as shown:

Note: Please do not use a pen or a sharp pin since it may cause damage to the diaphragm or internal parts.
How to unplug from the headphone jack properly
When you unplug the earphone from the headphone jack, make sure to grip on the plug and gently pull the plug from the device.
Do not attempt to pull by the cable, it will damage the cable.

How to take care of your Earphones
Here are some tips on how to extend the life of your Headphones
How to take care of your Headphone Please follow the below tips to increase the durability of Your Headphones

TIP-1
Take care while Plugging & Unplugging the earphone/headphone Jack.

  • While unplugging the earphone from the earphone jack, make sure to grip the plug and gently pull the plug out from the device.
  • Do not attempt to pull the plug without gripping it, it will damage the device.
  • Do not pull the wire to unplug earphones.

TIP-2
Keep earphones clean from dust/earwax/water ingress.

Clear the area after removing the earbud, Ensure the hole is not blocked with earwax

  • Three Addition pairs of earbuds is bundled with the product. Once earbuds get dirty or clogged with earwax – Replace the earbuds with a New ones as shown in the above image.

TIP-3
Prevent from Liquid Ingression/ Damage

  • USB port cover must be firmly closed after disconnecting the charger. If there is a notch on USB cover, ensure the notch is well inserted in the bracket-Hole in USB port. As shown in the following image.

  • Waterproof devices must be completely in dry condition before connecting with the charger.

TIP-4
Do not tangle the earphone. Do not keep in tight Jeans/pants pockets or bags.

Avoid letting the earphones dangle from your bag or pocket.

  • Headphones Troubleshooting Guide
    Click on the topic to view the Troubleshooting:
  • No Power

  • Cannot Charge

 

  • Bluetooth pairing issues

  • No Sound, or Sound is only heard from one side

  • Audio (imbalanced sound, volume adjustment, noise)

 

  • Noise Canceling is insufficient
  • Microphone does not work

  • Physical Damage

If your questions aren’t covered in this guide, please enter your query in the search bar on the main Sony support website.