Why Bluetooth Speakers Are Quiet, And How To Fix It!

This site contains affiliate links to products, and we may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Have you noticed that your Bluetooth speakers have a meager maximum sound output? That even when you’re playing music on the loudest volume settings, you can barely hear the song? Well, I’m here to tell you this is a very common problem.

In fact, if you’ve used Bluetooth headphones and regular jacked headphones, you know that there is a huge difference in the max volume limit between the two.

Bluetooth headsets typically can not replicate the sound you get from good old wired headphones. This is because Bluetooth device manufacturers set a limit on how high the volume can be.

Luckily for you, there’s a way around this. You can increase the maximum volume from the sound settings in your wireless headphones in just a few steps.

1. What Is the Volume Limit of Bluetooth Headphones?

Before getting into how you can override the limit, I need to go over the justification for setting it in the first place. You can expose yourself to serious health concerns if you increase the highest volume limit to overcome the low volume issue.

Bluetooth headphones are capable of reaching over 100dB+. This is above the threshold of safe listening and can cause permanent hearing damage. Even if you only listen to songs at the maximum volume level settings for 15 minutes, you’ll hurt yourself.

Given that people listen to songs a lot and rarely monitor how much they’re listening to, software manufacturers like Android, Windows, and Apple implemented limits on the max volume output of their headphones.

READ MORE!

Does Bose QuietComfort 45 Have Noise Cancellation? (Review!)

This doesn’t happen with wired headphones because the software can’t limit the volume output from a standard 3.5mm jack. So once you learn how to increase volume on Bluetooth headphones, you’ll be able to enjoy any music app without disturbances on all your headphones.

2. How to Increase the Volume on Your Bluetooth Headphones

Depending on the device you’ve connected your Bluetooth headphones to, you’ll have to follow a different process to increase the headphone’s volume.

Android

• Open Settings and go to ‘About Phone.’
• Click on ‘Build Number’ 7 times. On the 7th click, it should indicate you have access to ‘developer options.’
• Type in your password if you’re asked to do so.
• Open Settings again and go to ‘System.’
• Click on ‘Advanced’ and then ‘Developer Options.’
• Disable ‘Absolute Volume.’
• Restart your phone and Bluetooth headphones.

Windows

• Press the Windows Key and type ‘Run.’
• Press enter.
• The ‘Run’ window will open.
• Type in ‘Control Printers’ and click OK.
• Right-click on the icon for your Bluetooth headphones.
• Select ‘Properties’ and click ‘Services.’
• Uncheck the box for ‘Handsfree Telephony.’
• Restart your computer and Bluetooth headphones.

iPhone

There are two ways to fix the low volume problem in iPhones. Read through both of them and try whichever one seems easier to you.

Method 1

• Open Settings and click on ‘Music.’
• Pick ‘Flat’ under EQ settings.

Method 2

• Open Settings.
• Click on ‘Volume Limit’ and take the volume limit slider to the maximum right.

Mac

Close all the applications that might be using Bluetooth headphones. It’s important that you quit each one individually before starting this process.

• Open ‘System Preferences.’
• Click on ‘Sound.’
• Select ‘Output.’
• Pick your Bluetooth headphones and change the sliding bar below them to the maximum volume you’d like them to have.

3. Other Reasons for Low Volume On Bluetooth Headphones

If you weren’t able to fix the Bluetooth volume with the process detailed above, the issue might have been caused by another reason. Sometimes your headphones might be playing songs at a really low volume for reasons other than the volume limit set by manufacturers. Let’s go over them.

Dirty Headphones

Earbuds get dirty over time. This happens because of dirt and earwax. So it’s important that you clean them from time to time. Use a toothpick and a cotton swab to get the job done.

Low Battery

Constantly using your Bluetooth headphones on a low battery can also impact their volume output. Many devices automatically reduce their volume when on a low battery to preserve their charge.

Hearing Loss

At times, the low volume output can be related to you and have nothing to do with the device itself. 

If you have tried all possible solutions, including removing the max volume limit, cleaning your headphones, charging your device, and purchasing new headphones, then perhaps you should get a hearing test.

4. Final Thoughts

If your headphones are very quiet, try removing the volume limit set by manufacturers. I’ve outlined the process of doing so for Androids, Windows, iPhones, and Macs. It shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes to see a drastic change in volume levels.

READ MORE!

Are Bluetooth Headphones good for gaming?

But if this doesn’t work for some reason, there might be an issue with the headphone’s hardware. Try cleaning it and charging the device fully. If even this doesn’t work, you might have hearing problems. It’s more common than you might think. I’d recommend visiting a doctor as soon as possible.