Why does my phone audio keep glitching?
Audio glitching is a common issue affecting smartphone users, where the audio playback becomes choppy, distorted, or cuts out entirely. This can be incredibly frustrating when trying to listen to music, watch videos, or make calls. While there are various causes, audio glitching usually comes down to either a software or hardware-related problem.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the most common reasons your phone’s audio may be glitching and provide troubleshooting tips to resolve the issue. Topics covered include problems with the audio jack, software and app conflicts, outdated drivers, WiFi interference, viruses, and hardware damage. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of why audio glitching happens and actionable steps to fix sound problems on both iPhone and Android devices.
Faulty Audio Jack
The audio jack is the physical port on your phone where you plug in your headphones. It contains a number of small metal pins that make contact with the plug on your headphones to transmit audio signals. Over time, these pins can become corroded or damaged which can cause crackling, popping or cutting in and out of the audio signal.
According to a Reddit thread on r/headphones, the trend of removing headphone jacks from phones has been frustrating for consumers dealing with audio issues (source). Without the headphone jack, diagnosing and resolving audio problems becomes more difficult.
A loose connection in the audio jack is one of the most common causes of audio glitches. This can happen if the jack becomes worn out over time or if debris accumulates inside. Frequently plugging and unplugging headphones can also loosen the jack. Trying different headphones or gently cleaning the jack with compressed air can help resolve this issue.
Corroded or bent pins inside the audio jack are another source of audio problems. As the pins wear out, they may not make solid contact with the headphone plug. This can cause choppy or distorted audio. In severe cases, certain audio channels may cut out entirely. Replacing the headphone jack or professional repair may be needed if the pins are damaged.
Software/App Issues
Certain apps can sometimes cause audio glitching due to how they are coded to handle audio playback. Apps that are not optimized or properly coded to manage audio streams can end up interfering with the audio pipeline and introduce artifacts like skipping, popping or distortion.
According to a Power Music FAQ page, some apps do not properly handle audio in the background which can lead to problems. They recommend checking the app permissions and battery optimization settings. Additionally, a Reddit user reported frequent audio stuttering in the Audible app but not in Spotify, indicating an app-specific compatibility issue.
If the audio glitching only seems to happen with certain apps but not others, it points to an app coding or optimization problem. Checking for app updates, uninstalling/reinstalling the app, or contacting the app developer may help resolve app-specific audio glitches.
Update Issues
Software updates for mobile operating systems like iOS and Android often introduce new features and bug fixes. However, occasionally these updates can also inadvertently introduce new bugs that cause problems like audio glitching.
If you start noticing audio issues after a major OS update, it’s possible the update is to blame. Check the release notes for your OS version – sometimes known issues are documented. If the audio problems appeared immediately after an update, try rolling back to the previous OS version as a test. This may resolve the glitching.
On Android, you can go into Settings > System > Advanced > System Update and tap “Rollback.” Just make sure you backup data first. On iPhone, you’ll need to connect to iTunes on a computer and restore to a previous iOS backup.
Before updating again, check online forms and reddit communities to see if other users are reporting audio issues. Wait for a future incremental update that hopefully resolves any bugs introduced in the initial major update release. Finally, make sure to provide feedback directly to the device manufacturer about any update-related problems.
Audio Codec Incompatibility
Audio codecs like AAC, aptX, and SBC are used to compress and encode an audio stream over Bluetooth. However, incompatibilities between the audio codec supported by your phone and headphones can cause intermittent audio glitches
For example, your phone may only support SBC codec while your wireless headphones require the higher quality AAC codec to function properly. Since the two devices don’t have a codec in common, you may experience choppy or distorted sound.
You can try changing the Bluetooth audio codec used on your Android device. As per instructions on this XDA guide, go to Developer Options and change the Audio Codec option to try different codecs like SBC, AAC etc. See if using a common codec between your phone and headphones resolves the audio issues.
Additionally, check with your headphone manufacturer for codec compatibility information. You may need to use a different set of wireless headphones that share a common supported codec if switching codecs on your phone does not help.
WiFi/Data Interference
Wireless signals like WiFi and mobile data can sometimes cause interference with audio from your phone. This happens because Bluetooth, WiFi, and cellular data all rely on the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz radio frequency bands for wireless communication. When multiple devices in the same area are using these frequencies, it can cause signal congestion and interference [1].
The best way to test if wireless interference is the culprit is to turn off WiFi and mobile data when you are using audio on your phone. If the glitching stops once wireless is disabled, then you know the cause is interference. Try moving farther away from other wireless devices as well. Using wired headphones instead of Bluetooth can also avoid interference issues [2].
Outdated/Damaged Drivers
Device drivers play a critical role in enabling the audio capabilities of smartphones. They act as the software that allows the operating system to communicate with the audio hardware components. When drivers become outdated or corrupted, it can lead to a range of audio issues like glitching, echo, distortion and more.
One potential fix is to update the audio drivers on your phone. Most Android devices can update drivers through the Settings app. Go to Settings > System > Advanced > System Update to check for any available driver updates. You can also try uninstalling the audio drivers completely and reinstalling the latest version from your device manufacturer’s website [1].
If updating doesn’t work, you may need to reinstall the audio drivers. First uninstall the damaged drivers from Settings or a dedicated app like Drive Manager. Then download the latest audio drivers from the manufacturer’s website and install them. This will replace any corrupted driver files with fresh versions which should restore proper audio functioning [2].
With updated or freshly reinstalled drivers, any glitches, echoes or distortions caused by software issues should be resolved. Just be sure to get drivers directly from reputable sources like the device manufacturer to avoid potential problems with third-party drivers.
Malware/Viruses
Malware and viruses are common causes of audio glitches and distortion on phones. Malware is malicious software that can infect phones, while viruses are a specific type of malware. Both malware and viruses can disrupt and interfere with audio components and drivers on a device.
Malware is able to access microphone, speaker, and audio driver components, causing popping, static, echoing, and other audio distortion. The malware may also cause beeping or flashing visual disturbances while listening to calls or media. According to Security Magazine, these types of disturbances are telltale signs your device may be infected with malware interfering with audio functionality.
To check for malware, run full antivirus and malware scans using security software like Malwarebytes (https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/256852-malwarebytes-causing-bad-sound/). An antivirus scan can detect and remove malware that may be contributing to the audio issues. You should also avoid downloading suspicious apps, files, or visiting untrustworthy websites which increase malware risk.
Viruses like trojans are known to infect audio drivers, settings, and codecs which can manifest in glitchy audio. PCMag recommends checking your installed apps for anything suspicious, and being cautious of app permissions requests for microphone, contacts, SMS etc. Removing any potentially infected apps may clear up audio problems caused by viruses.
With proper malware protection and safe browsing practices, malware-induced audio glitches can usually be prevented or resolved. But if issues persist even after antivirus scans, then the problem may require deeper hardware or software troubleshooting.
Hardware Damage
Physical damage to a phone’s hardware from drops, accidents, or liquid exposure can cause issues with audio performance. Damage to the internal audio circuitry components like the headphone jack, speakers, microphones, or audio IC chip can lead to problems like distorted, muffled, or no audio.
If a phone has been dropped or gotten wet, openings like the headphone jack are vulnerable. Liquid exposure can corrode connections and cause shorts. Drops can loosen connectors or break solder points on the board. Inspect connectors like the headphone jack for damage or debris. Try cleaning with compressed air.
If physical damage is suspected, options include taking the phone to a repair shop for diagnosis and potential component replacement. For older phones, it may make more sense to replace the device if extensive repairs are needed. If audio issues persist after eliminating software causes, hardware damage should be investigated before the problem worsens.
Conclusion
In summary, there are various potential causes of audio glitching on smartphones. The main culprits are faulty audio jacks, problematic apps or software updates, codec incompatibilities, interference, driver issues, malware, hardware damage, and more.
If you are unable to resolve the audio glitches on your own through troubleshooting, you may need to visit a phone repair shop or contact the device manufacturer for further support. Technicians will be able to inspect the hardware and software to identify and address the root cause.
To avoid audio problems, keep your phone and apps updated, avoid exposing your device to moisture or drops, don’t install suspicious apps, and try wired headphones instead of Bluetooth if the issues persist. With proper care and maintenance, you can minimize technical issues and enjoy seamless audio playback.