Why does my subwoofer hum when receiver is off?
William Smith
Published Mar 24, 2026
Why does my subwoofer hum when receiver is off?
This hum is caused by the ground voltage potential differences among the system components, power cords and audio/video cables. If the subwoofer is plugged into its own outlet, plug the subwoofer’s power cord into an outlet shared by the other components. Use an extension cord if necessary.
Why is my subwoofer making a static noise?
So, why is my subwoofer making a static noise? A bad or defective subwoofer woofer can have static in it. This is often caused by poor or non-repairable joints between the motor and the subwoofer. Most of the time, you can just replace the subwoofer with a new one and find the problem solved.
Is it normal for a subwoofer to hum?
Subwoofer hum or buzz is a low-level noise that can be present whenever a passive or powered subwoofer is turned on, whether or not it is playing. This 60-hertz hum is a direct result of being plugged into an AC wall outlet. Usually, all it takes is a change in the way the subwoofer connects to power.
What is a ground loop isolator?
A ground loop noise isolator has a separate isolation transformer on each channel. The transformer magnetically transfers the audio, but will not transfer electricity. As a result, the DC noise caused by the ground loop is eliminated. For example, you might still get ground loop noise from your radio.
What should I do if my subwoofer hums?
Install a coaxial isolation transformer on that cable. If the hum persists, install a line-level ground loop isolator on the subwoofer’s line-level feed cable. This usually solves most hum problems. If nothing helps, disconnect all the audio cables from the subwoofer.
Can a wireless subwoofer be used as a hum loop?
You could try a muteable wireless subwoofer which can be great solutions to integrate a subwoofer in your home. If it is a hum loop, you should check whether the hum is caused by the connection between the subwoofer and the source device or by other devices that are additionally connected to the source device.
Why does my subwoofer make a humming noise?
Ground loops and other external factors are often easy to fix. There are three possible causes for humming – and an important hint is how your subwoofer hums: Is the noise very quiet and doesn’t get louder even when the volume is turned up? Is it clearly audible and dependent on the volume? Or is it clearly audible, but independent of the volume?
Where does the Hum come from on my speakers?
Does the hum come from both speakers or just the right speaker,and with the right speaker disconnected do you get hum free music from the left speaker. Does the volume control affect the volume of the hum.
Why does my subwoofer hum when I turn it on?
Only in the first case is it probably due to the subwoofer itself. You may hear the power supply because it doesn’t work as it should. In the second case, there might be a disturbance in the mains or an unfavourably located subwoofer cable or mains cable could be the source of hum.
How do I Stop my REL subwoofer from humming?
Solder the BLACK wire of the REL high level cable to the ring connection of an RCA plug and connect it to an unused RCA input on your system. Connect the BLACK wire to the ground lug provided for phono input on integrated amp or pre-amp. Connect the BLACK wire to the Earth connection for radio antenna on amplifier.
You could try a muteable wireless subwoofer which can be great solutions to integrate a subwoofer in your home. If it is a hum loop, you should check whether the hum is caused by the connection between the subwoofer and the source device or by other devices that are additionally connected to the source device.
What to do if your Hum speaker is not working?
First, double-check to make sure your Hum OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) Reader is plugged in. Also, make sure your Hum Speaker is charged. If you’re still having trouble, contact Hum Customer Service at (800) 711-5800 . When will I get my first Safety Score? You don’t have to wait long.