![Why Does My Radio Turn On But No Sound](https://techmediaarc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Why-Does-My-Radio-Turn-On-But-No-Sound.webp)
Imagine you turn your radio system on but there’s no sound. This could be annoying for many of us and we definitely would like to know why this happens?
So, let’s have a look at a few common problems that can cause such issues and also how to fix this issue.
Why Does My Radio Turn On But No Sound
A few common issues that causes to no sound problem while your radio is on includes:
- Muted Radio
- Audio Source Selection
- Correct Input Source
- Speakers compatibility
- Wiring Issues
Muted Radio
Sometimes it happens you’ve forgotten to turn your radio volume on. So, make sure to check that you haven’t Muted your radio.
Audio Source Selection
Before using radio function, you need to make sure that radio is selected as your audio source.
Correct Input Source
In the case you’re using AUX, USB, or Bluetooth device, ensure it’s plugged into the right port. Also, make sure that your input device is also functional
Speakers Compatibility
As, retro sound radios are suitable to work with the speakers having the compatibility of 4ohm. You should check the speaker’s impedance to ensure the compatibility.
Wiring Issue:
Don’t forget to test the wiring because if the wiring has chassis ground speakers will not get connected.
Following points will help you further to detect if there’s a wiring issue
- Every speaker connected to the radio requires separate positive and negative leads to function correctly.
- Every wire and speaker needs to be checked to be clear that cables are not connected to chassis ground. The radio will acknowledge it as a short circuit. This acknowledgement of radio will turn off the internal amplifier and eventually there will be no sound.
![Why does my radio turn on but no sound - check the wiring](https://techmediaarc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Why-does-my-radio-turn-on-but-theres-no-sound-check-the-wiring.webp)
The process to figure out a grounded speaker is simple and explained below.
You can conduct this continuity test using a multi meter.
- Connect your meter’s black cable to the COM port.
- Now connect the red cable of the meter into the VΩmA port.
- Make sure to put the meter on continuity mode. This mode has icon looks similar to sound waves.
- To test the meter touch both probes together. If you hear a beep and have zero on meter display then it’s ready for continuity test.
- After that, remove the harness of speaker wire out of the main harness of the radio. In this connector you will find a set of white, grays, greens and purple.
- To ground your meter, connect its black cord to the chassis.
- Test all eight (8) wires of retro sound radio’s speaker harness with the help of the meter’s red cable. (Remember that this process will test all speakers wired to the radio)
- You’ll hear a beep or see a continuity between wires and ground if there’s a grounded wire. Alter system depends upon your meter.
- Now fix this grounded wire and retest.
Now you can see by following this method the issue of no sound of your radio has gone.
Why My Car Radio Turns on But No Sound
Let’s say you’ve turned the radio of your car on but there’s no sound. No doubt it’s annoying for you and want to avoid this situation, but there are many radios and cars that have this problem.
And now you have to figure out why this problem occurs to you.
But before finding the reasons of no sound problem occurred in your car radio, let’s have a look at its function. As, it will make bug detection and fixing easy for you.
A Car Stereo: How Does It Work?
Let’s walk through the components list first:
- Radio Head: Your radio head unit can be equipped with controls, dials, or a touchscreen. It comes with all features required for reading files, USB, AUX, and Bluetooth connections. You also have the option of volume control in it..
- Amplifier: The amplifier does what it says on the tin “Amplification” – It gives a boost to the signals that come from the head unit to increase the speaker’s sound. Almost all head units equipped with a pre-amp, with the ability to drive basic speakers
- Speakers: They generate air vibrations from the signal, resulting in us to hear sound.
- Wiring: Wiring links head with an antenna, amplifier, and car battery. As, if you have an amplifier it gets the power from the car battery using the wiring and also transmits the data to speakers using wires.
So, now you have a short overview of all the components and it’s easy for you to figure out why your radio turns on but no sound there.
But, bug finding is not the only thing you want. You also want a solution which is already given in the section below.
No Sound When Car Radio Is Turned On:
The common list of issues in which car’s radio turns on but produce no sound includes:
- Source
- Cable
- Blown Fuse
- Loose Wiring
- Defeated amplifier or preamp
- Tuner Or Antenna Malfunction
- Software Issue
- Maintenance for your speaker
- Audio Control Module
1. Source (Phone)
Sometimes the source (your phone) does not work properly but you may think that there’s an issue with your radio system.
So, before digging in to any other thing make sure to check the source without plugging in to your stereo. Also, ensure that the volume of your source is turned up.
2. Cable (AUX or USB)
Another case of causing no sound problem in your car radio can be the AUX or USB that you’ve attached.
So, before messing up with the radio system make sure to check that AUX and USB are working on other devices properly.
3. Blown Fuse
When you come across an electrical problem, such as faulty windscreen wipers, headlights, or car radio, always start investigation from the fuse box. Fuse problems are easy to fix, depending upon the cost of the fuse.
![](https://techmediaarc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Why-does-my-radio-turn-on-but-no-sound-Check-fuse.png)
You might be asking where my fuse box is?
No fuse box can be mounted universally, so to locate yours, perform a quick google image search.
After locating the fuse box, tap the metal dots on the fuses with a test lamp to ensure they’re not faulty. Additionally, you can pull out each fuse individually, and Inspect the center wire for cracks.
In case of a blown fuse, replace it with a fresh one. Here’s a budget optimized fuse kit with a fuse plucker, so that you can put your fuses in and out easily from the sockets.
4. Loose Wiring
It is very unlikely that the stereo wiring will fail, regardless of the age of the car. In most cases, the wiring will become loose because the vehicle gets regular bumps and vibrations while driving.
But, when it occurs you should check the wiring of the following three units.
- Head Unit Wiring
When inspecting the head unit wiring, the backside of head unit must be accessed first. The process isn’t as simple as you think, because car stereos are not easy to disassemble in order to prevent theft.
To make it easy for you to remove the stereo I’ve attached a short video. But you also need to do some research if this method doesn’t help with yours.
You just need to tilt it out of the dashboard by pulling the head unit back slowly.
Ensure that no wires or connectors are loose, and especially check inside the dashboard for loose connectors.
It is possible they might have been intentionally left disconnected. So it is best to check the owner’s manual for specific connector requirements.
When finished with fixing, turn on to ensure its functionality. Finally put the head unit back into its place.
- Amplifier Wires
Similarly to the head unit, the amplifier has several wires that lead to the speaker’s connection. Ensure that the connectors are working properly.
Most amplifiers are located at the rear of the vehicle, beneath the cargo space. Do a bit of research and find out where exactly to look.
- Speaker Wires
Speakers are the ultimate ends of all stereo wiring. In my experience there’s not even a single case where a missing speaker stops the working of the whole stereo. Hence, it’s the problem of any single speaker.
If you don’t know which speaker is problematic, Use the faders and balance to separate sections – back and front, left and right.
After that, listen to the other speakers and spot one which is not producing sound.
Use a flat head screwdriver to carefully unplug the speaker cover, and inspect the wires. If you found a loose wire you need a soldering station.
5. Defeated amplifier or preamp
Since the amplifier is responsible for converting stereo signals into sound. So when it goes wrong, you might hear low volume, distorted sound, or odd noises from the speaker.
There are some preamps connected to the head unit and you can’t remove them. Also, in case if the replacement was possible, you might not get any used preamp without a head unit.
On the other hand it’s easy to swap the full amplifier, and if you have the same in your car you’re the lucky one. Since it is self-contained and interchangeable with a variety of options.
All you need to keep your channels requirement in mind while replacing with the new one. To ignore all kinds of innocence you can use the following one.
6. Tuner Or Antenna Malfunction
Most people overlook the possibility of a faulty antenna or tuner if their radios aren’t working properly.
Rather than metal antennae, wires have been installed now under the windshields of automobiles.
The new feature has a back draw of hiring a specialist to fix wire antennas while the older one can be fixed by yourself.
In case you want to do it yourself. Here’s the process:
- Detach the complete antenna system by disconnecting the mast from the fender. Also make sure not to overlook the connectors in this process
- Get the gear, motor and a rope in your radar. If you see that the rope’s teeth are broken, you need to change the whole assembly.
- The next step is to reinstall the new assembly. While the reinstallation process ensures to completely down the mast, after that tie up the nylon rope with the tube.
- Before you place the mechanism, you must attach the electrical wiring – the mast should retract if you do it right — if it doesn’t happen you might have missed something and now you’ve to repeat the process.
7. Software Issue
Similarly to phones or computers, car stereo systems can malfunction as well. In some cases, To fix the problem, your stereo software needs a reboot.
So, to turn on your stereo as if it had never been used before, flash its memory and then restart it once. Hopefully, this will resolve your problem.
![Why does my radio turn on but no sound - reboot stereo software](https://techmediaarc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Why-does-my-radio-turn-on-but-no-sound-reboot-stereo-software.webp)
Another possibility is that someone who had access to the car tampered with the stereo settings and damaged the audio balance. So, make sure to check all the settings before you flash it’s memory.
8. Maintenance for your speaker
The speakers distribute the sound all around the car through the head unit. If you’ve followed the given points you’ve already tested your wiring and there’s not any issue with it.
In the process of inspecting your wires out, you might notice that only one speaker is not working.
Now, you have two options:
- Fix the speaker
- Change the speaker
Whether you fix it or replace it your issue of having no sound while on radio will be resolved.
9. Audio Control Module
In any case, if no solution from the given above is working, perhaps the problem lies with the Audio Control Module. It’s the car’s instrument panel that displays the current features and functions.
This may require a reflash or a complete replacement if creating a problem. For the fixing of this module, always consult with an experienced person if you don’t have knowledge of car electronics.
FAQs
Q. What are the symptoms of a blown speaker?
A. When your radio does not produce sound, begin by checking its speaker. To check the speaker, disconnect the radio from the power source and take the back panel off. After that, locate the speaker and inspect whether it’s blown. In the case of a blown speaker, you’ll clearly see the damage that causes no sound.
Q. What are the symptoms of a broken amplifier?
A. If the amplifier of your radio is broken it will not produce the sound. Also, you can visibly see it by opening up the back panel of your radio.
Q. If my speaker or amplifier is blown, how can I fix it?
A. If the speaker or amplifier of your radio is broken, the only thing you can do is replace the old speaker with a new one and the same goes for the amplifier.
Q. Despite not having a blown speaker, my radio won’t play music why?
A. The most common reason can be detached speakers. There are also other reasons that have been discussed above in the article.
Q. How can I fix a disconnected speaker wire?
A. To fix the disconnected speaker wire remove the radio power and back panel as well. Find the wire and attach it to the speaker.
Q. Do car speakers have fuses?
A. There’s no car speakers that have a fuse. Only the head unit and amplifier have fuses.
Q. Are speakers affected by blown fuses?
A. Yes, speakers can be affected by fuses. Because fuses are intentionally weak points of the electric system.
Conclusion:
A few common fixes such as unmute radio, selecting the right audio source or input source selection, speakers compatibility, wiring issues and other explained issues in the blog post can help you to avoid no sound issue of your radio.
No matter whether it’s normal radio or your car radio you can easily sort out the cause and can fix it.
But if still you face any kind of issue do ask in the comment section so that we can address your issues.
![Muhammad Talha](https://techmediaarc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Talha.jpg)
Being a radio enthusiast I know that it’s very difficult to get the information available on the internet for radio lovers. Also, sometimes it’s not satisfactory. That’s why I set up a website to share my helpful knowledge and best products with the amazing community of radio lovers.
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