how to fix a bent headphone jack

Do you want to know how to fix a bent headphone jack? These are usually very solid connectors, but sometimes they can get a little bent out of shape, just like the mother-in-law. But at least there are some inexpensive, quick fixes where headphone jacks are concerned.

Headphone connectors can be very fragile and delicate. If you go to sleep with your headphones on, you can inadvertently put pressure on the jack. This can cause all manner of misalignment issues.

So, let's go through thebest ways to fix your headphone jacks without spending any cash…

Common Issues Caused by Bent Headphone Jacks

Common Issues

Your headphones jack is one of the most important components of your music listening experience. If your jack gets bent, it can cause all manner of issues with audio. So, what are some of themost common issues caused by bent headphone jacks? There are more potential issues that you can imagine.

Volume Issues

If your headphone jacks are not connecting properly, it can cause low volume, regardless of how much you fiddle with your audio settings.

Static Problems

Bent headphone jacks can cause static. You might be able to hear static in both sides of your headphones, even when you are not playing any sound.

Stereo Mode Issues

When headphone jacks get bent, they can have knock-on issues with the wiring. The wires can become disconnected, which can result in no sound in one or both ears.

Loose Headphone Jack Fit

A bent jack can make it difficult to plug in your headphones properly, and therefore, the sound will be affected.

How to Fix Your Bent Headphone Jack Issues

There is nothing worse than finding out that you cannot listen to music properly because your headphones are broken. However, if the issue is with a bent headphone jack, you might be able to fix that.

If not, you will have to bite the bullet and buy a new set of headphones. You don't have to be an electronics expert to fix your bent headphone jacks, but you will need a delicate touch.

Please remember that by choosing to fix your headphones yourself, you might affect any warranty you have. But if they are a cheap pair, it doesn't matter too much. If they are an expensive pair, taking them to an authorized repair shop should be your first port of call. But if not, here are some of the best ways to fix your bent headphone jack issue.

Manually Straighten Your Headphone Jack

The first quick fix would be to manually straighten your headphone jack. To perform this spot of DIY headphone surgery, you will need two pairs of pliers and a ruler. And a steady hand! You will have to be very patient and very careful. Here is a step-by-stepguide to manually straightening your bent headphone jack.

Take your two sets of pliers.
Hold the plug end with one set while holding the ring or center part with the second set.
Carefully bend the plug back into a straight position with the least force you can.
Get your ruler and check the jack is now straight.

If it's not straight after performing those tasks, repeat the process until it is straight. If you can't fix your headphone jack this way, you will have to consider other options.

Replacing Bent Headphone Jacks

If your manual jack straightening technique didn't work, you might have to replace your headphone jack. This option is a bit more technical and finicky, but if you have cheap headphones, why not? You might as well try to replace the jack.

Here are some of the tools you will need to attempt to replace the jack manually.

Brand new 3.5mm jack
Soldering iron and solder, such as this affordable Soldering Iron Kit
Heat shrink, such as the Eiechip 560pcs Heat Shrink Tubing Kit with Box
Damp sponge, cloth, or wipes
Scissors or wire cutters
Small knife or wire stripper
Helping Hands Soldering Third Hand Tools

Step-by-step Jack Replacement Guide

Next up is my step-by-step guide on how to fix a bent headphone jack by manually replacing it. If you follow these simple steps, you will be listening to music in stereo again in no time.

First, you will need to purchase some brand new 3.5mm headphone jacks. Alternatively, you could cut the jacks from an old pair of headphones. However, headphone jacks are inexpensive, so better to buy new ones. Check out the best headphone jacks below:

Syncwire 3.5mm Headphone Jack
Fancasee Replacement 3.5mm Headphone Jacks
Timibus 3.5mm Jack Plug Replacement with Solder

Then take your wire cutters or a pair of scissors to cut off the plug from the cable.

Now use your small knife or a wire stripper to remove the wire from the jack, leaving about half an inch from the end. If the wire has an enamel coating, you might need to heat that with a lighter for a second to melt the cover. This will be removed to expose the three inside wires:

White Wire – this wire is for the left channel.
Red Wire – this wire is for the right channel.
Bare Wire (sometimes black) – this is the ground wire.

It's now turn on your soldering iron to give it time to heat up. Then apply solder to the ends of the wires, which is called "tinning the wires." Some sets of headphones have dual ground wires. If so, you can entwine them together. Then you can use your damp cloth or wipes to get rid of any surplus solder, or you might experience a short circuit.

Getting there nicely…

Now you need to place the heat shrink over the wires for protection and insulation. Using some kind of electrical tape is also a viable option. Then unscrew the casting from the new plug and insert the tinned wires into the casing of the new plug. Make sure the casing is facing the correct way.

Use the helping hand tool to secure the positioning of the new plug. This will simplify the whole process.

Nearly there…

You now need to insert the wires into the connections of the new plug. Start with the ground wires. Then you can follow this by doing the same for the left and the right channel wire. Hold them in position until the solder cools.

Then you can pull the shrink casing over the wires in the plug. And that should be it!

Finally, you will need to test your headphones to see if they work. The most common issue is getting the left and right channel wires the wrong way around. And if this is an issue, you will need to unsolder the wires and rewire them correctly.

Preventative Measures to Avoid Bending Your Headphone Jacks

Preventative Measures

You've all heard the adage, "prevention is better than a cure." You can avoid headphone jack bending issues by taking a few simple precautions. So, here are a few things to think about to prevent this issue…

Keep headphone wires untangled.
Disconnect your headphone jack when not in use.
Always pull the plug, never the cable.
Buy headphones with a solid right-angle plug.
Buy wireless headphones.

As mentioned, one of thebest ways to avoid a bent headphone jack is to purchase wireless headphones that don't use jack connectors. Here are some of the best wireless headphones for sale currently in the market…

COWIN E7 Wireless Headphone

This is a highly recommended wireless headphones product that enjoys a deep base. These are regarded as a great value for money option.

Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds

When you need the best wireless earbuds to limit jack bending issues, this Beats model is the ideal choice.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones

These Sony wireless headphones are an industry-leading option. The noise-canceling properties of this product are exceptional. For more information, take a look at our in-depth Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Sony WH-1000XM3 review.

Skullcandy Sesh Evo True Wireless Earbuds

Very stylish earbuds that look great and perform even better. These wireless earbuds are the ideal way to circumnavigate jack bending issues.

Tiksounds True Wireless Earbuds

These ultra-modern wireless earbuds have deep bass functions. This is one of the best value wireless earbuds if you are on a budget and want to avoid cables and headphone jack problems.

Looking for some high-quality Bluetooth Headphones?

Then check out our reviews of the Best Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, the Best aptX Bluetooth Headphones, the Best Bluetooth Headphones for Conference Calls, and the Best Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones you can buy in 2021.

On a budget? No problem, take a look at the Best Bluetooth Headphones Under 200 Dollars and the Best Bluetooth Headphones under 100 Dollars currently on the market.

You might also like our detailed articles on Why do I Hear Static in my Headphones, How to Disable a Headphone Jack for PC and Phones, How to Use a Single Jack Headset on PC Without a Splitter, Bluetooth Headphones Connected but Have No Sound, and Using Headphone Jack as Microphone for more great tips and hints.