Sound on one side turns on / off randomly

[bow]

There is an evil spirit in my computer that randomly turns the sound on/off on the left side.

I used to think it was hardware related, the earphones just didn't work properly, but it is not. I have to accept that it is some crazy software problem. I have windows 7 in an old benq laptop. I have checked every imaginable sound setting thing in the laptop. Anyone knows what makes my laptop randomly turn on/off the sound on the left side ?

[Chicog]

Loose connection somewhere. Can you influence it by gently moving the plug within the socket?

Have you tried putting a pair of speakers in there to confirm that it happens without the earphones?

[Pib]

Agree...sounds like a loose/broken connection.

And "without" using the earphones, do you still have the problem?

[bow]

Thanks. Loose / broken connection makes sense considering the laptop's history. I used to put the laptop, in its bag, on my bicycle ....

[Chicog]

Doesn't mean it's not easily fixable, but just find out first.

[Daffy D]

As stated a loose connection seems the obvious culprit.

Also push in and out the jack plug several times as dirt can build up in there and give the same symptoms.

Same with volume control wheel (if you have one) roll it back and forth several times to clear any dirt build up on the slider.

[KhunHeineken]

If it's not a broken wire in your earphones, and the problem is the 3.5mm jack inside your laptop, which may be expensive to fix, a work around would be to buy a cheap USB headset. You can get them wired or cordless. You can bypass the 3.5mm jack altogether.

Edited February 21, 2016 by KhunHeineken

[DogNo1]

I have a computer that produces a buzz in the speakers when no sound is playing. After exhaustive testing, I have determined that it's a problem somewhere in the motherboard circuitry. Could buy a separate sound card but since the computer is a seldom used spare just haven't done it. Just wanted to mention that sound problems are not always software or jack-related problems.

[cyberfarang]

Check your sound system with this easy to use online test facility.

http://www.audiocheck.net/audiotests_stereo.php

[Chicog]

I have a computer that produces a buzz in the speakers when no sound is playing. After exhaustive testing, I have determined that it's a problem somewhere in the motherboard circuitry. Could buy a separate sound card but since the computer is a seldom used spare just haven't done it. Just wanted to mention that sound problems are not always software or jack-related problems.

But they usually are when they are intermittent.

[JaseTheBass]

I have a computer that produces a buzz in the speakers when no sound is playing. After exhaustive testing, I have determined that it's a problem somewhere in the motherboard circuitry. Could buy a separate sound card but since the computer is a seldom used spare just haven't done it. Just wanted to mention that sound problems are not always software or jack-related problems.

Sounds like your house isn't earthed properly/at all.

[bow]

Epilogue:

I have fixed the problem, sort of.

1. Open the laptop and turn it on.

2. Put on the earphones and put something on.

3. Use a finger to press on the plastic "shell" of the laptop on the right hand side of that thing you can use instead of a mouse.

4. By trial and error you can turn on the sound on both sides.

[Crossy]

Epilogue:

I have fixed the problem, sort of.

1. Open the laptop and turn it on.

2. Put on the earphones and put something on.

3. Use a finger to press on the plastic "shell" of the laptop on the right hand side of that thing you can use instead of a mouse.

4. By trial and error you can turn on the sound on both sides.

Definite loose connection (ok 99.9%).

Take it to one of the lappie repair places.

Should cost a few 00 Baht to fix.

QED.

[DogNo1]

My sound isn't intermittant and doesn't occur with my other computers when they are connected to the same speakers. This computer sounds clear with a Bluetooth speaker so it must be motherboard circuitry (I think.)

[slipperylobster]

try hdmi out to a monitor/tv.

I bet it the there is a short in your line out socket, which could happen on older laptops. Definitely not a software issue.

If you are using only the internal speakers, and this happens, then the short is in one of the internal speaker connections.

In either case, HDMI out bypasses all that.

Edited February 27, 2016 by slipperylobster