Headphone wires are one of the most fragile parts of any headphones, yet they’re also the most overlooked. As a result, they’re often the first to become damaged. With every yank, twist, and turn, the wires’ outer rubber insulation becomes weaker and thinner. Eventually, your headphone wires become more exposed, causing them to fray or be torn off entirely. What’s worse is that even if you handle them carefully, your headphone wires are still prone to other accidents, such as getting chewed up by your pets. But don’t worry! If you’re dealing with damaged headphone wires, you don’t have to throw them away just yet! There are several easy DIY fixes you can do at home to fix broken or fraying headphone wires without using soldering tools. You’ll also find tips on how to patch up more severely damaged headphone and earphone wiring, including replacement options for lost causes. So, let’s get into it!
Are Exposed Headphone Wires Dangerous?
No. Exposed headphone wires are generally not dangerous. Although electricity does pass through headphone or earphone wiring, it does so at a very low voltage that’s dependent on the headphones’ impedance. So, even if you accidentally touch an exposed wire, you can rest easy knowing that your headphones’ frayed wiring won’t electrocute you. Exposed headphone wires are more likely to damage the headphones by short-circuiting. Short circuits happen when excessive charge flows to an unintended wire and often occur when the wire insulation is worn out or exposed. This can cause overheating and electrical sparks, damaging both your headphones and audio source.
How to Fix Headphone Wires That Are Beginning to Fray
When it comes to headphone or earphone cables, the part closest to the plug is often the first to show signs of fraying. Most of the time, it’s because of the frequent abuse this area receives. We often latch onto this part when yanking or tugging the headphone cable out before putting it away. It’s also the part we tend to twist, push, or bend when the headphone jack doesn’t stay in place. Fortunately, there are quick fixes for fraying or exposed wires that require little money and effort. Here are four easy ways to repair headphone and earphone wires at home:
Wrap it with electrical tape Use heat-shrink tubing Mould Sugru around it Use cable savers
Wrap it with electrical tape
Most people have electrical tape in their homes, and if not, they’re easy to buy from any hardware store. Electrical tape is designed to insulate electrical wires. Black colored electrical tape, in particular, is made for low voltage electrical wires, so you can try using it for a quick and easy headphone wire repair. Follow these fail-proof steps:
Use heat-shrink tubing
You may also try using heat-shrink tubings or sleeves for a more durable and long-lasting fix. These tubings are primarily used for repairing, reinforcing, and insulating frayed electrical wires. Here are the steps on how to use them:
Mould Sugru around it
Sugru Mouldable Glue is an all-around moldable adhesive putty made of silicone rubber. You can use this for DIY crafts, mounting needs, electrical repairs, etc. It is moldable, flexible, durable, waterproof, and has good insulation properties. Here’s how you can use it to repair your frayed headphone wires:
Use cable savers
If you’re not much of a DIY person and you want a quick and easy fix, you can try these Jetec cable savers. These are mainly used to prevent wires from fraying. But you can still use them on exposed wires to give your headphone cables added support and backing. You can use them by following these three easy steps:
What to Do With More Severely Damaged Headphone Wires
In cases of more severe damage wherein the wires are completely torn off, there is still hope. The two best ways to approach this involve soldering the headphone wires or using a combination of electrical tape and heat-shrink tubings. These methods are known to fix many headphone issues, such as hearing static in your headphones or having only one side of your earphones working. However, while these fixes are proven effective most of the time, they still run the risk of not working or causing more damage, especially if the steps aren’t done correctly. If your headphones are still under warranty and the damage is covered, you can defer the repairs to a professional who is sure to know how to fix them properly. This helps you avoid unforeseeable mishaps if you aren’t confident in your DIY skills. If you decide to DIY your headphones and end up not completely fixing the problem or making it worse, it’s best to buy a new pair of headphones entirely to avoid damaging other devices you use them with. Make sure to follow the necessary protocols on what to do with broken headphones so that you won’t encounter any issues. But if you are willing to try it, be sure to follow these steps carefully.
Repair with soldering
Before you begin, you will need:
Soldering kit Wire stripper/knife/cutter Electrical tape / heat-shrink tubing Lighter (or sandpaper)
How to fix headphone wires without soldering
If you’re not that handy at soldering, no worries! You can still fix your broken headphone wires using simpler tools. To repair damaged headphone or earphone wiring without fusing them with a soldering iron, you will need:
Wire stripper (or cutter) Lighter (or sandpaper) Electrical tape / heat-shrink tubing Scissors
Replacement headphone wires that you can try
If the fixes discussed above aren’t enough to resurrect your broken headphone wires, replacing them may be the wiser choice. We’ve listed a few relatively affordable replacement options in the section below. But if you’re thinking of buying more high-end cables, see if it’s worth it by going through our in-depth guide on expensive headphone cables. If you’re okay with inexpensive cables, feel free to go through our recommendations for replacement headphone wires:
LANMU replacement cable
These LANMU Replacement Cables are made of high-quality transparent PVC. The wires are not easy to knot, so they remain intact even with everyday use. Their durable structural support also gives them good tensile strength.
Earla Tec replacement audio cable cord wire with in-line mic and control
This Earla Tec Replacement Cable is compatible with Beats Studio, Executive, Mixer, and Apple iPhones. The cable material is TPU-coated, soft, tangle-free, and durable. This is a good choice for those looking for a replacement cable with an in-line microphone and control setting.
Fancasee 2-pack replacement cord (wire open end)
This Fancasee 2-pack Replacement Cord is the perfect replacement for lost or worn-out headphone wires with a 3.5mm male plug connector. It is easy to install. Just connect the respective bare wires and wrap them together. Finally, secure the bare wire using electrical tape or heat-shrink tubing.
Conclusion
Not all broken headphones warrant immediate replacement or disposal. Sometimes, with a bit of patience and resourcefulness, a little DIY repair can fix problems from frayed wires to damaged headphone pads. That being said, we hope this article has helped you find new ways to salvage your beloved headphones or earphones. If your headphones are experiencing any other problems, feel free to check out our ultimate guide to fixing broken headphones. If you’ve successfully ‘saved’ your headphone wires using any of the tips above, we’d love to hear about it in the comments section below. Also, if you have any other tips and tricks that you swear by, do share them with us too!
